Welcome to mock draft mania! With the draft just a few weeks 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 basic rules. We will be using the team's 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 needed either Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan at the Pro Day or to have 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.
We have arrived at the end of mock draft mania. This is it, the last mock for the 2025 draft. Here, I will be trying to do my best to follow the breadcrumbs and get this draft as perfect as possible. This is my best guess as to what the plan is for Pittsburgh, no matter what I think about the draft as a whole.
A unique change to this year’s final mock draft: we are projecting a trade. Pittsburgh seems desperate to move back and get another day two pick.
Final Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock draft has us following the trail of breadcrumbs
They do just that, moving back a handful of spots to acquire the Texans' later third-round pick. Not a huge move, but it allows the team to still land a top prospect and pick up some extra ammo in the third round.
Without further ado, here is my final crack at predicting the Steelers draft in 2025.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Unless this team is dead set on taking a quarterback in the first round, it feels like Derrick Harmon is the front-runner for this selection. He has the classic size that the Steelers want in a defensive end, making him a perfect fit for this defensive line.
Harmon is a sturdy prospect who shined last year at Oregon. He was constantly after the quarterback while also proving to be a stout run defender. He needs to add some strength and get a better pass rush plan, but the traits are there.
Personally, I like the fit of Kenneth Grant better in the first round. I like the idea of Keeanu Benton kicking out to defensive end and allowing Grant to play nose tackle. That said, there has been more interest in Harmon, making him the pick.
I do have concerns with Harmon’s ceiling. I don’t see the elite explosion and violence you want out of a top defensive lineman, but he seems like a good starter who could take a step or two even further.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virgina
The draft almost certainly won’t go as expected positionally with the team. While it makes sense to target the usual safety, quarterback, running back, or receiver here, the Steelers have shown dedication to improving this offensive line.
Wyatt Milum did have a visit with the team, and he has some extremely strong tape backing him up. The issue is his fit at the next level. He was a tackle in college, but his short arms make him a better guard candidate. For the Steelers, they can look at him at multiple spots.
He can serve as a swing tackle in his first year and put some pressure on the other two young tackles on the roster. If both pan out, Milum can also take some guard reps and, ideally, replace Isaac Seumalo next year if he isn’t needed at tackle.
While a small luxury pick this year, he has a clear path to starting sooner than later while also adding pressure on the other tackles. I’m calling my shot, an offensive lineman is drafted earlier than later.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Using the pick that was acquired from the Texans, the Steelers get their quarterback, sort of. Ideally, I think they want Jalen Milroe given his traits, but unless this team gets back into the second round, I don’t see that happening.
Settling for Howard isn’t that bad. He shined down the stretch for the Buckeyes and has some strong tape that makes him an intriguing prospect. His accuracy and touch are his best traits, which make him a good system quarterback.
His arm strength is what is holding him back. He can place the deep ball well, but he isn’t able to truly sling the ball deep. That said, I think he can carve out a career as a great backup and occasional starter.
Given how weak this quarterback room is right now, Howard could vie for snaps as a rookie. More than likely, he serves as a backup, but he adds some youth and consistency to the quarterback room.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Rylie Mills, DL, Notre Dame
Rylie Mills is one of “my guys” in this draft. Had he not been injured late in the college playoffs, he would likely be a cemented day two pick. In a weak defensive line class, he could even be viewed as a higher prospect.
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He shines as a pass rusher, and he could even earn some looks as a situational pass rusher as a rookie (assuming he is healthy). He needs to get stronger as a run defender, but he has the traits to grow there.
Given his injury, Mills could be redshirted as a rookie and serve as a developmental backup next year. His arm length is lacking, but beyond that, he has everything you want in a defensive end and could develop into a starter down the road.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Dont’e Thornton, WR, Tennessee
There are quite a few links between the Steelers and Dont’e Thornton. Zach Assani was at the Volunteers' pro day, and it seems likely that the team ends up taking a receiver at some point in the draft. There is none more explosive than Thornton.
He was a feast or famine player in college. He could vertically challenge any defense, but there would also be a lot of stretches where he disappeared from the game entirely. Add in some injury concerns, and it is hard to draft him earlier. He could add another big-play threat to this team.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
I go back and forth as to where a running back will be taken in this class. We know the Steelers will draft someone, and a back could be added anywhere in this draft. I have a sinking feeling that Ollie Gordon is a serious target, and he can be had late.
He has the classic size and power this team usually gravitates towards. He looked bad last season after a dynamic 2023. You take him knowing he can be your hammer on offense with the hope that he turns back the clock to his impressive earlier season.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Malachi Moore, DB, Alabama
I almost put a safety in the third round, and I feel like the hope is to land someone higher, but we settle for Malachi Moore. He was supposed to be one of the top prospects when he entered college, but his career never panned out due to inconsistencies and injuries.
Moore can contribute as a potential third safety and slot defender sooner than later. Long-term, if he can settle into his role and achieve the potential he has, he could be a Minkah Fitzpatrick replacement. For a late pick, that has to be appealing.