Behind the Steel Curtain
The BTSC Staff grade the Steelers’ draft
And with that, the 2025 NFL Draft is officially over. The Pittsburgh Steelers had one clear goal in mind entering the draft: stop the run. After spending five of their seven picks on defensive players, the Steelers won’t have many excuses if their defense collapses in 2025. What did our staff make of the draft? Here are our final grades for Pittsburgh’s draft.
Derrick Harmon was the ideal pick in Round 1 – best player available and a huge need on the defense. Kaleb Johnson is a big, wide-zone runner who is the perfect addition to the Steelers’ current running back committee. The Steelers’ Day 3 haul wasn’t as good as the first two, but Pittsburgh still came away with some talented football players. Will Howard was great value in the sixth round as a high-level backup to improve the team’s thin quarterback room. Yahya Black isn’t the flashiest selection but he’s a reliable space-eater who provides much-needed depth on the defensive line. Bruener and Kent are fine seventh-round talents who should be in the mix to make the roster through special teams. The only pick I’m really not sure about is Jack Sawyer, who lacks high-end traits as a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, he’s strong at the point of attack and a plus run defender, making him a good OLB4 complement to Nick Herbig even if I’m not crazy about the value. And hey, that College Football Playoff performance (both him and Howard) was undeniably special. Ideally, I would’ve liked to see a pick at wide receiver, offensive line, or another defensive back, but it’s hard to get too worked up about Day 3 picks. This draft is a good foundational piece as Pittsburgh continues to search for their quarterback of the future. Final Grade: B+ - Ryland Bickley
The Steelers didn’t do anything flashy, and Day 3 had some head scratchers, but the Steelers were clearly on a mission: stop the run at all costs. First round pick Derrick Harmon will go a long way toward that. Fourth round pick Jack Saywer should be able to step in as EDGE 3 in rushing downs and allow the Steelers to keep Nick Herbig fresh in a pass rush specialist role. Yahya Black is a traditional nose tackle to tie it all together. I would have liked to see the Steelers invest a higher pick into their secondary, and there were several picks on Day 3 where I think they forsook a BPA receiver to exorcise the demons from the playoff game against Baltimore. But it’s hard not to be thrilled with Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson as perfect fits on the roster. Final Grade: B - Ryan Parish
The Steelers went into this draft with a clear plan and executed it. There were a few wrenches thrown into the mix as many speculated the Steelers could take Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders during his free fall, but it’s...
