We have had a few days to chew on and digest the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft class. Their seven new rookies each possess some skills and traits that make them attractive to the team. It was another strong class on paper, and fans are feeling good about the results.
Grades for this draft class, however, seem to be all over the board.
National opinion on this draft seems centered on one conversation: Pittsburgh needed a quarterback but only took Will Howard in the sixth round. Some critics understand the long game, while others wish Shedeur Sanders ended up in the black and gold threads.
That said, having had nearly a week to think this class over, I do have some initial grades. These take into account the player and their fit as well as the perceived value of the pick. This gives a full scope of how I view the team's picks.
Initial grades for every Pittsburgh Steelers pick in the 2025 NFL Draft class
Round 1: Derrick Harmon, DL
It is extremely hard not to like this pick. The Steelers got a good defensive line prospect who fits this scheme perfectly. It was predictable and the favorite pick of a lot of local media, but that doesn’t make it a bad selection.
Derrick Harmon should have an instant role on this defense in base sets. He will also be able to rotate in and add depth in two defensive linemen sets. I’d expect him to see in the ballpark of 40-55 percent of the defensive snaps in year one.
I like his ability to rush the passer, although I think he will need a few years to get stronger and develop a better pass rush plan to hit his ceiling there. His run defense is fine, although I think it is the weaker aspect of his game right now.
Looking at the board, there was no better pick to be had outside of, arguably, Matthew Golden. In order to maximize that pick, though, a George Pickens trade would have been necessary, so I still think Harmon was the right choice. He wasn’t my favorite player along the defensive line, but one that makes a lot of sense for the team.
Grade: B+
Round 3: Kaleb Johnson, RB
I like the Kaleb Johnson pick, but I don’t love it. He brings the size and power that this team typically covets in a running back, but also possesses good burst to hit moderate runs. Johnson should provide a great option for this backfield to rotate in.
Johnson can carry a big workload if needed and grind out productive gains on the ground. As a receiver, he doesn’t offer much. His long speed is also poor, but he makes the most in short and medium yardage plays.
My issue is that with this running back class so deep, they could have gotten a capable back in the fourth round. Johnson was good value at this frame, but grabbing Wyatt Milum or Xavier Watts would have made more sense for this team.
Grade: B-
Round 4: Jack Sawyer, EDGE
While not the biggest need on this team, Jack Sawyer has to be viewed as one of the best values that the Steelers made in the draft. Sawyer was an extremely productive player in the Big Ten, and he wins off the edge in a variety of ways.
His lack of overall athleticism and length is a concern, and it will likely limit his upside. He doesn’t have that explosive first step that Nick Herbig has, but he wins with his physicality and violent hands. Adding him keeps this room extremely.
No one would have been shocked to see Sawyer go in the second or third round, so landing him in the fourth round is a steal. The depth is kept strong, and Sawyer should develop into a quality rotational player with the upside of starting.
Grade: A
Round 5: Yahya Black, DL
The Steelers get some extra points for trading back and still getting a player with some potential. The defensive line depth in this class was second to none, so double dipping made a lot of sense. Yahya Black doesn't pop off on tape, but he can be a sturdy member of this defensive line room.
Black is what he is at this point. He doesn’t offer anything as a pass rusher, but is strong against the run and can take up space. While he has the size and length to play end, his best fit is as a nose tackle given his limitations. His play got notably worse as he moved away from the nose in college.
I think he can be just that for this team: a player who comes in during base defense and run downs to stop the run. It won’t be a huge role, but for a fifth-round pick, you could do worse.
Grade: B
Round 6: Will Howard, QB
I don’t think the Steelers had a better value pick in this draft. Landing Will Howard this late felt criminal, and it was clear that the NFL was ok with avoiding a weak quarterback class for the most part.
No, Howard doesn’t possess the traits to be an elite starter, but that isn’t why you are taking him. He has a high ceiling as a good backup who, in the right system, could be productive. I think he could earn some starter reps for the team, although I don’t think he is the long-term answer at quarterback.
Getting that caliber of quarterback in the sixth round is great value. I mocked Howard to Pittsburgh in the third round of my last mock draft and felt like the fourth round was his floor. Even if all he becomes is just a backup, that is sound value this late in the draft.
Grade: A+
Round 7: Carson Bruener, LB
Some easy dots to connect, the Steelers took the son of their former first-round pick late in this draft. Bruener won’t become a starter in this league like his father did, but he should have a long career as a core special-teams player.
That was his calling card in school before last year. Slightly undersized, Bruener was a constant force on special teams before putting together a strong final season on defense. While he shows some positive traits in coverage, his defensive tape is filled with holes.
That isn’t the end of the world for a seventh-round pick, though. Ultimately, just being a special-teams player dings his value, but this late, it doesn’t kill him. A solid pick who can make an impact on one phase of the team for a while.
Grade: B
Round 7: Donte Kent, CB
This is the lone pick that I struggle to understand. Donte Kent wasn’t on most people’s draft radar, and for good reason. His defensive tape was pretty mediocre in a smaller conference. He can figure into the slot competition, but I’m not sure how much of an impact he will truly have on defense.
His tape shows capabilities as a returner, and that is certainly a need for the Steelers. The issue is that Pittsburgh has almost never used defenders on returns under Mike Tomlin. His best path to making an impact is there, though, so this is a pick I find myself questioning.
Grade: D
Over grade for the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft class
Of the three drafts under Omar Khan, this one is my least favorite on paper. While he hasn’t been in the business of selecting boom-or-bust guys and tends toward somewhat safer players, this class is all about high floors.
That said, there is something to be said about putting up constant singles in a baseball game. It might not win the game outright, but it can set you up for something down the line.
The goal of this draft isn’t to win right now. It adds some flexibility and talent to the defensive line while retooling the running back and edge rusher room. You also get some intrigue with Howard late in the draft.
I don’t love this class, but I can’t be mad at it. As you saw with the slew of B grades, this class comes in as a fine one, even if it lacks the ceiling you might want with your rookies.
Final Grade: B