National media outlet has the Steelers reaching way too high to replace free agent in round one of latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of holes to fill on their 2025 roster. One of those happens to be RB, with Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarelle Patterson all free agents. So picking a back later on day two or even into day three may not be such a bad idea. But on day one? […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer

Feb 11, 2025 5:30 AM EST

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan talks on the phone before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. — Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of holes to fill on their 2025 roster.

One of those happens to be RB, with Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarelle Patterson all free agents.

So picking a back later on day two or even into day three may not be such a bad idea.

But on day one? That's a reach, and one that NFL.Com has the Steelers making…

Round 1, Pick 21: Quinshon Judkins, RB OSU

Judkins' open-field burst, ability to read blocks and willingness to run through contact will make him a great fit for the Steelers — and he's a nice outlet for quarterbacks out of the backfield. Remember, Najee Harris is headed for free agency. I’m projecting Pittsburgh will take a quarterback in Round 2.

Chad Reuter, NFL.Com

It feels like Quinshon Judkins doesn’t get the credit he deserves for how explosive ? he can be.

He has a natural ability to constantly accelerate and break tackles with ease. pic.twitter.com/JuPvuUPvgE
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) February 7, 2025

I have zero issues with the Steelers taking Quinshon Judkins. In fact, I mocked him to the Steelers in one of the many three-round mock drafts we do at A to Z Sports NFL Draft.

But thinking the Steelers would use a first-round pick, on a running back, not even a year removed from declining the fifth-year option on their last first-round running back is asinine to be frank.

And it would be one thing if Ashton Jeanty fell to the 21st overall pick. But he didn't and instead, the Steelers reach in round one, but also in round two and maybe even round three of this mock….

Round 2, Pick 51: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEVgshMzTis

Jalen Milroe is one of the best pure talents in the draft, but he's not ready to play QB in the NFL. He has an elite arm and Michael Vick – Lamar Jackson-level speed, but he struggles to throw with any sort of consistency in terms of accuracy and anticipation.

I just broke down Jalen Milroe tape, and I think the media has it wrong.

I think that he’s gonna be a steal in the second – fourth round for somebody, but he has to go to a team that doesn’t need him right away.

If he is given the Jordan Love treatment of being able to sit for… pic.twitter.com/wqQy0IDWGZ
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) February 2, 2025

Round 3: CB Denzel Burke, OSU

Burke was once a first-round projection, but he has endured a slide in projection for a multitude of reasons. And while Burke isn't a bad fit for the Steelers and certainly not in round three, selecting a QB, RB, and a corner who might be better off playing inside is not the three-round haul the Steelers need.