Report Cards For Every Player Taken

“Report cards for every player taken”

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been aggressive within the 2025 offseason as they goal to recuperate from one other disappointing playoff loss.

For almost 20 years, Pittsburgh has been a mannequin of consistency, reaching 21 consecutive seasons with a .500 report or higher. Nonetheless, the group has not loved the postseason success that such a successful report would counsel.

The Steelers‘ entrance workplace has been energetic this offseason, working to revamp the roster for the upcoming season. Their first important transfer got here in early March once they acquired extensive receiver DK Metcalf for a second-round decide, No. 52 total and a seventh-rounder (No. 223).

The group boasts a powerful defensive lineup, that includes a number of elite gamers together with perennial Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate T.J. Watt. Along with Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, linebacker Patrick Queen, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. they kind the core of the Steelers’ protection.

Regardless of this sturdy basis, there are nonetheless a couple of positions that the Steelers goal to strengthen through the 2025 NFL Draft. Quarterback probably being a kind of spots.

Russell Wilson signed with the Giants and Justin Fields joined the Jets in free company. Former third-round decide Mason Rudolph was signed in free company and gives a strong backup on the depth chart. Nonetheless, followers and analysts alike count on Pittsburgh to considerably make investments on the place. The franchise has handled uncertainty on the place ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. Even if Aaron Rodgers indicators, he would be the oldest energetic participant within the NFL, leaving the group with no long-term answer.

The revamping course of will proceed within the 2025 NFL Draft, the place the Steelers have six alternatives, together with the twenty first total decide within the first spherical.

Here is a have a look at the Steelers 2025 draft picks and USA TODAY Sports activities and the USA TODAY Community’s grades for every of Pittsburgh’s alternatives.

Spherical 1, Choose 21: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

It is exhausting to discover a higher succession plan for franchise icon Cameron Heyward than the long-armed, productive inside defender Harmon. The Oregon product was the lynchpin of top-of-the-line defenses in school soccer and racked up 5 sacks in 2024. This can be a implausible match. Nonetheless, the Steelers are slated to begin Mason Rudolph at quarterback and that is not an excellent choice for a group with playoff aspirations.

Mike Tomlin’s choice can be broadly considered by way of the lens of the selection he did not make, particularly taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Pittsburgh, nonetheless, apparently wasn’t bluffing with its long-running relaxed angle towards its uncertainty behind heart. Harmon’s forcefulness ought to make him a quick favourite of Tomlin, and he may help a wobbly protection not rely so closely on Cam Heyward, who will flip 36 subsequent month.

Spherical 3, Choose 83: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Not the backfield choice everybody was ready for with Shedeur Sanders on the board, however there’s a lot to love about this decide. Johnson has drawn some comparisons to Le’Veon Bell for his distinct and affected person operating model, and he may take pleasure in a extra fruitful profession than a number of of the ball carriers taken forward of him.

This can be top-of-the-line suits of the day. Johnson is highly effective, bruising one-cut runner within the mildew of Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray. He isn’t an open-field speedster however makes use of nice persistence, energy and imaginative and prescient to churn out yards.

Spherical 4, Choose 123: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

Sawyer was one of many key contributors to Ohio State’s national-championship successful protection. He didn’t measure in a in addition to anticipated in order that’s why he dropped from a possible second-round decide to Spherical 4. Regardless of his quick arms, his exercise and power make him not less than a rotational piece.

Spherical 5, Choose 164: Yahya Black, DT, Iowa

The Steelers proceed to construct out the trenches on protection with their second defensive deal with decide of the draft. Black provides an ideal skillset in opposition to the run with a 6-foot-5, 330-pound body with an 84-inch wingspan. His mixture of size and power makes block shedding simple and provides him instruments to develop as a move rusher.

Spherical 6, Choose 185: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State

Pittsburgh has a evident want at quarterback and opts to deal with it in Spherical 6. Howard is an enormous, sturdy passer with very repeatable mechanics and thrived at Ohio State when distributing the ball to 4 future NFL first-round picks. He has a powerful arm which can turn out to be useful for downfield ideas and expertise as a scrambler which can work in Arthur Smith’s system. His ceiling is comparatively low however his ground is fairly excessive.

Spherical 7, Choose 226 (from Chiefs): Carson Bruener, LB, Washington

Bruener is barely undersized at 6-foot-1 and 226 kilos however is among the twitchiest athletes within the class on the place. He would not play with the aggression groups would love on the place however that may evolve over time. For now, he has the makings of a particular groups ace.

Spherical 7: Choose 229 (From Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan

Kent has NFL velocity in his 5-foot-10, 187-pound body and a confirmed monitor report in zone protection techniques. He can play aggressive at instances which can work in opposition to him on the NFL stage extra so than in school. He is a dependable tackler, although, which the Steelers will respect.

Spherical 1, No. 21 total: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Spherical 3, No. 83: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Spherical 4, No. 123: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
Spherical 5, No. 156: Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
Spherical 6, No. 185: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Spherical 7, Choose 226 (from Chiefs): Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
Spherical 7, Choose 229 (From Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan