We are in the thick of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, and there's been a lot of buzz surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers since Omar Khan opened up to the media. The third-year general manager didn't give away his draft plans, but most assumed the Steelers would target either a defensive lineman or wide receiver in Round 1.
Additionally, we know that quarterback, running back, and cornerback are all roster needs Pittsburgh could pursue. But unless the right player falls to pick 21, these selections feel less likely.
However, what we weren't prepared for is the Steelers having their eyes on the offensive line in Round 1.
According to the latest report from NFL Insider Tony Pauline, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't opposed to taking an offensive lineman in the first round for the third year in a row. Pauline reports that folks in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine 'believe it's likely to be a player on the line of scrimmage, either an offensive or defensive lineman.'
A defensive lineman is easy to make sense of. Cam Heyward turns 36 years old in May and, outside of flashes from Keeanu Benton, the Steelers don't have another interior defender on the roster to build around.
But an offensive lineman in Round 1?
The more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense.
Pittsburgh Steelers could select offensive lineman in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Before the Kansas City Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tender on Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith, I was told the Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in pursuing Smith if he hit the free agency. While this wouldn't have come cheap, Omar Khan had his hat in the ring for free agent tackle Orlando Brown Jr. during the 2023 offseason before trading up for Broderick Jones in the first round of the NFL Draft. Thus, spending big on an offensive lineman is within his wheelhouse.
Despite their draft investments in the offensive line over the past two seasons—two first-round picks, a second-round, pick, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick—the Steelers could take a look at the offensive line early in the draft this April.
Last year, Pittsburgh failed to run the ball effectively as their offense struggled. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones and guard Mason McCormick each showed flashes, but couldn't put it all together.
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It's hard to say exactly what the Steelers would be targeting on the offensive line. Perhaps a guard who could start from Day 1 over McCormick. Left guard Isaac Seumalo has just one year remaining on his contract and is already in his 30s. This would make McCormick the swing guard and give him another chance to start in 2026 when Seumalo leaves in free agency.
This could also be an insurance policy for Broderick Jones (who struggled mightily in his first two NFL seasons). When Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl was working with Howie Roseman in Philadelphia, the Eagles selected offensive tackle Andre Dillard with the 22nd overall pick after already having Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. It didn't work out for Philly, but they know you can never have too many talented offensive linemen.
This year includes a strong group of offensive linemen in the middle of the first round.
Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. and Missouri's Armand Membou are both excellent tackle prospects who have the size profile and strength to kick inside to guard if needed, while North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel—who had an excellent Senior Bowl—will make the transition from tackle to guard in the NFL.
Perhaps the philosophy of the Steelers' front office is to lay the foundation of the offensive line above all else. At the very least, when we consider Pittsbugh's priority in the trenches and Pauline's comments, we can't rule out an offensive lineman in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.