Projecting stats for Steelers rookies in 2025

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Could anyone contend for rookie of the year?

Now that we have had time to catch our collective breaths following the NFL Draft, it’s time to start looking at how these new players can help the Steelers win a playoff game for the first time since the Obama administration. Per usual, this was a very need-heavy draft for GM Omar Khan, with eyes on helping salvage the final handful of years of Cam Heyward and TJ Watt—as opposed to a slight rebuild with a rookie quarterback. Here’s an idea of how these new players should factor in.

DT Derrick Harmon

Harmon is a day one plug-and-play on the Steelers’ defensive line. I’d expect him to line up opposite of Heyward, with Keeanu Benton seeing most of his time in the middle of the sandwich. I do see a lot of similarities to Heyward. As a rookie in 2011, Heyward played in all 16 regular-season games. He finished with just 10 tackles and 1 sack, but he was just a rotational player behind Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, and Casey Hampton.

Harmon led the FBS in quarterback pressures, so I’d expect him to continue to agitate passers. He’s going to have a great rookie campaign.

Prediction: 45 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles.

RB Kaleb Johnson

My bold prediction for this season is that Johnson out-snaps Jaylen Warren. I think they see him as an early down bell cow, and Warren as more of a chess piece, having a larger role in the passing game.

I’m not comparing Johnson brick by brick to the recently departed Najee Harris, but there will be similarities in the way he’s used regarding wearing down defenses, running between the tackles, and moving the sticks in short yardage. Due to that, I could see a similar year to Harris’s rookie campaign, which would be a home run.

The big difference is that Harris caught 74 passes. Those were mostly check downs, and it’s a bit of an inflated number because he was asked to play just about every down.

Prediction: 250 rushes, 1,018 yards, 6 TDs, – 32 receptions, 284 yards, 1 TD

EDGE Jack Sawyer

Sawyer is blocked on the depth chart by three stalwarts – TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, but he’s going to find his way onto the field in sub-packages and because Highsmith has often been dinged and will likely miss a few games. I could see a Nick Herbig-type rookie season from Sawyer. You just can’t have enough pass rushers in today’s game, and his high motor will have him outplay his talent level.

Prediction: 3 sacks, 25 tackles, 1 forced fumble

DT Yahya Black

Black is a shade under 6’6 and 336 pounds – meaning he’s a space eater who will see limited action on second and third downs, especially in his rookie year. However, given defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s vision for Black to also play end in their 3-4, he has the chance to carve out a role. I can’t imagine the Steelers want to play Cam Heyward 60 snaps a game, but who those snaps will go to is the big question. If DeMarvin Leal shows he’s healthy, and second-year defensive lineman Logan Lee makes an impact in camp, Black could be stuck riding the pine.

Prediction: 13 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss

QB Will Howard

I’ll just come out and say it – If Howard plays meaningful snaps for the Steelers this season, that’s probably a bad thing. He’ll enter camp as the third quarterback, given the likelihood that Aaron Rodgers ultimately signs with the team. Mason Rudolph is entrenched as the backup and could be the starter should Rodgers call it quits. Howard could receive some garbage time run if the Steelers are blowing a team out or getting blown out, but they generally remain competitive in every game.

I’m going to predict he doesn’t see the field.

LB Carson Bruener

I loved this pick for Pittsburgh. He’s going to make the roster due to his special-teams abilities. He’s just a solid player with a feel for the football, starting all 13 games for the Washington Huskies last season and amassing 104 tackles. That’s the type of player you want on your roster. He’s going to find a way to get on the field this season – and anytime you can find a special team’s demon in the later rounds, you can’t ask for much more than that.

Prediction: 16 tackles, 1 forced fumble

CB Donte Kent

Sorry, Donte – I don’t want to be blunt, but I think you’re a long shot to make the team. He’ll be buried on the depth chart behind Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., Corey Trice, and Beanie Bishop. There’s always the opportunity to make some splash plays in camp, much like he did in college, but the odds are simply stacked against him. If he can make the practice squad, I think both parties will be happy.

Prediction: cut – practice squad.

What are your thoughts on these predictions? Let us know in the comments section!