Way too early - 2025 top 3 picks

In a way too early prediction, I feel our top 3 picks next year will be:

1.) DL
2.) WR
3.) RB

Depending on who is available when we pick (est. between #26 and #32), I could see:

1.) WR
2.) DL
3.)RB

RB draft is deep, I think we can get a great back in the 3rd round.

 

With you there on both. That said, figuring out if the Steelers can keep Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields will be paramount. It will also come down to nabbing a WR during FA; again something you indirectly outlined with your second choice of the first three. For me personally, your first trio of picks is what I would imagine the team opts for minus RB and replace that with either IOL or CB.


For that matter, I wouldn't rule out a First Round CB or even Safety (namely Malakai Starks) given how it is still unknown if DeShon Elliot and/or Donte Jackson will be retained. Even if it isn't in Round 1, I suspect CB or DB will be in play much sooner than others believe.



I will say this; priority number one right now is getting a lot younger along the IDL. Keeanu Benton is , more or less, what you have at the moment. As much as I did like Logan Lee coming out of Iowa, he is very much an unknown so counting on him to make a leap in Year Two while he has to recover after his injury isn't ideal.

 

I very much think Russ comes back. Maybe a 2 or 3 year deal/ hometown discount, as I believe he loves it here and has been on the other side of the equation with Denver. I believe he has business interests with Acrisure, but I could be mistaken. The city loves him and by all accounts he loves the city. I think a team like the jets come in and sweep Fields away. And I am good with that.

I think we have a promising young safety on IR (Watts) and Elliott is here another year, I think. What a great pick-up he was. Trice is the unknown, I think it may be difficult keeping Jackson, but who know.

IDL is the priority, but if a lights out game breaking WR is there, it will make them think. I Like Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. Think Hines with speed. Plus he has played with some great WRs, so I don't think he'd be a me-first diva.

 

Look forward towards Emeka Egbuka being mocked to the Steelers... a lot. Remember Jaxson Smith-Njigba?! Emeka is basically that but faster. As far as IDL goes?! Landon Jackson is my wild card but TJ Sanders and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M would be names I'd pay attention to.

 

Safety isn't worth drafting in round one.

 

There isn't much depth there either. DeShon is signed to a one year deal. Furthermore, Malakai is the best one in the class.... by a pretty sizable margin.


BPA > Need.


Should a WR not be available, grab the next best option.

 

I thought Elliott signed a two year deal.

 

Correct. My mistake.


However, adding the likes of Malakai to Deshon, Minkah, JPJ and presumably Donte Jackson?! That is a secondary to get behind. One major omission I made regarding Malakai as well. He is more than a Safety; a multi role DB Chess Piece. Can never have too many of those.


As I said though, I left him on the table as an option should all others be exhausted. For that matter, Malakai dropping that far isn't likely as it stands currently for he is widely reputed to be a Top 10 pick. Dude is beyond gifted.

 

DL, WR, RB. QB I hope Steelers don't over pay
for Wilson. I don't feel there will be any hometown discounts.
These are only positions I would like to see Steelers address.
Have no idea which way they will go or which round plus FA signings.

 

We would be so much better off if this season had gone off the rails.

 

We have a solid if not great core. Just need a couple more studs to put us over the top

 

I agree there will not likely be a hometown discount, he will get paid. That said what will his market be? If Kahn could get a 4 year deal done with 60 to 70 guarantee and 125 total it might happen. Something you could move off from in 2 years if he really slows down, but still manageable in year 3. The options are going to be slim in FA market, less so in the draft. It does seem he loves the system and MT, so that may be a big influence on his decision.

 

Well!!


Garrett Nussmeier has decided to stay in school for 2025. Good on him!

 

This has been and will probably always be my 1st round draft philosophy.

Regardless of need, you take a QB, someone to protect the QB, or someone to get after the QB.

The QB is the most important player on the team. You first have to make sure you have your QB. IF...the Steelers' plan is to bring back Russ or Fields/both, then we have our QB. IF that is not the plan then QB is definitely in play in the 1st round.

The past 2 drafts have been mostly about OL with 5 OL taken, including OTs in the 1st round both times. If the 'right guy' was there, I would be a little surprised but not completely disappointed if we went OL in the 1st again. Protecting the QB is 2nd most important behind the QB himself.

The Steelers have always been known as a team with a stout defense. Early round blue chip defenders are the reason why. The ability to get after the other team's QB has been our biggest strength. A 1st round pick of a blue chip defender would never be a shock.

Round 1 - QB/OL/Defense

Round 2 - BPA at position of need

Round 3 - BPA at position of need

The order for position of need is always highly debated amongst fans and always one of the best topics of conversation and debate on forums. A lot of change is going to happen between now and the next draft season. Going into the 2025 draft as of today, I would hope to find 'our' 1st round DL(our next Cam). Beyond that it depends on extensions, FA signings, and who walks.

 

Basically agree with this. You build the foundation first and then add weapons. Daniels is gone and Seamalu hasn’t looked great this year. I could easily see them drafting a guard in 2025. Definitely need another defensive lineman. Heywardhas been awesome, but for how many more years will that last? It would be great to have his heir ready to go. Definitely need another WR. We could also use another tight end. Pruitt and Hayward should be replaced

 

If we take a high wr, give me Tre Harris all day. Big, strong, fast, good contested catch guy. Teach him to block lika Steeler and forgettaboutit.

 

It could be argued that the best picks the Steelers made the last two years were not their number one pick.

 

Between me and you, this is exactly how I think about doing mock drafts; particularly when it comes to the Steelers. That said however, 2025 isn't the best time to nab one for there are only two options at the moment; Sanders and Ward. As for the Offensive Line, I still believe that someone like Donovan Jackson from Ohio State or even Tyler Booker from Alabama are both in play. If not, Tate Ratledge from Georgia is another option though I doubt the team is going to nab him in Round Two for he is likely to be gone at the end of Round One.


Regarding Defense?! Interior Defensive Lineman and Cornerback are the top two priorities. Luckily for the Steelers... there are plenty of options to choose from.

 

What I would prefer is
trade for DK Metcalf (give up a second rd pick).
1st - DT get one of 340 lb plus guys. Move Benton to DT/DE
3rd - CB (Please get a long press man CB)
4th - RB (Skateboo)

 

The players I like at each position

WR
1 - Emeka Egbuka or Luther Burden - Tre Harris is consolation
2 - Isaiah Bond or Evan Stewart
3 - Tez Johnson - I know he's small like Austin, but he's more explosive I think

RB
1 - Ashton Jeanty or Quinshon Judkins - I expect Jeanty to go before us, Quinshon might be a early 2nd guy, but if we want him then I'm okay taking him late 20's or 30's
2 - Omarion Hampton or Nicholas Singleton - I prefer Hampton here, but he might be gone. Singleton will jump up the draft board because he will test well. Might be available here
3 - Treyveon Henderson - Juiced up Jaylen Warren IMO. Those two would be awesome together splitting carries. Similar skillsets and would always have the defense on their heels

DL
1 - Kenneth Grant or Derrick Harmon - Grant would be a DT that pushes Benton outside, but Derrick Harmon would be a DT/DE much like Cam Heyward. I like his game.
2 - Walter Nolen
3 - Dontay Corleone

 

I like your #1 list probably have to figure a cb in the conversation also.

 

I agree with your assessment and I would add a Cb to it as well. I’m not a fan of Jackson. He can’t play man coverage and he gives up alot of chunk plays. Yes he made alot of interceptions but at the expense of giving up alot of plays as well.

 

He is signed through the 2025 season. And has been one bright spot player for this defense. I would extend him he is young