The Pittsburgh Steelers are full steam ahead for the 2025 season, determined to bounce back from another disappointing playoff loss.
Pittsburgh has been the king of consistency for nearly two decades, managing 21 consecutive seasons with a .500 record or better. However, it has not had the postseason success many would expect with that track record of winning football.
The Steelers’ front office has already been busy this offseason, re-tooling the roster for the upcoming 2025 season. Their first splash came in early March when they acquired wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Pittsburgh has half a dozen blue-chip players on defense, including perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt. Watt, alongside Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, linebacker Patrick Queen, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. comprise the team’s defensive pillars.
Despite the strong core group, there are a handful of positions the Steelers will look to add to in the draft.
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The retooling process will continue during the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Steelers have six selections. Pittsburgh owns the 21st overall pick in the first round.
Here’s everything to know about the Steelers’ draft outlook ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Steelers 2025 NFL Draft picks
The Steelers have six picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s the complete list:
- Round 1 – Pick 21: Derrick Harmon DT, Oregon
Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis: Guess we’re assuming QB Aaron Rodgers eventually signs on to play here … which would at least partially explain the Steelers adapting something of an all-in mentality for 2025 while apparently worrying about their quarterback of the future at a later date. So a team that doesn’t appear to have a ton of other glaring needs – running back can be addressed later in this draft – opts instead for an eventual replacement for All-Pro DE Cam Heyward, 35. After a breakout 2024 season for the Ducks, Harmon (6-5, 313) looks the part for Pittsburgh’s odd front and a guy who could nicely assist Heyward before eventually taking over for him.
- Round 3: Pick 83
- Round 4: Pick 123
- Round 5: Pick 156
- Round 6: Pick 185 (From Bears via Seahawks from trade for WR DK Metcalf)
- Round 7: Pick 229 (From Falcons via Eagles)
Steelers 2025 NFL Draft needs
Quarterback
Despite all of the regular season success, the Steelers enter 2025 with the eighth-longest drought without a playoff win. Russell Wilson signed with the Giants and Justin Fields joined the Jets in free agency. Former third-round pick Mason Rudolph provides solid backup on the depth chart. However, owner Art Rooney II, general manager Omar Khan and Tomlin need to invest significantly under center. The franchise has dealt with uncertainty at the position ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season.
Pittsburgh previously selected Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 draft but he failed to thrive. Even if Aaron Rodgers signs, he will be the oldest player in the NFL leaving the team with no long-term solution. Prioritizing the future starts with a quarterback. They likely won’t have the chance to draft the top QB prospects, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders with the 21st pick, but others like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe could be considered. The Steelers have other needs outside of the glaring one at QB. This makes it risky to take the third or fourth-best quarterback in the first round, so they could wait for a mid-round QB to plug into the depth chart.
Defensive tackle
Cam Heyward is a stalwart in the middle of the Steelers’ run defense but he will be 36 at the start of the season and the team has yet to find a successor. Pittsburgh allowed just 3.7 yards per carry with Heyward on the field, good for second best in the league. With Heyward on the sidelines, they allowed 5.1 yards per carry, which would be 31st.
They cut Larry Ogunjobi and have yet to fill the gaping hole. Kenneth Grant could be a solid option in the first round at nose tackle. If they wait until day two, T.J. Sanders or Joshua Farmer could make sense.
Offensive line
Pittsburgh’s offensive line is the least invested group in the NFL. They need to address the blockers up front to set up a young QB (or an aging Aaron Rodgers, should he sign) for success. Pittsburgh ranked 29th in pressure rate last season and lost James Daniels and Dan Moore in free agency. They have invested in the offensive line early in the draft the past two seasons, selecting Broderick Jones in the first round in 2023, followed by tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and center Zach Frazier in the second round in 2024. However, it’s still a position group they need to bolster.
Steelers 2025 NFL mock draft
Here’s what the Steelers could do come draft night, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Ayrton Ostly:
- Round 1, Pick 21: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
- The Steelers need a quarterback and Sanders is the most pro-ready talent in the class. He should be a serviceable starter for a team that’s looking to contend in 2025.
- Round 3, Pick 83: CB Quincy Riley, Louisville
- Round 4, Pick 123: RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
- Round 5, Pick 156: DT Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
- Round 6, Pick 185: WR Chimere Dike, Florida
- Round 7, Pick 229: S Dante Trader Jr., Maryland
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