The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 NFL Draft was cinematic. It was full of suspense, precision, and just enough misdirection to keep fans and analysts on their toes. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan ran the show like seasoned directors.
They never dodged media questions while never revealing too much. Their confidence was calm, their plan clear. And the result? A draft class built with purpose.
NFL analyst and draft expert Warren Sharp took notice. In his breakdown of draft performances across the league, Sharp ranked the Steelers eighth overall in “best value” and a strong sixth in value through the first five rounds.
That recognition from someone who lives and breathes analytics only reinforces what many of us already felt: Pittsburgh nailed this draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers found great value throughout the 2025 NFL Draft
Two picks stood out for Sharp, and for good reason. Kaleb Johnson at No. 83 and Jack Sawyer at No. 123. They were taken at outstanding value and bring high upside with immediate roster impact potential. Johnson is a smart, balanced offensive lineman who can help anchor the run game.
Sawyer? A T.J. Watt prototype might end up being the steal of Day 3. Then there’s Will Howard — the potential franchise quarterback taken in the sixth round.
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That kind of value is hard to find, and Sharp agreed. While the QB class didn’t blow anyone away, Howard fits Pittsburgh’s mold: tough, coachable, and unafraid of the moment. I think this was one of the quietest but most important moves of the draft.
You do not find starters that late unless your scouting department does its homework.
The Steelers did.
Sharp was less enthusiastic about the trade with Kansas City — the move that brought Iowa’s Yahya Black. He ranked it ninth in terms of overrated trades. But I’d push back. Black brings exactly what the Steelers wanted to reestablish: size, power, and a defensive mentality.
It’s not about winning the trade on paper. It’s about getting your guy.
I think Warren Sharp was right to praise Pittsburgh’s draft. But even with the minor criticism, I’d call it a masterclass by Tomlin and Khan. They didn’t just draft players — they drafted identity.