Are the Pittsburgh Steelers in for an offseason of transition?
It was another playoff caliber season in Pittsburgh, but a lackluster end to the season and another wild card exit, questions are surfacing on whether Mike Tomlin’s time as head coach should come to an end.
For a coach that seems to always get more out of his team despite not having a true franchise quarterback, the questioning surrounding Tomlin as coach is more about the team growing steal under his leadership.
Is it coaching or a need for upgrades in some key areas on the team?
With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields hitting free agency, there will be that quarterback question again, but there will also be some other key free agents like running back Najee Harris. The team may also need to address wide receiver George Pickens who at times doesn’t seem excited to wear the uniform. The Steelers can address some of those issues in the 2025 NFL Draft where they will have eight picks.
When it comes to early needs for the Steelers, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor writes:
“With a projected eight picks in 2025, the Steelers have the capital to be aggressive if general manager Omar Khan decides to go that route. After a debut draft in 2023 that saw him wheeling and dealing, he stayed pat in 2024. With neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson under contract beyond this season, the Steelers once again face a quarterback quandary in a class that isn't considered to be deep. And after already notching a 10-win season, they'll likely have the latest first-round selection of Khan's tenure.”
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season
2024 NFL season record: 10-7, 2nd in the AFC North
Team offense: Rank 23rd (317.2 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 15th (334.3 yards per game)
Postseason: NFL Wild Card Round (28-14 loss to Baltimore Ravens)
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 21
Top positional needs: WR, DL, OL
2025 NFL Draft outlook
Yes, the Steelers were a playoff team, but there were some hole Tomlin and crew will hope to fill via free agency and through the draft. One area of need is defensive line help. Michigan's Mason Graham, the top defensive lineman entering the draft, should be well off the board by the time the Steelers select at No. 21, but there should be some good ones available including Ole Miss star Walter Nolen, South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders and the other Michigan Wolverines stud, Kenneth Grant.
If the Steelers address another need in the first round, players like Kentucky’s Deone Walker and Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott could be nice Day 2 options.
At wide receiver, the Steelers have had luck historically selecting in later rounds, but if they want to complement Pickens with another first-round receiver, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could be available at No. 21. On Day 2, players like Ole Miss star Tre Harris and Texas’ Isaiah Bond are solid options.
Other areas of need could include running back and quarterback depending on NFL free agency. Here is an NFL season-finale look at what GM Omar Khan and the Steelers will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
Tomlin will go defense with the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers get major beef in the interior of the defensive line by selecting Ole Miss star Walter Nolen. As the second ranked defensive lineman behind Graham, Nolen is explosive off the snap and a disruptor in the middle of the line. At 305 pounds, he would be an instant upgrade for the Steelers and a player who will make his name known in the AFC North. He will look real good playing alongside Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi.
Steelers add another wide receiver on Day 2 with the selection of Texas Longhorns star Isaiah Bond with the No. 52 overall pick. With Pickens as the team’s only reliable receiver, Pittsburgh will see receiver as a need and will not pass up on Bond when he is still available on Day 2. In Bond they get a burner who is dangerous after the catch. He’s a big-play maker who is undersized at 5-11, 180 pounds, but the type of all-around playmaker who can excel playing in Pittsburgh. He may be a piece of the puzzle in replacing Pickens.
The Steelers will let Najee Harris walk in free agency because of the depth at running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the No. 83 overall pick in the draft, Pittsburgh selects Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins who rushed for 960 yards in 2024 sharing the rock with TreVeyon Henderson. A powerful runner with exciting burst, Judkins looks like the perfect back for the Steelers. He’s ability to break tackles and drag defenders was showcased in his touchdown run against Texas. A workhorse who fights for every yard, Judkins is the ideal replacement for Harris.