Steelers' Likely 2025 NFL Draft Round 1 "Pecking Order" Just Got Exposed

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 NFL Draft plans have been largely debated as the draft gets closer and closer. With the draft set to kick off on Thursday, the Steelers' plans are coming into sharper focus as more insight emerges about what they may be looking to do when they're on the clock with the 21st overall pick. The team has been loosely linked to potential quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders, but according to longtime Steelers insider Gerry Dulac, quarterback may not be high on the team’s radar in the first round.

Dulac joined Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show on Monday morning to shed light on what he’s hearing from within the organization. While some fans have speculated about the team targeting a signal-caller, Dulac made it clear he doesn’t expect the Steelers to go that route at 21. Instead, he offered a more detailed look at which positions are being prioritized behind closed doors.

According to Dulac, the most likely pecking order for the Steelers in the first round begins with defensive line, followed by running back, wide receiver, and cornerback, with quarterback coming in last. This pecking order gives fans a clearer sense of where the team believes immediate help is needed—and which players could be in play when Pittsburgh is finally on the clock Thursday night.

"The way it has been kind of put to me, and in my understanding," Dulac said, "If there is a pecking order, if you will, the best I can tell is that the pecking order would be defensive line, running back, wide receiver, throw cornerback in, and then quarterback."

The Steelers most likely appear to be targeting a defensive lineman with the 21st overall pick. Several defensive linemen are expected to be available for the Steelers at pick 21, with Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen frequently mentioned as top targets.

They have a few names on their big board for that spot, but if those players aren’t available, Dulac believes they’ll shift their focus to running back—along with a few other options—before considering quarterback.

"Without a number two pick, I think you are looking at defensive line and running back," Dulac said. "You never rule out a wide receiver, but I think if you have to figure out what they might do and what they need, this is the way they are going to go."

This draft is shaping up to be a fascinating one for the Steelers. For starters, they still aren’t certain who will be starting at quarterback. All signs seem to be pointing to 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers eventually announcing that he’s joining the team for the 2025 season. 

However, with or without Rodgers, the Steelers still need to think seriously about the future of the franchise at the most important position in all of sports.

Steelers More Eager To Take Quarterback In 2026 Not 2025

Dulac believes the Steelers are much more bullish on drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft—the one they’ll be hosting in Pittsburgh for the first time ever. That draft is also expected to feature a significantly stronger quarterback class. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers are completely out on taking a quarterback this year. If Sanders falls to them or they feel confident enough to take a bigger swing on someone like Dart—potentially earlier than most projections—they could be tempted.

If the right quarterbacks are available and their top defensive line or running back targets are off the board, the Steelers could absolutely pull the trigger at 21. No one knows for sure how it will play out, but one thing is certain—it’s going to be a very interesting draft night.

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