The NFL Combine is in the books, and the draft is just over a month away. With free agency kicking off next week, the offseason is set to dominate the headlines. For the Steelers, this draft is a crucial one—they need to refine their roster to stay competitive and build a foundation for future Super Bowl runs.
The next few weeks in Pittsburgh will be pivotal, with plenty of question marks surrounding the roster and the team's draft priorities. It’s officially mock draft season, and in this four-round projection, the Steelers come away with four key additions to help shape their future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secure four future starters in this 2025 NFL mock draft
Steelers mock draft Round 1: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
All signs seem to indicate that the Steelers' first-round pick will likely be either a wide receiver or a defensive lineman. However, in this particular mock draft, the Steelers simply can’t pass up Michigan DT Kenneth Grant, who can immediately shore up the middle of their defensive line. With the need to rebuild the defensive line, this draft is expected to focus heavily on that area.
Aside from Cameron Heyward, who is nearing the end of his career, and Keeanu Benton, there aren’t many reliable options behind them. Grant is a freakish athlete with immense untapped potential, making him a fantastic pick for Pittsburgh. He’ll immediately help strengthen the run defense, and with the guidance of DL coach Karl Dunbar, he has the chance to develop into the Steelers' next franchise defensive tackle.
Steelers mock draft Round 2: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
With Najee Harris likely moving on in free agency, the Steelers are in need of a reliable backup to Jaylen Warren. Enter Kaleb Johnson, a player who will be exciting to watch in Arthur Smith’s scheme. The one-two punch of Warren and Johnson will bring plenty of excitement, with both players complementing each other perfectly to create a dynamic and versatile rushing attack.
Steelers mock draft Round 3: Savion Williams, WR, TCU
Wide receiver is expected to be a major focus for the Steelers in free agency, though the exact number of WRs they will sign remains uncertain. Regardless, Pittsburgh still needs to add another playmaker through the draft. In the third round of this mock draft, Arthur Smith lands his version of Cordarrelle Patterson 2.0.
While he’ll need some refinement as a wide receiver, he’s a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, and TCU used him in a similar way to Patterson. The Steelers will use him in a variety of ways, making him a versatile chess piece for their offense.
Steelers mock draft Round 4: Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
In the fourth round, the Steelers beef up their defensive line again by grabbing Toledo’s Darius Alexander. He’s a solid pick with a lot of upside who could easily grow into a starter down the road while adding some nice depth right away. Alexander turned heads at the Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, which put him fifth among D-tackles.
Since Omar Khan took over as GM, the Steelers have focused on athleticism in their draft picks, and it looks like they’re sticking to that game plan here with the defensive line in this year's draft.