The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft class is in the books, and on paper, Omar Khan managed to collect another impressive class. The third-year general manager did so without the use of a second-round pick, as Pittsburgh traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf early in the offseason.
Even with just two selections inside the top 100 picks this year, the Steelers found the sweet spot between need and value with most picks they made in the NFL Draft. But toward the end, the value against the consensus board dissipated.
Pittsburgh began the draft with six picks but traded back in the fifth round to pick up a seventh selection. Here are my initial grades and one bold option for every Steelers 2025 draft pick.
Grading every Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 draft pick
Derrick Harmon: A-
It was no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers had their eyes on Derrick Harmon during the pre-draft process, and it wasn't hard to see why. Harmon had an elite size and athletic profile for a defensive tackle that is tailor-made for Pittsburgh's defensive line.
Harmon is only scratching the surface of his potential, and he's a moldable ball of clay with a high ceiling, thanks to his traits, and a high floor, thanks to his relentless motor. If not for a red flag for a shoulder issue, this would have been an A+. Harmon was the 13th overall player on my 2025 draft board.
Bold Prediction: The Steelers often ease their rookies into action, but as an interior pass rusher, Harmon may be too good to keep off the field. He won't play as many snaps as Cam Heyward or Keeanu Benton in 2025, but he could lead all Steelers interior defensive lineman in pressures.
Kaleb Johnson: A
Before the NFL Combine, there were talks that Kaleb Johnson could go as early as late in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. At 6'1'' and 221 pounds, the 21-year-old running back had an electrifying season for the Hawkeyes that included over 1,500 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns.
Johnson slipped in the draft due to his pedestrian 4.57 40 time, but the Steelers gladly scooped him up in the third round. This was an excellent value pick, as Johnson was the 52nd overall player on the NFL Draft Expert Consensus Board, and Pittsburgh managed to land him with the 83rd pick in the draft.
Bold Prediction: Najee Harris was given every opportunity to prove himself as a first-round pick over the past four years, but now that he's gone, I'm predicting Kaleb Johnson will have a more efficient season than Harris ever had in Pittsburgh. He'll work in a committee with Jaylen Warren to start, but as a perfect wide-zone fit, he could see 4.8 yards per carry as a rookie.
Jack Sawyer: B
The consensus board would suggest that Jack Sawyer was one of the best value picks of the fourth round. The Steelers selected the Ohio State standout with the 123rd overall pick, but he was the 75th best player on the big board.
While I like the value the Steelers are getting in Sawyer, I have my questions. The edge rusher has been listed as 'stiff' by some NFL Draft experts, and he will be working against short arms (31 3/4'') at the next level. There's no question he's a solid pick, but he may have a limited ceiling, and he doesn't come at a big positional need.
Bold Prediction: Jack Sawyer won't see the field often as a rookie unless injuries occur, but I'll predict that he has a Nick Herbig-like rookie season that includes three sacks.
Yahya Black: C-
I watched some tape on Yahya Black before the NFL Draft. While I like his physical profile and what he offers in run support, he's a limited athlete and won't offer much as an interior pass rusher.
There's certainly a role for this type of player in the NFL, and the Steelers needed a run-stuffing nose tackle, but Black will have a niche role for the Steelers. Considering some of the players who went off the board just after this pick (like UTSA cornerback Zah Frazier and Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton), I would have gone elsewhere with this pick.
Bold Prediction: Yahya Black will show his immovable run presence early in his rookie season and earn early-down work in running situations as the team's nose tackle.
Will Howard: A
Will Howard proved to be one of the better value picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. Though there were varying opinions on the Ohio State quarterback, you can't argue with taking him at the cost of just a sixth-round pick (No. 185 overall).
Howard is a big quarterback (6'4 1/4'', 236 pounds) who brings leadership and intangibles to the position. Ironically, he reminded me of Mason Rudolph coming out of school, but with a bit more mobility.
Bold Prediction: The Steelers coaching staff is going to love this guy, and I wouldn't be shocked if he works his way up the ladder and becomes the QB2 before the end of his rookie season.
Carson Bruener: C+
This almost felt like a nepotism pick, as we all knew the connection with his dad (and Steelers scout) Mark Bruener. But Carson Bruener is a solid player in his own right. The hard-hitting linebacker will look to make the roster as a depth option at linebacker.
Bold Prediction: With the Steelers opting not to re-sign veteran Tyler Matakevich, I believe Carson Bruener could step into his role on special teams from Day 1, giving him a surprisingly clear path to the roster for a seventh-round draft choice.
Donte Kent: D-
This off-the-wall seventh-round selection had a similar feel to when Omar Khan selected Maryland offensive lineman Spencer Anderson in his first draft as general manager of the Steelers. Donte Kent wasn't on anyone's draft radar and could have been had as an undrafted free agent.
Bold Prediction: For a little-known Central Michigan cornerback, Donte Kent's chances of making the roster seem slim. But considering his experience at slot cornerback, I predict that Kent will make the initial 53-man roster as the team's final cornerback to begin the 2025 season.