The Pittsburgh Steelers are crossing their T's and dotting their I's as the 2025 NFL Draft nears. Their draft board is ready to go. They must wait and see how the board falls as teams make 20 picks before their selection arrives in the first round. Steelers general manager Omar Khan won't close any doors of possibilities at the draft, but the team seems eager to either trade back or sit still.
Moving up this year appears unlikely. The franchise only has six choices in the 2025 event. They need to address countless needs on their roster. The most notable holes are along the defensive line, running back, and quarterback. They will target those needs during the draft. Khan is witty, and it's safe to assume they won't reach on low-ceiling players in the top round.
Unless someone like Shedeur Sanders slips to them, they will stick to their plan.
Final 7-round mock draft gives Pittsburgh Steelers most optimistic outcome yet
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Making a trade back in the first round would be ideal, but the Steelers didn't receive any enticing offers in this mock draft. Pittsburgh was comfortable sitting at their spot and taking Derrick Harmon. He was one of their 30 pre-draft visits, which is a massive cog to be the top pick with the team. Harmon fits the mold of everything the Steelers demand from defensive linemen.
A recent report has potentially flagged Harmon due to a health concern. Troy Fautanu had a similar situation pop up last year, and that didn't stop Pittsburgh from investing a top pick into him. While Sanders might be a favorite to land with the organization, he wasn't available at the Steelers' pick in this simulation.
Harmon would be a terrific addition to the Steelers and fix a massive hole on the roster.
Steelers find an adequate trade partner with the Detroit Lions in mock draft
Don't lose hope if you want the Steelers to add an extra pick or two in the draft through a trade. Just because they don't find a suitor with their top pick doesn't mean they can't maneuver the rest of the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions come calling and make an interesting offer. Khan would gain an extra fourth-round selection and move up 33 spots towards the tail-end of the draft.
All of that is to slide back 19 picks in the third round. It's a nice move for the Steelers.
READ MORE: Steelers prove they can survive taking Shedeur Sanders in 7-round mock draft
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3 (via Lions): DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
After Pittsburgh traded back, they have plenty of work to accomplish. They already addressed their need along the trenches, but there is a gaping hole at running back. Khan has Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the roster, but they could use another high-value contributor from the draft. They invest their third-round pick into DJ Giddens to help round out the position.
Nine of the Steelers' 30 pre-draft visitors play running back. That should be all you need to know regarding their interest in adding a player from that position. Expect the Steelers to try to address this need early. Giddens fits the mold for what Pittsburgh prefers at the running back spot. He is a big back with plenty of experience in college, providing "homerun-hitting" explosiveness.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Dont'e Thornton, WR, Tennessee
Pittsburgh might be comfortable with a tandem of DK Metcalf and George Pickens this season, but they can't just think about this year. The Steelers have Pickens and Calvin Austin III as pending free agents following this campaign. They have to think ahead of the game and take a receiver at some point in this draft, which leads them to take Dont'e Thornton.
He might not have been a pre-draft visitor, but Thornton worked out closely with Steelers receiver coach Zach Azzanni at Tennessee's pro day. This receiver is a superb athlete who is raw coming out of college. Adding Thornton here provides a future option who has no pressure to make plays as a rookie. Thornton could develop for an entire season with four reliable veterans in front of him.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4 (via Lions): Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
Some draft picks always come out of nowhere for the Steelers.
Most of their picks are either pro-day meetings or pre-draft visitors. With how much they have expressed intrigue in safeties this year, don't be shocked if they take one. Jaylen Reed slipped to the fourth round in this mock draft and is a "local" guy out of Penn State's program.
Reed is a versatile player who has played different spots. He can play as a traditional safety or closer to the line. He has lined up in the slot, which should be music to the Steelers' ears. With Minkah Fitzpatrick slowing down and DeShon Elliott a pending free agent in 2026, Pittsburgh could use some youth in the safety position.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Khan couldn't land Sanders in this mock draft, but that won't stop the Steelers from taking a quarterback at some point in the process. The entire top brass from Pittsburgh attended Notre Dame's pro day. Every player there could be on their radar. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was present, and he could be interested in adding Riley Leonard to his depth chart.
Most attention will remain on Aaron Rodgers's decision to sign with the organization. Khan cannot wait forever for Rodgers, and taking Leonard here provides another potential starting option. This prospect is a reliable guy who could become the next Mason Rudolph for the club. He's played in big moments and has everything you need.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Pittsburgh desperately wants to emulate the Philadelphia Eagles, meaning they must keep investing in the offensive line. Broderick Jones is heading into a make-or-break campaign as the left tackle. Troy Fautanu will be the starting right tackle, but they cannot afford to lack depth behind those two. Calvin Anderson will be their swing tackle, but they need competition for him.
Ajani Cornelius is the pick here, as the Steelers need a guy who can jump into training camp and push some role players. The biggest concern with taking Cornelius is his lack of reps beyond the right side. He has mostly played at that spot, which could hinder his chances of becoming a swing tackle. We know the Steelers aren't afraid to push young offensive tackles to play their offside.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6 (via Lions): Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
With their final pick in this mock draft, the Steelers could use some competition in the secondary. Justin Walley was a destructive force at Minnesota and was awarded a pre-draft visit with the Steelers. He is a solid athlete who is undersized for the position. It could cause him to sink on draft boards. At this point in the NFL Draft, this cornerback would be a terrific selection.
Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay will be the starting cornerbacks, but those behind them are unproven players. Walley could push guys like Cory Trice and James Pierre for their roster spots at training camp. Walley is not a perfect player, but he could develop at the next level. You cannot teach the way he creates turnovers, which he did consistently as a Golden Gopher.