ClutchPoints
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and this year is shaping up to be a potentially definitive year that could determine the team’s success for the next half-decade or longer.
We recently ran an NFL draft simulation through the Pro Football Focus simulator, and the Steelers’ picks for the first three rounds are in. Let’s take a closer look.
PPF listed quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back as the Steelers’ greatest needs. The Steelers must address their quarterback position. The team thought they could fill the void at quarterback since the Ben Roethlisberger era by signing Russell Wilson, a former star with a successful track record, and pairing him with a former collegiate star with untapped potential in Justin Fields. Unfortunately for the Steelers, neither of these plans worked out as well as the team had hoped for, and both players may be moving on this winter.
However, even if one or both players stay, the team still needs an infusion of talent and upside at the game’s most important position. The Steelers lack talent at the wide receiver position outside of George Pickens, but the supremely talented young star could be wearing out his welcome in the Steel City, and he might not be wearing the Black and Gold for much longer.
The third-most important position could be debated, but the team’s defensive backfield could use some work. Overall, PFF’s analysis of the team’s needs appears reasonable, especially the team’s issues at quarterback and receiver.
Let’s start with the positives: Jeanty is an extremely talented player. He’s arguably the best running back in this year‘s draft class, and the gap between Jeanty and the other prospects might be wider than most people think. In fact, it might be more of a gulf than a gap.
Jeanty is a true three-down back who can do anything that his team asks of him and he would be an extremely versatile asset to have. Jeanty is equally capable of rushing between the tackles for consistent three to five-yard gains, beating the defense to the corner for an explosive gain, or breaking a tackle to gain extra yardage.
He’s also a more than adequate weapon in the passing game, both an extra blocker and another weapon for his quarterback to target.
With all of this being said, why isn’t it a slam dunk A+ grade for any team to draft Jeanty? The answer lies in the overall value that he can be for his team relative to other options and the other players that are available.
My issue with this pick really has nothing to do with Jeanty at all as a player. It has more to do with the value of the running back position in general, and the reality that there are more options in this year’s draft class who will likely be available in the second round or...
