The offseason is in full swing for the Steelers, and all eyes are on the changes this team will make. From the coaching staff to free agents to the NFL Draft, the focus is all about how this team can get better. For us draft fans, the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl have already started to yield some important breadcrumbs to follow.
The Steelers have made some of their early intentions clear already.
At the Senior Bowl specifically, we have seen the team show an insane amount of interest in the defensive line room while also keeping a keen eye on some mid-round running backs and upper-end receivers. As for cornerback, they have shown some interest in later-round guys, indicating that Donte Jackson could be returning to the fold.
If the early signs mean anything, it looks like the defensive line will be the top draft pick, and if they look elsewhere, I would be shocked if the line isn’t addressed on day two. Pittsburgh never keeps their intentions that well hidden.
This mock draft tries to follow the early breadcrumbs that the team has put down. The results? A little less than stellar.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
A defensive lineman that the Steelers didn’t meet with at the Senior Bowl (because he is at the Shrine game instead), Kenneth Grant could be a slam-dunk fit for this team. While his size makes him more of a nose tackle, he has the flexibility to play anywhere on the line.
Despite his stout size, Grant is expected to test as a freak athlete. He has a hot motor when it is on, and as a run defender, he is as sturdy as they come. He needs to refine his skills as a pass rusher, and he disappeared at times on tape, but given his age, you are banking on developing his traits into a superstar.
Initially, he should get snaps as the base nose tackle and allow Keeanu Benton to shift to more of an end role. As Grant develops, he can hopefully develop more of an every-down role.
There is a lot of projection and risk here, but the desire for a defensive lineman could leave Grant as the best name on the board. Walter Nolen and T.J. Sanders could make sense as your traditional base end types, but neither improves the run defense. I like other options here, but Mike Tomlin chatting with Michigan’s defensive line coach is an early tell of where their target may be.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St.
While the receiver class isn’t loaded at the Senior Bowl, the team has still been doing their due diligence on the position. Overall, this class is deep even if it lacks a true star receiver. Jayden Higgins is just such a name.
He is a tall and lanky receiver which will cause many to pencil him in as a traditional deep threat. That said, Higgins is an accomplished route runner and knows how to get open as opposed to just winning deep.
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In fact, his athleticism is one of his worst traits. While not a horrible athlete, he isn’t a burner and lacks the deep speed to be a consistent threat down the field. Instead, he is a consistent threat because he can get himself open and then use his size to make physical catches makes him a great weapon.
He can realistically line up anywhere as a receiver, and if you had to could even play him as a big slot. His lack of elite traits will likely limit his upside as a top receiver, but he should be a productive second option for a team for a long time.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
One early target for the Steelers seems to be RJ Harvey. He has been open about the team’s interest in him, and on paper it makes sense. While Jaylen Warren is set to be the top running back for the team, they need a capable running mate and/or a good stable to complement him.
That seems like a perfect role for Harvey. While he was ultra-productive in school, he lacks the size of a true workhorse back, he makes up for it with a great burst and play speed. He hits the hole hard and can turn any run into a long one.
While not a huge concern with Warren here, Harvey can also serve as a viable check-down option for an offense. He would be a great change-of-pace back who can break away some long runs while working in a rotation behind the starters.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
While quarterback is one of the biggest needs for the team, they are lacking options right now and the draft isn’t a great solution for them. This draft has a lot of middling names, but it lacks great options and ones that could become upper-end quarterbacks.
Will Howard is a polarizing prospect. Coming off a dynamic season where he led the Buckeyes to a National Championship, he has a lot of good traits to build around. He is a sneaky athlete with good size and the ability to break sacks and scramble for yards. Where he shines is his accuracy, even if he only has an average at best arm when throwing passes.
Howard could be a successful quarterback in the right scheme. If not, he looks like a viable backup that can win you games in certain situations. He adds another option to the room in 2025 and does nothing to prohibit you from taking another quarterback in 2026.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
While tight end isn’t a need on paper with two capable options on this team, this team is known to target players even if the position isn’t a huge need. The Steelers also employ a lot of multiple tight-end sets, so improving that room makes sense for how this offense functions.
Luke Lachey has all of the makings of a Steelers tight end option. From his NFL bloodlines to his style of play, Pittsburgh should be all over him. As a player, he doesn’t do anything at an elite level, but he can cover a lot of bases as a reserve option.
He isn’t a great athlete, and while he is a willing blocker he isn’t an elite one. He is a solid possession receiver that can get open and make secure catches. His ceiling isn’t immense, but adding him to this room would provide the offense with another weapon to use. He has a Jesse James vibe to him that would fit this room well.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
If you were to draw up a cornerback’s playstyle to fit what the Steelers look for, Cobee Bryant would be that guy. He is a feisty defender who matches up against anyone and plays the run hard. Add in his ability for big plays and you have to love the tape he offers.
His size is the issue, as his listed weight has consistently been below 180 pounds, and it is hard to last as a cornerback at that weight. He would add a tough-nosed option to work on developing, and he is yet another player that the team has already shown some interest in.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Zeek Biggers, DL, Georgia Tech
The Steelers landed a player in the first round that will likely be more of a nose tackle and an unconventional end in this scheme. They end the draft with a perfect fit at end. Zeek Biggers lacks the refined traits to be seen as an elite prospect, but he is a big ball of clay to mold.
He failed to produce at a high level as a pass rusher, but he can set the edge well against the run. The goal would be to eventually develop him into a rotational backup, but he would need to get better as a pass rusher if he wants to be anything more than that.