After winning 10 games and reaching the Wild Card of the NFL Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers earned the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. We’ve already seen Steelers general manager Omar Khan upgrade the roster on both sides of the ball.
No acquisition was larger than trading for DK Metcalf, yet that’s because the Steelers still haven’t added a new starting quarterback. Until the Steelers’ quarterback situation becomes clearer, quarterback will certainly be a topic of conversation in the first round.
Yet, aside from Russell Wilson signing elsewhere, the Steelers also lost another Pro Bowl starter this offseason. Now they could look to replace him in the NFL Draft.
Related: NFL insider speculates on three Kirk Cousins landing spots that make the most ‘sense’
Pittsburgh Steelers eyeing running backs in NFL Draft
Another player who departed the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency was starting running back Najee Harris, who landed with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Steelers still have Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson, and they also added Kenneth Gainwell to the mix.
Yet, in what’s considered a deep running back draft class, the Steelers could look to use one of their six draft selections on another tailback.
According to The Athletic’s Steelers insider Mike DeFabo, the Steelers are eyeing running backs ahead of the NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 24.
“Though Tomlin and Khan expressed confidence in Warren and highlighted one of Gainwell’s high-end attributes, you can also read between the lines that the Steelers will seriously consider several running backs in the draft.”
The Athletic on Steelers draft plans
The Steelers will have several positions to consider with their six draft selections. Yet, taking advantage of a deep running back draft class makes sense for a team that doesn’t have an elite option on the roster.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: April draft projections for first and second rounds
