Three first round draft targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24th to April 26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have seven picks. (Note: The Steelers’ second-round selection was traded to the Seattle Seahawks last month to acquire WR D.K. Metcalf.)
- Round 1: Pick 21
- Round 3: Pick 83
- Round 4: Pick 123
- Round 5: Pick 156
- Round 6: Pick 185 (from Seattle)
- Round 7: Pick 229 (from Atlanta via Philadelphia)
In 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers face significant roster changes. After a disappointing early playoff exit, the team seeks fresh talent to revive its championship hopes. Just as casino players look for high-quality experiences by turning to NetEnt casinos not on GamStop — known for offering top-tier games outside mainstream restrictions — the Steelers are exploring alternative strategies and overlooked prospects to rebuild a competitive edge.
It is difficult to definitively say who the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft as the draft is still over a week away. Team needs and draft boards can change significantly in the lead-up to the event. However, based on current team needs and media predictions, here are some potential areas and players the Steelers might consider.
Among those positions are quarterback, running back, and defensive line, which have dominated their allotted 30 pre-draft visits. Based on those visits and positional need, here are three different prospects the Steelers could target with their 21st overall selection in the first round. (Note: All three players have visited the Steelers’ facilities.)
Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields leaving in free agency, the Steelers quarterback room turns over yet again this offseason as the team seeks its quarterback of the future. The team brought former starter Mason Rudolph back this offseason and is reportedly comfortable with his career progress. However, it doesn’t seem likely that he will enter training camp with at least some competition.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) quarterback Jaxson Dart is a player many have all over the board. He could be the third quarterback taken after Cam Ward (Miami) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado). Drafting quarterbacks is a great unknown and the Steelers have a serious need at the position. Dart shares many similar traits to Justin Fields, and may be a fit for Arthur Smith’s offensive schemes.
Last season, Dart led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and was named the Gator Bowl MVP after throwing for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 52-20 win over Duke. Over the course of his college career which includes a stint with USC, Dart completed 65.2% of his passes for 11,970 yards, 81 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,514 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He owns several records at Ole Miss including most wins by a quarterback, highest winning percentage, and career totals for offensive yards, passing yards, rushing yards (by a QB), passing efficiency and 300-yard passing games.
The question is whether or not Dart will not only fall to 21, but if Pittsburgh could acquire him later. Without a second round pick, the risk is that Dart could be gone by the time the Steelers are back on the clock with pick 83 in the third round. Unless they make a move to slide back or gain an extra pick, Dart could be Omar Khan’s first round target. It’s likely the Steelers are waiting to see how this year’s draft plays out before making a stronger push to sign Aaron Rodgers, as the latter contemplates his future.
Derrick Harmon (DL, Oregon)
Reinforcing the defensive line is a priority for the Steelers as an aging Cameron Heyward won’t play forever. Last year’s late season collapse is largely attributed to poor defensive line play, with little or no reserves able to help spell Heyward and promising third-year player Keeanu Benton.
Enter the 6’4″ 313 lbs. Harmon. Some draft analysts rank him as the top defensive tackle in the class, highlighting his quickness, disruptive ability, pass rushing ability, and awareness against the run. His versatility, a key with Mike Tomlin players, allows him to play various techniques on the defensive line which fits both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.
Last season, Harmon recorded a career-high 10.5 tackles for loss with 5 sacks. He had 45 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he led all FBS interior defensive linemen with 55 total pressures.
The Steelers can strengthen their defensive line by focusing on key player acquisitions. Harmon has drawn comparisons to former Steelers Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave throughout the draft process and could be a pick that preserves Heyward for a 17-game season while also looking at a future beyond Heyward’s playing days. Much like betting at legal casinos, strategic decisions can significantly improve their odds. Adding new talent should upgrade their performance on the field, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see defensive linemen be a draft priority.
Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
Najee Harris also departed in free agency this offseason, creating a need for a running back to pair with Jaylen Warren. Harris, who never missed a game during his four-years with Pittsburgh, leaves a sizeable but replaceable hole for the team to fill.
The question is, in a draft deep with running back talent, its not a question of if, but when do the Steelers pull the trigger on taking one. Hampton has been predicted to go at some point between the mid-to-late first round, making pick 21 – a similar spot where Harris was drafted – a plausible situation for Pittsburgh.
In three seasons at the University of North Carolina, Hampton tallied 3,565 yards rushing with 36 touchdowns while adding 635 yards and 4 touchdowns as a receiver. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but keep in mind Hampton declared for the draft following his junior year and played as a true freshman. The bulk of his work came over the last two seasons as a sophomore and junior, which when evaluating running backs is important: he has shown the talent but doesn’t have the wear-and-tear of some other prospects who are older and/or have been hit more often during their collegiate career.
Hampton could be the lead back Arthur Smith prefers with adequate size (6’0″, 221 lbs.), 4.46 speed. Hampton would also add the elusiveness and ability to break tackles that made Harris a workhorse, while projecting to be a three-down back in much the same way.
The Steelers may want to control the clock by running the ball more in 2025, and with Warren as the only proven back – one that has struggled to remain healthy for a full season – they will certainly dip their toe into the running back pool during the draft.
