We’ve covered all seven of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 draft picks thoroughly and examined them from every angle. Today, I wanted to pick one specific trait that stood out most on their tape, the best and most promising element of their game.
DL Derrick Harmon: Two-Gapping
There’s a lot to like with Harmon and his well-rounded game is impressive. In my view, he can become a great run defender and a very good pass rusher. But Harmon “feels” like a Steeler because of his ability to hold the point of attack, stack, and shed. The old-school run defense that’s hard to find these days.
Shortly after he was drafted, I posted a cut-up of examples. Some of these are one-gapping but you’ll see examples of him holding the point of attack and occupying two gaps, too.
Pittsburgh’s modern defense blends one- and two-gapping but the Steelers still need guys who can hold up blockers and keep linebackers clean. Especially when Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson aren’t the best at beating blocks and instead are quality athletes who can run and hit.
RB Kaleb Johnson: Ability To Play Small
Johnson is interesting as a big back capable of playing a lot smaller. That is vaguer than others on this list but his footwork to change directions in tight spaces, get skinny through the hole, and show open-field juice once he gains a runway and gets downhill is impressive. There’s still moderate power to his game but his quick feet to change directions at the line of scrimmage sticks out.
Check out these perimeter runs in his 200-yard day against Minnesota. The feet, the burst, the escapability.
EDGE Jack Sawyer: Strength In Rush Plan
Sawyer’s ceiling is limited by a lack of bend and high-end athleticism. But the Ohio State product understands the type of rusher he is and how he wins. No-nonsense and power, he’s strong with a forceful punch that can push tackles backward. Rarely does Sawyer run up the arc and well past the quarterback. He rushes with a plan and wins with power and technique.
Watch the power against the Iowa right tackle here.
DL Yahya Black: Space Eating
While I’ve been lower on the Black selection than others, there are still positive traits to his game. When his run defense is good, it’s good. Black can space eat and take on blockers one-on-one, holding the point of attack and getting off blocks. He’s also a sound tackler and finisher (something first-rounder Derrick Harmon is not).
Just one example of Black eating space against current teammate Will Howard (and I understand I picked a clip where Black falls off the runner – it’s not indicative of his overall play).
Black is 6-5, 330 pounds with 35-inch arms. Those guys don’t grow on trees.
QB Will Howard: Throws A Catchable Ball
I’ve praised Howard and the Steelers’ selection of him as much as anyone. There’s a lot to like but the best way to sum up his top traits is – he throws a catchable ball. There’s touch, accuracy, and plus placement. It makes him an effective downfield passer and he’s able to work over underneath defenders in zone coverage.
Howard lacks a massive arm, but his receivers don’t have to work hard to haul in their targets. Sounds simple but a lot of quarterbacks struggle here. Not Howard.
ILB Carson Bruener: Block Shedding
Bruener will cut his teeth on special teams, and he’s accomplished and experienced there. But as an inside linebacker, his ability to work off blocks in the run game is impressive. He stays clean and rarely gets engulfed and pushed around. It’s an aspect even starters Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson struggle with and Bruener looks advanced here, at least at the college level.
CB Donte Kent: Speed/Tackling
Cheating a bit with Kent, combining two traits. Kent is fast and ran a 4.38 at Central Michigan Pro Day. He’s also a reliable and productive tackler. As Dave Bryan pointed out, it’s hard to find any drafted corner recording more than his 263 career tackles. Even knowing he played five seasons (and he only played six games in 2020), that’s still impressive.
In fact, I charted the FBS tackles for every cornerback drafted this year. Guess who is No. 1?
Most Career Tackles By FBS CB (Min. 100)
Donte Kent – 263
Jahdae Barron – 226
Nohl Williams – 203
Jaylin Smith – 182
Upton Stout – 166
Trikweze Bridges – 163
Justin Walley – 155
Robert Longerbeam – 154
Denzel Burke – 143
Mac McWilliams – 133
Trey Amos – 121
Caleb Ransaw – 115
Dorian Strong – 112
Bilhal Kone – 112
Jacob Parrish – 108
Quincy Riley – 109
Korie Black – 100
The combination of his speed and tackling chops will serve Kent well on special teams, his clear path to making the 53.
