Despite entering the offseason with a hefty pile of cap space, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not been overly active so far in free agency. Their lack of spending is mostly due to playing the Aaron Rodgers waiting game; Pittsburgh can’t use all their cap space until they know how much they need to spend on a quarterback. Enough has happened, though, to get an idea of where the Steelers draft priorities stand at this point in the offseason.
Steelers Draft Priorities Following Slow Start to Free Agency
Quarterback
Quarterback was not considered a top Steelers draft need because this year’s class isn’t very deep. With Justin Fields gone to the New York Jets and Russell Wilson visiting other teams, quarterback has become a more pressing need. Even if Aaron Rodgers does sign with Pittsburgh, he won’t be in their long-term plans, and the team will still be looking for their quarterback of the future.
If Rodgers doesn’t become a Steeler, selecting a quarterback in the first round becomes a real possibility. Most of Pittsburgh’s free agency activity points to them being interested in next year’s quarterback class. But if they enter the draft with no real direction at the position, and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart are still available at 21, it’s easy to imagine Omar Khan being interested.
In today’s NFL, it’s no secret that winning championships depends on having an elite quarterback. Pittsburgh thinks they can compete with Rodgers. But if they can’t (or if they can’t even sign him) they need to look to the future.
Defensive Tackle
Following their acquisition of D.K. Metcalf, selecting a defensive tackle in the first round seems like the most obvious Steelers draft plan. There is a lot of talent in this year’s defensive tackle class. Oregon’s Derrick Harmon is a versatile prospect the Steelers have shown interest in. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant could be the true nose tackle Pittsburgh desperately needs.
With the depth at defensive tackle in this draft, the Steelers ideal first round scenario could be trading back. If they trade down in the first round or even out of the first round altogether, they could still land a very promising defensive tackle prospect. And a trade back could recoup the second round pick used to acquire Metcalf, giving Pittsburgh another chance to fill other holes on their roster.
Skill Positions
With Metcalf added to the roster alongside George Pickens, wide receiver is probably off the Steelers radar in the first round of the draft. It doesn’t need to be, though. For starters, Metcalf and Pickens are similar receivers who don’t complement each other well. Further, following the big contract Metcalf was signed to, 2025 could very well be Pickens’ last season in Pittsburgh. So, if some of their other top targets are off the board at 21, the Steelers could draft someone like Emeka Egbuka, forming a spectacular receiver trio this year, and setting up for a new WR2 in 2026 if Pickens leaves next offseason.
In the backfield, Pittsburgh will certainly be drafting a running back relatively early in the draft. They signed Kenneth Gainwell to pair with Jaylen Warren, but they need a bell-cow running back to replace Najee Harris. It’s hard to imagine the Steelers selecting a running back in the first round unless Ashton Jeanty would fall on draft night. Like defensive tackle, though, this is a very deep class for running backs. Expect the position to be addressed in the third or fourth round, or even the second round in a trade-back scenario.
Cornerback
Defensive back was most likely never a Steelers first-round priority. There are not many first round caliber corners in this draft. After signing Darius Slay to a one-year deal, and adding Brandin Echols as a depth piece, Pittsburgh doesn’t need a cornerback for the 2025 season. Given Slay’s age, though, they still need to draft a young cornerback with potential to take over as CB2 opposite Joey Porter Jr. next year. And if Michigan’s Will Johnson would fall to 21, Omar Khan would be justified in drafting him. Given their quarterback situation, Pittsburgh can’t be tunnel-visioned on competing this year. Johnson would be a huge building block towards competing for championships in a few years.
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