Exciting as draft weekend is for the rookie class and fans watching, it can be a different story for veterans watching new additions who could potentially take their job. While we\u2019ll still analyzing the grades on the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 2025 class, here are the players already on the roster who \u201cwon and lost\u201d based on the moves the team did \u2013 and didn\u2019t \u2013 make. Some may not be true \u201cveterans\u201d but anyone who was on the roster last season qualifies.<\/p>\n
WINNERS
\nWR Roman Wilson<\/p>\n
Despite doing plenty of homework<\/a> on this year\u2019s class, Pittsburgh punted on drafting a wide receiver. That\u2019s good news for a second-year player like Wilson who logged all of five snaps as a rookie and spent most of the year injured. Drafting a rookie, even a fourth-rounder, would\u2019ve squeezed Wilson\u2019s already narrow path to a role.<\/p>\n The No. 4 wide receiver behind George Pickens, DK Metcalf, and Calvin Austin III not to mention TE Pat Freiermuth and a running game that could again rank top-five in attempts, Wilson may not significantly factor into the passing game. But not having to battle a rookie is one less obstacle for him to overcome.<\/p>\n Maybe it would\u2019ve been \u201cbest\u201d for him to see George Pickens traded but overall, this draft class counts as a win in his favor and perhaps is a subtle vote of confidence from the team.<\/p>\n DL Cam Heyward & Keeanu Benton<\/p>\n Putting both of the Steelers\u2019 starting defensive linemen here, though for different reasons. Normally, when you\u2019re about to turn 36 and your employer spends a first-round pick at your position, as is the dynamic between Cam Heyward and Derrick Harmon, it\u2019s a bad sign. And it\u2019s clear Harmon is viewed as the potential heir.<\/p>\n But Heyward\u2019s job isn\u2019t in jeopardy here. In fact, Harmon might extend it. Pittsburgh finally made an effort of reducing Heyward\u2019s snaps in 2024, giving him plenty of off-days in practice while keeping his snaps to about 70-percent, the lowest since he became a starter in a non-injury season. That approach paid off, keeping Heyward fresh and effective start-to-finish. Adding Harmon strengthens the team\u2019s nickel rotation and will keep Heyward energized throughout the year.<\/p>\n Though Pittsburgh double-dipped along the defensive line, the Steelers didn\u2019t add a nose tackle. At least, not in their minds. Mike Tomlin confirmed Harmon isn\u2019t a nose and despite tipping the scales at 330 pounds, fifth-rounder Yahya Black was called a defensive end by DL Coach Karl Dunbar. Dunbar proceeded to vouch for Benton<\/a> in the middle, showing no desire to change his position or role. That keeps Benton\u2019s value to the team high and doesn\u2019t shift him to end where he\u2019d have to compete with Harmon and the others.<\/p>\n But more importantly, the team is still showing confidence in Benton as the man in the middle.<\/p>\n QB Mason Rudolph<\/p>\n Aaron Rodgers still looms and odds are, he will (eventually) sign. That will push Rudolph into a clear backup role. But had Pittsburgh drafted a quarterback early, it really would\u2019ve felt like Rudolph was again getting the squeeze even if he would\u2019ve still served as the No. 2. Will Howard was selected but in the sixth round, he\u2019s a clear No. 3 who will have to battle with Skylar Thompson to secure his spot.<\/p>\n Rudolph is a \u201csofter\u201d winner than the two above him but even looking towards 2026, he still could be in the mix for the starting job. Knowing Pittsburgh was virtually guaranteed to draft a quarterback, there are far worse outcomes for Rudolph<\/p>\n LOSERS Moon\u2019s track to be the Steelers\u2019 No. 4 outside linebacker seemed on solid ground heading into the draft. With Jack Sawyer\u2019s addition, Moon\u2019s odds of sticking tumble. An effective special teamer but underdeveloped pass rusher, Moon will battle Sawyer and the latter is\u00a0highly-likely to make the 53-man roster as the team\u2019s fourth round pick.<\/p>\n With inside linebacker looking crowded, the odds of Pittsburgh carrying five outside linebackers seem low. That could push Moon off the roster or at least require injury or something unforeseen for him to avoid starting the season on the practice squad.<\/p>\n DL Isaiahh Loudermilk<\/p>\n Dean Lowry would\u2019ve been too easy to place on here and may not even make it to training camp. Pittsburgh thought enough of Loudermilk to re-sign him but it was a minimum-level contract. Given all the other investments made into defensive end, Daniel Ekuale, Esezi Otomewo, Derrick Harmon, and Yahya Black, (again, viewed more as a DE) and Loudermilk might get the squeeze.<\/p>\n It\u2019ll be an all-out camp battle for the backup defensive end spots. Pittsburgh will likely keep two of that group with Ekuale having high odds of occupying one spot. Otomewo, Black, DeMarvin Leal, and Lowry (if he lasts) will compete with Loudermilk.<\/p>\n ILB Mark Robinson<\/p>\n Like Loudermilk, Robinson has additional competition. Seventh-rounder Carson Bruener<\/a> has no guarantees to make the team but will push Robinson every step of the way. Bruener is an experienced and accomplished special teamer who played hundreds of snaps there at Washington before becoming a full-time starter in 2024.<\/p>\n
\nEDGE Jeremiah Moon<\/p>\n