After another disappointing NFL Playoffs performance, this Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Mock Draft examines how Mike Tomlin’s team can improve, and finally land T.J. Watt his first postseason win.
7-Round Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft
Pittsburgh has picks through all seven rounds to work towards filling the various holes in the roster.
The Steelers’ offensive line, while having young talent like Broderick Jones and Zach Frazier, still needs a lot of work as they gave up a 38.6% pressure rate (29th in the NFL) and struggled both when facing the blitz, giving a 9.8% sack rate (22nd in NFL) and when defenses drop back, giving up an 8.7% sack rate (31st in NFL).
Pittsburgh’s offensive line also struggled to run block effectively, and both of these factors came back to bite them in their playoff match. The Ravens outrushed the Steelers 299 to 29 and struggled to protect Russell Wilson, who was sacked four times.
Pittsburgh’s wide receiver depth is also relatively shallow and this is assuming George Pickens isn’t traded due to character issues. The Steelers could also look at possibly getting a developmental quarterback to learn under and eventually replace Russell Wilson.
Pittsburgh will look to upgrade as many positions as possible, and this Steelers 2025 mock draft examines how they might achieve that.
21) Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Carrying an imposing frame, Tyler Booker, the five-star guard from the Alabama Crimson Tide, would make a great pick for strengthening their offensive line.
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Booker was a part of a stout offensive line that helped clear space for Alabama running backs to score 41 rushing touchdowns on the season and average 178.3 rushing yards a game. Booker has shown the ability to get under run defenders and is a sound pass blocker. With mentorship from Isaac Seumalo, the Alabama standout will be able to contribute to Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
67) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
TRADE! The Steelers trade the 52nd overall pick to the Cleveland Browns, receiving the 67th and 93rd picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jalen Milroe continues the tradition of great Alabama quarterbacks entering the NFL. He possesses great arm strength and strong running ability. He threw for 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024 and recorded 2,844 passing yards as well as rushing for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, Milroe’s accuracy is inconsistent completing only 64.3% of his passes.
Milroe’s strengths include elite arm strength, great playmaking IQ, and blistering speed. He has also shown an ability to displace safeties and throw from unusual angles. However, he relies on his arm too much to get out of trouble and needs to work on his release mechanics.
Milroe’s lack of accuracy and interceptions make him more of a project quarterback than someone who can start immediately, making Pittsburgh an ideal place for him to learn and develop into a quarterback who can potentially compete with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and whoever replaces Deshaun Watson at quarterback in Cleveland.
83) Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Ricky White III recently completed a 1,041 receiving-yard season with 11 touchdowns as the primary threat for the UNLV Rebels. He’s established himself as a playmaker who can consistently gain separation and win vertical battles against defensive backs. He’s also proven himself to be a contributor on special teams as a punt blocker.
However, White is undersized for an NFL wide receiver and needs to refine his catching techniques to reach the next level. Additionally, he shows stiffness on short-area and quick-game concepts which could hinder him in an ever quickening NFL.
Overall, Ricky White III could prove to be a great contributor to an NFL offense, and his strengths would be integral to a shallow and overall poor WR room in Pittsburgh.
93) Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
As a Defensive Tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers, Omarr Norman-Lott showed signs of being a great run defender and pass rusher granting him some versatility that will come in handy in the NFL and especially AFC North with a mixture of star running backs like Derrick Henry and Chase Brown as well as great quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Norman Lott recorded 4 sacks to go along with 18 tackles (8 of which were solo tackles) and was an impact player in the Tennessee front seven.
His strengths include strength and power perfect for his position, a variety of pass rush moves he can use to get sacks and an adept recognition of screen plays and misdirection runs. However, injury concerns as well as inconsistency as a run defender and pass rusher are things Pittsburgh will need to be aware of and develop.
During the wildcard loss to Baltimore, Pittsburgh was outran 299 to 29 and this selection will look to ratify that issue immediately.
121) Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Quincy Riley excelled as an outside zone cornerback for the Louisville Cardinals secondary after transferring from the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. During his college career, he’s logged 109 tackles, six tackles for loss, and eight interceptions with one pick-six.
Riley possesses great ball knowledge and can consistently jump routes, creating turnovers with natural instinct, timing, and route recognition, as well as being able to bait quarterbacks. He’s also proven to be a durable player and has special teams value as a return man.
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In terms of weaknesses, Riley is undersized at the cornerback position, and his less-than-stellar speed can be exposed by NFL wide receivers. He also has limited experience against high-level competition and can be overaggressive in coverage, leading to exposure.
Riley’s ball knowledge and instincts make him a great prospect at corner, though he will be tested in the AFC North both against running backs Derrick Henry and Chase Brown and in the air against Zay Flowers, Jamar Chase and possibly Tee Higgins. If all goes well, he could make a great partner to Joey Porter Jr. and add an extra playmaker to the Pittsburgh secondary.
162) Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
Jordan Burch recorded 8.5 sacks, forced one fumble, and logged 31 total tackles — 13 of them being solo tackles. He possesses freakish athleticism and explosiveness and is a great run defender. Additionally, he has some versatility, being able to line up in various defensive alignments.
Burch lacks a proper pass-rushing plan that he can consistently use, and his sack production still needs improvement. He also needs to expand his pass-rushing repertoire by adding some finesse moves to complement his power moves.
Overall, Burch will look to help add to a pass rush of Alex Highsmith, TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Keanu Benton. Given the issues Pittsburgh has had in producing sacks when TJ Watt misses games combined with an aging defensive front, Pittsburgh would be wise to begin planning ahead to replace production.
226) Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Mitchell Evans led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the receiving game in 2024 with only three receiving touchdowns. Despite this low total, Evans still has the tools, toughness, and IQ to be a great receiving TE. He can help as an in-line blocker to further aid Pittsburgh’s rushing attack. His frame and catching ability also make him a valuable red-zone option.
Evans will need to improve his route running, as it lacks diversity. He also has an injury history, which could cause concerns due to physicality in the NFL. The Notre Dame tight end has the potential to add an extra weapon alongside Pat Freiermuth in the Pittsburgh offense, which frankly needs all the receiving help it can get.
237) Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Xavier Nwankpa had a host of interest from multiple schools after logging 16 interceptions in high school. In his first year with the Iowa Hawkeyes, he showed up when the lights were brightest, recording a 52-yard pick-six in the team’s 2022 bowl game.
In his first full year starting, Nwankpa recorded 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, and a sack, contributing to an Iowa defense ranked 20th in the country in total defense, 42nd in passing yards allowed, and boasted a 36.4 third down conversion percentage.
His strengths include a level of lateral explosiveness and elasticity not often seen in athletes, and he has good field vision and route recognition. His weaknesses include inconsistency in balancing field vision with awareness of the quarterback’s intent and the need to manage his space better.
With Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott nearing the end of their primes, Pittsburgh can use a late pick to plan ahead for the future while giving Nwankpa two great safeties to learn from
244) Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas
Despite only recording one touchdown to his 1,140 receiving-yard season, Andrew Armstrong has proven to be another weapon who can move the ball. Even if he doesn’t get into the end zone at a high clip, he averaged 14.6 yards per catch as a big-play threat.
Armstrong’s hands and 6’4″ frame make him a dependable weapon for any quarterback. While he lacks speed, he provides extra wrinkles to a Pittsburgh offense in need of improvement.
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