It's extremely early in the pre-draft process, but we are already getting a great feel for which positions the Steelers will target early in the 2025 NFL Draft. After allowing 299 rushing yards in the playoff loss to the Ravens, you can bet defensive tackle will be high on their radar. This was confirmed when Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and Teryl Austin spent Senior Bowl week scoping out the defensive line prospects.
In addition to defensive tackle, the Steelers have major needs at wide receiver, running back, and cornerback. It's safe to assume all of these areas will be addressed by Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
But what if the Steelers don't only address their greatest needs; they gamble on players with excellent upside? The potential return could be huge. In my latest Steelers mock draft, I have Pittsburgh reaching for the stars in each round with players who could give their team a serious talent boost.
Steelers mock draft Round 1: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers are likely to pursue a defensive lineman or wide receiver. While they could go with a stout run defender like Michigan's Kenneth Grant, the Steelers could swing on a player with even more upside.
Walter Nolen was a tremendous defensive tackle for Ole Miss who beat up on SEC competition. The 21-year-old declared for the NFL Draft early after his true junior season. Nolan has eye-popping physical gifts to knife into the backfield with ease or stack and shed blocks like a much bigger defensive tackle. His game brings flashbacks of watching Jalen Carter at Georgia.
The Steelers could really use a true nose tackle, but Nolan is talented enough to play anywhere along the defensive line. He has Pro Bowl upside at the next level and would have a large role on Pittsburgh's defense from Day 1.
Steelers mock draft Round 2: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
I would be a bit surprised if the Steelers make it past the first two rounds of the NFL Draft this year without selecting a wide receiver, but the talent at running back in Round 2 simply lines up better. I have Pittsburgh turning their card in for Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson.
Henderson was part of a two-headed monster in the backfield with Quinshon Judkins. Both players proved to be two of the best backs in college football, but Henderson offers more burst and long speed.
After watching Najee Harris plod his way for 3.9 yards per carry over the past four seasons, the Steelers will want more juice at the position, and Henderson has 'explosive play ability' written all over him. This would be a slam dunk pick with the 52nd overall pick in the second round.
Steelers mock draft Round 3: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
If you were concerned that the Steelers wouldn't be able to land a quality wide receiver in this draft, don't worry. We've got you covered. After the wave of first-round wide receivers, the talent gap in the next group diminishes, but Pittsburgh can still land a promising prospect late on Day 2.
With the 83rd overall pick, I have the Steelers selecting Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Higgins was impressive at the Senior Bowl—using his body to box out defenders and come down with combatted catches.
Though the Steelers could use a shiftier receiver who can create separation with ease, Higgins is too talented to pass up at this point in the draft. At 6'3 3/4'' and 217 pounds with 33 1/4'' arms, Higgins will offer the next Steelers quarterback a tremendous catch radius as a threat on the outside.
Steelers mock draft Round 4: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Doubling up at the wide receiver position in the 2025 NFL Draft is well within the realm of possibility, and who says it can't be done with back-to-back picks in the middle of the draft? Though I would expect Jack Bech to be off the board by this point—especially after a strong Senior Bowl week—he's the best player available and the Steelers need as much WR help as they can get.
With Van Jefferson and Mike Williams exiting, the Steelers could get an influx of youth and athleticism with Higgins and Bech to go with George Pickens, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin III. Suddenly, this is looking like a strong, young, and deep group of wide receivers in Pittsburgh.
Steelers mock draft Round 5: Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas
It's highly likely the Steelers address the cornerback position before the fifth round of the draft, but I have them going where the talent lies on the board early. The worst case scenario for 2025 is that Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice Jr. will start at boundary cornerback with Beanie Bishop Jr. at nickel CB.
While this group admittedly needs added talent and depth, the Steelers can get away with waiting until Day 3 of the draft or adding depth via free agency. In the fifth round, I have them going with Mello Dotson, a ballhawk cornerback who recorded 12 career interceptions at Kansas—five of which came over the past two seasons.
Steelers mock draft Round 7: Jamaree Caldwell, NT, Oregon
Those begging for the Steelers to draft a run-stuffing nose tackle would be thrilled to see the Steelers grab one before the draft is over. Though Jamaree Caldwell doesn't project as a lethal interior pass rusher at the next level, he specializes in eating up space and holding up at the point of attack.
At 6'1'' and 340 pounds, Caldwell is the exact type of player this defense needs. He could man the 0-tech role for the Steelers in their base defense and allow Keeanu Benton to move back to a more natural position along the defensive line.
With Dan Moore Jr. expected to sign with a new team in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers can't leave the draft without an offensive tackle on Day 3 (assuming they don't sign one in free agency). The hope is that Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu could be the tackles of the future in Pittsburgh, but we saw how decimated the Steelers were on the offensive line in 2024 and depth is needed.
We can't count on a seventh-round pick making the team, but Jalen Rivers would compete for the swing tackle job in Pittsburgh.
Not only do I have the Steelers doubling up on defensive tackle and wide receiver, but I also have them taking a second cornerback to close out the draft. While Mello Dotson can be a depth option on the boundary, Robert Longerbeam could add depth to the nickel cornerback position.
Pittsburgh is throwing a dart at this point and seeing if it sticks. Listed at 5'11'' and 178 pounds, Longerbeam doesn't have elite size, but he possesses the physicality, quickness, and ball skills desired in a slot cornerback at the next level. If Longerbeam makes the roster, he would begin his career on special teams.