The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While there were some curveballs along the way, they largely accomplished what they set out to do by bolstering the defensive line, adding an every-down running back and taking a swing on a developmental quarterback.
Omar Khan summed up their efforts over the past three days during the post-draft press conference.
“Can’t say enough about how the draft went for us,” Khan said via the Steelers’ YouTube page. “Really feel like we’re a better football team today than we were before the draft started on Thursday. We filled several needs, and I think the term was used a couple days ago about Steelers DNA. And I think when you guys get to know these guys, you’ll realize that these guys have Steelers DNA.”
The Steelers didn’t trade up at any point in the draft and landed great value at almost every step of the way. Derrick Harmon, Kaleb Johnson, Jack Sawyer and Will Howard all presented excellent value compared to their draft positions.
There is an argument to be made for Yahya Black as well. There are only so many 6056, 336-pound defensive linemen on the planet who have 35-inch arms. The Steelers even traded back to still be able to draft him while adding an additional seventh-round pick.
This was not viewed as a particularly top-heavy class in the first round, but there were thought to be starting-caliber players well into Day 3. The Steelers took full advantage of that with multiple potential starters and rotational players being drafted.
Khan and Tomlin both had a relaxed posture in the press conference. That’s the feeling you get when you are thoroughly prepared for the draft and let things come to you rather than reaching and scrambling to trade up for specific players.
“I just want to send a quick shout out to everybody that was involved from our scouts [to] our coaches and the support staff here, ’cause there’s a lot that goes into this and things went really well for us this weekend,” Khan said.
The front office has changed a lot over the last few years, but it really feels like they are starting to find their groove under the leadership of Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl.
The measure of success for this class will be the number of second contracts, Pro Bowl selections, playoff wins and even Super Bowl championships that it helps produce. But with the information we have now, they put together a great class that marries value with need.
