The Pittsburgh Steelers are having a very interesting 2025 NFL Draft. General Manager Omar Khan, now in the midst of his third draft, has once again earned praise from Steelers fans for how the board has broken for Pittsburgh. The Steelers have managed to address key needs while also finding a strong mixture of value, setting themselves up well for both the short and long term.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan holds a cell phone up to his ear while taking a call.
In the sixth round, with the 185th overall pick, the Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard from Ohio State. The pick continues a trend of smart, patient drafting by Pittsburgh, as they found a player who fits both their system and their culture without needing to reach. Howard offers intriguing upside at a position where depth and development are always crucial.
While sixth-round picks are never guaranteed, the Steelers’ track record of developing late-round talent gives Howard a real opportunity to grow. With the right coaching and the right environment, Pittsburgh may have found another hidden gem to add to their already impressive young core.
Steelers Select QB Will Howard from OSU
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) April 26, 2025
The Steelers needed to bolster their quarterback room, and Howard looks like an ideal fit. With Aaron Rodgers expected to lead the offense for at least the 2025 season, if he ever decides to play, Howard could have valuable time to develop behind a future Hall of Famer. If he can grow into the role, he could eventually take over as the team’s long-term answer at quarterback.
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Former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard at his Pro Day in 2025.
Pittsburgh already has Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on the roster, and now they add the 2024 National Championship-winning quarterback in Howard. Despite a strong 2024 season, Howard received little attention throughout the draft process. He’s made it clear he feels overlooked, and he’ll enter Pittsburgh hungry to prove the doubters wrong.
Steelers' 2025 NFL Draft Coming Together Perfectly
In the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers addressed their biggest need by selecting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick. The Oregon standout arrives in Pittsburgh ready to learn from veteran leader Cam Heyward and is expected to be a key part of the transition to the next generation of trench players for the Steelers.
In the third round, Pittsburgh added Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson with the 83rd overall pick. They continued to build the defense in the fourth round, landing hard-hitting, run-stopping linebacker Jack Sawyer from Ohio State. In the fifth round, the Steelers selected Yahya Black, continuing a strong run of value picks.
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Steelers' Jack Sawyer talking to the media following a college game.
Overall, the board has broken nicely for Khan and Mike Tomlin, allowing the Steelers to address major needs while also setting up the roster for long-term success. The pressure is on for Tomlin to end his playoff drought in the 2025 season. The draft has featured some key prospects who could come in and help end that playoff drought.
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