Draft 2025

[ETL]

I’m surprised a draft thread has yet to start and its already April 3. Probably because all the attention has been on QB and Rodgers.

FIRST ROUND PICK: Like every year the mock drafts are all over the place. Before DK joined, the first pick was all about WR and names like Golden from Texas, Egbuka from Ohio St and Burden from Missouri were linked to the Steelers but now the mocks seem to link us to a few other players:

DL: Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, Derrick Harmon, Oregon
QB: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss; Jalen Milroe, Alabama
RB: Omarion Hampton, UNC

A few mocks have us drafting Shedure Sanders. Rarely are we predicted to trade up in the round and several have us trading down. A few mocks have us taking CB.

Personally, I would prefer we draft one of these DL and if all of them are available at 21 then I would trade down and get extra picks. I am ok with any of these 3 - really. I have no one favorite. I think the draft is full of good RBs and don’t want to draft RB in round 1. I also don’t want a QB in round 1. I think we are planning to do that next year with all the comp picks we are gathering. I wouldn’t mind Milroe in round 3 or 4 and Ewers in round 5.

If the Steelers trade Pickens before the draft then WR is in play for round 1 and one of the names above would suffice. I would prefer we keep Pickens. Also, I am hopeful Roman Wilson will be healthy this year and it will be like getting an extra pick at WR.

REST OF DRAFT: Round 3 is a good spot to get RB or QB. Round 4: RB, QB or OL and for the rest of the draft - depth at DL, OL, CB and ILB would be good.

I don’t see us drafting at safety or TE or edge.


SOME IF’s: If and when Aaron Rodgers signs - I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t draft QB and just go into this season with Rodgers, Rudolph and Thompson. The reasoning being that we are putting all our eggs in the basket for next year’s QB draft. I think this would be a mistake as until we have a franchise QB we should draft one every year (look at SF and Brock Purdy)

If Shedure Sanders is available at 21 … I would draft him. I know that is not a popular opinion but the value of him at 21 is too much to pass up. Normally we would have to move up and give up picks to be in position to draft him - something we are planning to do next year.

If I had to rank QBs for a later round draft pick I would rank them as Milroe, Dart, Shough, Ewer, Howard, McCord. I am hopeful we will have one of them this coming year.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I’m surprised a draft thread has yet to start and its already April 3. Probably because all the attention has been on QB and Rodgers.

FIRST ROUND PICK: Like every year the mock drafts are all over the place. Before DK joined, the first pick was all about WR and names like Golden from Texas, Egbuka from Ohio St and Burden from Missouri were linked to the Steelers but now the mocks seem to link us to a few other players:

DL: Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, Derrick Harmon, Oregon
QB: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss; Jalen Milroe, Alabama
RB: Omarion Hampton, UNC

A few mocks have us drafting Shedure Sanders. Rarely are we predicted to trade up in the round and several have us trading down. A few mocks have us taking CB.

Personally, I would prefer we draft one of these DL and if all of them are available at 21 then I would trade down and get extra picks. I am ok with any of these 3 - really. I have no one favorite. I think the draft is full of good RBs and don’t want to draft RB in round 1. I also don’t want a QB in round 1. I think we are planning to do that next year with all the comp picks we are gathering. I wouldn’t mind Milroe in round 3 or 4 and Ewers in round 5.

If the Steelers trade Pickens before the draft then WR is in play for round 1 and one of the names above would suffice. I would prefer we keep Pickens. Also, I am hopeful Roman Wilson will be healthy this year and it will be like getting an extra pick at WR.

REST OF DRAFT: Round 3 is a good spot to get RB or QB. Round 4: RB, QB or OL and for the rest of the draft - depth at DL, OL, CB and ILB would be good.

I don’t see us drafting at safety or TE or edge.


SOME IF’s: If and when Aaron Rodgers signs - I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t draft QB and just go into this season with Rodgers, Rudolph and Thompson. The reasoning being that we are putting all our eggs in the basket for next year’s QB draft. I think this would be a mistake as until we have a franchise QB we should draft one every year (look at SF and Brock Purdy)

If Shedure Sanders is available at 21 … I would draft him. I know that is not a popular opinion but the value of him at 21 is too much to pass up. Normally we would have to move up and give up picks to be in position to draft him - something we are planning to do next year.

If I had to rank QBs for a later round draft pick I would rank them as Milroe, Dart, Shough, Ewer, Howard, McCord. I am hopeful we will have one of them this coming year.

I agree with you that I think we need to goto D line if one is there in the 1st round. I would not be opposed to a RB either like Hampton, Henderson (I think Jeanty will go higher) to help take a load off whatever bad QB we have starting.

Milroe is a guy that I like on Day 2 as you say. He is dynamic athlete and while inconsistent can make all the throws, but likely needs a year or 2 to develop and not be pressured to start.

- - - Updated - - -

I’m surprised a draft thread has yet to start and its already April 3. Probably because all the attention has been on QB and Rodgers.

FIRST ROUND PICK: Like every year the mock drafts are all over the place. Before DK joined, the first pick was all about WR and names like Golden from Texas, Egbuka from Ohio St and Burden from Missouri were linked to the Steelers but now the mocks seem to link us to a few other players:

DL: Kenneth Grant, Michigan; Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, Derrick Harmon, Oregon
QB: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss; Jalen Milroe, Alabama
RB: Omarion Hampton, UNC

A few mocks have us drafting Shedure Sanders. Rarely are we predicted to trade up in the round and several have us trading down. A few mocks have us taking CB.

Personally, I would prefer we draft one of these DL and if all of them are available at 21 then I would trade down and get extra picks. I am ok with any of these 3 - really. I have no one favorite. I think the draft is full of good RBs and don’t want to draft RB in round 1. I also don’t want a QB in round 1. I think we are planning to do that next year with all the comp picks we are gathering. I wouldn’t mind Milroe in round 3 or 4 and Ewers in round 5.

If the Steelers trade Pickens before the draft then WR is in play for round 1 and one of the names above would suffice. I would prefer we keep Pickens. Also, I am hopeful Roman Wilson will be healthy this year and it will be like getting an extra pick at WR.

REST OF DRAFT: Round 3 is a good spot to get RB or QB. Round 4: RB, QB or OL and for the rest of the draft - depth at DL, OL, CB and ILB would be good.

I don’t see us drafting at safety or TE or edge.


SOME IF’s: If and when Aaron Rodgers signs - I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t draft QB and just go into this season with Rodgers, Rudolph and Thompson. The reasoning being that we are putting all our eggs in the basket for next year’s QB draft. I think this would be a mistake as until we have a franchise QB we should draft one every year (look at SF and Brock Purdy)

If Shedure Sanders is available at 21 … I would draft him. I know that is not a popular opinion but the value of him at 21 is too much to pass up. Normally we would have to move up and give up picks to be in position to draft him - something we are planning to do next year.

If I had to rank QBs for a later round draft pick I would rank them as Milroe, Dart, Shough, Ewer, Howard, McCord. I am hopeful we will have one of them this coming year.

I agree with you that I think we need to goto D line if one is there in the 1st round. I would not be opposed to a RB either like Hampton, Henderson (I think Jeanty will go higher) to help take a load off whatever bad QB we have starting.

Milroe is a guy that I like on Day 2 as you say. He is dynamic athlete and while inconsistent can make all the throws, but likely needs a year or 2 to develop and not be pressured to start.

[BlackAndGold]

When will the interest in round one DL start to happen with this team?

They have shown a lot of interest in receiver and safety. There seems to be a lot of interest in Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina. I'd start putting him on the list of round one predictions.

[Born2Steel]

An upgrade at DB would be really nice. Emmanwori, Watts, Starks would be good to get to fill out and upgrade the Safety room. Will Johnson, Morrison could rotate with Slay and hopefully take over opposite JPjr. Barron would be a great get and may actually beat out Beanie for the slot CB role.

Too many DL to even list that could be first round possibilities. Including edge rushers and OLB.

Because we have such a gap from pick 21 to 83, I could see a QB in play. Ward, Sanders, Dart, Milroe, Howard, Ewers, and McCord. I think some of these will fall to 83 possibly but can we chance it if we have a QB we want.

Because of this same gap, I could even see a RB again in the first. I have put several with game film available in RB thread. I really like Omarion Hampton here.

I will be fairly shocked and surprised if we select a TE, WR, or ILB in the first.

There is a ton to play with here.

[BlackAndGold]

Almost a week to go folks. Can't wait!!

[ETL]

Draft is like Christmas for us fans

[Born2Steel]

Has any UDFA QB ever had a successful career in the NFL? Measure of 'successful' varies but, had a NFL career.

[ETL]

Has any UDFA QB ever had a successful career in the NFL? Measure of 'successful' varies but, had a NFL career.

internet says Tony romo, Warren moon and Kurt Warner and of course … duck hodges

[Born2Steel]

internet says Tony romo, Warren moon and Kurt Warner and of course … duck hodges

I guess. But Moon was playing in the CFL and got poached, and Warner was playing for some league and got poached also. Romo actually got signed by the Cowboys as an UDFA and became their franchise QB. That counts right there. Nice find.

[Dwinsgames]

I guess. But Moon was playing in the CFL and got poached, and Warner was playing for some league and got poached also. Romo actually got signed by the Cowboys as an UDFA and became their franchise QB. That counts right there. Nice find.

still even though poached they were undrafted by NFL teams prior , Moon won like 3 or 4 Grey Cups in the CFL before ever given a legit look by NFL teams

[ETL]

Moon would be drafted if he was coming out now.

[Mojouw]

We all know why Moon didn’t get drafted. It sucks he nd others had to go through that. If Moon had played in the current or even recent NFL; I’ve no doubt he’d own every major passing record.

[Born2Steel]

We all know why Moon didn’t get drafted. It sucks he nd others had to go through that. If Moon had played in the current or even recent NFL; I’ve no doubt he’d own every major passing record.

This is true. NFL owners and GMs didn't think black players were smart enough to play QB. Obviously not all, but that was the notion. You can actually watch the changing of the guard from the 70s to the 80s to the 90s in that regard. Here in 2025, its very possible the top 2 QBs drafted will be black QBs. AND... it won't even be talked about by mainstream media because it has become so very commonplace today. See people, we can evolve.

[ETL]

Here in 2025, its very possible the top 2 QBs drafted will be black QBs.

Yea, this is now the norm. It already happened already the past two years. 2024 with Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels and 2023 with Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. Not only top 2 QBs but top two picks.

[Born2Steel]

Yea, this is now the norm. It already happened already the past two years. 2024 with Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels and 2023 with Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. Not only top 2 QBs but top two picks.

Exactly

[Dwinsgames]

Moons race likely didnt have anything to do with him not being drafted ... he simply wasnt a very good college QB 48% completion percentage at Washington ... the older he got the better he got ........

[El Kabong]

and Warner was playing for some league

Arena Football League.

[Born2Steel]

Arena Football League.

There were a few leagues going at once. I didn't remember which he played in. There was one in Europe, 2 arena leagues, I think there was even a reboot version of the AFL.

I was mainly asking about QBs that came in as UDFA right out of college like Romo.

[Dwinsgames]

There were a few leagues going at once. I didn't remember which he played in. There was one in Europe, 2 arena leagues, I think there was even a reboot version of the AFL.

I was mainly asking about QBs that came in as UDFA right out of college like Romo.

Jake Delhomme: Undrafted. 7 year starter.

Jeff Garcia: Undrafted. 9 year starter.

Tommy Devito spot starter to this point

Jim Zorn was UDFA and above average starter for Seattle back in the day

Dave Krieg was around a long time (think he still may hold most career fumble record ??)

[feltdizz]

Moons race likely didnt have anything to do with him not being drafted ... he simply wasnt a very good college QB 48% completion percentage at Washington ... the older he got the better he got ........

We see how far we haven’t evolved with this post.. smh.

Didn’t have ANYTHING to do with it?

Joe Montana completed 52% of his passes as a college QB.
Warren Moon completed 56% of his passes his last year of college.
Joe Montana completed 54% his last year.
Doug Williams led college in passing yards in 1977. He completed 51% of his passes.

Josh Allen completed 56% of his passes his last year at Wyoming in 2017 and was drafted 10th.

So why should we believe history, Moon’s words and experience and others who were witnesses when we can believe you because of a passing percentage that doesn’t hold any water when compared to
other QB’s of that era?

and this folks, is why history repeats itself if you let folks post nonsense like this. Especially when you see how Moon played the position as a pro.

how do you go from not that good to NFL Hall of Fame?

[Dwinsgames]

We see how far we haven’t evolved with this post.. smh.

Didn’t have ANYTHING to do with it?

Joe Montana completed 52% of his passes as a college QB.
Warren Moon completed 56% of his passes his last year of college.
Joe Montana completed 54% his last year.
Doug Williams led college in passing yards in 1977. He completed 51% of his passes.

Josh Allen completed 56% of his passes his last year at Wyoming in 2017 and was drafted 10th.

So why should we believe history, Moon’s words and experience and others who were witnesses when we can believe you because of a passing percentage that doesn’t hold any water when compared to
other QB’s of that era?

and this folks, is why history repeats itself if you let folks post nonsense like this. Especially when you see how Moon played the position as a pro.

how do you go from not that good to NFL Hall of Fame?

spew all ya like but just because you say it doesnt make it so ... Moon 3 year average completion percentage was 48.8 ... simply put they didnt consider it good enough



Note Montana passing yards vs Moons

this is another reason

[Mojouw]

Yeah. The NFL has a long history of not drafting dudes who have cannon arms and bowl victories because of low completion percentages. Happens all the time.

People literally will defend the wildest takes on here in order to avoid admitting the world is often a cruel and ugly place.

[Born2Steel]

BUT......THIS is the 2025 draft and the mindset of the late 70s is just that. The mindset of the late 70s. Do we really need something else pointless to argue about? If anything, the position was played so differently then than it is now. You didn't really expect to see your QB take off running for 20ish yards a pop, and those were designed plays. Nowadays it's almost required of the position. I remember watching golf tournaments back in the 80s and many of those guys we would refer to as 'fat slobs' today. I recently watched the Masters and the golfers today are better cut than tennis pros. The sports world is continuously evolving and the NFL keeps getting bigger, faster, and stronger. We still see the lesser athletic QBs like Brady or Manning, but it's become the more athletic guys get drafted first. I don't think Dart will be better, or much better, than Howard from this draft. But Dart is visually more athletic of the 2. He's a probable round 1 prospect while Howard may wait until the 3rd round.

[feltdizz]

spew all ya like but just because you say it doesnt make it so ... Moon 3 year average completion percentage was 48.8 ... simply put they didnt consider it good enough



Note Montana passing yards vs Moons

this is another reason

what’s the other reason? 10 TD’s and 9 INT’s?

48.8% vs 52% is a wide margin to you? lmao.

You say what I post doesn’t make it so.. look in the mirror and repeat that to yourself. The 70’s wasn’t high flying pass happy offenses and Moon’s career is proof he was good enough. You simply can’t admit the obvious which is weird but not really that surprising.

[lipps83]

Doug Williams was drafted 17th overall by the Buccaneers in 1978 with a collegiate completion percentage of 51.4%.

Not exactly sure what it means, but yeah.

On a side note, I don't expect the Steelers to draft a QB in the 1st. Personally, I would like to see them go defensive line. Or Travis Hunter (if available).

[feltdizz]

Doug Williams was drafted 17th overall by the Buccaneers in 1978 with a collegiate completion percentage of 51.4%.

Not exactly sure what it means, but yeah.

On a side note, I don't expect the Steelers to draft a QB in the 1st. Personally, I would like to see them go defensive line. Or Travis Hunter (if available).

Doug Williams was also the first Black QB drafted in the first round.

As we know, there were a few forward looking franchise who weren’t afraid to draft talent or hire good coaches but it was rare back then.

and I’m kinda on the Ewers train at the moment. I think he would be a nice day 3 or late round pick that could be a diamond in the rough.

Not sure about this Dart guy. I didn’t see anything special when I watched Ole Miss last year. The hype reminds me of Levis. I checked him out after a few folks hyped him and he was booty sauce in the games I watched. I really wonder how many actually watched him play vs just watching his combine and hype videos.

[Born2Steel]

I have seen DT Derrick Harmon as a prospect the Steelers may go after. What do you guys see on his tape that looks like an upgrade over what we have now? I think he fits how the Steelers like their DL to play, but I'm not convinced he's an upgrade yet.

If on the board, I hope the Steelers take Jahdae Barron or Nick Emmaneori at 21.

[ETL]

I have seen DT Derrick Harmon as a prospect the Steelers may go after. What do you guys see on his tape that looks like an upgrade over what we have now? I think he fits how the Steelers like their DL to play, but I'm not convinced he's an upgrade yet.

If on the board, I hope the Steelers take Jahdae Barron or Nick Emmaneori at 21.

I may be wrong on this but I think Oregon plays a 3-4 and so he could fit naturally into our system

[Born2Steel]

I may be wrong on this but I think Oregon plays a 3-4 and so he could fit naturally into our system

Yes, Oregon plays a 4-2-5 like we do. I think he can as well. But is he an upgrade, or upgrade enough, over Benton or Lee and worth our 1st round pick since we don't pick again till 83? I think if we draft an upgrade for our defense it should be a Box Safety/NB/ sideline to sideline run defender. This is why I like Emmanwori and Barron.

I still think we will pick a QB at 21.

[BlackAndGold]

Draft day!!!