The Pittsburgh Steelers will be selecting their 2025 draft class in less than a month. Sportsvival will go over each 2024 pick and how they performed and what to expect from them in the 2025 season.
Round 1- Pick 20- T- Troy Fautanu, Washington
The Steelers decided to select an offensive tackle for the second consecutive season. After selecting Broderick Jones out of Georgia in 2023, the team grabbed Troy Fautanu at pick No. 20.
Fautanu looked good in training camp and was getting rave reviews from the Steelers coaching staff. However, he was injured in the second week of preseason. Fautanu made his way back and was activated in week two against Denver, but landed on the reserve/injured list the following week after suffering a dislocated kneecap. He would miss the rest of the season after only playing in one NFL game.
Fautanu is penciled in as the starting right tackle in 2025 and the team looks for him and Jones to combine to be solid bookends for years to come.
Sportsvival still believes that Fautanu will be a quality right tackle going forward. (of course if he stays healthy)
Round 2- Pick 51- C- Zach Frazier, West Virginia
The Pittsburgh Steelers have needed a franchise center for several seasons and they may have found one who will be a part of the offensive line for the next decade plus.
Zach Frazier finished the regular season appearing in 15 games. He played 975 offensive snaps, only allowing one sack and committing only five penalties.
Frazier started in week one after Nate Herbig suffered a season ending injury at the end of training camp.
He was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team, the first Steelers offensive lineman to earn the honor since Maurkice Pouncey was selected to the team in 2010.
He was voted the winner of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, presented to the team's top rookie by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Zach Frazier should be the leader on a young offensive line that has the potential to become an elite one if Jones and Fautanu follow in his footsteps.
Round 3- Pick 84- WR- Roman Wilson, Michigan
The Steelers selected Roman Wilson in hopes of adding some wide receiver depth. However, Wilson only saw the field for five snaps and was unable to contribute anything whatsoever in 2024.
Wilson was a talented wide receiver at Michigan who was known for his speed and route running. Pittsburgh struggled all season with their depth at wide receiver and will welcome Wilson back into the fray in 2025.
With George Pickens and D.K. Metacalf slated to start, a healthy Wilson to go along with Calvin Austin gives the Steelers a solid 1-4 at the WR position.
It is way too early to give up on Wilson. He spent last season watching film and studying the playbook and has the ability to step in and be a contributor for whoever is under center for the black and gold.
Round 3- Pick-97- LB- Payton Wilson, N.C. State
Payton Wilson was an ulta-athletic linebacker during his time at N.C. State. A bit undersized but athletic enough to make plays all over the field from sideline to sideline. Wilson was very injury prone in college, but as strange as it may seem, he played in all 17 games for Pittsburgh.
Wilson started four of his 17 games and made some spectacular plays including an athletic interception against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Wilson was a quality bench player all season and finished with 78 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The Steelers should have themselves another stalwart linebacker in their organization. A definite fan favorite type player.
Round 4- Pick 119- Guard- Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
The Steelers rookie who performed above everyone’s vision was Mason McCormick.
McCormick played in all 17 games, starting 14 at left guard after stepping in for veteran James Daniels in week five.
McCormick progressed as the year went on and was actually a better pass protector than he was a run blocker, although he was known more for run blocking at South Dakota State.
The Steelers have the makings of one of the youngest offensive lines in the league. If Broderick Jones (23), Troy Fautanu (24), Zach Frazier (23), and Mason McCormick (24) all gel as a unit, the Steelers could be set on the offensive line for a long time.
Round 6- Pick 178- DL- Logan Lee
Logan Lee was yet another Steelers rookie that got injured in training camp (calf injury) and was inactive for the whole season.
Although Lee missed the whole season he tried to remain positive.
"My plan is not always going to be the one that wins out. I think I'm a faithful man and I truly believe the Lord's plan will always be better than my own. Based off my goals and my intentions, I always set a plan, but I often get reminded that ultimately, I am not in control. I would say that the biggest thing for me this year was it was really hard at the beginning of the year, but I ended up starting to settle down once I understood there is a bigger picture. Everything happens for a reason and I'm just looking forward to that opportunity."
The Steelers lack defensive line depth and will give Lee every opportunity to become a contributor right away.
Round 6- Pick- 195- CB- Ryan Watts, Notre Dame
Watts was yet another 2024 draft pick who was unable to play in the regular season due to an injury. He was hurt in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions and missed the 2024 season.
Watts is 6-foot-3 and could be a versatile piece in the Steelers secondary in 2025.
"I could fit anywhere, really," said Watts of his position flexibility. "I feel with my size and my speed and moving my body. I feel like not a lot of 6-3 corners can move like I can. So, to be able to just keep developing. I feel like I can be played at safety, nickel, corner. I feel like I can just maximize my potential anywhere."
Overall this draft class cannot be graded until we see if the injured players can bounce back and become contributors. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick are part of the future offensive line. Payton Wilson has a chance to become an impact linebacker.
If Troy Fautanu, Roman Wilson, Logan Lee and Ryan Watts can stay healthy and contribute in 2025, the Steelers depth issues will not be a problem.
(photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)