The 2025 NFL draft will start this Thursday at 8:00 PM from Green Bay, WI. In looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers draft needs, three positions stand out: quarterback, running back and defensive line.
The Steelers have one pick in the first round, one in the third and one in the fourth. Their second round draft pick was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for DK Metcalf.
The Steelers hold the 21st pick in the first round of Thursday's draft, and my first thought is if Shedeur Sanders falls in the draft to pick #21 the Steelers must pick him. If Sanders does not fall to the 21st pick the Steelers should not select a quarterback in the first round.
Fortunately for the Steelers, the defensive line position is deep in the 2025 draft. Players like Walter Nolen of Ole Miss, Kenneth Grant of Michigan and Derrick Harmon of Oregon could be available when the Steelers make their selection. Of those three players, only Harmon was part of the Steelers top 30 picks to visit the team in 2025.
The previous two drafts show that the Steelers emphasize the top 30 visits for players they are going to select. If I'm a betting man when the Steelers make their selection in the first round, if he is available, the Steelers will take Harmon.
Harmon is an interior defensive lineman who will eat up blocks that can free up the inside linebackers to make plays. Harmon has good size at 6-foot-4 and 313-pounds, has an explosiveness off the ball and has the potential to be a three down defensive lineman.
After transferring to Oregon from Michigan State, Harmon took his game to a new level. He finished 2024 with 45 tackles, 27 solo, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 passes broken up.
His play in the Ducks’ playoff loss to Ohio State jumped off the screen. Harmon consistently beat Ohio State's future NFL interior offensive linemen. He also beat a number of double teams he faced in that game as well.
The Steelers are looking for Cam Heyward’s eventual replacement, Harmon can step into that role. Harmon may not have Heyward's leadership abilities, but he should be able to step in and produce on the same level as Heyward.
With no pick in the second round the Steelers next choice comes in the third round at pick 83. This is where the draft gets interesting for the Steelers, depending on if they get Sanders in round one.
If Sanders is the Steelers pick in round one pick 83 will be either an interior defensive lineman or running back. Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips would be a solid pick at this spot if the Steelers decide on an interior defensive lineman.
If the Steelers decide to go with a running back with this pick, their best choice would be Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson. The 5-foot-8, 200 pound back has the speed and explosiveness the Steelers need in their running game. Sampson would be an excellent complement to Jaylen Warren.
Sampson set Tennessee rushing records in both yards with 1,491 and touchdowns with 22. He was also named SEC offensive player of the year in 2024. He has breakaway speed and an explosiveness that can get large chunks of yards. The only question would be if his smaller frame can handle the rigors of a 17 game NFL season, particularly in the AFC North.
The Steelers 3rd pick comes in the fourth round at number 123. Again, this pick will be determined by if Sanders is picked in the first round. If the Steelers pick Sanders in the first round and a defensive tackle in the third round, this pick should be used for a running back. Smart money would be on either Bhayshul Tuten of Virginia Tech or Jaydon Blue of Texas. Both backs were part of the Top 30 visits for the Steelers.
If the Steelers do not get Sanders in the first round and end up getting Harmon with the first pick and Sampson with the second pick, the 123rd pick more than likely will be a quarterback.
Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss will most likely be gone by the time the Steelers make this pick. If Dart falls to pick 123, he’s the pick. Of the other quarterbacks who visited the Steelers this offseason, McCord seems to be the best bet. However, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith attended Ohio State's pro day and had dinner with Will Howard.
If both Howard and McCord are available, the pick will be a toss-up between the two. McCord visited the Steelers this offseason and the Steelers have shown an emphasis on taking players who have visited them in the offseason. However, Tomlin and Smith both were impressed with their time spent with Howard.
My guess is that the 123rd pick will be Howard. He has the leadership abilities, can make all of the throws, and while he has mechanical issues, he has room to develop. He is 24 years old so the window for him to become the eventual starting quarterback is smaller.
If the Steelers can get Sanders, Sampson and an interior D lineman with the first 3 picks that will go a long way to filling holes in their current roster. But if the Steelers get Harmon, Sampson and Howard I think they will grade out as a very good NFL draft.
(photo courtesy of CBS47)
picks that will go a long way to filling holes in their current roster. But if the Steelers get Harmon, Sampson and Howard I think they will still grade out at a very good 2025 NFL draft.