The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed their 2025 NFL draft haul, and it's another strong one on paper for Omar Khan and company. With major needs on both sides of the ball, Pittsburgh was able to add talent to most of its weak spots despite missing its second-round pick.
Oregon's Derrick Harmon and Iowa's Kaleb Johnson were the headliners, but they also added a couple of 2025 National Champions with Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and Will Howard.
Add in a hulking nose tackle in Iowa's Yahya Black and seventh-round flyers Carson Bruener out of Washington and Donte Kent out of Central Michigan, and they were able to infuse nearly every part of the roster with new talent.
One of the overlooked aspects of the draft, however, is what it means for veterans who were barely hanging on to their spot on the roster. With young players coming in, they need a place to land on the roster. Here are a few players who may not be long for the Steelers roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers incoming draft class could mean the end for these veterans
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB
Cordarrelle Patterson has hung around the NFL far longer than anyone could have expected. The 2013 first-round pick struggled to become a reliable receiver early in his career, making his biggest impact as a returner. He bounced around the league, struggling to find a role until the Falcons finally unlocked his potential.
He became a pseudo running back, rushing for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two seasons with Atlanta. A down 2023 and another lackluster 2024 after reuniting with Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh have left his career in doubt.
That was before the Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, and the selection of Kaleb Johnson further lowers his chances of making the Steelers roster in 2025.
DeMarvin Leal, EDGE/DT
The Steelers have long been one of the best teams in the NFL at developing defensive line talent. One player many thought would be one of their steals at that position is DeMarvin Leal. Leal was a talented but raw player coming out of Texas A&M in 2022, and Pittsburgh took a chance on him in the third round that year.
Since joining the team, Leal has struggled with poor play and frustrating injuries. He has played in just 28 of 51 possible games and has just a single sack in his career. He barely has more tackles (33) than games played.
With three new additions to the defensive line in the draft, Leal will have an uphill battle to remain a Steeler in his fourth season.
Jeremiah Moon, EDGE
Pittsburgh is one of the few teams in the NFL that doesn't seem to care about having a strong rotation at edge rusher. Last season, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig played the vast majority of snaps as the primary pass rushers.
Preston Smith played a small role after he was added at the trade deadline, but the only other edge player with over 100 snaps was Jeremiah Moon.
Moon was an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2022, and he didn't get a chance to see the field until 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers claimed him off waivers last offseason, and he showed them enough to earn a one-year contract this free agency.
Even if Pittsburgh seems to like him, adding Jack Sawyer in the draft could spell the end for Moon, given the Steelers' history of keeping just four true edge rushers.