Disclaimer: This is not a mock draft for aggregation or predictive value. It is an exercise in hypothetical thinking and preparation for draft-day circumstances.
The Steelers weakened their draft resources in their blockbuster trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf, but they also eliminated one of their most glaring holes on the roster. With wideout now less of a concern, the emphasis for Round 1 appears to be even more defined.
Defensive line is paramount with a slew of best-player-available sort of wild card positions potentially on the table.
With that, let’s explore our annual endeavor of laying out what would be the best-case scenario — within the realm of possibility — for the Steelers on Night 1 of the draft:
1. Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami
2. Browns —Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
3. Giants — Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
4. Patriots — Will Campbell, OL, LSU
5. Jaguars — Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Finally, a draft in which the Steelers don’t have to sweat as the offensive tackle crop gets touched early on with Campbell and Membou. Omar Khan is not in that market this year.
6. Raiders — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
And with Metcalf in the fold on top of George Pickens, first-round receiver doesn’t strike as a move the Steelers will make for the first time since 2006. If Pickens proves too good of a trade asset, we can revisit this, but for now, McMillan going this high isn’t an issue, either directly or indirectly with its impact on the rest of the position group.
7. Jets — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
This would be a bit of a fall for Graham but good news for teams hoping their options hold up at defensive tackle — teams like the Steelers, of course.
8. Panthers — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
9. Saints — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
In a draft full of talented but mercurial pass rushers, some teams will view Walker as an edge defender and others as an off-ball linebacker. Either way, the Steelers ought to be rooting for him to go as high as possible, along with the other intriguing prospects who have plenty of upside but wouldn’t be displacing T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith anytime soon. More on that in a bit ...
10. Bears — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Jeanty could go as high as sixth to the Raiders, but if he slips, it’s not so much the Steelers miss out on him — they’re almost assuredly too far down to be in his range — as it is pushing other running backs down the board. The only other who’s getting much first-round buzz is Omarion Hampton.
11. 49ers — Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
12. Cowboys — Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
13. Dolphins — Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
A couple more tackles going high would be perfect for the Steelers in this area of the draft, where the Cowboys and Dolphins could be looking at upgrading on the line of scrimmage defensively, too. But they’ve got oft-injured, well-compensated quarterbacks to protect.
14. Colts — Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
15. Falcons — Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
16. Cardinals — James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
17. Bengals — Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
A run on edge defenders such as this would be a chef’s kiss for the Steelers. But all four of these players are first-round quality regardless of positional need and value, so it’s not unreasonable. Plus, this is a glut of franchises that all ranked outside the top 14 in scoring defense and total defense.
18. Seahawks — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
19. Buccaneers — Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
20. Broncos — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
One of the teams with similar roster holes to the Steelers, Denver easily could opt for a running back or defensive lineman. In that sense, the Steelers front office has a challenge picking one spot behind an AFC rival in Sean Payton. But if Payton wants an all-around tight end alongside Evan Engram to be Bo Nix’s best friend for years to come, Loveland fits the bill.
And this absolutely sets a beautiful table for the Steelers. Here’s who would still be available at No. 21 overall:
• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
• Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
• Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
• Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
• Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
• Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
• Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
• Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
• Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
• Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
• Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
• Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
This has flavors for everyone. The Sanders visit would make a lot more sense now. You’re more of a Dart dude? He’s there for the taking. Not deterred by the Najee Harris era? Hampton is here. Want to trade George Pickens? Go ahead and replace him with any of those three versatile receivers. Even if you think it’s time to start preparing for life after Isaac Seumalo at guard, the two best in the class could either sit for a season and adjust to life in the NFL or start over Mason McCormick while he resets to replace Seumalo.
There are just as many options on the other side of the ball, starting with most Steelers observers’ perceived No. 1 priority: defensive line and, specifically, defensive tackle. But the two best cornerbacks in a relatively weak draft crop are still around, too, as are the top two safeties.
First Published: April 9, 2025, 8:00 a.m.
Updated: April 9, 2025, 11:32 p.m.
