Steelers Fans Should Be ‘Pumped’ if They Land This One Draft Prospect
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers should be running to the podium if massive Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant is available at 21st overall.
“I think Kenneth Grant, he’s got the ability and the tools to do some unique stuff, and he has not come close to scratching the surface of his potential. So, I would have no problem whatsoever if the Steelers made that pick, and I’d be pretty pumped up about it if I were a Steeler fan,” Jeremiah said during his pre-Combine press conference.
With Cam Heyward turning 36 this offseason, the Steelers need to start preparing for a replacement at defensive tackle. And luckily for the Steelers, this year’s draft class is loaded at the position.
“Last year at this time, I had potential starter grades on 12 DT’s. This year I have 24 of them. Ridiculous amount of depth at the position in this draft class,” Jeremiah wrote on X.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spent most of his time at the Senior Bowl practices hawking the defensive linemen, so it appears the Steelers will be targeting that position in the draft.
Steelers president Art Rooney II also hinted at it during an interview with Bob Pompeani of KDKA that defensive line will be a top priority for the club.
“On the defensive line, we probably need to get younger there,” Rooney said. “We’re fortunate to have (Cam Heyward) but we may need to look to have some young blood there this year.”
Heyward was named first-team All-Pro in 2024 and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon, but the Steelers likely will want to acquire his successor to pair with rising lineman Keeanu Benton.
Grant was tabbed as three nose tackle options for Steelers in 2025 NFL Draft by Derrick Bell of Steelers Now.
“One of the few underclassmen that we have in this class, Grant was the Robin to Mason Graham’s Batman, forming the most destructive interior in the country last season,” Bell wrote. “In 2024, he finished with career highs across the board: pressures (27), sacks (3) and total stops (27). Listed 340 pounds, big dudes simply should not be this nimble from a movement perspective. His club-swim move was virtually unblock-able last season and his bull rush was a nice compliment to his finesse as a rusher. Defeating 1v1 base blocks in the run game is fairly easy for him due to the shock in his hands. Grant needs more seasoning from a block recognition and technique perspective, particularly against gap scheme run concept attack him with a double team. Grant has the talent to live up to the first round billing and his aura will only grow if he tests as expected at the combine.”
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The Steelers want to build through the trenches. They’ve revamped the offensive line, and now it’s time to do the same on the D-line. They want to mimic the Philadelphia Eagles, who have mastered the philosophy of winning in the trenches. That was evident in their dominating win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
The Eagles swarming defensive line was the story of the game, as the unit recorded a whopping six sacks on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Josh Sweat had a banner day, recording six tackles (2 solos), 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. Milton Williams had two sacks and a force fumble and recovery.
The Eagles didn’t blitz all game. The defensive line just absolutely dominated up front. The Steelers are hoping to replicate what the Eagles have accomplished.
The Steelers showed significant interest in a pair of down-the-board defensive line prospects during practice at the 2025 Senior Bowl — Florida State’s Joshua Farmer and Toledo’s Darius Alexander.
Alexander had 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the Rockets this season, and showed a well-rounded game, batting down for passes and returning an interception for a touchdown in Toledo’s bowl game win over Pitt.
Against better competition at the Senior Bowl, he looked explosive moving forward and was a stalwart in team run periods.
On the third day, the Steelers swapped evaluators, bringing assistant general manager Andy Weidl in from the Shine Bowl. Weidl talked with Alexander after practice and is set to meet with him on Thursday night, according to Devin Jackson of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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