Steelers Final 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Pittsburgh hits early but misses the mark late after not selecting premium position
The NFL Draft is closed. The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed key needs, including DT, RB, and, of course, quarterback. Here's how they all graded out and the class as a whole… 1st round, 21st overall: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon Grade: AInitially, I gave the Harmon selection a B after the team passed on Jalen Milroe, Jaxson […]
The NFL Draft is closed.
The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed key needs, including DT, RB, and, of course, quarterback.
Here's how they all graded out and the class as a whole…
1st round, 21st overall: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
Grade: A
Initially, I gave the Harmon selection a B after the team passed on Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart and especially Shedeur Sanders. However, after seeing Sanders, whom the Steelers had graded very high, fall all the way to the fifth round because some of the off field concerns that surrounded him, Pittsburgh nailed the pick. Not only will Harmon be a great player, but he's a great human and will be a leader for years to come.
3rd round, 83rd overall: Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
Grade: A+
Kaleb Johnson doesn't do anything spectacular, which is why he was available toward the latter portion of round three. He didn't run an elite 40-yard dash, and he doesn't have a ton of elusiveness. But he has a lot of Steelers lead back to him. At over 6-1 and 220 pounds, coming from a run-heavy scheme and with excellent tape and stats, he's a player you hammer defenses with before Jaylen Warren comes in to change the pace. A to Z Sports had him ranked as a second-round player, and OC Arthur Smith raved over his ability to succeed in his scheme.
Pittsburgh got its lead back for years to come.
4th round, 123rd overall: Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
Grade: B
Some questioned this pick since it was an EDGE rusher and not a WR, CB, or QB. Names like Shederu Sanders at quarterback and Jalen Royals were on the board. But Jack Sawyer was the best player available on the Steelers board, evidenced by them taking him over more obvious needs. Adding a strength is never a bad idea, and the Steelers may now have the best pass rush rotation in the NFL, even if came at the cost of a dynamic playmaker.
5th Round, 164th Overall: Iowa DT Yahya Black
Grade: C
Black is as old school as they come. A traditional, two-down nose tackle who will be used exclusively on run downs as a plugger and run stuffer. He's ab excellent depth piece on the defensive line, but a dart throw for a playmaker or corner could have served the Steelers better then their third defensive line selection of the draft.
6th Round, 185th overall: Ohio State QB Will Howard
Grade: B-
Will Howard has "10-year NFL career" written all over him, but it's more likely to be as a backup than a starter. There are things you watch and appreciate about his game, including obvious high football intelligence, dual-threat ability, and textbook fundamentals. He's also incredibly tough both mentally and physically. He can lead a locker room. And he has championship pedigree now after transferring into OSU, getting buy-in from his teammates, and leading them to a national championship victory in just 12 months. However, he has very little to offer in terms of arm talent, and he played with the best offensive surroundings in the nation–not to mention with a former NFL head coach at offensive coordinator and Ryan Day as the head man. He's a good player that I have no doubts will be a great guy to have in the quarterback room, but the starter upside may not be there with Will Howard.
7th Round, 226th overall: Washington LB Carson Bruener
Grade: A
The son of Steelers scout and former tight end Mark Bruener, Carson will add to a deep inside LB corps with Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb and Payton Wilson. But Bruener is more than just a legacy pick. He has NFL instincts, which likely flow from his bloodline and he was a tackling machine in college.
7th Round, 229th overall: Central Michigan DB Donte Kent
Grade: C
The Steelers have needed a slot CB for a while. Beanie Bishop showed flashes of excellence in his rookie campaign, but Mike Tomlin was hesitant to name him head man. This pick adds more competition to that room.
Ending with no WR selections for a team that usually nails the position is disappointing, however.
Steelers 2025 NFL Draft class final grade: C+
- 1st round, 21st overall: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
- 3rd round, 83rd overall: Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
- 4th round, 123rd overall: Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
- 5th round, 164th overall: Iowa DT Yahya Black
- 6th round, 185th overall: Ohio State QB Will Howard
- 7th round, 226th overall: Washington LB Carson Bruener
- 7th round, 229th overall: Central Michigan DB Donte Kent
