PITTSBURGH -- The 2025 NFL draft wrapped up Saturday night. Despite a lot of speculation around them perhaps drafting Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Pittsburgh Steelers used their No. 21 selection of the first round to fill a defensive need on Thursday night.
Here's a breakdown of every Pittsburgh pick:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 21 overall: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
My take: Mike Tomlin said it best -- the Steelers had an "extreme urgency" to address the defensive line, and there was no better way to do it than using a premium pick on a talented defensive tackle. In selecting Harmon -- especially over quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart -- the Steelers stayed true to their identity as a defense-first team with a solid addition to ease the transition whenever soon-to-be 36-year-old Cameron Heyward decides to hang it up. Heyward is coming off a strong season, and in addressing the position now, the Steelers set Harmon up for success with a readymade mentor.
Key stat: Harmon led the FBS with 34 QB pressures when lined up as a defensive tackle, and he was second with a 10.7% pressure rate. Harmon is going to be a key piece of reinforcing a Steelers run defense that wilted down the stretch of the 2024 season, but his pass rush abilities have the potential to make him a coveted three-down player.
What we're hearing about Harmon: "He has Steeler DNA for us, man. It starts inside and upfront, and this is a guy that's capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass. And so we're really excited about having him. We weren't interested in considering trading away from him and really excited about getting him in here and getting started." -- Mike Tomlin
What's next: The Steelers addressed one of their most pressing needs early with the defensive line pick, but they still need to reinforce the run game by adding a running back after losing Najee Harris in free agency. And, of course, a quarterback looms large with just two under contract. Aaron Rodgers' verdict is still out, but the Steelers need two more to take to camp. They could add one with their next scheduled pick in the third round.
Round 3, No. 83: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
My take: Despite Sanders' availability, the Steelers stayed disciplined in addressing their most pressing needs midway through the third round. At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds with a physical playing style, Johnson seamlessly fills the shoes of former Steelers running back Najee Harris. Johnson is a bigger back than both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, and he gives the Steelers a well-rounded and balanced running back group.
Key Stat: Johnson didn't record a single fumble in 2024, and he had only three career fumbles during his time at Iowa. Johnson fumbled twice in 2023 and once in 2022. He lost only one of those -- in 2022 as a freshman against Ohio State. He finished his career with 29 straight games -- 475 touches -- without a lost fumble. Harris, whom Johnson is helping to replace, had just five fumbles in four seasons, with none in his rookie and final years in Pittsburgh.
Round 4, No. 123: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
My take: With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig already in the fold, the Steelers didn't need to use their highest Day 3 pick on an outside linebacker, but Sawyer's value was too good to pass up. Sawyer not only has a knack for making big plays in big moments (see: Cotton Bowl strip sack for the game-sealing touchdown), but his addition continues the Steelers' trend of strengthening the run defense through this year's draft.
Round 5, No. 164: Yahya Black, NT, Iowa
My take: The Steelers continue to emphasize stopping the run with another defensive line selection in Black. Though he has experience as a nose tackle, the Steelers view him as a versatile four-technique lineman because they already have a solid nose on the roster in Keeanu Benton. Black also continues the Steelers' trend of loading up on Big Ten defensive players. Logan Lee, a sixth-round selection last year, was teammates with Black at Iowa.
Round 6, No. 185 (from Seattle through Chicago): Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
My take: Look at that, a quarterback. The Steelers finally addressed the position with a high-value selection in the sixth round. Howard is coming off a national championship win where he set a record with 13 consecutive completions and threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His ability to elevate in crunch time and big moments was attractive to the Steelers, who aren't done adding to the position as Aaron Rodgers' future still hangs in the balance.
Round 7, No. 226: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
My take: The Steelers waited until the seventh round to select a player with familial connections to the organization. Bruener's dad Mark, a tight end, was drafted by the team 30 years earlier and spent nine seasons in Pittsburgh. Carson spent the final day of the draft with his dad in their family cabin on the coast of Washington, sitting in the same spot on the same couch where his dad was taken 27th overall in 1997. Drafted six rounds after his dad, Carson isn't a lock to make the roster as just a linebacker, but he's well-positioned to make his mark as a versatile special-teamer.
Round 7, No. 229: Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan
My take: The Steelers ended their bid for an all-Big Ten draft class by selecting the MAC product with their final pick of the seventh round. At 5-10, 189 pounds, Kent said he's a versatile defensive back who's comfortable in the slot or on the outside. He also spent time as a punt returner and said he's also willing to be a core special-teamer. He's smaller than the Steelers so-called "avatar corners" in Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice Jr., but he fits the mold of last year's breakout UDFA slot corner Beanie Bishop.