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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing season under Mike Tomlin. They also haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 NFL postseason.
The Steelers' eight-year playoff win drought is their longest of the Super Bowl era. It also highlights the issues the team has had at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's decline and retirement, as Pittsburgh hasn't found an answer at the position.
That may prompt Pittsburgh to take a chance on Aaron Rodgers in free agency. Even if the Steelers do sign the 41-year-old, they will need to add a young signal-caller to develop behind him in the 2025 NFL draft.
While quarterback remains the Steelers' biggest need, the team has some other holes to plug. It needs to continue to add weapons to its offense to support its quarterback while also adding some depth and successors for aging stars on defense.
Here's a look at what the Steelers could do with each of their six selections in the 2025 NFL draft.
NFL DRAFT: Which teams should draft a quarterback? Ranking all 32
The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf to pair with George Pickens, but they could use a quality slot receiver to go with the two downfield threats. Egbuka operated primarily from the slot at Ohio State making him an ideal fit in Pittsburgh.
Egbuka was productive during his career at Ohio State and recorded 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in two of his final three seasons. He's a crisp route-runner and has great ball skills thanks to his background as a baseball player, so he should be a reliable middle-of-the-field weapon.
The Steelers need to add talent to their interior defensive line. They released Larry Ogunjobi during the offseason while long-time interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward will turn 36 in May.
Turner, 22, played four seasons at Texas A&M and generated eight sacks over his final two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 290 pounder is slightly undersized but has a good motor and a quick first step that should allow him to develop into a quality NFL starter.
Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell to help replace him, but they still could use a higher-end partner for Jaylen Warren.
Sampson won't turn 21 until September and has the vision and run-after-contact skills needed to quickly thrive at the NFL level. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound back was hard to tackle at Tennessee, generating 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns while shouldering 258 carries during his lone season as a starter. His power will quickly endear him to Steelers fans, provided he can correct his penchant for fumbling (four last season).
NFL DRAFT RB RANKINGS: Ashton Jeanty tops deep class at position
Rodgers seems likely to sign with the Steelers, but it would behoove Pittsburgh to select a signal caller to develop behind him.
Leonard has good athleticism and is a tough runner who helped Notre Dame get to the national championship game in his lone season with the team. He's typically accurate on throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, but his overall arm strength is merely solid. That could limit his downfield passing success as a pro, but his dual-threat ability makes him an intriguing developmental project.
Speaking of developmental projects, that's exactly what Frazier is. He started just one season at UTSA but tied for the second-most interceptions in the FBS with six. The long 6-foot-3, 186-pound cornerback blazed a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, giving him an intriguing combination of size and speed for the next level.
The Steelers could stand to add cornerback depth behind Darius Slay, who was signed to be a short-term starter across from Joey Porter Jr. Frazier could be given a season to learn behind Slay before eventually competing to become the successor to the 2017 All Pro.
The Steelers need to add some depth at both tackle and on the interior offensive line. Lampkin would check the latter need for them and could end up being a quality backup center behind Zach Frazier.
Lampkin is the ultimate outlier, as he stands at just 5-10, 270 pounds. That said, his tape is excellent, as the diminutive blocker has excellent technique and was a quality run blocker. A well-coached team could take a flyer on him late in the draft, and Mike Tomlin should fit a way to effectively utilize Lampkin.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh adds WR, QB in offense-heavy mock
Continue reading...
The Steelers' eight-year playoff win drought is their longest of the Super Bowl era. It also highlights the issues the team has had at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's decline and retirement, as Pittsburgh hasn't found an answer at the position.
That may prompt Pittsburgh to take a chance on Aaron Rodgers in free agency. Even if the Steelers do sign the 41-year-old, they will need to add a young signal-caller to develop behind him in the 2025 NFL draft.
While quarterback remains the Steelers' biggest need, the team has some other holes to plug. It needs to continue to add weapons to its offense to support its quarterback while also adding some depth and successors for aging stars on defense.
Here's a look at what the Steelers could do with each of their six selections in the 2025 NFL draft.
NFL DRAFT: Which teams should draft a quarterback? Ranking all 32
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 21: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf to pair with George Pickens, but they could use a quality slot receiver to go with the two downfield threats. Egbuka operated primarily from the slot at Ohio State making him an ideal fit in Pittsburgh.
Egbuka was productive during his career at Ohio State and recorded 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in two of his final three seasons. He's a crisp route-runner and has great ball skills thanks to his background as a baseball player, so he should be a reliable middle-of-the-field weapon.
Round 3, Pick 83: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
The Steelers need to add talent to their interior defensive line. They released Larry Ogunjobi during the offseason while long-time interior defensive lineman Cam Heyward will turn 36 in May.
Turner, 22, played four seasons at Texas A&M and generated eight sacks over his final two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 290 pounder is slightly undersized but has a good motor and a quick first step that should allow him to develop into a quality NFL starter.
Round 4, Pick 123: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The Steelers signed Kenneth Gainwell to help replace him, but they still could use a higher-end partner for Jaylen Warren.
Sampson won't turn 21 until September and has the vision and run-after-contact skills needed to quickly thrive at the NFL level. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound back was hard to tackle at Tennessee, generating 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns while shouldering 258 carries during his lone season as a starter. His power will quickly endear him to Steelers fans, provided he can correct his penchant for fumbling (four last season).
NFL DRAFT RB RANKINGS: Ashton Jeanty tops deep class at position
Round 5, Pick 156: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Rodgers seems likely to sign with the Steelers, but it would behoove Pittsburgh to select a signal caller to develop behind him.
Leonard has good athleticism and is a tough runner who helped Notre Dame get to the national championship game in his lone season with the team. He's typically accurate on throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, but his overall arm strength is merely solid. That could limit his downfield passing success as a pro, but his dual-threat ability makes him an intriguing developmental project.
Round 6, Pick 185: Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA
Speaking of developmental projects, that's exactly what Frazier is. He started just one season at UTSA but tied for the second-most interceptions in the FBS with six. The long 6-foot-3, 186-pound cornerback blazed a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, giving him an intriguing combination of size and speed for the next level.
The Steelers could stand to add cornerback depth behind Darius Slay, who was signed to be a short-term starter across from Joey Porter Jr. Frazier could be given a season to learn behind Slay before eventually competing to become the successor to the 2017 All Pro.
Round 7, Pick 229: Willie Lampkin, G/C, North Carolina
The Steelers need to add some depth at both tackle and on the interior offensive line. Lampkin would check the latter need for them and could end up being a quality backup center behind Zach Frazier.
Lampkin is the ultimate outlier, as he stands at just 5-10, 270 pounds. That said, his tape is excellent, as the diminutive blocker has excellent technique and was a quality run blocker. A well-coached team could take a flyer on him late in the draft, and Mike Tomlin should fit a way to effectively utilize Lampkin.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh adds WR, QB in offense-heavy mock
Continue reading...
