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One of the biggest changes to the Pittsburgh Steelers since Omar Khan became the general manager is the NFL draft impact. After former GM Kevin Colbert finished up with some questionable drafts, Khan has taken over and the draft has yielded a ton of talent. Let's take a look at the 2025 NFL draft class and offer up some realistic expectations for each player in Year Two.
Harmon is one of our breakout candidates and think he's poised for an All-Pro season even if the box score won't show it. Last season, when Harmon was on the field, the Steelers run defense allowed 91.2 yards per game. In the five games he missed with injury, the defense surrendered 165.6 yards per game.
At this point, we have no expectations for Johnson. He's once again No. 3 on the depth chart and could get pushed by rookie Eli Heidenreich. Reps will be hard to come by and he's got a long road ahead of him to avoid being a draft bust.
Sawyer is similar to Johnson in that he's going to have a hard time getting enough meaningful reps but not because he can't player. In limited action last year, Sawyer looked good and so we look for more of the same this year.
Black did a nice job filling in when Derrick Harmon was hurt but he's going to be a key rotational player this season. He's probably the first guy off the bench, backing up all three defensive line starters and is a powerful run defender.
By the time the season starts, we expect Howard to be the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart and Aaron Rodgers' backup. Howard has been strong in minicamp and is creating some space between himself and rookie Drew Allar.
Bruener has quickly proven himself to be a key special teams ace and this should continue. He's not in line to see a lot of snaps on defense unless there's an injury but it is clear his value is on the return and coverage teams.
Donte Kent is buried on the depth chart and squarely on the roster bubble. We don't see him making the roster and could end up on the practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2025 NFL Draft class
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Round 1, Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Harmon is one of our breakout candidates and think he's poised for an All-Pro season even if the box score won't show it. Last season, when Harmon was on the field, the Steelers run defense allowed 91.2 yards per game. In the five games he missed with injury, the defense surrendered 165.6 yards per game.
Round 3, Pick 83: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
At this point, we have no expectations for Johnson. He's once again No. 3 on the depth chart and could get pushed by rookie Eli Heidenreich. Reps will be hard to come by and he's got a long road ahead of him to avoid being a draft bust.
Round 4, Pick 123: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Sawyer is similar to Johnson in that he's going to have a hard time getting enough meaningful reps but not because he can't player. In limited action last year, Sawyer looked good and so we look for more of the same this year.
Round 5, Pick 164: Yahya Black, DL, Iowa
Black did a nice job filling in when Derrick Harmon was hurt but he's going to be a key rotational player this season. He's probably the first guy off the bench, backing up all three defensive line starters and is a powerful run defender.
Round 6, Pick 185: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
By the time the season starts, we expect Howard to be the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart and Aaron Rodgers' backup. Howard has been strong in minicamp and is creating some space between himself and rookie Drew Allar.
Round 7, Pick 226: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
Bruener has quickly proven himself to be a key special teams ace and this should continue. He's not in line to see a lot of snaps on defense unless there's an injury but it is clear his value is on the return and coverage teams.
Round 7, Pick 229: Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan
Donte Kent is buried on the depth chart and squarely on the roster bubble. We don't see him making the roster and could end up on the practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2025 NFL Draft class
Continue reading...
