The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision-makers are dishing out high-fives after another long draft process. With no time to let the dust settle on another draft, Pittsburgh's decision-makers quickly set their sights on the talented group of undrafted free agents.
Leading up to the draft, it was easy to see the Steelers' biggest roster gaps, and based on their pre-draft interests, we had a sense of the direction they would take early. Third-year general manager Omar Khan kept this one pretty chalk, but the draft results reveal what we suspected: this front office aims for value picks.
With the exception of their pair of seventh-round selections, the Steelers took players who were high on the NFL Draft Expert Consensus Board. Here's our first look at the whole Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 draft class:
Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft selections
Round (pick) | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (21) | Derrick Harmon | DL | Oregon |
3 (83) | Kaleb Johnson | RB | Iowa |
4 (123) | Jack Sawyer | EDGE | Ohio State |
5 (164) | Yahya Black | DT | Iowa |
6 (185) | Will Howard | QB | Ohio State |
7 (226) | Carson Bruener | LB | Washington |
7 (229) | Donte Kent | CB | Central Michigan |
The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the draft with six total selections. Early in the offseason, Omar Khan traded away the team's second-round pick (No. 52 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf. Though he doesn't technically count as part of the draft class, it makes this haul look even better when you factor in the trade.
Things started off with a bang in Round 1. The tea leaves pointed to Derrick Harmon when the 21st overall pick rolled around, and this is where they ultimately went with the pick. Many believed Shedeur Sanders could be the selection, but the Colorado quarterback shockingly slid all the way to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round.
After addressing a major need along the interior defensive line, the Steelers saw just one draft choice on Day 2 and used it on Iowa standout running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson was 52nd on the consensus board, but the Steelers were able to nab him with the 83rd overall pick.
On Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the Steelers made a surprise pick, turning in their card for Jack Sawyer with the 123rd overall pick in Round 4. The Ohio State edge rusher was the 75th player on the consensus board and could serve in a backup role on the edge to T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
The Steelers then traded back from pick No. 156 to pick No. 164 to pick up an additional seventh-round selection. They used their fifth-round pick to select Iowa defensive tackle Yahya Black, one of the biggest players in the 2025 draft.
In Round 6, Pittsburgh finally took their quarterback swing, opting for Ohio State national champion Will Howard. Howard was the 114th player on the consensus board, but the Steelers managed to wait until pick No. 185 in Round 6 to take the productive quarterback. He will begin his career as a depth option at QB for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers closed out the 2025 draft with a pair of seventh-rounders that they used on Washington linebacker Carson Bruener (son of former Steelers tight end and current scout, Mark Bruener) and Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent.
Overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers found numerous value picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. We'll have to wait and see how things eventually play out, but considering Omar Khan didn't have a second-round pick to work with, this draft class looks pretty strong on paper.