Many questions surround how the Pittsburgh Steelers will attack the 2025 draft. With only six picks this year, the team has needs at defensive tackle, offensive line depth, and quarterback for the future. Some people think the Steelers should avoid a quarterback this year, while others think they should “shoot their shot” and take a swing at a quarterback given the importance of the position. Recently, former Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock gave his thoughts on Pittsburgh’s draft and stated he thinks Pittsburgh has to be an option to draft a quarterback even if they sign QB Aaron Rodgers.
“I think Pittsburgh at 21 obviously has got to do something, with or without Aaron Rodgers,” said Mayock to BetWay Insider’s Jack Green.
With the 21st pick in the draft, the Steelers likely won’t have the chance to select either QB Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, the top two quarterback prospects. But other quarterbacks, like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe, could be available when Pittsburgh picks. Mayock thinks the Steelers have to consider going quarterback. However, the team has other needs which makes selecting the third or fourth best quarterback in a weak quarterback class in the first round risky.
If Pittsburgh does not take a quarterback with their first round pick, Mayock said he could see the Steelers taking a shot on Texas A&M DL/EDGE Shemar Stewart.
“I was at the Senior Bowl, his body’s beautiful, he’s got all that stuff, but four-and-a-half sacks in a career – not good,” Mayock told Green. “He’s a little bit of a project because I don’t think he’s an instinctual pass rusher. He’s going to have to be taught how to rush a quarterback. Over time, he has a chance to be really, really good.
“If Pittsburgh didn’t take a quarterback at 21 for whatever reason, I think he would make sense there…The teams who love their defensive line coach, who think they’ve got a guy that can bring out the best in players, they’re the kind of teams who would lean towards taking a chance with this guy.”
Stewart is a defensive end who only sometimes line up as a defensive tackle at Texas A&M. Despite his position, he recorded only 4.5 sacks in his career, making it a projection for him to become a strong pass rusher in the NFL. Despite his disappointing pass rushing numbers, in 2024 he totaled 31 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss. While not bad, it would be interesting to see how he would fare going against interior offensive lineman more often.
Steelers Depot’s Tom Mead wrote a scouting report of Stewart and listed him as a mid-Day two pick.
Although Stewart could be a good player, Stewart’s positional fit is questionable. In the Steelers’ 3-4, the 267-pound Stewart profiles more as an outside linebacker than true down-linemen help. Pittsburgh’s already offers a strong EDGE rotation of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
Pittsburgh could try to bulk up Stewart so he can become a more traditional defensive tackle, but that might lead to another DeMarvin Leal situation, a tweener without a true fit.
Given the Steelers’ need for an immediate impact defensive tackle, and their depth and talent at the EDGE position, selecting a potential “tweener” doesn’t seem wise. Maybe Mayock is right and Stewart can become a great defensive tackle. If Pittsburgh trusts their coaching staff to develop him, taking a shot could be worth it. However, with limited picks, a struggling run defense at the end of 2024, and their handling of Leal’s position over the past three seasons, it feels risky.
