The Pittsburgh Steelers have faced a lot of pressure to hit home runs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Team President and Owner Art Rooney II made it very clear he is not happy with the current state of the team. Year after year, Mike Tomlin gets the Steelers to take care of business in the regular season, but when the postseason comes around, the Steelers tend to get exposed. The roster is close to contending, but there are still glaring needs that had to be addressed.
AP Photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
While finding a hidden gem late in the seventh round is never easy, the Steelers believe they may have done exactly that. General Manager Omar Khan and Tomlin stayed patient, trusting their board and waiting for the right opportunity to take a swing on a player they feel can develop into a real contributor. It’s the type of smart, low-risk move that can quietly pay off in a big way down the line.
With the 229th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected cornerback Donte Kent from Central Michigan. The pick may not come with much fanfare now, but Pittsburgh believes it could turn into another classic case of the Steelers striking gold when no one else was paying attention.
Steelers Select CB Donte Kent with their final pick of the 2025 NFL draft
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) April 26, 2025
The Steelers are always looking to strengthen their secondary, and they see Kent as an under-the-radar talent with the potential to contribute on special teams and eventually provide valuable depth on defense.
CMU Athletics / Mac Mayhew
Steelers CB Donte Kent during his days with CMU.
NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein gave his sound opinion on Kent.
"Speedy four-year starter and team captain with the athletic ability to garner Day 3 interest in the draft," NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein said. "Kent’s measurables are better suited for the slot, but he can play outside if needed. His speed and burst lead to pass breakups, but he lacks the route anticipation and instincts to turn more of those into interceptions. He’s not scheme-dependent, but is better in man coverage than he is in zone. He’s tough enough in run support and has potential as a gunner or punt returner, which should increase his draft value."
Steelers Finish The 2025 NFL Draft With Some Solid Additions To Their Roster
This draft class will likely be viewed as another solid one from Khan and company. The Steelers addressed key needs, found good value, and, at least for now, made their roster better with this group of picks. It’s always hard to evaluate a draft right away but early signs suggest this class is promising.
In the first round, the Steelers selected Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick, followed by Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson at 83rd overall. Pittsburgh continued to build out its roster with linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round. Pittsburgh traded back in the fifth round and then landed Yahya Black.
USA Today Sports
Former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Steelers stayed disciplined at quarterback, waiting until the sixth round to grab Will Howard, a prospect with intriguing upside. The Steelers also got Carson Bruener a linebacker from Washington in the seventh round, as well as Kent to complete their 2025 Draft. As always, Steelers fans will have mixed opinions about the players Pittsburgh selected versus the names they were hoping for, but the front office deserves credit for the job they did. True judgment will ultimately come several years down the line.
#SteelerNation
