Steelers’ 3 biggest mistakes in 2025 NFL Draft

The Steelers did not solve their quarterback dilemma during the 2025 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh has been flirting with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers ever since the start of the new league year. The connection makes a ton of sense — the Steelers need a starting quarterback for the 2025 season and nobody else seems to want Rodgers.

However, it seemed that Pittsburgh’s patience was wearing down as the days inched closer to the draft. It certainly seemed like the Steeler would select a quarterback in the draft if Rodgers did not give a decision by then.

The Steelers did select a quarterback, Ohio State’s Will Howard, in the sixth round. They passed on QB Shedeur Sanders multiple times, despite being linked with him because of their huge need at the position. Instead, he landed in Cleveland in the fifth round.

In Pittsburgh’s defense, this year’s quarterback class was pretty awful compared to what we’ve seen in recent seasons.

Cam Ward went first overall to the Titans, and there was almost no sure thing behind him.

In that respect, I cannot be too critical on the Steelers for not having a sense of urgency at the quarterback position. They didn’t really have a chance at solving the position during the draft.

That said, I would have liked to see them pick a quarterback earlier in the draft. And someone with more upside than Will Howard.

Personally, I would have loved to see Jalen Milroe go to the Steelers. He is a pedestrian passer but has elite upside as a runner. Milroe could have sat behind Mason Rudolph or any veteran QB the Steelers add before Week 1 and learn the NFL game during his rookie season.

On the bright side — if the 2025 season is a disaster for Pittsburgh, they will be positioned to take a quarterback at the top of next year’s draft.

The Steelers passed up some extremely talented players in the first round

Pittsburgh selected Oregon DT Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Harmon is a talented prospect who should develop into a consistent starter. In fact, he has a chance to win a starting spot next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton during his rookie season.

But was Harmon ultimately the best pick for the Steelers in the first round?

My problem with the Harmon pick is that I believe Pittsburgh could have received more value from the 21st overall pick.

If the Steelers wanted to stick and pick, they could’ve had their pick of quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Shedeur Sanders. Or they could’ve picked running back Omarion Hampton or another player at a position of need.

If Pittsburgh was open to trading down, they also could have acquired more picks. The Giants and Falcons made aggressive trades back into the first round at picks 25 and 26. It is entirely possible that New York and Atlanta checked in on acquiring Pittsburgh’s pick. If that happened, I think they were foolish to pass up that much value.

Ultimately, Steelers fans will be okay with this pick if Harmon develops into the type of player NFL scouts expect.

Did Pittsburgh need to address edge rusher in the fourth round?

Finally, let’s talk about Jack Sawyer.

The Steelers selected Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sawyer feels very much like a Pittsburgh Steeler. He is a powerful edge rusher who reminds me a little bit of Alex Highsmith, so it makes sense why the Steelers wanted him.

However, I wonder if edge rusher was a big enough need for the Steelers to invest a fourth-round pick.

The Steelers will start T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in 2025 and already have Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal as depth pieces.

Sawyer certainly checks the box as a developmental player who could become a starter. But I would have liked to see the Steelers add someone who could have more of an impact during the 2025 season.