The Pittsburgh Steelers draft brain trust of Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and Andy Weidl has a lot of work to do in 2025. The 2024 season demonstrated that multiple position groups are woefully thin. The Steelers need help in the secondary and on the defensive line. Oh yeah, and some wide receivers for whoever plays quarterback in 2025 would be a nice addition. Barring a trade, the Steelers only have seven draft selections and a thin free-agency crop to address these issues.
We will explore trade possibilities in the lead-up to the draft, but the team will keep their picks for this mock draft. The PFF Mock Draft Simulator will be used for version. The NFL combine could change things radically, but without further adieu, let’s get mocking!
Round 1 Pick 21 Shavon Revel CB East Carolina
If you follow the Steelers Sanctuary podcast, this is the shiny new toy the Steelers should deploy next to Joey Porter Jr. in 2025. Shavon Revel is a physical corner who was an exceptional tackler at the college level. He is coming off an ACL tear, which is the only reason Pittsburgh will have a chance to get him with the 21st pick.
Revel possesses two characteristics you can’t teach: size and speed. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and 193 pounds and is projected to run the 40-yard dash between 4.39 and 4.42 seconds. Revel also has a compelling personal story. He worked at an Amazon warehouse to make ends meet while pursuing his football dreams. The Steelers need blue-collar, tough guys who can play. Revel and Pittsburgh are made for each other.
Round 2 Pick 53 Jayden Higgins WR Iowa State
The Steelers may have no choice but to retain George Pickens because of the current state of the wide receiver free agent market. Jayden Higgins from Iowa state may be the perfect compliment to the mercurial Pickens. Higgins is huge at 6 feet 4 inches tall, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he is just another vertical threat. He is an exceptional route runner. Higgins uses his massive frame most effectively on quick in breaking routes taking advantage of smaller defensive backs.
The willingness to present a reliable big target on quick routes would be a welcome addition to the Steelers wide receiver room. The Iowa State wide receiver has been universally praised for his football IQ. He should be a very dangerous option route runner at the NFL level. Higgins has exceptional hands and a massive catch radius that could make him an elite possesion receiver
Round 3 Pick 85 Tre Harris WR Mississippi
What is better than drafting one big receiver? Two obviously. Tre Harris excelled at Louisiania Tech and then transferred to Mississippi in 2023. Unlike Higgins, he is not a precision route runner. Harris has a limited route tree. He is, however, one of the best go ball receivers at the college level and he proved that in the SEC over the last two seasons.
Harris is not the freak athlete that DK Metcalf was coming out of college. However, he may a younger, faster version of what the Steelers hoped Mike Williams would be when they acquired him from the New York Jets. The Steelers wide receiver room would instantly be bigger and better with the addition of Higgins and Harris and it would not cost an arm and a leg to do it.
Round 4 Pick 121 Trevor Etienne RB Georgia
The Najee Harris era is probably over. Four years ago the Steelers passed on Travis Etienne to select Harris. In 2025, they have a chance at Trevor Etienne in the fourth round and they should race to the podium to grab him.
Etienne will not be a workhorse and will ideally fit into a dangerous tandem with Jaylen Warren. He is an effective receiver and like Warren is a threat to turn every carry into a big play. Etienne is a decisive runner who hits holes quickly which should help the Steelers offensive line.
Round 5 Pick 163 Kyle McCord QB Syracuse
The Steelers quarterback room is in the words of Captain Jame T Kirk, “the undiscovered country”. Skylar Thompson is likely not the future of the franchise. It remains to be seen if Justin Fields will return and get the keys to the jalopy that is the Steelers offense. The 2025 quarterback class is drawing comparison to the 2022 draft class that produced Kenny Pickett.
Kyle McCord has shown flashes in college and is a true pocket passer. In his only season as a starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes he was third team All Big Ten. McCord left Ohio State for Syracuse and threw for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2024. He set the single season ACC record for passing yards. McCord may not be the answer, but in the fifth round, the Steelers could do worse.
Round 6 Pick 225 David Walker Edge Central Arkansas
Pittsburgh has a rich history of finding talent from HBCU’s. Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, LC Greenwood, Greg Lloyd, and John Stallworth are just a few of the stars that the Steelers have found over the last 50 years. David Walker is a Buck Buchanan (Top FCS Defender) finalist who could be next on the list.
Walker is an explosive rusher and plays to the echo of the whistle. TJ Watt is not getting any younger. Walker is noticeable when you watch his tape as a pass rusher, but is even more impressive against the run. After giving up 299 yards rushing to the Baltimore Ravens, adding an elite run defender might be a good idea.
Round 7 Pick 249 Eric Gregory Defensive Tackle Arkansas
Eric Gregory was recruited as an edge to Arkansas but after putting on 50 pounds he is now a defensive tackle. He has an intriguing skillset with the potential to develop into a key rotational piece for an aging defensive line that needs young able bodies.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers need playmakers and the wide receiver free agent class is very thin after Tee Higgins. Khan could explore options to move up if one of the top wide receivers in the class like Luther Burden III drops during the first round. Pittsburgh did not display any urgency to upgrade the offensive playmakers in 2024 and it cost them.
What do you think Steelers Sanctuary fans? Do you agree with the selections? What would you change? Let us hear it on social media and follow the Steelers Sanctuary podcast on YouTube! We will be podcasting on Monday and Thursday during the offseason at 6:30. You can also support the podcast by purchasing merchandise here.