The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be a team that is interesting to watch closely once the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around.
It will depend on how the first part of the first round goes, but Pittsburgh should be considered a team that could move up or down in that first round.
It will more than likely be the latter, but the possibility is there. The Steelers could also stay put and make a selection. If that is the case, the position that will be addressed will likely be along the defensive line, a quarterback or another offensive weapon.
The Steelers have been linked to the quarterback position as the draft continues to grow closer, and the organization has shown interest in both Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart. There is a chance that one of those prospects will fall to Pittsburgh, but if the Steelers don’t have a prospect who is on the board that the organization loves, it could look to move back.
This would be a wise move to recoup some draft capital after trading away the franchise’s second-round pick for DK Metcalf. A recent report from ESPN’s Matt Miller might give fans a good glimpse into who some trade partners could be.
Miller is a well-respected draft analyst, and he has a good idea that these four positions are going to fly off the board quicker than some might expect. This might force teams that are needy at these positions to attempt to move up the board to try and land their guy. If they are desperate, they may also give up more in a trade scenario.
One position Miller highlighted was cornerback, and he expects these players to start coming off the board in the second half of the first round. The two cornerbacks, excluding Travis Hunter, who are a certainty to go in the first round are Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron. Other top cornerbacks who are expected to go early and could fly up the board are Maxwell Hairston, Trey Amos, Azareye’h Thomas and Benjamin Morrison.
Pittsburgh should be considered needy at the cornerback position. However, the organization has two quality starters at the position in Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay. The team also really likes Cory Trice Jr., who would be coming off the bench. This could open the Steelers up to trading back with other teams that need a cornerback, and that could be to the back of the first round or Day 2.
Steelers Have Many Trade-Back Options In Round 1
There are plenty of teams in the NFL that need help at cornerback, but only a few are desperate enough to come flying up the draft board. Moving up from the back half of the second round to the 21st overall pick probably is not realistic, so these options could turn into a reality.
One option is the Washington Commanders, who currently hold the 29th overall pick. Jumping up eight spots is realistic, and this could still leave Pittsburgh in a spot to land a good defensive lineman.
Other options are the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. Either team could be in a spot to pick Johnson in the first round, so it will depend on how that plays out.
Jacksonville has the 36th overall pick, which the Steelers could take in a trade along with some other valuable selections. The Colts have already upgraded the cornerback spot by signing Charvarius Ward, but the franchise still needs help at the position. It would cost Indianapolis more to move up as it sits with the 45th overall pick.
