Steelers way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Pittsburgh attacks needs early

We are only in the second week of the preseason, but it is never too early to look ahead at the upcoming NFL Draft.

Players who will ultimately make up the draft class have an entire season of college football to play through. Some players will raise their draft stock between now and this upcoming spring. Others will struggle to keep their draft stock afloat. Scouts for the Steelers are already hard at work trying to assemble information on this next draft class and there will be plenty of holes to fill.

Performances by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be the determining factor in Pittsburgh's desperateness for a quarterback.

Steelers mock draft round 1: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

If quarterback remains a question mark, this pick would surely get the fan base buzzing.

Mason Graham would be a tremendous selection by the Steelers and would have been considered one of the best in the 2024 class if he was eligible. He would be a perfect fit for what the black and gold typically search for along the defensive line. Graham is a disruptor and will be a true Junior this season. He could raise his draft stock even more!

With the future of Cam Heyward in question, this could fix a gaping hole on the defensive line.

Steelers mock draft round 2: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia

Cornerback remains a need for the Steelers even though they have Joey Porter Jr. under contract for another two years after this one.

Donte Jackson is a pending free agent, so your potential starter opposite of Porter could be gone. Unless someone like Cory Trice Jr. shows something, expect cornerback to be a major area of focus next draft. Also, don't forget that slot cornerback has some unproven players trying to earn a starting role this preseason.

Daylen Everette has great athletic ability and is a prime size for an NFL cornerback.

Steelers mock draft round 3: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

We get into round three and quarterback remains a hole on the roster.

Not only is Wilson on an expiring contract, but so is Justin Fields and Kyle Allen. If everything fails with those three, Pittsburgh will be starting from scratch at the position next offseason.

Drew Allar is the pick here as the young, strong-armed quarterback out of Penn State looks to make a big run this season. If he can pull off a Heisman-level year, he could catapult his draft stock to new heights. He has a strong arm with limited mobility. He has good potential, but he might be raw coming out of college.

Steelers mock draft round 4: Ja'Mori Maclin, WR, Kentucky

Will the Steelers land a star receiver before the regular season? We will find out over the next several weeks.

Roman Wilson could also push the need to address this problem on the roster back if he has a good rookie campaign.

Ja'Mori Maclin is the pick here as Kentucky has a couple of good receivers heading into the football season. He started off his career in Missouri before transferring to North Texas and now moving to Kentucky. Maclin has a big Junior year ahead of him that could help establish himself as one of the best receivers in the draft class.

Steelers mock draft round 5: Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina

Outside linebacker is in pretty good shape heading into this season, but they need to start thinking of the future.

Nick Herbig is only under contract for another couple of years, so they might want to start training his eventual replacement in the third linebacker role. Herbig has a lot of talent, and he will be entering a big year in his NFL career. If he can prove to be a reliable third outside linebacker for Pittsburgh, then he will get paid handsomely once he becomes a free agent.

Kaimon Rucker has been one of the best pass rushers in the ACC, and he is on many awards lists this preseason.

Steelers mock draft round 5: Graham Mertz, QB, Florida

Double-dipping at quarterback is a potential must for the Steelers next offseason.

They go with Graham Mertz here who has a ton of starting experience at the college level. If he can show that he can protect the football at the SEC level and make some plays, then he could become a reliable backup with the Steelers. He started off his college career at Wisconsin. He then transferred to Florida and played 11 games for them last season.

If he can find a way to improve his stats from last year, then he could see a Kenny Pickett rise by the time the draft rolls around.

Steelers mock draft round 7: C.J. Donaldson, RB, West Virginia

With both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren needing a pay raise next year, it makes sense for one of them to be let go.

It seems like Harris will be the odd man out and Pittsburgh will focus on adding a power back in the draft. Warren has shown the Steelers that finding a running back is not as difficult as they used to think.

They select C.J. Donalson with their last pick in this mock draft. They will be familiar with him as he plays just down the road in West Virginia. Donaldson has yet to produce big numbers in a season, but he should be in store for the best of his career. He is a big back who would help replace the power of Harris after losing him in free agency.