The Steelers Receive an A+ Grade

[hawaiiansteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa – A+ Grade

The Steelers addressed their backfield, but not with Shedeur Sanders. They couldn’t risk offending Aaron Rodgers here, however, so they had to go with a running back, given their need at the position. Kaleb Johnson is an excellent running back prospect who should have gone in the second round.

https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades3.php

[whatever]

more proof that tomlin has a loaded roster every year.

[NorthCoast]

more proof that tomlin has a loaded roster every year.

Why? Because Walterfootball said so? Foolish if you believe any of these instant draft grades mean something.

This was a solid but unspectacular draft. If they get two or three starters, it's a very good draft. If they end up with solid backups it still helps lay the foundation.

[whatever]

Why? Because Walterfootball said so? Foolish if you believe any of these instant draft grades mean something.

This was a solid but unspectacular draft. If they get two or three starters, it's a very good draft. If they end up with solid backups it still helps lay the foundation.

obviously you are not a fan and should go root for another team.

[Iron City Inc.]

Getting Metcalf and a for a change a few good f/a's after the draft this haul of players looks to have serious potential. Now potential is just that. It could be great and it could fall flat. I would say the floor for this group is high. So imho it should be a good draft not sure it will be a great draft.

[hawaiiansteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers Day 2 Draft Grades: Omar Khan Is CRUSHING The 2025 NFL Draft

[whatever]

more proof of loaded rosters

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers address physicality in NFL Draft, beef up defense on Day 3

Saturday, April 26, 2025

What transpired this weekend at the NFL Draft provided further confirmation that the Pittsburgh Steelers were sick of being pushed around in the playoffs.

After losing a sixth consecutive playoff game in January — and trailing by at least 21 first-half points in four of the past five postseason matchups — the Steelers decided it was time to bring an edge to the roster.

That was particularly true on a defense that had yielded an average of 38 points in those playoff defeats, a unit that was gouged for 299 rushing yards in a 28-14 loss at Baltimore on Jan. 11.

Which explains why the Steelers used five of their seven draft picks on that side of the ball, including two on the defensive line and one each at inside and outside linebacker.

“We wanted to retool the physicality in all areas,” coach Mike Tomlin said Saturday after the draft’s conclusion.

That also pertained to the offense and was a reason the Steelers traded for 6-foot-4, 229-pound DK Metcalf in March before adding bruising running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round Friday night.

“That definitely was an agenda of ours this weekend,” Tomlin said.

The draft portion of the makeover began Thursday night when the Steelers used the No. 21 overall pick on Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. After the Steelers added Johnson on Friday, they shifted the focus back to defense on Saturday when they took Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth round and Iowa nose tackle Yahya Black in the fifth.

Their final selections on defense were using seventh-round picks on Washington inside linebacker Carson Bruener and Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent. In the sixth, the Steelers drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.

“We talked about Steelers DNA the other day,” general manager Omar Khan said. “When you get to know these guys, you’ll realize they have Steelers DNA.”

Khan has been with the Steelers since 2001, arriving six years before Tomlin was hired as head coach. Khan worked in the front office during the three Super Bowl trips and two championships in the 2000s. Tomlin coached two of those teams.

Both wanted the Steelers to regain the physicality those championship teams possessed, and that philosophy was carried into the draft.

“When I got the job (in 2022), I talked about what it means to be a Steeler,” Khan said. “I can be up here for three days talking about it. When you’re in this for as long as we are, you just sort of know.”

Tomlin nodded his head in approval.

“That’s why the process of getting out there and talking to guys is so important to us,” Khan continued. “It’s more than just about who they are as a player. It’s who they are as a person, too. You just sort of know when you’re in this. You get a feel for these guys. You leave these dinners and we’re like, ‘Eh, I’m not sure.’ Then there are times you say, ‘That guy, he is one for us.’ You just sort of know.”

Johnson will fill the void created when four-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris exited in free agency. At 6-1, 224 pounds, Johnson earned Big Ten running back of the year honors in 2024 when he scored 21 rushing touchdowns and had 1,537 yards on the ground.

“Physicality and big-man agenda,” Tomlin said of Johnson’s character traits. “This is a high-volume runner who was the center of his offense. He had a lot of NFL, Sunday-like runs. He did it from the home position, or pistol position, into a lot of loaded boxes.”

To open the third day of the draft, the Steelers selected the 6-4, 260-pound Sawyer even though they already have starters in Alex Highsmith and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, plus a third-year backup in Nick Herbig.

“You’re talking about a 260-pound man who has his ‘mean’ on half the time, probably more than half the time,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “That’s a really good thing because you’ve got to be able to set the edges and do things. And we know in the AFC North, if you’re not good stopping the run, that’s going to be a problem.”

The Steelers followed that pick by taking an even larger prospect in Black, who carries 336 pounds on a 6-6 frame. He started the past two seasons at Iowa and was involved in 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in that span.

“He’s a big chassis,” Tomlin said. “There are F-150s. He’s like an F-350. He’s a big man. He’s really stout against the run, and you can always use a skill set like that.”

Not only did the Steelers surrender 299 rushing yards in the playoff loss at Baltimore, they gave up 220 yards on the ground a month earlier to the Ravens, who they face twice in the regular season.

“I think we’re always looking to be better in our run defense,” Austin said. “We know that if we’re not, then things aren’t going to end the way we want them to, so that’s how we addressed it.”

The addition of Black and Harmon gives the Steelers 13 players on the offseason roster that occupy spots on the defensive line. It puts veterans such as Montavius Adams, DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry on notice.

“It’s competition,” defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said. “If you want to eat, go take your food.”

The only player on offense drafted Saturday was Howard, who led Ohio State to the national championship in the inaugural year of the 12-team college football playoffs. He becomes the third quarterback on the roster and is a player the Steelers can groom behind Mason Rudolph and, presumably, Aaron Rodgers should the 41-year-old passer sign with the organization.

“We filled several needs,” Khan said.

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-address-physicality-in-nfl-draft-beef-up-defense-on-day-3/

[WindyCitySteel]

Why? Because Walterfootball said so? Foolish if you believe any of these instant draft grades mean something.

This was a solid but unspectacular draft. If they get two or three starters, it's a very good draft. If they end up with solid backups it still helps lay the foundation.

These two statements are contradictory. I agree with the first. We don’t know anything yet, most of us were thrilled with Brod Jones.

[whatever]

these guys are so full of themselves.
steeler dna,
what it means to be a steeler
regain physicality ert with threes guys to know them as people

do any of you guys buy this crap?
i know a few who do… lol

[Captain Lemming]

Pittsburgh Steelers Day 2 Draft Grades: Omar Khan Is CRUSHING The 2025 NFL Draft

Ok Hawaiian, I think you are being a lazy fisherman.
Trolling for WHATEVER!!!!

[hawaiiansteel]

Ok Hawaiian, I think you are being a lazy fisherman.
Trolling for WHATEVER!!!!

In the words of Antonio Brown:

[NorthCoast]

These two statements are contradictory. I agree with the first. We don’t know anything yet, most of us were thrilled with Brod Jones.

How so? I made no comment on "grades. I said solid if they get starters.

[Flasteel]

these guys are so full of themselves.
steeler dna,
what it means to be a steeler
regain physicality ert with threes guys to know them as people

do any of you guys buy this crap?
i know a few who do… lol

Yeah...me, for one. Love the picks and I also understand the concept of Steeler DNA. What is your primary beef with these picks or the comments? Aside from him contributing to the comments you're referencing, I'll challenge you to not reference Tomlin in your reply. I'm willing to bet you won't be able to help yourself.

[NorthCoast]

I think some pundits are grading on a 'value' curve for the Steelers. In other words most of their picks were players expected to go earlier than where the Steelers got them.