The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known to show their cards during the pre-draft process. Because we've been able to track their draft interests over the years, the front office typically leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that often reveals the team's draft plans in Round 1. This case is no different with general manager Omar Khan ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin held their pre-draft press conference, where they fielded questions from the media. In addition to noting that a rare trade-back is on the table, Khan also said something nobody should be surprised to hear: the Steelers' primary focus is on the 2025 season, not the future.
"We're primarily focused on this year," Khan told reporters during the pre-draft presser. "Obviously, we're going to look into the future and see what's coming... but right now, we're focused on this group."
For many fans, this is a disappointing reality check that confirms that the Steelers don't have the team's best interest of the future in mind. Such has been the case in the past, it seems to be all about filling roster gaps in the present and doing what they can to make this team competitive in the here and now.
Not only is the Steelers' win-now philosophy flawed, but they may have just revealed their plans for the 21st overall pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are prepared to make another win-now move in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft
If what Omar Khan said is true, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are more focused on the 2025 season than on the future, this says a lot about their strategy early in the draft. While draft odds suggest quarterback is on the table at pick 21, taking a signal-caller in the first round this year likely won't make them a competitive team, as they would be forced to take their lumps with a rookie quarterback.
Instead, the Steelers appear to be dialed in to fix a different roster gap, and Mike Tomlin's comments on the defensive line group during the press conference point the finger at Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in Round 1.
Tomlin made it abundantly clear that nose tackle is a dying breed in today's NFL. This likely rules out Michigan's Kenneth Grant. Likewise, the Steelers didn't express much interest in Ole Miss' Walter Nolen throughout the pre-draft process, and Nolen doesn't fit the size profile they look for at the position.
But the tea leaves have pointed to addressing the interior defensive line since the Steelers allowed 299 rushing yards in the ugly playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and this was only solidified with Khan's comments.
While Harmon should have a long NFL career, he could instantly slide in for Larry Ogunjobi, who joined the Bills this offseason as a free agent. Harmon would fill one of the most glaring holes on the roster, and he's everything the Steelers look for at the position.
We'd like to think narrowing down Pittsburgh's favorite selection isn't this obvious, but how can we think anything else? In 2023, I predicted the Steelers would select Broderick Jones just before the NFL Draft, and everyone knew their interest in players like Najee Harris and Kenny Pickett in recent years.
Omar Khan may not follow all of the same trends as former general manager Kevin Colbert, but so far, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't done a good job concealing their draft plans, and they may have accidentally revealed their plans for the 21st overall pick this year.