ESPN suggests the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 NFL Draft class won't have much of an impact after dropping latest NFL power rankings
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very clear draft plan a couple of weeks ago. To bring back physicality on the defensive side of the ball. Three of their top four picks were on the defensive line, and they found their future starter at the running back position. According to ESPN, however, that wasn't enough to move […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very clear draft plan a couple of weeks ago.
To bring back physicality on the defensive side of the ball.
Three of their top four picks were on the defensive line, and they found their future starter at the running back position.
According to ESPN, however, that wasn't enough to move them up in their post-NFL Draft power rankings…
Steelers Remain at 17 in ESPN Post 2025 NFL Draft Power Rankings
Mike Tomlin said the team had "extreme urgency" in adding to the defensive line, and it showed in the draft. The Steelers used their first-round pick on Derrick Harmon, a versatile defensive tackle who models his game after Cameron Heyward's. Then, the Steelers double-dipped at the position with big-bodied tackle Yahya Black, who coaches said can play nose tackle but will likely be a 4-technique. That leaves the Steelers with a crowded defensive line room, but it's a good problem to have, as they struggled to stop the run last season.
– Brooke Pryor, ESPN
The Steelers keep the same ranking they had after free agency despite the defensive overhaul. That may be puzzling to some, but I'm sure it comes back to the quarterback position.
The problem is, asking the Steelees to mix in a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, or even Jalen Milroe never aligned with their plans. They watched the Baltimore Ravens bully them in the playoffs and said something needed to change.
QBs don't affect the run defense. Defensive linemen like Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black and Jack Sawyer do, however, and that's where Pittsburgh cemented their draft.
There is a risk in all of those selections. Passing on Dart for Harmon, taking an edge rusher in Sawyer over a corner or WR, and passing on Sanders multiple times, including in round five to take a pure nose tackle.
But if the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve a benefit of the doubt in any area, it's the NFL Draft. They tend to hit on their picks despite always making selections in no man's land.
So the team has likely improved, even if ESPN thinks otherwise.
