For the first time this offseason, I’m publishing a Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 mock draft. My predictions for who the organization will draft next month. With the NFL Combine, the first wave of free agency, and partial Pro Days and pre-draft visits known, there’s more clarity about what positions and players the team will target. For this version, I want to stick to the team needs but give some players who haven’t been mentioned for Pittsburgh too often.
Round One – 21st Overall: Tyleik Williams/NT Ohio State – 6027, 334 pounds
Analysis: Defensive line is where the majority of Steeler first-round projections focus, and with good reason after the trouble the run defense had last year. There are several common names, including Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon who would be excellent choices.
What if those guys are gone and they still want to go defensive line? Williams is a player who’s been mocked toward the end of the first round. He was a productive player for the Buckeyes with just under 100 tackles combined over the last two years, 28 career tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. He even knocked down 10 passes.
Williams can take over the nose tackle and Keeanu Benton can be move to the defensive end position to hopefully shore up the run defense.
Tyleik Williams Scouting Report
Others Considered: DL Walter Nolen, S Nick Emmanwori, RB Omarion Hampton
Round Three – 83rd Overall: Andrew Mukuba/S Texas – 5112, 186 pounds
Analysis: This offseason, cornerback looked like a position the Steelers would draft, and they still might. However, adding Darius Slay and Brandon Echols made the position group less needy.
For the safety group, they added Juan Thornhill, but as we have pointed out, the Steelers are definitely still looking at the safety position including top names like Nick Emmanwori and Malaki Starks.
Mukuba transferred to Texas from Clemson for his final season and it really opened up his game, including leading the SEC in interceptions. He’s really versatile playing in the slot, the box, and in multiple coverages as a deep safety. He is most impressive in the robber role. His football IQ is very high, he is a good tackler, and he is very physical when breaking up passes.
Andrew Mukuba Scouting Report
Others Considered: QB Will Howard, OT Charles Grant, OT Emery Jones
Round Four – 123rd Overall: Anthony Belton/OT NC State – 6060, 336 pounds
Analysis: The Steelers have made a commitment to build the offensive line in recent seasons. That should continue this year. Behind the two young tackles, Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, the depth is really lacking.
Additionally, they don’t know how Jones will manage the left tackle spot in the NFL or if Fautanu is completely healthy from his injury in 2024.
Enter Belton, a massive human with good length. A three-year starter at left tackle for the Wolfpack, he is described as having a nasty demeanor, being a player-mover in the run game and having a good punch in pass protection. He can be the swing tackle in case of injury and provide much needed depth.
Anthony Belton Scouting Report
Others Considered: RB Bhayshul Tuten, WR Kyle Williams, DL Elijah Roberts
Round Five – 156th Overall: Kyle McCord/QB Syracuse – 6030, 218 pounds
Analysis: The Steelers quarterback room…there’s not a lot to say about that. Let’s just say there is room for new members. This draft is not overflowing with top-end talent. The Steelers have been mentioned with just about every draftable quarterback and they’ve had contact with a few of them so far.
One named not mentioned often is McCord. A transfer from Ohio State, McCord was allowed to blossom in his final season at Syracuse. “But Tom! The Pittsburgh game! He was terrible!” You are absolutely correct. Five interceptions with three returned for touchdowns. An absolute nightmare. How can anyone come back from that?
Well, after that game, he did lead his team to a 5-1 record completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns with one interception. He reads defenses well, gets the ball out quickly and accurately, and has a stoic demeanor. Not too high or too low. At worst, he will be an effective backup and spot starter.
Kyle McCord Scouting Report
Others Considered: RB Ollie Gordon, OT Hollis Pierce, RB Dylan Sampson
Round Six – 185th Overall: Vernon Broughton/DL Texas – 6050, 311 pounds
Analysis: That 299 yards rushing by Baltimore in the playoffs still burns, so I’m double dipping at the defensive line and coincidently with players from the University of Texas.
Broughton moved around the defensive front for the Longhorns so that versatility would be valuable. The Steelers love length in their defensive ends and Broughton has 35-inch arms.
The team has added some players in recent weeks, but none that really moved the needle. He is another block eater who can clog up the interior of the defense. He has good mental processing to read and adjust to different blocks and the play strength to handle double teams. The pass rushing needs work, but Day 3 picks always need some improvement.
Vernon Broughton Scouting Report
Others Considered: OT Jalen Rivers, RB Jaydon Blue, TE Jackson Hawes
Round Seven – 229th Overall: Phil Mafah/RB Clemson – 6005, 234 pounds
Analysis: Analysis: One of the deepest groups in the draft is at running back. I don’t expect the Steelers to wait until the seventh round, but there are only so many draft picks.
Kenneth Gainwell was added this offseason. He is smaller than Jaylen Warren, so the backfield needs some bulk.
Insert Mafah at 234 pounds. He would be a banger in the backfield with experience in gap and zone running schemes. He runs behind his pads and is tough to take down. He could be a grinder in short yardage, goal line (28 TD’s at Clemson) and four-minute offense to wear down the defense.
Phil Mafah Scouting Report
Others Considered: DL Thor Griffith, S Dante Trader Jr., OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
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