Welcome to mock draft mania! With the 2025 NFL draft just days away, I wanted to run through as many different mock scenarios as possible for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unlike years past, this team has a lot of avenues they could take in the draft, and there is a multitude of ways for them to add more talent this year.
While each scenario will play out differently, it will follow the same base rules. We will be using general needs of this team to determine picks. As well, we will try to follow the usual trends this team has when drafting.
Those trends vary, naturally, but some general rules are that a first-round pick either needs Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan at the Pro Day or has been invited for a pre-draft visit.
Positional coaches play a role in positions that get drafted (we have seen the secondary and receiver coach hot on the trail this year, making safety and receiver a viable selection earlier than expected).
Finally, we care about who the team brought in as a pre-draft visitor. They have brought in quite a few quarterbacks as well as running backs.
Following the blues clues of this offseason, the Steelers have shown an insane amount of interest in the top safeties. It seems like a strong likelihood that this team goes defensive back with their top pick.
It may not seem like the biggest need (it isn’t), but if the team feels like a safety is the best player, they can certainly use the talent. Past this year, the safety room could be completely turned over. Even if it makes the rest of the draft tough, taking a safety could be the best choice for the team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers land a potential superstar in this mock draft
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Nick Emmanwori, DB, South Carolina
Nick Emmanwori cemented himself as one of the top two safeties in the draft following an electric combine. Built like a modern linebacker, he excelled at every test and is now one of the top testing athletes in the history of the league.
Emmanwori plays like a linebacker as well. He is a great run defender who thrives in the box and can serve as a thumper for any defense. Not only is he a good run defender, but he can also thrive in coverage.
He takes away opposing tight ends with his athleticism and size. His ceiling is astonishingly high, and if he hits it, you get a Kyle Hamilton-type defender.
Players like this have struggled as teams can’t find a great fit for them. Ideally, Emmanwori would settle in as a strong safety long-term, but constantly playing him in too many spots can hurt him. That said, he has the chance to become a dynamic defender.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon
The other Oregon defensive lineman, Jamaree Caldwell might be one of the safest prospects in this draft class. His ceiling isn’t extraordinarily high, but he has a clear and obvious role that will allow him to play early and maintain a strong role.
Caldwell is what he is: a run-stuffing nose tackle that offers next to nothing as a pass rusher, but he can take up space and double teams. He won’t ever be an elite player, but he should give you an instant upgrade on run defense.
He also allows Keeanu Benton to kick out to defensive end, giving the line some stability this year. Caldwell fixes one of the Steelers' biggest woes and has an instant role as a rookie.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
The Pittsburgh Steelers are drafting a quarterback at some point this year, I’m just not sure where. Here, we land Will Howard from the defending champion Buckeyes. While I don’t see a high ceiling on Howard, I think he can work as a high-end backup.
Howard makes smart throws and has good accuracy, and while not an incredible athlete, he can move around in the pocket and make plays on the ground. I don’t see the elite arm strength to ever be more than a game-manager, but he can certainly compete and thrive with the right system.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
A good, not great runner that falls due to the depth of the running back class, Trevor Etienne has NFL bloodlines and good production while at school. He can do some damage in open space and as a receiver, and would serve as a good complement to a committee backfield.
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While he tested as a good athlete, you didn’t always see it on film. Add in his smaller stature and lack of explosive plays, and there are some limitations here. But as a rotational player, Etienne can certainly add something to a backfield.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska
One of my favorite sleepers in a deep class, Ty Robinson, lacks the length you want in a defensive end, but he can serve as a good rotational player. He finally broke out this past year and thrived as a run stuffer and pass rusher.
There are some questions as to why it took so long for him to develop. Has he truly found his footing, or did he benefit from playing against younger competition? I’m willing to bet that it is the former in the sixth round.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas
When taking a receiver this late, you are looking for a player who can thrive in one scenario. For Andrew Armstrong, he is your classic height-weight-speed player who can take the top off the defense and win deep.
The issue with him is a lack of production (he only scored once in college) and a lack of elite testing. Armstrong will need to prove that he can at least be capable there, but he also has the size and speed to play on special teams. He is worth a flyer this late in the draft.