Steelers Draft Picks 2025: Full List by Round & Analysis

Mike Tomlin made it clear before the draft opened: there was “extreme urgency” to address the Steelers’ defensive line. That urgency translated directly into the organization’s 2025 selections. Pittsburgh walked away with seven picks, five landing on defense, starting with Oregon’s Derrick Harmon at No. 21 overall. The defensive identity held firm even as quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders remained on the board.

Round 1 Pick: 21 · Round 3 Pick: 83 · Round 4 Pick: 123 · Round 5 Pick: 156 · Round 6 Pick: 185 (via trade)

Here is how the Steelers’ draft class and key attributes stack up across the most reliable tracking sources.

What pick do the Steelers have in the draft 2025?

The Steelers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with their first selection at pick 21 in Round 1. That selection belonged to them directly—no trade-down in the opening round, no movement from other teams. Pittsburgh held firm and used it on Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

Round 1 selection

Derrick Harmon went No. 21 overall, a move that directly reflected the “extreme urgency” Head Coach Mike Tomlin cited regarding the defensive line. Harmon arrives as a potential successor to Cameron Heyward, who is 36 years old. The Oregon product earned a 91.2 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024—the highest among interior defenders in that class, according to PFF. The Steelers passed on quarterback options, including Shedeur Sanders, doubling down on defensive identity at the top of the board.

Overall draft position

With seven total picks, Pittsburgh held selections in Rounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7—missing only Round 2. The organization traded down in Round 5 to add an extra selection, ultimately landing Yahya Black. Draft Capital tracked by multiple sources places the Steelers in the middle tier of league-wide pick counts for 2025.

What this means: Pittsburgh’s draft capital distribution shows a clear front-seven priority with balanced depth additions in later rounds.

What picks do the Steelers have in round 2?

The Steelers did not hold a selection in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. No reported trade activity brought a pick into the second round, and the organization entered the draft without a Round 2 asset after moving it in a previous transaction. This left a gap between Harmon’s selection at 21 and the next opportunity at pick 83 in Round 3.

Without a second-round pick, Pittsburgh faced pressure to maximize value from its remaining selections. The draft board fell in a way that allowed the Steelers to address multiple needs starting in Round 3—running back, edge rusher, and quarterback depth all came into play in the middle rounds.

The pattern: The absence of a Round 2 pick forced Pittsburgh to wait until Round 3 before adding offensive talent, but the board delivered a favorable result at running back.

What picks do Steelers have in the 3rd round?

Pick No. 83

The Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson, a running back from Iowa, with the 83rd overall pick in Round 3. Johnson brings a physical running style to a backfield that saw Najee Harris depart in free agency. PFF noted Johnson averaged over 1,000 yards after contact during his college season—a workload trait Pittsburgh clearly valued. The selection filled an immediate offensive need without reaching for a running back earlier in the draft.

Player profile

Johnson projects as a rotational back with starting potential, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His contact balance and pad level give the Steelers a different skill set than what the departed Harris provided. The Iowa pipeline that Pittsburgh tapped here also produced Yahya Black two rounds later.

The Steelers scouted running backs heavily after Najee Harris left town.

— WalterFootball analysis of Pittsburgh’s pre-draft activity

The implication: Johnson’s physical profile aligns with Pittsburgh’s need for a between-the-tackles hammer, and the Iowa connection with Black suggests an intentional pipeline strategy.

Do the Steelers have a pick in round 4?

Round 4 selection

Pittsburgh held the 123rd overall pick in Round 4 and used it on Jack Sawyer, an edge rusher from Ohio State. The selection landed as one of the draft’s better value picks—Sawyer had been projected as a Day 2 selection by multiple mocks but was available when Pittsburgh’s turn came. DK Pittsburgh Sports graded the pick favorably, and Still Curtain awarded an A grade, calling it a Round 4 steal.

Player profile

Sawyer’s Ohio State pedigree matters—the Buckeyes defense produced multiple NFL starters recently. His versatility as an edge defender gives the Steelers flexibility in sub packages and base looks. Given Pittsburgh’s commitment to pass rush in Rounds 1 and 4, the edge position received significant investment in this class.

The implication: Sawyer’s availability at 123 represents the draft’s clearest value signal, and his Ohio State production history suggests a higher floor than typical fourth-round picks.

A look at the Steelers 2025 Draft Class

The Steelers’ 2025 draft class tells a clear story: defense first, then fill in the gaps. Five of seven selections landed on that side of the ball, targeting defensive tackle, edge rusher, and secondary depth. The offensive picks—Johnson and Will Howard—addressed running back and quarterback depth without reaching.

Full list of draftees

Below is the complete roster of Pittsburgh’s 2025 draft class with verified round and pick data.

Grades and fits

The Harmon selection drew praise as a need-meet-talent match—PFF ranked him the top interior pass rusher in the class, and his 91.2 pass-rush grade validated the board position. Sawyer’s Round 4 grade hit A territory, a consensus view among analysts who noted the value. Black projects as a run-stuffing specialist with limited pass-rush upside, filling a rotation spot rather than a starting role.

Will Howard, the Ohio State quarterback, rounds out the class with QB depth. Howard led Ohio State to a national championship and adds insurance behind Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Late-round picks Bruener and Kent provide special teams and backup depth for linebacker and cornerback.

Draft Timeline

Seven picks across three days—here’s how the Steelers’ 2025 draft unfolded chronologically.

This timeline anchors each major selection to its actual day on the draft calendar.

The only reported trade involved Pittsburgh moving down in Round 5 to add an extra pick, ultimately selecting Black and preserving additional capital for 2026. The draft wrapped Saturday night after seven rounds.

What this means: Pittsburgh’s draft activity was intentionally quiet beyond the Round 5 trade-down, suggesting confidence in the board position at each selection slot.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

What Analysts Are Saying

We have extreme urgency to address the defensive line.

— Mike Tomlin, Steelers Head Coach (ESPN)

Omar Khan will be happy with his Steelers draft haul.

— Jack Sperry, Steelers Talk Analyst (YouTube)

Harmon is building perhaps the scariest defensive front in the NFL.

— PFF Draft Analyst (PFF)

The consensus around Pittsburgh’s class centers on the defensive line investment. Harmon and Sawyer represent top-100 picks with starter ceilings, while Black adds Iowa-to-Pittsburgh continuity. The running back and quarterback picks satisfied depth needs without dominating draft capital.

Bottom line

The Steelers prioritized the defensive line through their first three picks, betting that Derrick Harmon’s interior pressure and Jack Sawyer’s edge versatility can reload a front seven that showed age in 2024. GM Omar Khan stayed patient—no major trades beyond a Round 5 move down—and let the board come to them at positions of need. For Pittsburgh, the 2025 class answers immediate questions about defensive depth while preserving future flexibility. Whether Harmon’s pass-rush production translates will determine whether this draft becomes a foundation piece or simply fills a gap.