The Pittsburgh Steelers made the playoffs in 2024, even with mediocre quarterback play.
The team took steps to change that this offseason, as passers Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were both allowed to leave in free agency. It’s widely expected that the Steelers will end up signing Aaron Rodgers to lead the team for at least 2025.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers added some quality players at other positions to bolster the roster even further.
In the first round, the team added talented defensive lineman Derrick Harmon. Harmon should immediately start next to Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton, making the team’s defensive front a force to be reckoned with.
The team didn’t have a second-round selection after sending that pick to Seattle for D.K. Metcalf. In the third round, though, the team added solid running back Kaleb Johnson to help replace Najee Harris.
Elsewhere, the team added nose tackle Yahya Black, edge-rusher Jack Sawyer, and quarterback Will Howard, among others.
Now, let’s identify the best and worst pick the team made over the weekend. This was a solid draft, so there was some stiff competition for this piece.
Best: Round 3, Pick 83- Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Kaleb Johnson was widely expected to go in the second round, so the Steelers got good value in the third round.
Johnson was extremely productive at Iowa, rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. The Iowa product led the Big Ten in both yards and touchdowns and has the durability to be a capable replacement for Najee Harris.
Some mock drafts had the Steelers taking a running back like Omarion Hampton in the first round. However, the team made the right decision by adding to the defense in the first and waiting for Johnson in the third.
In 2025, don’t be surprised if Johnson ends up with more yards than any rusher other than Ashton Jeanty.
Worst: Round 7, Pick 10: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
Look, the Steelers had a great draft, so it’s hard to find an obvious worst selection.
If I had to nitpick though, I’d select the pick of Bruener in the seventh round. The Washington product doesn’t have any elite traits and figures to be a special-teamer if he makes it in the NFL.
This wasn’t a horrible pick by any means, but the team could’ve taken a wide receiver or developmental offensive tackle instead. Receivers like Tez Johnson or Kaden Prather or an offensive lineman like Garrett Dellinger or Mason Richman would’ve made more sense.
The post 2025 NFL Draft: Identifying Steelers’ Best And Worst Draft Pick appeared first on Newsweek.
