Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
The 49ers released the All-Pro earlier this week
The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be done making additions on the second official day of free agency. Pittsburgh already brought back quarterback Mason Rudolph for his second stint with the Steelers, and they may be adding a former All-Pro by the time the day is done.
Former San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk is being hosted for a visit by the Steelers, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The nine-time Pro Bowler was released by the 49ers earlier in the week and is in search of a new home. Even at age 33, he would likely be a good fit for the Steelers' offense, as they want to run the ball more efficiently. Having Juszczyk clear the way for Jaylen Warren would certainly help in that department.
Juszczyk was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He’s mad the Pro Bowl every year since 2016 as one of the very few fullbacks remaining in the NFL.
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The newest Steelers’ star has a new number
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially welcomed their newest star receiver, D.K. Metcalf, who signed his five-year extension after being traded to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers acquired Metcalf and a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for 2025 second and seventh-round picks to pair him with George Pickens and give themselves a dynamic receiving duo that will take the top off defenses around the league.
On top of introducing Metcalf, the Steelers also announced his new jersey number, as Pickens already has No. 14. Metcalf will be wearing No. 4 with Pittsburgh - a very aesthetically pleasing complement to Pickens. No. 14 and No. 4, both big, strong, fast, deep-ball pass-catchers who can also run through you and past you when they have the ball in their hands.
It’s still unknown who will be throwing the ball to Metcalf and Pickens, though it certainly feels like Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Steelers. If not, Pittsburgh brought back Mason Rudolph as a backup/break glass in case of no Aaron Rodgers emergency.
Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Keep up with the latest pre-draft visits for the Steelers
With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine officially in the books, attention now turns to prospect pro days and pre-draft visits.
At the conclusion of the combine, each NFL team is able to bring in 30 prospects for a private visit at the facility between March 4 and April 6. These are commonly referred to as “top-30 visits,” though that phrasing can be somewhat confusing, as a scheduled “top-30 visit” doesn’t necessarily mean a player is ranked in the top 30 on a team’s draft board. No on-field workouts are permitted at these visits, but players can undergo physical exams and conduct interviews.
NFL teams are also allowed to conduct video or telephone with draft-eligible players. Per Giants.com, NFL rules restrict clubs to a maximum of “three video or telephone interviews per player, no longer than one hour in length.”
In addition to the 30 official visits, NFL teams are able to hold visits with local players, as long as they do not provide transportation. A “local” player is determined to be a player who is from or attends college in the “local metropolitan area as defined by a current Rand McNally map.”
Pre-draft visits can be huge indicators of a team’s potential interest in a player, and the Steelers, in particular, have used these visits to their advantage. In 2024, the team had top-30 visits with first-round OT Troy Fautanu, ILB Payton Wilson, OL Mason McCormick and DL Logan Lee and had local visits with C Zach Frazier and CB Beanie Bishop (signed as an UDFA). DB Ryan Watts and WR Roman Wilson were the only two draft selections in 2024 that Pittsburgh did not bring in for a top-30 visit.
Here’s a look at the reported top 30 visits for the Steelers heading into 2025, as well as reported local visits. We’ll be keeping this updated leading up through the NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers reported top-30 visits 2025
Total reported: 7/30
Wide receiver
- Jaylin Noel, Iowa State (via _MLFootball)
- Savion Williams, TCU (via Brooke Pryor)
Defensive line
- J.J. Pegues, Ole Miss (via Mike DeFabo)
- Yahya Black, Iowa (via Brooke Pryor)
Quarterback
- Tyler Shough, Louisville (via Mike DeFabo)
Running back
- D.J. Giddens, Kansas State (via The Draft Network’s Justin M.)
- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (via Tony Pauline)
Pittsburgh Steelers local visits 2025
Offensive line
- Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (via Mike DeFabo)
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Welcome back to BTSC’s Friday night open thread:
- Most of the major free agency dominoes have already fallen, but the Steelers still have a big question at quarterback. Answer the following: Who do you think will be the team’s starting quarterback next season? Who do you want to be the team’s starting quarterback next season? And between Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Mason Rudolph, who would you pick to lead the Steelers through 2025?
- What has been your favorite Steelers roster move this week? Least favorite?
- If you could take one free agent (and their contract) who signed elsewhere this week and add them to Pittsburgh, who would it be? Any bargains that the Steelers missed out on?
- Of the Steelers’ departing free agents, who will you be rooting the most for in their new city?
- Have you been keeping up with BTSC’s updating top-30 visits tracker? Of the visits reported so far, who would you most like to see the team draft?
- The Steelers hire you to take the team’s new additions on a tour of Pittsburgh — how do you plan the day?
BONUS: My song rec of the night — some really good ’80s-inspired pop that came out just last year:
So, settle down for the weekend, share your food and drink of choice, and let’s talk some football.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The former Steelers running back took a small jab at the Steelers
Najee Harris’ time with the Pittsburgh Steelers is officially over, as the former first-round pick signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons with the Steelers. The Steelers somewhat surprisingly didn’t pick up his fifth-year option last summer, but there were still some who believed he could be brought back. Instead, he heads west after four 1,000 yard seasons.
In his introductory press conference with the Bolts, though, Harris took a subtle jab at the Steelers and their facilities.
“It’s a great weight room, first of all,” Harris said. “Even the facility is all great things. A lot of things that they provide here that you can take advantage of. I was telling them, it’s not like this everywhere, man. This is a special thing right here. It reminded me of college at Alabama, all the resources that we have. So just getting the chance to take advantage of all these opportunities is a blessing.”
Considering Harris has only played for one team in his career, the bit about facilities “not like this everywhere” can only be interference to one place - Pittsburgh. This largely backs up the grades the Steelers received on their NFLPA report card. Their weight room was given a C+ and ranked 28th amongst 32 teams, and their training room was also given a C+ and ranked 25th. So, based on those grades. the critique from Harris isn’t shocking and is seemingly warranted.
Wm. Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Come and join this merry band of Steelers’ faithful for some lively debate about our Steelers, good food, music, and the merits of the odd cold beverage.
Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT).
The 2025 free agency is here and it’s the exam room of the off-season. Called out of the waiting room only to sit on a cold table feeling exposed while hoping to see a true professional and not some quack. Although we aren’t seeing a new card every day, you have to take on faith that another QB is coming (hopefully not Rodgers…). Take it to heart, the waiting is the hardest part.
This 6 pack of questions is here to get the conversation going is below, also let us know what you’re eating/drinking!
- How will Aaron Roger’s announce his decision for the 2025 season?
2. Excluding new additions, who is the most overpaid Steeler player currently on the roster?
3.Rank the AFC north off-seasons so far.(click on team for article about adds/losses)
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns
4. The Colts brought in Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson: they are both last in QBR over the past two years. Would you trade our QB room for those two? Why or why not?
5. It’s St Pattys day weekend. Do you celebrate and if so, how?
6. Who posted your favorite comment from the giant threads? (See below for a totally biased and unscientific sampling of links to comments)
Bonus GIF: post a gif showing a live look at Kenny Pickett watching DangeRuss visit Cleveland.
click name for link to comment
KansasCitySteelers
nepasteelerfan
Nas204psu
Blkgldtom
AmpersandSteel
PIttDiesel
RenoSteelersFan
SteelerFanMaintenanceMan
SteelerFanMaintenanceMan (2nd comment)
Steel Curtain 68
Pittsblitz56
jockeyjockey
steelwoman
DannyNW
Steelerflip
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
The Steelers will need another quarterback one way or another.
Whether or not Aaron Rodgers makes up his mind and signs with the Steelers, Pittsburgh needs another quarterback on their roster. If it’s Rodgers, great - you’re quarterback room is complete for this season. If it isn’t, go out and get another guy, preferably one who has started games and been a previous season-long starter. Here are some names that would make sense.
Tyrod Taylor
It would be hard to see the New York Jets parting with Taylor, as he is as good a backup as there is in the NFL and would be the perfect veteran to have in the ear of Justin Fields. However, if the Jets would listen to any sort of trade offers for the former Bills, Ravens, and Giants quarterback, I would be completely on board with Taylor and Mason Rudolph competing for the starting job in 2025.
Carson Wentz
Wentz has bounced around over the last few seasons. He spent 2023 and 2024 with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, starting two games in that span. He’s been a star in the league before but has taken a large step back in the last several years. Signing him as a cheap backup/potential starter wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Joe Flacco
Sure, let’s get weird. If there is any veteran available who could come in and play solid at the position while also launching the ball deep to DK Metcalf and George Pickens, it’s Flacco. Look at what he did in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns. He took plenty of deep shots that resulted in huge plays and was legitimately one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL down the stretch that season. I certainly don’t foresee it being a season-long answer in terms of consistency and constant productivity, but if Rudolph struggles and you hand the keys to Flacco in the middle of the year, we’ve seen him do good things in that situation before.
Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images
The Steelers add a defensive tackle to the roster
The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a defensive tackle to their roster. Pittsburgh has signed former New England Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, his agent Blake Baratz announced.
Ekuale started 16 games for the Patriots in 2024, his best season as a pro. He registered 36 tackles and two sacks from the interior of the defensive line. He also had 26 stops, PFF’s stat that tracks where tackles are made to decide if it was a winning play for the defense.
Ekuale joins a defensive line that includes Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee, Jacob Slade, and Domenique Davis. In terms of what the Steelers do now at the position, it feels like this could take defensive lineman out of the equation in the 2025 NFL Draft. It certainly shouldn’t, but knowing how this team operates, it will. Signing a full-time starter to go next to Heyward and Benton feels like they are done adding major pieces to the group for 2025.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
What will the Steelers do in the draft?
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be working without a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft following the trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. And while they have multiple holes that need filled, one analyst says they should address one position in particular, and it isnt’ defensive line or cornerback.
Bradley Locker of PFF gave his worst-case scenarios for every NFL team in the draft, and he says that the Steelers need to take a running back early on.
“Najee Harris is no longer a Steeler, and Jaylen Warren (68.3 PFF rushing grade) has proven viable as a backup — but not a clear-cut starter,” Locker writes. “Meanwhile, new signing Kenneth Gainwell hasn’t even reached a 53.5 PFF rushing grade since 2022. Pittsburgh simply cannot go into 2025 with only Warren and Gainwell, needing at least a complementary back who can push for early-down work. That means general manager Omar Khan should absolutely take a back no later than the fourth round.”
Locker is only half right. Warren was the best running back on the Steelers’ roster last season and had more touches than Harris over the last month of the season - he is a more than capable starter. You can find running backs that are capable No. 2 and No. 3 rotational pieces on Day Three. With other needs like defensive line and receiver still looming, Pittsburgh shouldn’t reach for a running back.
Choosing the best front office moves in Steelers history
Welcome to the Sweet 16 of Steelers March Madness ‘25. This year’s theme is the greatest front office moves in Pittsburgh Steelers history. You choose which moments move on until we crown a champion. Today, let’s look at the Pierogi Bracket!
PIEROGI BRACKET
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Pierogi Bracket ‘25 - Sweet 16
1 seed: April 20, 1996 - Traded for running back Jerome Bettis
(Traded 2nd round pick (59th overall, Ernie Conwell) and 1997 4th round (121st overall later traded, Jerome Daniels) to Rams for Bettis and 1996 3rd round (72nd overall, Steve Conley)
SetNumber: X64443 TK2 R5 F12/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885909/81343440.jpg "Pittsburgh Steelers Jerome Bettis...")
In one of the most lopsided transactions in NFL history, Pittsburgh moved down 13 spots from pick 59 to 72 and added a future 3rd rounder in exchange for Jerome Bettis. The Rams were transitioning to a pass-oriented offense and drafted Nebraska’s Lawrence Phillips. St. Louis gave Bettis the option to pick his destination, and he almost considered Houston. Writers in Pittsburgh didn’t love the trade initially, because Bettis had a pair of down seasons and his contract was up at the end of the year. But they changed their tune after The Bus won Comeback Player of the Year and became the highest-paid player in Steelers history at that point.
VS
5 seed: April 5, 1993 - Signed free agent quarterback Mike Tomczak
(signed three-year, $2.55 million deal)
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885917/1172839632.jpg "San Francisco 49ers v Pittsburgh Steelers")
By the time Neil O’Donnell cemented his position as starting quarterback, it was time for the Steelers to move on from Bubby Brister. They needed a new backup, and Tomczak saw Pittsburgh as his best opportunity for playing time. He stayed for seven seasons, starting nearly all of 1996, including two playoff games.
2 seed: April 29, 2006 - Traded up to draft receiver Santonio Holmes
(traded 1st round pick (32nd overall, Mathias Kiwanuka), 3rd round pick (96th overall, Gerris Wilkinson), and 4th round pick (129th overall, Guy Whimper) to Giants for 1st round pick (25th overall, Santonio Holmes)
SetNumber: X78614 TK1 R3/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885910/81408999.jpg "Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes...")
Holmes was one of the players Kevin Colbert had his eyes on at the start of the 2006 draft. When he was still available at pick 20, Colbert started making calls. The Chiefs weren’t interested in trading at 20. Neither were the 49ers at 22, but the Giants made the deal at 25. In his four seasons in Pittsburgh, Holmes had 3,835 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns, and one of the most iconic Super Bowl moments ever.
VS
3 seed: October 3, 2015 - Signed free agent kicker Chris Boswell
(signed two-year, $960,000 deal)
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885912/2185283758.jpg "Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers")
In Week 4, kicker Josh Scobee missed two fourth-quarter field goals in an overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was released two days later and replaced with Boswell. Since then, Boswell has played in 150 games in the black and gold and has more 50-yard field goals than all other Steelers’ kickers combined.
We’re back tomorrow with the Halupki Bracket’s Sweet 16, and the biggest Cinderella remaining in the tournament!
Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
Contributors of Behind The Steel Curtain rank the top 2025 NFL Draft prospects
The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, with pre-draft visits and college pro days in full swing as NFL teams look toward their futures. With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror and player evaluations making their way in, our team put together NFL draft big board rankings to help land on a consensus average ahead of the festivities in Green Bay, set for April 24-26.
Here’s a look at the first iteration of Behind The Steel Curtain’s Top-50 2025 NFL Draft Board, Including consensus player rankings, as well as the highest and lowest rankings inside the top-50 of BTSC’s consensus 2025 NFL Draft big board!
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Note: BTSC’s top-50 big board is a cumulative rankings were compiled by contributors Ryland Bickley, Mike Nicastro, Ryan Parish and Kate Magdziuk. Any players that did not receive a single ranking inside the top-50 will be denoted with a “-” as their lowest ranking. For a better view, check out the draft board here on Google Sheets.
Name one 2025 NFL Draft prospect you’re higher on than others.
Ryland Bickley: Azareye’h Thomas’ tape in coverage is some of the best you’ll see this year, and if it wasn’t for his leaky run support I think he’d be a first-round lock. He’s always available mid- to late-Day 2 in simulators, but I think he could go as early as the late first. If not, he has the potential to be one of the most underrated players in this class, assuming he cleans up his tackling.
Mike Nicastro: The secret is out when it comes to Golden after he ran a blazing 4.29 in the forty-yard dash at the combine. He’s such a well-rounded wideout that his speed doesn’t even jump out on tape. He’s an above-average route runner with reliable hands, excels on contested catches, and has a knack for making the big play. He’s the top receiver on my board - ahead of Arizona’s Tetaroia McMillan.
Ryan Parish: I’ll use this space to highlight a player only I ranked: Tennessee defensive lineman Omar Norman-Lott. Every draft there is a handful of prospects you can’t help but fall for because of their relentless effort on tape. Norman-Lott is one of those for me. While he’s shorter than most DE (6’2), he’s got decent length (33 3/4” arms) and weight (291 pounds) to line up as a 5-tech or 3-tech. He’s one of the best penetrators in the draft and would be a welcome piece to any NFL defensive line.
Name one prospect you’re lower on.
Mike Nicastro: Every quarterback not named Ward, Sanders, or Dart. Make no bones about it; this is a bad quarterback class. But that doesn’t necessarily make it an outlier. Over the last four drafts, the only competent signal-caller drafted after the first round is Brock Purdy, who was the last overall pick in. Quarterbacks expected to go after Round 1 include Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Ohio State’s Will Howard, and Syracuse’s Kyle McCord to name a few. I’d avoid all of them.
Ryland Bickley: I certainly don’t dislike TreVeyon Henderson as a prospect, but especially with the Steelers in mind, I don’t quite get all the hype. Yes, he has game-breaking speed. And yes, his physicality as a blocker is a joy to watch, but the power in his game is lacking. He also has a history of injuries and a part-time role in Ohio State’s backfield, with more of a one-cut style than a truly shifty, elusive skill set. I still have a second-round grade on Henderson, but I have my doubts as to whether or not he can be a reliable RB1 at the next level.
Ryan Parish: I’m much lower than consensus on wide receivers Luther Burden III and Tetairoa McMillan.Burden went into the 2024 season as the presumptive WR1 for many experts, and Tet McMillan wasn’t far behind. I was left wanting more from both.
Burden took a massive step back in production this season despite having the same quarterback and system he had during his breakout 2023 season. He didn’t look as consistently explosive after the catch, and while a 4.41 40-time is nothing to sneeze at, it doesn’t indicate the explosive, elite-level athleticism Burden has long been credited with. His limited route tree requires a focused offensive plan that rookies don’t always receive. As for McMillan, you can see the flashes of potential in his tape, but the hype has gotten a little overzealous for me. He is similar to Mike Evans and Drake London — common comparisons for him — in body size alone. Watch his tape and he lacks the same fire and attention to detail the other two sported as prospects.
Kate Magdziuk: Among the BTSC crew, I’m lowest on Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart. He had an absolutely fabulous performance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, and I’m not here to discount it. He ran a ridiculous 4.59-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40” vertical (the mean vert for EDGE defenders is 33.298 inches, for what it’s worth) at 6’5” and 267 pounds. The athleticism is off the charts. However, the lack of production profile is concerning for me for an EDGE defender, totaling just 4.5 sacks over three seasons at A&M. Among the 86 edge rushers with 300+ pass rush snaps, Stewart ranked 38th in the FBS with a 12.4% pass rush win rate.
2. What positions do you think are in play with the Steelers first pick?
Ryland Bickley: Defensive line all the way. But depending on how the board falls, I wouldn’t be completely shocked if the team goes cornerback, wide receiver, or offensive line. And of course, quarterback remains a live option depending on who the team values/who drops in the first.
Mike Nicastro: Right now the ringleader for me is defensive line. It’s the only position of need the black and gold haven’t addressed in free agency. They released Larry Ogunjobi, which means Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton are currently the only two big men who can be counted on when it comes to reliable, above-average reps. Oregon’s Derrick Harmon and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant are two names to watch.
Ryan Parish: Even before the D.K. Metcalf trade, defensive line was my bet for the Steelers. Not only is this one of the strongest interior defensive line classes in years, but Steelers simply don’t target wide receiver or cornerback — two other glaring areas of need heading into the offseason — in the first round very often. While you can’t rule out a quarterback now, I hope the Steelers learned their lesson from the Kenny Pickett draft.I won’t rule out offensive line or running back either, but I would put those odds on the lower end.
Kate Magdziuk: I’m with consensus, here. Defensive line makes the most sense for Pittsburgh based on the needs they’d addressed in free agency and the fact that they traded away their second-round pick.
3. Are there any positions you think the Steelers should avoid with their first pick?
Mike Nicastro: Running back. If UNC RB Omarion Hampton is available, they should pass. Did we not learn anything after the Najee Harris pick? It’s not that I don’t think the team needs another back - but this is a deep class. There are prospects who represent great value that could last until the third round. Virginia Tech’s Bhayshal Tuten and UCF’s RJ Harvey are two of my favorites.
Ryland Bickley: I hate sounding like a broken record, but the Steelers have set themselves up to take a defensive lineman in Round 1, and any other position would be a massive risk.
Ryan Parish: The draft is a fluid process and I try not to speak in absolutes. While there are no positions I would entirely rule out, linebacker, quarterback, running back and wide receivers not named Matthew Golden are all picks I would avoid. There are simply not any quarterbacks I love in the Steelers’ range in the first round this year. Running back is a position I rarely find worthy of a first — though Jeanty and Hampton I could excuse — and the same goes for non-edge linebackers.
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Our NCAA-style tournament of Steelers greatest front office moves
Welcome back to Steelers March Madness ‘25. We started with the 64 greatest front office moves in Pittsburgh Steelers history. They’re facing off, NCAA-style, until we crown a champion. If you haven’t yet, go back and vote on DAY 1 and DAY 2.
CHIPPED HAM BRACKET
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Chipped Ham Bracket ‘25, Sweet 16
1 seed: April 5, 2002 - Signed free agent linebacker James Farrior
(Signed a three-year, $5.4 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885944/1736748878.jpg "Oakland Raiders v Pittsburgh Steelers")
Farrior was the 8th overall pick in the 1997 draft, but the Jets used him as an outside linebacker. New York was not interested in extending him after his rookie contract, despite putting up career numbers in 2001. Farrior says he received no other offers besides Pittsburgh. He went on to start 154 games at inside linebacker.
VS
4 seed: August 20, 1970 - Traded for defensive end Dwight White’s pick
(traded Roy Jefferson to Baltimore for Willie Richardson and 1971 4th round pick (Dwight White).
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885950/859278508.jpg "Steelers White and Holmes")
Before the 1970 season, Roy Jefferson was the best player in Pittsburgh, but he was a vocal critic of head coach Chuck Noll, so the Steelers went shopping. Trading the team’s star was controversial at the time, but all would eventually be forgiven when the fourth-round pick that Pittsburgh received in the trade turned into future Hall of Honor defensive end Dwight White.
2 seed: March 8, 2001 - Signed free agent center Jeff Hartings
(signed a six-year, $24.2 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885946/98005577.jpg "Steelers Jeff Hartings")
Former general manager Kevin Colbert was with Detroit when the Lions drafted Hartings. Although Hartings played guard in the NFL, Colbert knew he could play center, and replace the retiring Dermotti Dawson. Hartings went on to make two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team during his 89 starts in Pittsburgh.
VS
3 seed: August 30, 2017 - Signed free agent cornerback Joe Haden
(signed a three-year, $27 million deal)
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25885948/1348969054.jpg "Denver Broncos v Pittsburgh Steelers")
Haden was a two-time Pro Bowler in Cleveland. But the Browns were looking to trade him after he reportedly became the worst-looking defensive back in their camp. Instead, Cleveland released him. Within hours, Pittsburgh scooped him up and he became the Steelers’ starter for the next 68 games.
We wrap up the Sweet 16 tomorrow with the Banana Split bracket. Vote early and often!
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The Steelers move on from George Pickens in latest mock draft
God help us, the 2025 NFL Draft is still over a month away. We’ve reached the point of the offseason where a 40-yard dash time at a Pro Day gets talked about at length and the draft nerds start second-guessing how good a player is because he ran six-hundredths of a second slower than he thought they would - please move the draft to April 1st and end this madness.
Anyway, sorry for the rant, here’s my Steelers Mock Draft 4.0. I’m sure all of you will 100 percent agree and not get irrationally angry.
Round 1, Pick 21: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden would be the perfect complement to DK Metcalf. A guy who can separate off the line of scrimmage and be the X while DK takes the lid off and uses that big body downfield as the Z.
TRADE
- Pittsburgh Steelers receive: 2025 third-round pick (No. 69), 2026 fifth-round pick
- New England Patriots receive: WR George Pickens
There is too much smoke for there to not be fire when it comes to a Pickens trade. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he expects a trade to happen involving Pickens in 2025, and Mark Kaboly says that if Pickens requested a trade, the Steelers would trade him. After paying DK Metcalf, it doesn’t feel likely that the Steelers will also pay Pickens. If that’s the case, trade him, replace him with Burden, and get a couple of draft picks over the next two drafts to fill in other needs.
Round 3, Pick 69 (from New England): QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Yeah, I think it’s happening. During the Senior Bowl, I wrote multiple times that Milroe didn’t look good throwing the ball - because he didn’t. He’s a raw prospect that will need fine-tuning, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. The good news is that guys like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen have been able to improve their passing abilities each year in the league. The bad news is that I don’t have faith in the Steelers to develop him and will be worried about this quarterback hunt no matter who it is.
Round 3, Pick 83: RB D.J. Giddens, Kansas State
Giddens is as well-balanced a back as you’ll find at this spot. He’s shown to be a reliable runner in both gap and zone runs and would be the perfect addition to a running back room of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Round 4, Pick 123: DT JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
Pegues is a good disruptor against both the run and pass. The Steelers have added multiple free agents to their defensive line, but a young body with the chance of being a long-term fixture is still needed.
Round 5, Pick 156: LB Kobe King, Penn State
The Steelers lost Elandon Roberts to free agency and brought in Malik Harrison as a replacement—I don’t see that as a good answer. King is a terrific run-stopper who could challenge Harrison and Cole Holcomb for defensive reps while also contributing on special teams.
Round 6, Pick 185: EDGE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia
The Steelers don’t really have a good fourth edge rusher behind T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Bringing in a young guy, as well as a veteran, to duke it out for that role in camp would be beneficial.
Round 7, Pick 229: TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
With MyCole Pruitt gone, Pittsburgh needs a third tight end. Gadsden is a great run blocker, but also added 73 receptions and seven touchdowns for the Orange in 2024.
