2025 NFL Draft Steelers Analysis
DB’s Steelers Mailbag: Defensive Tackle Options, T.J. Watt Speculation & Quarterback Scouting Process
With the NFL Draft rapidly approach, it felt like a good time to crank out this month’s mailbag. With pro days in the books, pre-draft visits winding down and a plethora of interesting prospect related storylines circulating the airwaves, these new couple weeks figure to be wild to say the least. Not to mention, there seems to be a little less clarity than normal about which direction Pittsburgh Steelers could be headed in the first round.
As always, I really appreciate all of the responses on social media that brought forth a variety of interesting topics to discuss. Here we go.
Q: If the Steelers select a quarterback in the first round, who could they target later along the interior defensive line in the later rounds? Who would you be eying?
A: There’s no denying that Pittsburgh has done a good amount of homework on this crop of signal callers, so much so that I’m actually warming up to the notion that they could actually take one even sooner than I originally anticipated. Knowing how much recent correlation there has been between pre-draft visits and draft picks, it would be wise to keep an eye on Florida State’s Joshua Farmer and Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell in the 3rd-4th round range.
Farmer has the build they covet at three-technique, is explosive off the ball with violent hands but is still a work in progress versus the run because of issues with his pad level. They would likely view Caldwell as more of a nose tackle but he brings alignment versatility, is sturdy against the run and there’s pass rushing upside even if the production wasn’t ever gaudy in college. If I had to throw another name in the ring, it would be Indiana’s C.J. West, who has seen his stock rise during the process but is still somehow undervalued. His quickness, ability to hold the point of attack on early downs and motor make him an enticing rotational piece early on, despite his sawed off frame.
Q: It looks like pre-draft visits are becoming more important in the Omar Khan era as opposed to the Kevin Colbert regime where pro-day attendance reigned supreme. Do you have any thoughts on that?
A: We’re still operating on a limited sample size because Khan has only completed two drafts to this point as the head shot caller but the data certainly backs up that notion. In 2024, the Steelers selected five players that made an appearance in the facility in the weeks leading up to draft weekend. That number doesn’t even include Beanie Bishop who signed with the squad after going undrafted. Across the league, these visits can be scheduled for a myriad of reasons, including just checking off the last few boxes that the organization has on a player. But for the Steelers specifically, it’s hard to ignore the trend. Part of me still believes that their pro day attendance will still be a heavy tell for certain positions (quarterback) but we’ll have to wait and see.
Q: What do you make of Derrick Harmon being the only top interior defensive lineman to visit the Steelers so far?
A: It’s very interesting but there are still a few visits unaccounted for at the time of this writing. Last years first-round selection Troy Fautanu didn’t come in until April 15th. But I have had this sneaky suspicion that Derrick Harmon could be their top choice in the trenches because he just checks so many boxes from a size, length and power perspective. He was over 350-pounds when he arrived on campus at Michigan State but completely reconstructed his body and turned in a strong final collegiate season: registering 49 pressures which was 10 more than the next best tackle in the country. He’s a pretty well-rounded player that projects as an early starter. The concern with Harmon is that he’s a bit stiff and struggles to finish plays. But the effort is tremendous and he’s one of those guys that just “looks like a Steeler.”
Q: Could Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig hold down the fort if T.J. Watt ends up getting traded?
A: I acknowledge that a cryptic social media post could signal trouble in paradise but as of right now, I still think Watt is going to get extended this summer before the regular season. He’s getting older and coming off a rather tame season (for him) from a production standpoint but both sides have been adamant on him being a “one-helmet player.” But in the event that it became necessary, I don’t see any reason why a Highsmith/Herbig combo couldn’t be really effective, especially as pass rushers. Neither are the splashy run defender that Watt is but they’re not debilitating in that regard either. But it would be foolish to hand wave how helpful it is to have a true ace on the edge that wins the majority of his 1v1 reps as Watt has done over the course of his career. There’s a reason guys like him are so well compensated. There aren’t many of em’.
Q: What’s the biggest trait that you look for in a quarterback? Is it the ability to get through progressions, throwing with anticipation or arm strength?
A: Evaluating quarterbacks and subsequently predicting their success at the next level is the hardest thing to do in all of sports and it’s why the hit rate on these guys is so incredibly low. There’s a laundry list of things that I am looking for when scouting college prospects, some of which you already mentioned. Everyone loves the aliens with the bazooka arms and with the way that the game has evolved, guys that can make plays with their legs have become even more coveted. Throwing with precision and anticipation is paramount in the NFL because of how tight the windows are and ideally, you see it pop up on film multiple times per game, even if it’s not consistent on every rep.
If I had to boil it down to one specific trait, it would be that my quarterback has to be able to get his own bucket in critical situations (4th quarter/2-min drill/third and long) with the pass rush bearing down on him. Each quarterback is different in their own way: for some it could be scrambling for a first down in that moment, for others it could be buying time outside the pocket to find an open receiver or it could just be navigating through a muddy pocket with a stick and climb. So while the leadership qualities, above the neck capabilities and even physical tools can be learned traits to different degrees, I think the truly special ones have an innate ability to do it when the chips are down and it matters most. People fuss over the “quarterback wins” discourse but to me, the situation I described is what constitutes as a “winner.” Those are the franchise-altering guys that don’t come around often.
Q: Will the Steelers be seeking insurance policy for George Pickens, assuming he’s not in their long-term plans? If so, which prospects make sense?
A: From what I understand, the organization doesn’t have any plans to extend Pickens before the regular season. Things could certainly change between now and then, but I would be very surprised if that was the case. Since getting to his tape in January, I’ve been a pretty big fan of Texas wideout Matthew Golden and consider him a perfect compliment to what D.K. Metcalf brings to Pittsburgh’s offense. But his stock has taken a meteoric rise to the point where it doesn’t even seem guaranteed that he’ll be available to them at pick 21. In terms of future planning, a guy like Savion Williams certainly makes some sense in the third round. Williams flashed the ability to make some spectacular catches above the rim and his playmaking ability as a ball carrier could warrant touches next year. With that being said, he’s pretty raw and someone that you’d want to slowly transition into a bigger role.
Q: Is this a draft where the Steelers should focus on their positions of need? Or is it more about grabbing the best talent available.
A: This is a good question. For me, it’s always about trying to get the best player available at a position of need in order to maximize the value you get with each selection. From a roster building perspective, the best front offices will head into draft weekend with as few glaring holes as possible to avoid pigeonholing themselves into a particular position. The good news for the Steelers this year is that this class has premium talent at the top and depth throughout at some of their biggest needs, such as interior defensive line and running back. In my estimation, there will be future starters available at both spots on day three of the NFL Draft. That’s particularly useful for the Steelers because they aren’t flushed with draft capital at the moment.
Q: With the recent news of Derek Carr’s injury, what is more realistic: The Saints taking Shedeur Sanders or signing Aaron Rodgers?
A: Smart money says that it does increase the odds of them taking a quarterback in round one but the real question is by how much? When you look at the roster health and their cap situation, things are pretty dire in New Orleans. It’s virtually impossible to see them winning a bunch of games in 2025 as they seem destined for a top pick in 2026. This is a brand new coaching staff that shouldn’t feel any sort of pressure to compete next season, which probably makes it less tempting to take a quarterback in year one of this rebuild. But at the end of the day, it comes down to their individual evaluation of Sanders as a player and whether they Kellen Moore has conviction on him as the potential future. I don’t think Aaron Rodgers would have interest in that situation and I don’t imagine they would have much interest in him either. It just feels like he’s waiting to see what the Steelers do in the draft to decide whether he hops on board here or simply retires.
Q: If Shedeur Sanders is available at 21, should the Steelers take him?
A: That’s a great question. If only someone just wrote 2,500+ words on this exact topic!