The Pittsburgh Steelers have transitioned to the offseason, where the pre-draft process ramps up. Pittsburgh is trying to bolster its roster in hopes of having a better chance to compete in the postseason next year. Given their needs and talent in this draft class, it’s never too early to go through mock draft scenarios and project players the Steelers may be interested in.
ROUND 1 (#21 OVERALL) DERRICK HARMON/DL/OREGON
The Pittsburgh Steelers were run over by the Baltimore Ravens to end their season, and their run defense struggled at times throughout 2024. DL Cameron Heyward isn’t getting any younger, and with Keeanu Benton failing to make that second-year leap and Larry Ogunjobi now on the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh can stand to inject more star power into its defensive line.
Enter Oregon’s Derrick Harmon. He is built like a Steelers defensive lineman, standing 6044 and weighing 313 pounds with the size and arm length to hold his own in the trenches as a run defender. Harmon also has good movement skills as a pass rusher to provide interior pressure. The former Michigan State Spartan looked right at home with the Ducks in 2024, and he is one of the favorites to be Pittsburgh’s first selection this spring. He would give the team a quality prospect who can play right away and eventually take the torch from Heyward.
ROUND 3 (#83 OVERALL) JALEN MILROE/QB/ALABAMA
This pick is either going to get plenty of people excited or frustrated. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is a physical specimen as a dual-threat quarterback. He has the speed and arm talent to strike fear into opposing defenses with what he can do with his legs. He also showed progress last season as a passer. Still, Milroe is pretty raw from a passing mechanics perspective and needs to work on that aspect of his game before he can be considered a reliable starter.
Pittsburgh sent the house to Milroe’s Pro Day at Alabama, and after talking to him twice now, he has the hearts and smarts that Pittsburgh looks for in their signal caller and that HC Mike Tomlin likes to tie himself to. Having re-signed QB Mason Rudolph and still out pursuing another veteran option to potentially start in 2025, Milroe can come in and learn the system behind established veterans, allowing him to develop and for Pittsburgh to potentially have their own athletically gifted quarterback that can beat teams on the ground and through the air in a tough AFC North.
ROUND 4 (#123 OVERALL) DJ GIDDENS/RB/KANSAS STATE
RB Najee Harris is now with the Los Angeles Chargers, and while the team signed RB Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, they still need to add another back with more size to their backfield. Kansas State’s D.J. Giddens has the size the Steelers look for in their backs, at 6-0, 212 pounds, and has been the feature back for the Wildcats for the past two seasons, rushing for over 1,200 yards in both 2023 and 2024.
Giddens has the size to run between the tackles and enough burst to make explosive plays after he gets into the second level of the defense. He is also a proven pass catcher out of the backfield, having caught 58 passes for over 650 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons. He came in for a pre-draft visit in Pittsburgh, so the team looks to be interested in Giddens, who is being slept on in this draft class.
ROUND 5 (#156 OVERALL) JJ PEGUES/DL/OLE MISS
The Steelers could easily double-dip at defensive line in this year’s draft, and Ole Miss DL JJ Pegues could be a guy they target in the middle rounds. Pegues was brought in for a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh and could play all over the defensive front as an athletic defender. He started his career as a tight end and even rushed for seven touchdowns in 2024 for the Rebels.
Pegues can fight for a roster spot with guys like Logan Lee and Montravius Adams as he looks to capitalize on his raw traits, looking to either make the back end of the roster or a game-day inactive in Year 1. He can bring some much-needed quickness and athleticism to Pittsburgh’s interior defensive front.
ROUND 6 (#185 OVERALL) DONT’E THORNTON/WR/TENNESSEE
The Steelers traded for WR DK Metcalf this offseason, but that won’t stop them from adding more talent on the outside like Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton, a height/weight/speed specimen they have shown interest in with WR coach Zach Azzanni attending his Pro Day. Thornton tore it up at the NFL Combine, coming in at 6045, 205 pounds while running a 4.30 40-yard dash and jumping 33 inches in the vertical and 10’6″ in the broad.
Thornton, a big-play threat for the Volunteers, is built similarly to Metcalf and George Pickens. If Pittsburgh were to move on from Pickens at some point or let him walk after the 2025 season, Thornton could be a guy to bring in who has a similar body type and play style. He would also likely contribute as a potential gunner on special teams.
ROUND 7 (#229 OVERALL) UPTON STOUT/CB/WESTERN KENTUCKY
The Steelers closed out the draft by selecting Western Kentucky CB Upton Stout to add more competition to the nickel position. Stout lacks ideal length and size (5084, 181 pounds), but he makes up for it with his play demeanor and aggressiveness. He is a physical corner who is active in run support and possesses the combativeness in coverage that Pittsburgh desires in their nickel defenders.
Stout can compete with Beanie Bishop for the slot role but can still contribute to dime packages and special teams. Should he prove to be a quality gunner on special teams units, Stout can secure a roster spot and look to expand his role on the defensive side of the ball within his first season or two in the league.
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