Steelers Land Pair of Texas Defenders in Latest Three-Round Mock Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers are projected to draft a pair of Texas defenders in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could go a number of different ways in the 2025 NFL Draft, depending on how the next month plays out. But Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports believes they will opt to load up on defense with a pair of Texas Longhorns.
In Trapasso’s latest mock draft, he has the Steelers selecting Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the No. 21 overall pick.
“The Steelers get a speedy, do-everything, inside and outside corner in Barron,” Trapasso writes.
Barron, 23, has been turning heads over the past year. He had 67 tackles (46 solo), one sack, five interceptions and 11 passes defensed with the Longhorns last season.
Then he put his blazing-fast speed on display at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting an elite 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash.
The Steelers already signed cornerbacks Darius Slay and Brandin Echols in free agency, but neither are likely the long-term answer at the position. Barron could be and has the chance to make an impact Day 1 with the ability to play on the outside or in the slot.
The Steelers don’t own their 2025 second-round pick following their trade with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf. But Trapasso still has them landing a talented player at pick No. 83 in the third round in Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
Collins, 23, has been a key contributor on Texas’ defensive line for the past five years. From 2020-24, he has recorded 141 tackles (73 solo), seven sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and 11 passes defensed.
However, he had to wait for his predecessors to depart campus before earning more of a full time role in 2024. It’s safe to say he took full advantage as he finished tied-sixth among defensive lineman in the SEC with 17 run stops while missing just a single tackle through the regular season.
The Steelers need to add to their defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft, especially after releasing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and not making a significant signing to replace him. The 6-foot-6, 332-pound Collins could prove to be exactly that.