2025 Steelers Mock Draft Preview: Heyward Will Be Hard To Replace

by Bo Marchionte
Published March 17, 2025, 3:32PM

I toiled with the idea of the Steelers taking Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, but as you’ll soon see, that selection never comes to fruition.
 
Pittsburgh enters the 2025 NFL Draft holding the 21st overall pick. A familiar spot after selecting 20th in both 2022 and 2024. Yet, despite maintaining their trademark grit and competitive nature under Mike Tomlin, this team sits in a murky middle ground not bad enough for a top quarterback, but not good enough to be a true contender.
 
With a weak QB class and the likelihood of signing yet another aging veteran, the Steelers feel trapped in limbo. The meat-and-potatoes formula that has kept them afloat will ensure another winning season, but without real star power, it won’t be enough to break through in a loaded AFC.
 
That’s where Lady Luck comes in. If Pittsburgh can land a quarterback and a couple of game-changers, they might just shake off this mediocrity and push toward contention. But they’ll need hammers, not nails, to lay the foundation for their next Super Bowl run.
 
Let’s dive into the picks.

 

Background Check: 1st Round Last 5 NFL Drafts
2024 | Troy Fautanu | OL | Washington | 20th
2023 | Broderick Jones | OT | Georgia | 14th
2022 | Kenny Pickett |QB | Pittsburgh | 20th
2021 | Najee Harris | RB | Alabama | 24th
2020 | No Pick

Pick Is In |First Round – 21st pick in round (21st pick overall)
Derrick Harmon | DL | Oregon | R-Jr | 6’4 1/2 313lbs.
The quarterback position is such a mess in Pittsburgh. Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxon Dart is a possibility; however, I think their interior line on the defensive side is on the verge of falling off a cliff. The Steelers’ defensive line, featuring Cam Heyward, Dean Lowry, and Keeanu Benton, raises serious concerns heading into 2025. Cam Heyward (35 years old) is a Steelers legend, but injuries in 2024 limited him to just 2 sacks in 11 games. While still a respected leader, his best days might be behind him. Dean Lowry (30 years old) was a depth signing who struggled to make an impact in Green Bay and Minnesota. He had zero sacks in 2023 and played just seven games last season due to injury. Keeanu Benton (23 years old) is the lone bright spot. He showed promise as a rookie, particularly against the run, but will need to develop more pass-rush ability to be a true difference-maker.

While Benton gives the group some upside, there’s still serious concern about age and lack of production. If Heyward declines further and Lowry continues to underwhelm, the defensive line could become a major liability, forcing T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to carry an even heavier load. The Steelers may need to prioritize adding a young, disruptive defensive lineman in the draft or free agency to solidify this unit.

 

Background Check: 2nd Round Last 5 NFL Drafts
2024 | Zach Frazier | C | West Virginia | 51st
2023 | Joey Porter Jr. | DB | Penn State | 32nd
2023 | Keeanu Benton | DL | Wisconsin | 49th
2022 | George Pickens | WR | Georgia | 52nd
2021 | Pet Freiermuth | TE | Penn State | 55th
2020 | Chase Claypool | WR | Notre Dame | 49th

Pick Is In | Second Round – No pick – (Traded to Seattle)
DK Metcalf Acquired via Trade with Seattle Seahawks
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. As part of this transaction, Metcalf signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension, averaging $30 million per year. This contract positions Metcalf among the highest-paid players in Steelers history. For the 2025 season, his $18 million cap hit accounts for approximately 6.45% of the team’s salary cap. In comparison, linebacker T.J. Watt has a cap hit of $18.6 million, representing 6.66% of the cap.

Background Check: 3rd Round Last 5 NFL Drafts
2024 | Roman Wilson | WR | Michigan | 84th
2023 | Darnell Washington | TE | Georgia | 93rd
2022 | DeMarvin Leal | DL | Texas A&M | 84th
2021 | Kendrick Green | OL | Illinois | 87th
2020 | Alex Highsmith | LB | Charlotte | 102nd

Pick Is In | Third Round – 19th pick in round (83rd pick overall)
Cam Skattebo | RB | Arizona State | Sr | 5’9 1/2 219lbs.
Skattebo isn’t an elite athlete, which could push him to the late second or third round. However, his toughness, versatility, and Steelers-like mentality make him a great value pick. He could develop into a perfect power complement to Warren or even take over short-yardage and goal-line duties from Najee if the Steelers move on from him in the near future. His hard-nosed running style will endear him to the Steelers fan base who love tough, downhill runners, and Skattebo plays with an edge. At 5’9″ at 219 pounds, he runs with power, breaks tackles, and thrives in short-yardage situations. 

Background Check: 4th Round Last 5 Drafts
2024 | Mason McCormick | OL | South Dakota State | 119th
2023 | Nick Herbig | LB | Wisconsin | 132nd
2022 | Calvin Austin | WR | Memphis | 138th
2021 | Dan Moore Jr. | OT | Texas A&M | 128th
2021 | Buddy Johnson | LB | Texas A&M | 140th
2020 | Anthony McFarland | RB | Maryland | 124th
2020 | Kevin Dotson | OL | Louisiana-Lafayette |135th

Pick Is In | Fourth Round – 21st pick in round (123rd pick overall)
Kyle McCord | QB | Syracuse | Sr | 6’3 218lbs.
The Steelers have long been a model franchise, but their handling of the quarterback position post-Roethlisberger has been a mess. A team that prides itself on stability has instead cycled through Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields in just a few seasons—none of whom screamed “long-term solution.” It’s embarrassing because the Steelers had years to plan for life after Ben. For a franchise that’s built on toughness, consistency, and strong leadership, the lack of direction at the most important position in football is glaring. Unless one of these two guys emerges as the answer, the Steelers are staring down another lost season and will be back in the QB hunt yet again in 2025.

 

Background Check: 5th Round Last 5 Drafts
2024 | No Pick
2023 | No Pick
2022 | No Pick
2021 | Isaiahh Loudermilk | DT | Wisconsin | 156
2020 | No Pick

Pick Is In | Fifth Round – 20th pick in round (156th pick overall)
Nick Nash | WR | San Jose State | Sr | 6’2 1/2 203lbs
Originally a quarterback at San Jose State, Nick Nash made a seamless transition to wide receiver and turned heads at the East-West Shrine Bowl with his route running and playmaking ability. His versatility and untapped potential make him a compelling Day 3 target for the Steelers, a franchise known for developing under-the-radar receivers into key contributors. Pittsburgh has a strong track record of molding mid-to-late round receivers into productive players—guys like Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, and even George Pickens. Nash, with his quarterback background, brings a unique understanding of defenses, which could accelerate his development in the Steelers’ system. While he may not be a polished product yet, his athleticism, football IQ, and ability to adjust to new roles make him an intriguing prospect. If Pittsburgh takes a chance on him, their proven receiver development pipeline could turn him into a valuable offensive weapon.

Background Check: 6th Round Last 5 Drafts
2024 | Logan Lee | DT | Iowa | 178
2024 | Ryan Watts | DB | Texas | 195
2023 | No Pick |
2022 | Connor Heyward | TE | Michigan State | 208
2021 | Quincy Roche | LB | Miami (FL) | 216
2020 | Antoine Brooks | DB | Maryland | 198

Pick Is In | Sixth Round – 9th pick in round (185th pick overall via Seattle in DK Metcalf trade)
Joshua Gray | IOL | Oregon State | Sr | 6’5 299lbs.
The last time the Steelers selected a player 185th overall in the NFL Draft was back in 1993, when they picked Jeff Zgonina (Current Dallas Cowboys D-Line Coach) out of Purdue. A gritty, hard-nosed lineman who carved out a solid NFL career. Fast forward to 2025, and Pittsburgh may have struck gold again with a player who has stood out as one of the best prospects since the college football season ended: Gray. Gray’s dominance at the East-West Shrine Bowl showcased his physicality, technique, and relentless motor, proving he belongs at the next level. Any lingering doubts about his athleticism were erased with a strong NFL Combine performance, solidifying his status as a high-upside steal on Day 3. Much like Zgonina, Gray plays with an edge and tenacity that fits the Steelers’ DNA. If Pittsburgh’s scouting department saw what many others did in his post-season workouts, this 185th overall pick could be another late-round gem for the franchise.

Background Check: 7th Round Last 5 Drafts
2024 | No Pick
2023 | Corey Trice | DB | Purdue | 241
2023 | Spencer Anderson | OT | Maryland | 251
2022 | Mark Robinson | LB | Ole Miss | 225
2021 | Tre Norwood | DB | Oklahoma | 245
2021 | Pressley Harvin | P | Georgia Tech | 254
2020 | Carlos Davis | DT | Nebraska | 232

Pick Is In | Seventh Round – 13th pick in round (229th overall) (Via Atlanta through Philadelphia)
Rayuan Lane III | S | Navy | Sr | 5’11 200lbs
A perfect late-round flyer for Pittsburgh. A team that thrives on finding hidden gems in the draft’s final stages. With his toughness, discipline, and high football IQ, Lane embodies the Steelers’ hard-nosed mentality and could develop into a valuable depth piece in the secondary. Lane’s instincts and physicality stood out at the collegiate level, and while he may not be the most heralded prospect, his ability to contribute on special teams and develop in Pittsburgh’s system makes him an intriguing project. If the Steelers can tap into his potential, they may have found a late-round steal worth keeping an eye on. His 4.57 forty at the NFL Combine isn’t blazing fast, however, if it was, he’d would go in round five.