The 2025 NFL draft is over after a full weekend of festivities in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26. WGAL is examining the draft picks from local teams across the Susquehanna Valley. In this edition, we are taking a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Round 1, No. 21 overall – Oregon DT Derrick HarmonWith the Steelers getting gashed for over 300 rushing yards against the Ravens in the 2024 playoffs, defensive tackle was an obvious priority for the black and gold. Harmon is a violent interior defensive lineman who can play any technique. With Larry Ogunjobi leaving in free agency and Cameron Heyward coming towards the end of his career, Harmon becomes the answer, short and long-term.For the time being, Heyward and Harmon are the starters at the position. While I think Harmon is a great fit, I found it puzzling that the Steelers didn’t take a chance on a quarterback at this selection. Draft grade: BRound 3, No. 83 overall – Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson With Najee Harris gone and Jaylen Warren on a one-year contract, the Steelers had to address the running back position. Johnson has the tools to eventually become the team’s starting running back and that could come at some point in 2025.Early on, I expect it to be a running back by committee (RBBC) with Warren and newly acquired Kenneth Gainwell, but it’s Johnson’s job for the taking. Johnson runs angrily, which seems to be the MO to be a Pittsburgh running back. Draft grade: A Round 4, No. 123 – Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer The Steelers found great value in the fourth round with the selection of Sawyer. He won’t start in 2025, but he will provide valuable snaps for when T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith need a breather.Sawyer has the mentality of a Steeler, displaying a non-stop motor when chasing quarterbacks, and shows an ability to add support in run defense. Draft grade: A-Round 5, No. 164 – Iowa DT Yahya BlackThe team continued to bolster the interior defensive line with the mammoth six-foot-six, 336-pound Black. He is not much in the way of playmaking ability, but his size will condense running lanes for opposing backs. Black will serve as a backup with Keeanu Benton. Draft grade: BRound 6, No. 185 – Ohio State QB Will HowardThe Steelers finally addressed their biggest position of need in the sixth round with Will Howard. He has great size and toughness for the position and was a big reason for Ohio State’s National Championship run.Despite that, Howard fell in the draft due to being a streaky passer at times, even with a stacked wide receiver room at Ohio State. He could develop into a decent NFL quarterback, but the Steelers had the opportunity to draft better prospects earlier in the draft.A room of Mason Rudolph, Howard and Skylar Thompson is not a room that brings forth a lot of inspiration.Draft grade: CRound 7, No. 226 – Washington LB Carson BruenerBruener projects as a middle linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 defensive scheme. In 2024, he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after registering 104 tackles and three interceptions. Look for Bruener to provide valuable reps on special teams. Draft grade: BRound 7, No. 229 – Central Michigan CB/PR Donte KentKent was a four-year starter and captain and had 47 career pass deflections at the collegiate level. He has the ideal size to play slot cornerback, but will face an uphill battle on the depth chart.The Steelers drafted Kent for his potential as a gunner or return specialist on special teams in the NFL. Draft grade: B-
The 2025 NFL draft is over after a full weekend of festivities in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.
WGAL is examining the draft picks from local teams across the Susquehanna Valley.
In this edition, we are taking a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Round 1, No. 21 overall – Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
With the Steelers getting gashed for over 300 rushing yards against the Ravens in the 2024 playoffs, defensive tackle was an obvious priority for the black and gold.
Harmon is a violent interior defensive lineman who can play any technique.
With Larry Ogunjobi leaving in free agency and Cameron Heyward coming towards the end of his career, Harmon becomes the answer, short and long-term.
For the time being, Heyward and Harmon are the starters at the position.
While I think Harmon is a great fit, I found it puzzling that the Steelers didn’t take a chance on a quarterback at this selection.
Draft grade: B
Round 3, No. 83 overall – Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
With Najee Harris gone and Jaylen Warren on a one-year contract, the Steelers had to address the running back position.
Johnson has the tools to eventually become the team’s starting running back and that could come at some point in 2025.
Early on, I expect it to be a running back by committee (RBBC) with Warren and newly acquired Kenneth Gainwell, but it’s Johnson’s job for the taking.
Johnson runs angrily, which seems to be the MO to be a Pittsburgh running back.
Draft grade: A
Round 4, No. 123 – Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer
The Steelers found great value in the fourth round with the selection of Sawyer.
He won’t start in 2025, but he will provide valuable snaps for when T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith need a breather.
Sawyer has the mentality of a Steeler, displaying a non-stop motor when chasing quarterbacks, and shows an ability to add support in run defense.
Draft grade: A-
Round 5, No. 164 – Iowa DT Yahya Black
The team continued to bolster the interior defensive line with the mammoth six-foot-six, 336-pound Black.
He is not much in the way of playmaking ability, but his size will condense running lanes for opposing backs.
Black will serve as a backup with Keeanu Benton.
Draft grade: B
Round 6, No. 185 – Ohio State QB Will Howard
The Steelers finally addressed their biggest position of need in the sixth round with Will Howard.
He has great size and toughness for the position and was a big reason for Ohio State’s National Championship run.
Despite that, Howard fell in the draft due to being a streaky passer at times, even with a stacked wide receiver room at Ohio State.
He could develop into a decent NFL quarterback, but the Steelers had the opportunity to draft better prospects earlier in the draft.
A room of Mason Rudolph, Howard and Skylar Thompson is not a room that brings forth a lot of inspiration.
Draft grade: C
Round 7, No. 226 – Washington LB Carson Bruener
Bruener projects as a middle linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
In 2024, he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after registering 104 tackles and three interceptions.
Look for Bruener to provide valuable reps on special teams.
Draft grade: B
Round 7, No. 229 – Central Michigan CB/PR Donte Kent
Kent was a four-year starter and captain and had 47 career pass deflections at the collegiate level.
He has the ideal size to play slot cornerback, but will face an uphill battle on the depth chart.
The Steelers drafted Kent for his potential as a gunner or return specialist on special teams in the NFL.
Draft grade: B-