Pittsburgh Steelers seven-round mock draft 3.0 | Farabaugh – PennLive.com
2025-04-23T16:11:00Z
Who do the Pittsburgh Steelers end up taking in our final Steelers mock draft?
The NFL Draft is just over 24 hours away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have done their draft preparation. Where will they finally land on Thursday night?
Here is my final seven-round mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle.
Round 1, Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
I went back and forth here for who the Steelers will take. Ultimately, I was left with four possibilities. Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and a trade back.
Full disclosure my final two were Harmon and Sanders. Grant is a great player, but the Steelers’ recent comments about nose tackles steer me slightly away from that. As for a trade back, that might be their preferred option, but I have skepticism a team will come up.
That left me with Harmon and Sanders. The real deciding factor here were three things. For one, while Sanders’ fall is unexpected, I do think there is a real chance the Giants or Browns will come up ahead of Pittsburgh. Both are quarterback-needy teams.
Second, team president Art Rooney II’s decree back in January focused on the team’s run defense and defensive line. Additionally, the Senior Bowl is often a canary in the coal mine for the position they will draft. Down there, they were all defensive line. I can’t quite shake that.
Third, I have questions about whether they would take a quarterback in the 20s for the second time in four drafts. The past does not affect the present here, but it likely is on the Steelers’ mind.
Enter Harmon, who has some medical questions at this point in the class that will likely allow him to be there at No. 21. On top of that, the Steelers have shown no issue taking players with medical questions under Omar Khan.
Harmon is a disruptive force that projects as a base end and sub-package rusher for the Steelers. He reminds me of Stephon Tuitt in a similar vein. That checks off a lot of boxes.
The Steelers brought Harmon in for a pre-draft visit. In the first two years of Khan’s tenure that has become a hallmark of interest. All in all, this pick is as unpredictable as it has been in quite some time, but I lean towards Harmon.
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Round 3, Pick 83: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
I have heard that the Steelers have been interested in Will Howard since the Senior Bowl. Howard has popped up in two of these mock drafts now, and it makes a lot of sense. Not only have they done their homework on the Ohio State quarterback, but the schematic fit is glove-like with Howard and the Steelers.
Throughout the year, Howard’s deep ball popped. While he projects as a high-end backup, Howard’s floor, with his deep and accurate throws to that level of the field, fits perfectly with DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
A mechanical fix to his footwork teed up the playoff run that vaulted his draft stock from day three to the middle of day two. Howard is someone the Steelers have shown consistent interest in throughout the process, and if they decide not to go Sanders in the first round, feels like the player they will most likely take in the middle rounds.
Round 4, Pick 123: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
The Steelers have done a lot of work on quarterbacks and defensive linemen in this draft, but they have done more work on running back than any other position. What do they want out of that position? Either someone who can carry the load or an explosive back.
There are numerous options for them in this middle-round portion, and I thought a lot about DJ Giddens in the third round. Coming in at 6-feet, 212 pounds with a 4.43 40-yard dash, Giddens might not have the long speed explosiveness, but can carry a load in the backfield.
Giddens is a terror to bring down in the second and third levels and has polished vision. He, along with Jaylen Warren, give a lot of thump to the Steelers’ backfield.
However, Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten is someone I have heard the Steelers are interested in since the Senior Bowl. He is one of the best pure wide zone runners that can take any run on a house call whenever he touches the ball.
One of the clear themes of the Steelers’ interest in running backs has been explosiveness. In fact, I think Tuten has popped up in all three of the mocks I have done for that exact reason. The fumbling issues are scary, but fixable. Tuten has more upside as a three-down player than most think, too.
Round 5, Pick 156: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
Walley was one of the last pre-draft visitors the Steelers brought in during the cycle, but he fits everything they love. He had ball production for days, and on top of that, Walley can play inside or outside.
He had seven interceptions over his four years with the Golden Gophers, including two in his senior season. Walley added three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 34 pass deflections to showcase the playmaker he can be on the field.
The Steelers need investment in the slot cornerback position. Walley’s ability to come down and play the run along with his blitzing profile gives him upside to be a plus special teamer from day one that could compete with Beanie Bishop for the slot cornerback job.
Walley is one of my day three favorites in this class, and he fits the profile of a Steelers’ cornerback well.
Round 6, Pick 185: Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
If you know me, you know I have loved the idea of double dipping at defensive tackle in this class. I still love that idea, and the Steelers feel like a team in this deep class that would do that, even with just six picks. A safety, wide receiver, or offensive lineman would make a ton of sense, but instead, I went with Yahya Black out of Iowa.
Black is a nose tackle type the team saw down at the Senior Bowl. A strong player, he can play anywhere from 0-technique to 4i, and he is a perfect fit for the Steelers’ defense.
Harmon fits more into the traditional base end role, while Black gives the Steelers’ an instant sparkplug as a run defender from the nose tackle position. There is a lack of pass rush upside on his tape, but in the sixth-round, the upside as a run defender is worth it.
Round 7, Pick 229: Jimmy Horn Jr, WR, Colorado
I do believe the Steelers will select a wide receiver at some point in this draft, it’s just tough to slot it into the equation. Jimmy Horn Jr. is one of those late round players who has some love inside the organization. Is that more as a late round dart throw or an undrafted free agent?
Not sure, but Horn is likely to get picked. A slot wide receiver with the ability to stretch the field, Horn has return upside and can absolutely go when he catches the ball in stride. He has home run speed and acceleration.
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