With the NFL Draft just a couple of months away and the Pittsburgh Steelers set to host, the spotlight will be firmly on them. This year’s draft will not only be important for the city but could become one of the most significant draft classes in franchise history.
Entering a new head coaching era and armed with 12 draft picks, the front office has a rare opportunity and a clear mandate to reshape the roster. After fielding one of the oldest teams in the NFL last season, the Steelers are in need of an infusion of youth.
While free agency and roster cuts may bring some change, an aging defense and an offense still searching for long-term answers, most notably at quarterback, underscore how critical this draft will be. If executed correctly, this incoming class could provide the youthful boost needed to accelerate the Steelers turnaround and set a new foundation for the future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot afford to miss on any of its five top 100 picks
The Steelers enter the draft with five picks inside the top 100, and if this roster is going to continue trending in the right direction, they need to hit on nearly all of them. Adding young, impactful talent is no longer optional. It is a necessity.
Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have shown an ability to find contributors in their early drafts together, but the third round has been a clear weak spot. Recent selections like Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson have struggled to earn meaningful snaps, raising concerns about mid-round evaluation and development. That makes this draft especially important. Pittsburgh needs immediate contributors from each of its picks in the first three rounds to prove the roster is truly moving forward.
With 12 total draft picks, the Steelers have flexibility. While not every selection will hit, the depth of draft capital gives the front office the option to package later picks to move up and secure higher-end talent. The foundation is already forming, particularly along the offensive line, but the defense still needs a significant youth infusion, and the offense remains short on dynamic playmakers.
If this draft class delivers, it could set the stage for the future. Should the Steelers choose to pursue a quarterback in next year’s draft, that rookie would enter a far more stable and supportive environment. With an entirely new coaching staff in place, there is also hope that player development accelerates compared to the previous regime. If everything aligns, this draft could mark the true turning point for the franchise.