Welcome to the first day of the 2025 NFL Draft as we now await the Pittsburgh Steelers to make their selection with pick #21. The expected time for the Steelers to come on the board tonight during the first round is somewhere between 10:15pm ET and 10:45pm ET. Of course, it's likely this time could change if the Steelers make a trade up or down the draft board. There have been many rumors circulating that the Steelers are hoping to make a trade down in an effort to pick up a second-round draft pick, which the team currently does not have after the DK Metcalf trade.
Associated Press
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf speaks while getting introduced to the Pittsburgh media.
The Tennessee Titans have been on the clock since the 2024 regular season concluded, and it's been reported that their minds are already made up. They've informed Miami quarterback Cam Ward that he will be the first selection in the draft. After that selection, things will begin to get murky. Expect many trades, and many surprises as this draft is considered to be widely loaded with talent.
1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward - QB
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (Trade from Cleveland Browns) - Travis Hunter - DB/WR
3. New York Giants - Abdul Carter - DE
4. New England Patriots - Will Campbell - OL
5. Cleveland Browns (From Jacksonville) - Mason Graham - DT
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty - RB
7. New York Jets - Armand Membou - OT
8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan - WR
9. New Orleans Saints - Kelvin Banks - OT
10. Chicago Bears - Colston Loveland - TE
11. San Francisco 49ers - Mykel Williams - DL
12. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Booker - OL
13. Miami Dolphins - Kenneth Grant - DT
14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren - TE
15. Atlanta Falcons - Jalon Walker - LB
16. Arizona Cardinals - Walter Nolen - DL
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Shemar Stewart - DE
18. Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel - OT
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Emeka Egbuka - WR
20. Denver Broncos - Jahdae Barron - CB
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Derrick Harmon - DT
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Omarion Hampton - RB
23. Green Bay Packers - Matthew Golden - WR
24. Minnesota Vikings - Donovan Jackson - OL
25. New York Giants (TRADE WITH Houston Texans) - Jaxson Dart - QB
26. Atlanta Falcones (TRADE WITH Los Angeles Rams) - James Pearce Jr - DE
27. Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Starks - DB
28. Detroit Lions - Tyliek Williams - DT
29. Washington Commanders - Josh Conerly - OT
30. Buffalo Bills - Maxwell Hairston - DB
31. Philadelphia Eagles (TRADE WITH Kansas City Chiefs) - Jihaad Campbell - LB
32. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE WITH Philadelphia Eagles) - Josh Simmons - OT
Steelers' Potential Selections
Shedeur Sanders - QB - Colorado - Sanders is the spark plug of this class. He could be drafted as high as #2 overall, and he could fall into the second round. However, as it stands now, the most likely spot for Sanders to land is with the Steelers at pick #21.
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) April 24, 2025
Currently, Sanders is the odds-on favorite to be the Steelers' first round selection. Sanders brings with him a variety of different evaluations, but he's still considered the top second or third quarterback in this draft class. Sanders is very accurate on the intermediate passes, but some scouts wonder about his overall arm strength. Another concern is his willingness to take sacks as he isn't overly mobile. Considering how many unnecessary sacks Steelers fans have witnessed from Russell Wilson and Kenny Pickett the past few seasons, this raises a lot of eyebrows.
Derrick Harmon - DT - Oregon - Harmon plays a position the Steelers have a huge need for as Cam Heyward is going to be 36 this season. Outside of Heyward, the Steelers have Keeanu Benton, who didn't exactly live up to expectations during his sophomore season.
Troy Wayrynen / Imagn Images
Former University of Oregon defensive Tackle Derrick Harmon bursts off the line of scrimmage and evades a University of Illinois offensive lineman during a collegiate football contest.
Harmon is a big body that can help plug up the middle against the run, something the Steelers struggled with immensely during their five-game losing stretch to end the 2024 season. He also comes with position flexibility across the defensive front, something that Head Coach Mike Tomlin prioritizes.
"He plays like a Raven or a Steeler. Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward, but bigger," said an NFC executive.
Harmon has some foot work issues and needs to make sure he finishes his plays. However, those things can be corrected. He has other technique issues that will likely be fixed at the NFL level.
Kenneth Grant - DT - Michigan - Grant started five games during the Wolverine's National Championship run in 2023. He was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten the past two seasons. His size at 6 foot 4, 331 pounds gives him the ability to destroy single team blocks and defeat double teams. He's exactly what the Steelers need at nose tackle between Heyward and Benton to clog up rushing lanes.
One of the biggest knocks on Grant is his inability to defeat down blocks, but with an NFL level strength program, he should be able to grow his lower body strength to give himself a better base. Grant could come in and be a day one starter for the Steelers.
Other Potential Steelers Selections:
Jaxson Dart - QB - Ole Miss
Will Johnson - CB - Michigan
Jahdae Barron - CB - Texas
Nick Emmanwori - S - South Carolina
Omarion Hampton - RB - North Carolina
Matthew Golden - WR - Texas
Shemar Stewart - Edge - Texas A&M
