The Pittsburgh Steelers could be closing in on a deal with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After weeks of speculating who would under center in 2025, this saga could soon reach its end with a four-time MVP quarterback inking a deal with Pittsburgh.
The timeline for this decision is expected to come before the 2025 NFL Draft. Once the Steelers know Rodgers will be leading the charge this season, it could drastically alter the front office's plans this April.
Instead of looking to build the foundation of the roster from the ground up, General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant GM Andy Weidl could be swayed to ensure that Rodgers has every available weapon at his disposal. My latest three-round mock draft involves some projection with Rodgers, but I have the Steelers showing utter disregard for the future by adding win-now assets to aid a 41-year-old quarterback.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
With the 21st overall pick, I have the Pittsburgh Steelers turning in their card for North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. The dynamic RB possesses all the traits you could ask for in a workhorse back, and Hampton would instantly leapfrog Jaylen Warren as the starter in Pittsburgh with Najee Harris joining the LA Chargers in free agency.
While Hampton is a well-rounded prospect, taking the second-best running back in the first round of a loaded RB class is a questionable approach. The Steelers never got their value's worth out of the Najee selection in 2021, but with a one-year window if Aaron Rodgers signs, they need the rushing attack to take a significant step forward in 2025.
There will be other players on the board at pick 21 who would fill positional needs and could have much longer careers in Pittsburgh, but this is a win-now move for a team looking to crack open a Super Bowl window in the present.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
The Steelers have no second-round pick this year thanks to the DK Metcalf trade. Though Khan could look to trade back at some point in the draft to recoup draft capital, I didn't factor any trades into this three-round mock.
This brings us to the 83rd overall pick. It would be surprising to see Pittsburgh not take an interior defensive lineman with one of their top two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but because the team wants to ensure the offense is successful, I have them going with wide receiver Kyle Williams.
I'm a fan of Williams, and though there may be better receivers on the board at this point, Rodgers is going to want a wideout who can run routes and create separation. Williams was a five-year player in college who strung together a 70-catch, 1,198-yard season with 14 touchdowns in 2024. He's a pro-ready prospect who would be an ideal complement to what Metcalf and George Pickens offer on the boundary.