The Pittsburgh Steelers had a plan of attack entering the 2025 NFL Draft, and for the most part they executed it at a high level.
The Steelers wanted to place a significant emphasis on getting bigger, stronger, and more physical, and the additions of defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, outside linebacker Jack Sawyer and inside linebacker Carson Bruener accomplished that.
Additions of running back Kaleb Johnson and cornerback Donte Kent added explosion and athleticism, too, while quarterback Will Howard checks a box of significant need, giving the Steelers a quarterback to develop under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
It’s not the flashiest draft class, but it addressed major areas of need. Yet for ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., it wasn’t good enough because the Steelers are “rolling the dice” on the quarterback position, having passed on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders multiple times, while still not having an answer from 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In his draft grades piece for ESPN.com Sunday morning, Kiper gave the Steelers a “B-“, but continued to hammer them for their decision-making at QB.
“The Steelers must feel really good about their chances of signing Aaron Rodgers. That’s the only explanation for their approach to the 2025 draft. And if they don’t land Rodgers (or pull some other magic at QB), coach Mike Tomlin’s 18-year streak of going at least .500 could end,” Kiper writes, according to ESPN.com. “Mason Rudolph is the current starter. Yet, Pittsburgh added only Will Howard at the position — in Round 6.
“He’s a backup in the NFL. Instead of getting a quarterback they can win games with right now in Round 1, the Steelers went defensive tackle.”
Kiper was beside himself throughout the draft that a quarterback like Sanders, whom he had No. 1 in the class at the position, and No. 5 overall, fell the way he did. He was especially critical of the Steelers passing on Sanders the way that they did.
But it wasn’t just a Steelers thing. The entire league passed on him over and over again until the Cleveland Browns traded up take Sanders at No. 144 overall in the fifth round, landing their second QB of the draft.
As the Steelers continued to pass, it was rather telling that they had a plan at quarterback, and seemingly had an answer from Rodgers, feeling comfortable enough to continue to punt on QB in the draft overall, at least until Howard came off the board in the sixth round.
Kiper wanted to see the position addressed earlier.
“Don’t get me wrong, Derrick Harmon is perfect for this defense. His 34 pressures when lined up as an interior lineman led the FBS. He combines power and quickness to create chaos,” Kiper writes of the Steelers’ selection of Harmon in the first round. “And with Cameron Heyward turning 36 years old, the defensive line had to get some youthful reinforcements. The pick itself is really good, but it just seems like Pittsburgh is rolling the dice at its most important position.
“And think about this, too: The Steelers didn’t have a second-round pick because they traded it for DK Metcalf. But who is throwing Metcalf the ball???”
The Steelers have said time and again throughout the offseason after signing Mason Rudolph to a two-year deal that they have confidence in him being the starter if that’s what winds up happening. After all, Rudolph led the Steelers to three straight wins late in the season in 2023 when the Steelers needed them the most, and had the offense look as good as it ever did under former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Then, he played pretty well in the Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, outside of an interception in the end zone. Though he left for the Tennessee Titans for the 2024 season, that belief never really wavered from Pittsburgh. Of course, actions speak louder than words, but there’s a belief in Rudolph.
There’s also a belief that Rodgers is coming. Is it really rolling the dice for one season if they’re giving the keys of the offense to Rodgers with Rudolph as a solid backup and Howard as the QB3 and developmental piece, while still keeping their options and draft capital open in what many project to be a great QB class in 2026?
That doesn’t appear to be the case.
But Kiper is just incredulous and really doesn’t understand the Steelers’ plan because they didn’t address QB early enough for him.
“Elsewhere, Kaleb Johnson will pair nicely with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell at running back. The Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry (tied for 20th). Edge rusher Jack Sawyer and defensive tackle Yahya Black provide some more youth to the defensive line — and at good value,” Kiper added regarding the draft class. “Sawyer ranked 90th for me but went 123rd. Black ranked 66th but wasn’t drafted until 164th overall. And Sawyer’s 15.9% pressure rate (eighth in the nation) will help T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
“Again, these are good picks that hit major needs. But this draft class grade will likely come down to Rodgers’ decision. That’s why I’m giving Pittsburgh a B-.”
Grading a class based on what happens in free agency seems a bit far-fetched, but that’s what Kiper is doing here. Chances are, if the Steelers drafted Sanders, he’d give them an “A+” which is rather crazy to think about.
Yes, quarterback was a need coming into the draft, but the belief all along from many was that they were going to address the position somewhere in rounds 4-5-6. That’s ultimately what they ended up doing, and got very good value with Howard, even if he might be a career backup.
The Steelers built up their roster around the QB position and have themselves in a strong position moving forward.
