The Pittsburgh Steelers have needs all over their roster as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft. This interior defensive line needs depth and will require an eventual overhaul with Cam Heyward set to turn 36 years old in May, while the front office has yet to find a long-term answer at quarterback.
While it's important to consider positional needs in the draft, nothing beats the BPA approach. If a team is willing to ignore greater needs to take the best players available, eventually, they will end up with an uber-talented roster that can compete for a Super Bowl. This has been Howie Roseman's approach with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it resulted in a Super Bowl win in February.
Front offices, coaches, and owners lack patience, so this isn't easy to pull off. But the Pittsburgh Steelers should try, and there's one player worth ignoring positional needs altogether to draft at pick 21.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should ignore positional needs if TE Colston Loveland is available at pick 21 in the NFL Draft
Before you start smoking from the ears and call this a luxury pick the Steelers can't afford, allow me to explain. Pittsburgh's offense was pitiful down the stretch of the 2024 season, averaging 14 points per game over their final five contest (including the playoff loss to the Ravens, in which they had zero points at halftime).
Adding dynamic weapon could change that. Colston Loveland is that guy.
Though Loveland is listed as a tight end, his game more closely resembles a 'big' slot receiver who can dominate over the middle of the field. Loveland creates loads of separation consistently at the top of his routes, thanks to remarkably fluid hips and snap movements. While he's not the most physical player after the catch, he will be a quarterback's best friend early in his career.
At 6'5 3/4'' and 248 pounds with 32 3/4'' arms and 10'' hands, Loveland possesses a massive catch radius, and he's a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs or less athletic linebackers who trying to contain him in the slot.
Though Loveland didn't test at the NFL Combine or his Michigan Pro Day, he has impressive speed and nearly unmatched quickness at the tight end position. Because of his receiving ability, he has been compared to Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, and even future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.
Tight end is hardly a positional need for the Steelers. Pittsburgh just gave Pat Freiermuth a contract extension last offseason, and Darnell Washington is in the middle of his rookie contract. But if you get a chance to land a potential perennial Pro Bowler, they need to consider it.
And don't think of Loveland as just a tight end. Despite his long frame, Loveland's phenomenal quickness and route-running ability could help him line up all over the field at the next level—essentially serving as a big receiver.
Loveland is currently the 12th overall player on Marcus Mosher's NFL Draft Expert Consensus Board, and getting him at pick 21 would be a steal. If the Pittsburgh Steelers can ignore the fact that Colston Loveland doesn't fill a major positional need, they could be staring at one of the best players in the 2025 NFL Draft when it's all said and done.