The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted seven new players over the three-day event in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The draft took place in the lots surrounding Lambeau Field, Titletown and the Resch Complex. Legendary Lambeau Field is the home of the Green Bay Packers.
The Steelers entered the draft needing help at several positions, including defensive line, quarterback and running back.
Track Pittsburgh’s 2025 NFL Draft moves below.
Who have the Steelers drafted?
Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle, First Round, Pick 21
Pittsburgh addressed the defensive side of the ball with its first-round pick. The defensive lineman out of Oregon fills an immediate need for the Steelers. Harmon can play next to Cameron Heyward, and the two can form a formidable pair on the defensive line.
Pittsburgh landed at the 21st overall spot in this year’s draft after finishing their 2024 season with a 10-7 record. The team lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs.
Kaleb Johnson, Running Back, Third Round, Pick 83
With their only pick on Day 2 of the draft, the Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson, a running back out of Iowa. Johnson had a stellar junior season for the Hawkeyes, including earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the top running back in college football.
Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks on during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 23, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Jack Sawyer, Linebacker, Fourth Round, Pick 123
With their first selection on Day 3, the Steelers have selected Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth round with the 123rd overall pick.
Sawyer, 22, was a 2024 second-team All-Big Ten player, who was credited with 9.0 sacks in 2024, which was a career high. Sawyer amassed 23 career sacks at Ohio State. In 2024, he was tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles.
Yahya Black, Defensive Tackle, Fifth Round, Pick 164
The Steelers traded their fifth-round selection (156th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs for the 164th pick (fifth round) and the 226th pick (seventh round).
With the 164th pick, in the fifth round, the Steelers drafted Iowa defensive tackle Yahya Black. Black received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors for his play during the 2024 season. He started all 13 games for the Hawkeyes, registering 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, with one sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 02: Defensive lineman Yahya Black #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes engages with the crowd during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers, at Kinnick Stadium. on November 2, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. Matthew Holst / Getty Images
Will Howard, Quarterback, Sixth Round, Pick 185
The Steelers used their lone sixth-round selection to draft quarterback Will Howard from Ohio State.
Howard, a 2024 national champion with the Buckeyes, led the Big Ten with 35 passing touchdowns in 2024. The 23-year-old is a big-bodied quarterback, standing at 6-foot-4, 236 pounds.
In 2024, Howard was named Third-team All-Big Ten Conference. He ranked second in the FBS with a 73.0 completion percentage, fourth with 35 passing touchdowns (10 interceptions), and sixth with 4,010 passing yards.
Howard was named the Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP, going 24-33 for 289 yards with a touchdown and interception in the win over Texas, and the National Championship Offensive MVP, throwing for 231 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Carson Bruener, Linebacker, Seventh Round, Pick 226
With their first of two seventh-round selections, the Steelers have selected linebacker Carson Bruener from Washington. Bruener was a 2024 third-team All-Big Ten Conference selection who led his team with 104 tackles and three interceptions. Bruener started all 13 games and also racked up two tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 15: Carson Bruener #42 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the first quarter of the game against the UCLA Bruins at Husky Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. The Washington Huskies won 31-19. / Getty Images
Carson’s father, Mark, played tight end at Washington and was drafted in the first round (27th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
Donte Kent, Cornerback, Seventh Round, Pick 229
With the 229th selection, Pittsburgh also drafted Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent.
Kent, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native, started all 12 games and served as team captain for the entire season. He was a second team All-MAC honoree as both a defensive back and punt returner.
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 01: Central Michigan Chippewas cornerback Donte Kent (4) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (83) in the end zone during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Central Michigan Chippewas on September 1, 2023 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Why did the Steelers not have a second-round pick?
The Steelers did not have a second-round selection after trading the pick to the Seattle Seahawks when acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Pittsburgh was originally slated to pick 52nd overall before moving the second-round pick to the Seahawks.
Recapping the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason moves
A number of questions surrounding the Steelers’ roster for the upcoming season are still unanswered, particularly at the quarterback position.
Russell Wilson and Justin Fields each left the team during free agency and Aaron Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh as a free agent still remains a possibility. Mason Rudolph is back in Pittsburgh after signing a two-year deal with the team.
Running back Najee Harris also departed Pittsburgh during free agency, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Pittsburgh added a number of free agents this offseason, including former Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison and former Philadelphia Eagles players Darius Slay and Kenneth Gainwell.
Who did the Pittsburgh Steelers draft last year?
The Steelers made seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and had several of the players they selected play key roles during the team’s season last year.
First-round pick Troy Fautanu made his first start during the team’s Week 2 game but suffered a season-ending injury in practice the following week.
Second-round pick Zach Frazier and fourth-round pick Mason McCormick each saw significant playing time on the offensive line last year.
Wide receiver Roman Wilson was picked in the third round but only played in a limited role, missing most of the season due to injury.
Third-round pick Payton Wilson earned a second-string linebacker roster spot, making several key plays down the stretch for the Steelers, including an interception against the Ravens and a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Bengals.
Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson intercepts a pass intended for Ravens running back Justice Hill on Nov. 17th, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Mike Darnay / KDKA
Sixth-round picks Logan Lee and Ryan Watts both spent the season on injured reserve.
