How Steelers 2024 class sets up 2025 NFL Draft

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on April 14, 2025

The biggest upcoming event on the calendar for the National Football League is their Annual Player Selection Meeting – or as most fans know it – “the draft.” The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the early months of the new league year focused on their roster needs. The Steelers are in a good position for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft thanks, in part, to the class of players they selected in 2024.

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2024 Rewind

Pittsburgh selected Troy Fautanu (Tackle, Washington) in the first round, Zach Frazier (Center, West Virginia) in the second round, Roman Wilson (Wide Receiver, Michigan) and Payton Wilson (Linebacker, NC State) in the third round, Mason McCormick (Guard, South Dakota State) in the fourth round, Logan Lee (Defensive Line, Iowa) and Ryan Watts (Cornerback, Texas) in the sixth round.

While Steelers fans got the opportunity to see Frazier, McCormick, and Payton Wilson play early and often throughout the 2024 NFL season, they only got brief exposure to Fautanu, Lee, Watts, and Roman Wilson.

During the Steelers’ preseason game against the Houston Texans, Fautanu sustained a knee injury, causing him to earn his first official NFL start in Week 2 of the regular season against the Denver Broncos. After a September 20 injury, Fautanu was placed on the Steelers’ injured reserve list due to a dislocated patella, making him ineligible to play for four weeks; that injury actually kept the first-rounder sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Watts was placed on injured reserve on August 27, and Lee joined him on September 7; both missed the entirety of the season.

Wilson, who sustained an ankle injury during the first padded practice of Steelers training camp, returned to action in Week 6 against the Raiders on October 13, appearing for five offensive snaps. On October 28, he was placed on the Reserve/Injured List due to a hamstring injury. Designated to return, Wilson never saw the field again in 2024.

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Setting up for the draft

Pittsburgh will get just six “picks” in the upcoming draft, as announced officially by the league and reported by Teresa Varley on Steelers.com. The list, as it stands today:

First Round – 21st pick in round (21st pick overall)
Second Round – No pick – (Traded to Seattle for DK Metcalf)
Third Round – 19th pick in round (83rd pick overall)
Fourth Round – 21st pick in round (123rd pick overall)
Fifth Round – 20th pick in round (156th pick overall)
Sixth Round – 9th pick in round (185th pick overall) (From Seattle in DK Metcalf trade)
Seventh Round – 13th pick in round (229th overall) (From Atlanta through Philadelphia)

The Steelers addressed several roster holes via free agency, but not all, and the consensus needs remain defensive tackle, running back, and quarterback per ESPN and other news outlets.

After signing Kenneth Gainwell to replace Najee Harris in the offensive backfield alongside Jaylen Warren, there is high expectation that adding another young running back would be good insurance and a move to create security at the position for the future.

While quarterback Mason Rudolph re-signed with Pittsburgh following the departure of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, there are real questions surrounding that position. It’s unclear if Aaron Rodgers is even a serious consideration, at this point, to join the team.

With the departure of Larry Ogunjobi, the defensive line depth became thinner. Cameron Heyward had an outstanding season in 2024, but everyone realizes that level of play is realistically not sustainable as he approaches his 36th birthday this spring. Isaiahh Loudermilk signed a new one-year deal, Daniel Ekuale (who played for the New England Patriots in 2024) signed a one-year free agent contract, and Esezi Otomewo (who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season) signed a one-year deal, as well.

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How ’24 class helps

Lee, who recorded 158 tackles (18 for a loss), 9 sacks, and 7 pass deflections in his career at the University of Iowa (Big Ten) plays the gaps quickly on the defensive line and allows the Steelers an opportunity to not need to overreach in the upcoming draft. His speed and awareness is on par with a linebacker, but he has the leverage along the line that would compliment both stopping the run but especially defending the pass.

Many mock drafts have the Steelers interested in at least adding one additional defensive lineman but it would not be surprising if they look at two – perhaps at defensive end and tackle – to get into their system and develop.

With the way Frazier and McCormick played, and a healthy Fautanu ready to go in 2025, the Steelers have the opportunity to sit back and watch the big board on draft days for their next stud to potentially learn from Broderick Jones at left tackle – where Jones was always meant to play.

Watts has been surrounded by additional talent as the Steelers loaded up the defensive backfield during free agency. With the amount of talent available on the team already, the Steelers could focus on a future safety behind Minkah Fitzpatrick rather than solely on cornerback – and not have to blow up their entire draft to do so.

Wide receiver is still a selection option in the draft despite reports that (Roman) Wilson is healthy. The addition of Metcalf along with additional short-term contracts with Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek simply make receiver less of a priority.

Had the Steelers not drafted well in 2024, being set-up as well as they are heading into the 2025 NFL Draft would not have been possible. They addressed areas of real concern and potentially got a draft steal in both (Payton) Wilson and McCormick.

Having the entirety of that 2024 class healthy allows Pittsburgh to stack talent in places they’ll need to address down the road instead of with immediacy. They can utilize the 2025 draft to add the next layer of building blocks to a foundation that will be key to not only becoming much more competitive, but push for dominance in the league again.