Steelers Mock Draft 2025: Nicastro’s final 7-round mock draft

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It’s time to put my money where my mouth is!

Welcome to the big show! After months of preparation, film study, and pretending like I have any idea what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do, we’ve finally reached 2025 NFL Draft week. Every draft is defining, but this feels a bit different because Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin have somehow yet to figure out the quarterback position. Could that finally change?

I wanted to predict a trade down in the first round, and the brass will likely try and move down, but I’m sticking to their slotted selections. Without further ado, here’s my final Steelers mock draft of the year.

Round 1, Pick 21: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Michigan DT Kenneth Grant has a rare combination of size and athleticism, and he would fill the biggest hole on the roster, outside of quarterback, which I fully anticipate will be Aaron Rodgers.

The Steelers had a formal meeting with the versatile 331-pound run stopper, which was labeled as “very serious” by Grant. Although he didn’t have a pre-draft workout with the team in Pittsburgh, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin attended Michigan’s Pro Day, which is enough evidence for me to believe their interest is strong.

Grant is a plus run defender who can play all three downs. The Steelers were gashed for 299 yards by Derrick Henry in their wild-card playoff loss and will need to find a way to stop him if they want to have any chance in the AFC North.

Even Cam Heyward has been paying attention, as he spoke highly about Grant on a recent podcast, stating Grant is “big, like freakishly big where he looks like an alien next to other guys.”

It may take an out-of-this-world player to get the Steelers’ defensive front back on track.

For what it’s worth, I think Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders will be gone. Oregon DT Derrick Harmon has been a favorite all along, and he very well could be the pick, but new injury reports may push him down the board. I also think the Bengals could snipe him at 18. That leaves Grant as the most logical choice.

Honorable mentions: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss, Shedeur Sanders QB, Colorado, Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Round 3, Pick 83: R.J. Harvey, RB, UCF

The Steelers have shown heavy interest in drafting a ball-carrier, welcoming nine prospects in town for pre-draft visits. One of those is the explosive and highly productive Harvey. He should be at the top of their board due to his big-play ability.

Harvey has had 37 rushes of 20+ yards since 2023. That was the second-most after Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (38), who will soon be a top-six pick. He also has an uncanny nose for the endzone, finishing fourth in the nation with 22 TDs — and left UCF with a school record 48 scores.

Honorable mentions: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas, Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech, D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Round 4, Pick 123: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Horton might be the most underrated player in this class. His stock has slipped due to playing just six games last season after suffering a serious knee injury that required surgery. Before that, he had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons for the Rams.

He seems to have healed nicely, as he tested about as impressively as any receiver in the class.

He’s a polished prospect who would be reliable on day one — and as a potential George Pickens replacement should he not return in 2026.

Honorable mentions: Savion Williams, WR, TCU, JaCorey Brooks, WR, Louisville

Round 5, Pick 156: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Yuck, I know. But I simply can’t ignore the homework the Steelers did on quarterbacks. Couple that with the fact that they probably need to add two more bodies to that room. And who the hell knows what Aaron Rodgers is doing?

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin, at the very least, are intrigued by the Texas signal-caller. Ewers reportedly had two pre-draft meetings with the Steelers – both at the NFL combine and before his pro day.

We all know this would be simply a dart throw on a player expected to go in the top five by many experts before the 2024 season. Although he threw a career-high 31 TDs, he also had 12 INTs, as he struggled with accuracy. It was an adventure every time he had to get off his first read. He’s also battled injuries throughout his career and was even benched briefly for Arch Manning, a quarterback many teams and Steelers fans are already looking ahead to in 2026.

For what it’s worth, this selection would not take the Steelers out of the quarterback mix in next year’s draft.

Round 6, Pick 185: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota

We continue to check position boxes here, as a late riser at cornerback is plucked near the end of the draft.

Walley is an aggressive tackler with an incredibly high motor who isn’t afraid of contact. He also ran a 4.4 forty-yard dash, so he has all the tools to eventually mature into a solid starter. He can play both outside corner and the slot, and his position versatility will appeal to many teams.

He recently had a pre-draft visit with the Steelers, making him a strong candidate to end up in the Burgh.

Round 7, Pick 229: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington

It’s not a Steelers draft if they don’t acknowledge former black and gold bloodlines.

Bruener is the son of former Steelers TE Mark Bruener, a current scout for the team.

Bruener is a smart player and a sure tackler who was a two-year captain for the Huskies. He registered 100+ tackles and 3 interceptions last season, making him one of only two linebackers in the Big Ten to do so. He also provides tremendous special-teams value, which is all but mandatory for a 7th-round pick.

Well, there you have it. What are your thoughts on this mock draft? Let us know in the comments section!