The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have the 21st overall pick. This is a breakdown of their team’s needs and potential players they could select, along with an overview of their offseason so far.
State of the Union
Perhaps no team in the NFL is more reliant on its head coach than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin is now 18-for-18 on seasons in Pittsburgh at .500 or better. And he’s being thoroughly tested. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s departure, the Steelers have rolled out five different starting quarterbacks in the past three years. That number will move to six come Week 1 next year.
Despite back-to-back 10-7 years, this offseason feels like a crossroads. Tomlin will look to field another elite defense centered around superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt and interior menace Cam Heyward, but time is running short on that stud pairing. The Ravens aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, with Lamar Jackson only recently hitting 28 years old. The Bengals remain a threat as long as Joe Burrow is throwing passes to JaMarr Chase. The Browns- just kidding.
Can Tomlin and his Steelers weather the massive overhaul coming to the offense? Will they be able to break the streak of eight years without a playoff win? Or will they continue to be the most elite mediocre team?
Free Agency Recap
Key Departures
QBs Justin Fields and Russell Wilson – To the surprise of no one, Pittsburgh opted for a clean start under center this year. Justin Fields took the starting gig in Week 1 as Russell Wilson fought injury, and despite his 4-2 record, couldn’t move the ball enough to hold on. Wilson started the last 12 games, including the playoff matchup with the Ravens, where the full scope of his game was on display. He was a capable game manager who couldn’t elevate his offense enough to pair with the elite defense. Now both find themselves in New York (Wilson with the Giants, Fields with the Jets), and the Steelers begin the search.
T Dan Moore Jr. – Pittsburgh likely has mixed feelings on this departure as well. The former fourth-round pick started all 66 career games for Pittsburgh and was a respectable cog on the line. His 67.2 PFF grade this past year placed him 46th amongst 140 qualifying tackles. In all likelihood, the four-year, $82 million deal Moore Jr. received from the Tennessee Titans was too rich for their blood. They’ll look to fill the void elsewhere and for less than $20 million per season.
RB Najee Harris – Pittsburgh’s leading rusher for each of the last four seasons now finds himself on the outs. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, $5.2 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers after his fourth 1,000-yard season in four years. Harris’ durability has been his best trait; he has never missed a game while handling 250+ carries every year of his career. Efficiency was not his strength, as his career 3.9 yards per carry mark indicates. Considering what tends to happen to running backs as they age, especially bruisers like Harris with heavy workload histories, the Steelers were content to move forward with Jaylen Warren as the head of their backfield.
Other Departures: CB Donte Jackson, G James Daniels, LB Elandon Roberts
Key Additions
WR D.K. Metcalf – How often are the Pittsburgh Steelers on the receiving end of the highest profile move of the offseason? Metcalf, 27, is one of the most accomplished receivers in the league. He’s already recorded 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns in six seasons. With the Seahawks looking to retool, Metcalf got his wish to be traded elsewhere. He and George Pickens form an extremely physical receiver duo that will usher in Pittsburgh’s new quarterback.
CB Darius Slay – After finally getting his ring with the Philadelphia Eagles, the 34-year-old Slay travels across the state to Pittsburgh on a one-year, $10 million deal. He’s not the Pro Bowler he once was, but he should take some of the load off third-year corner Joey Porter Jr. Minkah Fitzpatrick covering things on the back end rounds out a quality secondary. A somewhat declined Slay is still an asset; if he turns back the clock in any way, this could be an elite group.
Other Additions: S Juan Thornhill, CB Brandin Echols, RB Kenneth Gainwell, LB Malik Harrison, TE Donald Parham Jr.
Team Needs
Quarterback – Well, duh. I have a hard time believing Pittsburgh wants to go into the season with Mason Rudolph quarterbacking the team. It seemed certain at one point that Aaron Rodgers would be donning the black and yellow. Now, he seems equally likely to retire to a cabin with no power somewhere. Despite picking lower in the draft, Pittsburgh is one of the favorites to select a quarterback. All eyes will be on them for quarterbacks outside the top two.
Tackle – Though I understand the logic for letting him go, Dan Moore Jr.’s departure leaves a glaring weakness on the line. The assumption is that 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones will slide over to left tackle after spending last year on the right side. He was solid enough in the run but has work to do in pass protection. If Pittsburgh doesn’t go for a quarterback in the first round, tackle seems the likeliest alternative given the depth at the position.
Complementary Defensive Line – In Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defensive alignment, the defensive interior is crucial for the line. It’s a good thing that Cameron Heyward is still the best of the best going into his age-36 season. The problem is that there’s little else, and no plan for succession. The good news for Pittsburgh is that this class is deep and talented on the line, especially on the interior. They can attack it heavily with their Day 2 and Day 3 picks.
Potential Draft Picks
QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss – It’s safe to say Pittsburgh won’t have a shot at Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. The good news for them is that, with current draft rumors, it seems some QB-needy teams will be looking elsewhere, and Shedeur may fall to the end of the top 10 picks. That could leave Dart ripe for the taking at the 21st pick. Dart, 21, posted career highs in passing across the board for Ole Miss this past season. 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 69.3% completion rate against SEC defenses go a long way. If Pittsburgh is serious about addressing the quarterback situation in Round 1, Dart feels like the guy.
T Josh Simmons, Ohio State – If Pittsburgh shies away from an early quarterback, tackle feels like the best bet. Simmons was a dominant force at Ohio State, guarding the blind side of QB Will Howard. He’s fluid, strong, and has improved each year. Assuming medicals are clear on his knee, he could anchor left tackle in Pittsburgh while Broderick Jones remains on the right. It would give Pittsburgh the makings of an exceptional offensive line and strong protection for whoever goes under center.
DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon – Pittsburgh’s offense is a clear need in this draft. But given how they run things, eyeing a replacement for Cam Heyward is crucial. Derrick Harmon may be the guy to carry the torch in the future. A brick house of a man, Harmon was extremely productive at Oregon after transferring from Michigan State. The 6’5″ 310-pounder racked up 45 tackles (11 for a loss), five sacks, four pass deflections, and forced a pair of fumbles. He can immediately line up next to Heyward as the one tech. Harmon would be groomed for the three-technique position while eating off the pressure that Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith create.
Day Two Targets: QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama), DT Tyleik Williams (Ohio State), RB Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), T Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota), S Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State), RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), WR Jalen Royals (Utah State), DT Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), OL Charles Grant (William & Mary), QB Tyler Shough (Louisville)
Day Three Targets: OL Jonah Monheim (USC), CB Zah Frazier (UTSA), DT Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon), QB Quinn Ewers (Texas), QB Will Howard (Ohio State), RB Cam Skattebo (Arizona State), LB Jack Kiser (Notre Dame), CB O’Donnell Fortune (South Carolina), S Sebastian Castro (Iowa), DT Tonka Hemingway (South Carolina)
