Brooke PryorApr 25, 2025, 11:17 PM ET
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- Brooke Pryor is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2019. She previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and the University of Oklahoma for The Oklahoman.
PITTSBURGH -- The 2025 NFL draft began Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 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 as it happens:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 draft picks
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.
What's next: The Steelers still have two open quarterback spots, and they could address that issue on Day 3 with a quarterback other than Sanders. Keep an eye on Riley Leonard, Will Howard and Quinn Ewers.
Round 4: No. 123
Round 5: No. 156
Round 6: No. 185 (from Seattle through Chicago)
Round 7: No. 229 (from Atlanta through Philadelphia)
