With the 226th selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington ILB Carson Bruener. A familiar name, he is the son of former Steelers tight end and current area scout Mark Bruener.
Regarded as a downhill thumper, Bruener impressed by running a 4.58 40 at the NFL Combine. He checked in at 6012, 227 pounds and showed chops in coverage with three interceptions for the Huskies in 2024.
Bruener is also a decorated special teamer who played hundreds of snaps on football’s third phase. Our scouting report highlighted his physical nature, toughness, and overall improvement. Negatively, he lacks true sideline-to-sideline range and needs to be quicker to process what he’s seeing.
Overall, we concluded:
“There’s a lot to like with the bloodlines when it comes to Bruener, and he has a great attitude, based on the interview with Steelers Depot at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Dallas. The tape is quite good, too. He’s a tackling machine, tough as nails, and a good communicator and leadership presence.
Bruener showed his strengths working downhill against the run and flashed the ability to work in coverage, particularly zone, where he has good eyes and a good feel for what offenses are trying to do. His ball skills are above average for the position, too. I just have real concerns about his lateral agility, though.
He can develop into a rotational linebacker who can handle a three-down role for an extended stretch. Still, at the very least right away, Bruener can be a key special teams piece that can eventually be a special teams captain in the league.”
While inside linebacker wasn’t a pressing need, Bruener is a clean projection and prospect the Steelers obviously know well. He’ll compete with Mark Robinson and Cole Holcomb for a roster spot. Holcomb is coming off a severe 2023 knee injury and missed all of 2024.
Check out our full scouting report on Carson Bruener below.
