It's been a chaotic and aggressive offseason in Pittsburgh, but amid the big-name trades and roster shuffling, the Steelers took another meaningful step forward this week.
On Tuesday, NFL roster cuts forced general manager Omar Khan and his staff to make some difficult decisions about the final 53-man roster. When the dust settled, all seven of the Steelers’ 2025 draft picks made the team.
Are we surprised? Honestly, not really.
For the third consecutive year, Khan’s entire rookie class has survived OTAs, minicamps, training camp, and the preseason.
Still, while it’s a nice storyline, it won’t mean much if the team doesn’t take a step forward on the field. Fortunately, I expect a few of these rookies to contribute early and help raise the floor (and potentially the ceiling) of this team.
Let’s start with Derrick Harmon.
The first-round pick was everything you want to see in a rookie during training camp. Before an untimely knee sprain, Harmon was taking first-team reps and showing flashes of the disruptive force the Steelers hope he’ll become.
He notched a sack during the preseason and looked sharp at the line of scrimmage. While his debut may be delayed, I’m confident we’ll see him making plays before long.
In Harmon’s temporary absence, look for Yahya Black to step in.
At 6'5" and 336 pounds, Black is an absolute wall in the trenches. He recorded two sacks and forced a fumble during preseason action, and his physicality makes him an immediate rotational option.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will likely rely on him early to plug gaps and help anchor the line — a huge opportunity for a rookie.
Outside linebacker Jack Sawyer is another name to watch. While he may not log heavy snap counts early, he’s got the motor, length, and pass-rush instincts to make an impact as the season progresses.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds his groove by midseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft class has important roles after surviving rosters
On offense, Kaleb Johnson should keep fans engaged.
The former Iowa All-American running back had limited touches in preseason but made the most of them — tallying 94 yards on 24 carries. He runs with patience and vision, and I expect his workload to increase as the Steelers seek ways to balance their offensive attack.
Quarterback Will Howard, despite dealing with a finger injury, also made the roster.
While there’s a chance he lands on short-term injured reserve, just making the team is a win for the rookie signal-caller. He’s already shown maturity in camp, and the sidelines will be a valuable classroom while he recovers and adjusts to the speed of the pro game.
As for cornerback Donte Kent and tight end Chris Bruener, I don’t expect to see them featured heavily out of the gate. Still, they’ve earned their spots and could grow into valuable role players over the course of the season.
Keeping an entire rookie class for three straight years is rare in the NFL — but this is no fluke.
Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin are building something intentional here. It’s about trust in development, in the locker room culture, and in a front office that refuses to waste picks.
These seven rookies have a long way to go, but they’ve already cleared one of the NFL’s toughest hurdles. Now, the real work begins — and I can’t wait to see who rises.