The Pittsburgh Steelers improved their roster on paper entering the 2025 season, and signs of their added depth and talent are already looking encouraging early in training camp. We know what to expect from some high-profile players like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, while we can get a good sense of what players like Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Ramsey will bring to the table based on their impressive resumes.
However, four of the most pivotal players on the roster this season are also the most unproven. These young former draft picks have yet to leave their mark on the league, and 2025 will be a huge season.
These players also happen to play important positions that will prove crucial to the success of the Steelers this year. Hope rests on these young players to step up big-time for Pittsburgh to have a legitimate shot to compete in the postseason in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers need these 4 players to step up big-time in 2025
Roman Wilson, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are excited to see what Roman Wilson can bring to the table when healthy, but I don't think most fans understand how truly important he is to the offense's success this year. Wilson, the 46th overall player on Marcus Mosher's NFL Draft Expert Consensus Board, was believed to be a player who could emerge as a No. 2 wide receiver for Pittsburgh.
Early at Steelers training camp, Wilson is already running with the starting wide receivers in 11-personnel, with Wilson and DK Metcalf on the outside and Calvin Austin III in the slot. This will likely be the starting receivers when the season opens in September.
Though Austin had a quality season in 2024, at 5'7 3/4'' and 170 pounds, the speedster will always have size limitations. Wilson, however, is big enough with impressive athletic traits and soft hands to develop into a full-time receiver.
It's pivotal that he starts building chemistry with Aaron Rodgers in training camp. After playing just five offensive snaps in an injury-plagued rookie season, Wilson has an uphill battle to prove his worth in year two, but so much of the offense's success rides on how much progress he makes this year.
Broderick Jones, LT
General manager Omar Khan has built this roster to be a run-heavy team that can dominate in the trenches. But that philosophy isn't going to pan out if the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft doesn't turn things around.
Broderick Jones moved from left tackle at Georgia to right tackle for the Steelers in his first two seasons. Now he's back on the left side again (and hopefully here to stay). Before the pads came on, video of Jones went viral as the former first-round pick was dusted by Alex Highsmith in an ugly rep in 11-on-11s.
Jones appears to have lost significant weight since last year, and fans are hoping the recent body transformation will aid him in his third season. Jones can't afford a slow start, and if this team is to have success on the offensive line in 2025, it starts with him.
Troy Fautanu, RT
Jones isn't the only first-round offensive tackle looking to prove himself this year. Troy Fautanu's rookie season was lost after just one game last year, as the Washington product had season-ending knee surgery after Week 1. Now healthy and rearing to go, Fautanu is out to prove why he's still worth the high draft investment.
Like Jones, Fautanu was a left tackle in college, but now he will be asked to man the right tackle position early in his NFL career. With just one NFL start, it's hard to get a gauge on how things will go. Fautanu's role this season will be pivotal, as he and Jones are responsible for handling the talented edge rushers the Steelers will face in 2025, like Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Fautanu will be battle-tested after his lost rookie season, and how fast he develops will impact Pittsburgh's offensive upside this year.
Joey Porter Jr., CB
After a promising rookie season, Joey Porter Jr. took a step back in year two in 2024. The 2023 second-round pick struggled with penalties and being overly aggressive at the top of routes. Year three is a make-or-break season for the young cornerback, and he can't afford to squander this opportunity.
While the Steelers were able to land Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey this offseason, Porter is still getting the nod as Pittsburgh's starting left outside cornerback, and oftentimes, he will be responsible for shutting down the opposing team's best receiver. This won't happen unless he improves his technique and discipline.
Porter's performance in 2025 could either help Pittsburgh's defense regain its elite status or expose the weak spots of the secondary. For this team to have a shot in the postseason, they are going to need tighter clamps at the cornerback position, and that will require Porter to step up.