A look at the Steelers 2025 Draft Class

Apr 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

The Steelers had seven selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, leaning heavily on the defensive side of the ball with five selections.

They kicked things off by drafting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round, before selecting Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round. It was back to defense for the next two picks, with Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round and Iowa defensive end Yahya Black in the fifth round.

"Can't say enough about how the draft went for us," said General Manager Omar Khan. "Really feel like we're a better football team than we were before the draft started on Thursday. We filled several needs, and I think the term was used a couple days ago about 'Steelers DNA,' and I think when you guys get to know these guys, you'll realize these guys have Steelers DNA."

The Steelers added to the quarterback room in round six with the selection of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. And they wrapped things up selecting two defensive players in the seventh round, Washington linebacker Carson Bruener and Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent.

"We wanted to retool physicality in all areas, including in that discussion is the use of the second-round pick to acquire DK Metcalf, although he's a receiver, I think he fits the bill in terms of physicality and size," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "That definitely was an agenda of ours this weekend."

Steelers 2025 Draft Class

Derrick Harmon - Defensive Tackle - Round 1
Kaleb Johnson - Running Back - Round 3
Jack Sawyer - Linebacker - Round 4
Yahya Black - Defensive End - Round 5
Will Howard - Quarterback - Round 6
Carson Bruener - Linebacker - Round 7
Donte Kent - Cornerback - Round 7

Derrick Harmon - Defensive Tackle - Oregon - Round 1 - 21st Overall Pick

The Steelers selected University of Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

For Harmon, it was a thrill to get the call from the Steelers, something he referred to as a 'blessing.' But there was another side to it. Harmon's mother, Tiffany Saine, was hospitalized and on life support, and wasn't able to be there with him for that life-changing moment. Not long after he was selected, she passed away.

"It was a little bittersweet, my mom wasn't with me," said Harmon prior to her passing. "She's at the hospital right now on life support, so that was a little bittersweet because she worked as hard, just as me, to get to this moment. But it was a once in lifetime experience. So, I'm very excited."

He isn't the only one excited. Coach Mike Tomlin was thrilled to add him to the defensive line.

"He has Steelers DNA," said Tomlin. "For us it starts inside and up front. This is a guy that is capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass. We are excited about having him. Really excited about getting him in here and getting started.

"There is no substitute for young talent. You don't have a chance to build a quality defense unless you are stout inside and up front. This is a guy that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in the pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come."

Harmon made a pre-draft visit to the Steelers, as well as meeting with the team at the NFL Combine, and made a big impression.

"I think he has been impressive in every step of the process for us," said Tomlin. "His tape was impressive. We had great visits with him in Indy. He came to Pittsburgh, and we had a great day with him. With each interaction we got more and more comfortable that he was our type of guy."

Harmon spent one season with the Ducks, starting all 14 games in 2024 while earning second-team Associated Press All-America honors. He was also a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches.

Kaleb Johnson - Running Back - Iowa - Round 3 - 83rd Overall Pick

The Steelers selected Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 83rd overall pick.

Johnson said it was quite the moment when he saw the call come in from the Steelers.

"My heart dropped. My heart sunk," said Johnson. "I had been waiting all day. It was a dream for me and my family. It's an unreal feeling. I can't explain it. I am more than excited now. I am blessed.

"I feel like God put it in his hands. I am a Steeler now. I am ready to work."

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is equally excited to get to work with Johnson, a player he thinks is a good fit for the team in multiple fashions.

"Excited about getting Kaleb Johnson in here," said Smith. "Really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here. One of the more instinctive backs that I've watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft.

"Perfect fit regardless of whatever run scheme you're running. He ran multiple at Iowa. Really impressive as a volume runner as the game went on, and one of the more impressive stats you've seen is the fourth quarter -- what he averaged in the fourth quarter. I believe it was over five yards per carry. Might have been closer to six.

"We think he's a great culture fit. Obviously extremely fired up to get Kaleb in here."

Johnson did meet with the Steelers during a pre-draft visit at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and felt a comfort level with the team from the get-go.

"It was great from the jump," said Johnson. "As soon as I came in, they welcomed me. Me and (running backs) Coach (Eddie) Faulkner, we talked heart-to-heart. Me and him know what we need to do now to come out on top. I am going to give them my all.

"Mike Tomlin in general, he told me he likes me as a player, and he wants me to come. I told him let's do it. It was all in God's hands. That's all I can say."

Johnson appeared in 35 games, starting 22, for the Hawkeyes. He carried the ball 508 times for 2,779 yards and 30 touchdowns for his career. Johnson also had 29 receptions for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

Johnson said he is ready for whatever workload comes his way in the Steelers offense and is prepared to get started.

"I feel like in general, the relationship with the players, learning from Coach Faulkner," said Johnson. "Me and Jaylen Warren, we are going to be good together.

"I can't wait to work. I am excited right now."

Johnson became the 17th player in school history to rush for over 2,000 yards and was the 51st player in school history to rush for over 1,000 career yards. He also became the fifth player in Iowa history to record two 200-plus yard rushing games.

In addition, he has 12 100-plus yard rushing games, which ranks sixth in school history.

In 2024, he appeared in 12 games, starting 11, and had 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns, all career highs.

Jack Sawyer - Linebacker - Ohio State - Round 4 - 123rd Overall Pick

📄: Fourth Round: Jack Sawyer | 📸: Jack Sawyer in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Sawyer fits with the Steelers

The Steelers selected Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 123^rd overall pick.

"This guy is really good, tough," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "Unbelievable intangibles. Football character. He also has a knack for making plays when you need. You see him make a lot of big plays at crunch. It tells me he is a guy who is going to show up when you need him.

"Unbelievable across the board. No holes about who he is and what he is about. I think he will fit in nicely in our room.

"When you have a guy who has all of the qualities he has, and the intangibles, and winning attitude, those things are hard to pass up."

Sawyer takes pride in those intangibles, in particular his toughness which he brings to all aspects of his game.

"I try to play the game as physical and tough as I possibly can," said Sawyer. "Setting an edge and playing the run is all about manhood on manhood. And for me that's kind of who I am as a guy, as a man. And, I love the storied defenses we've had throughout Pittsburgh and the toughness they play with. And I can't wait to bring a part of that with me."

Sawyer appeared in 53 career games, starting 29 consecutive games to finish his career. He finished with 138 tackles, 65 of them solo stops. He added 20 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss. He also had 11 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

"When you look at him, he is a smart guy," said Austin. "He understands the game. He gets himself on edges and knows when to rush. He knows when to bull rush. That's how guys have a knack for it. They really study. They understand the game. They understand situations. He takes advantage of all of that instead of just playing."

Sawyer appeared in 16 games in 2024, finishing with a career-high 59 tackles, 25 of them solo stops. He also had nine sacks and nine tackles for a loss, both of them career highs.

He said getting the call from the Steelers was a dream for him and can't wait to get to work.

"I love it," said Sawyer. "It's a dream come true to be able to play in the National Football League and for such a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers and a coach like Mike Tomlin. It's just a dream come true.

"I love Mike Tomlin. I love all the rest of the staff, and I thought it'd be a great fit, the way they run their organization. I'm just so excited to add value anywhere I can to this team."

Sawyer said he is looking forward to learning from the veterans at outside linebacker, including T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

"I love the defensive scheme that we have. And those guys are great players. I'm excited to come in and learn from them and see how they go to work. And like I said, just add value in any way or shape or form I can to the organization and to the city and to team."

Yahya Black - Defensive End - Iowa - Round 5 - 164th Overall

The Steelers selected Iowa defensive end Yahya Black in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 164th overall pick.

"Really excited about Yahya," said defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. "Watched a lot of his tape. Big, physical young man. I like the things he brings to the table in the fifth round, so you've got to love that."

Black is the second defensive lineman the Steelers selected in the draft, taking Derrick Harmon in the first round, as they are working to be more 'dominant' up front according to Dunbar.

"We need to be more dominant up front," said Dunbar. "I think the way you get dominant up front is to get youth. I think he is going to be a great addition to the group.

"It's about competition, and that's why we're sitting in this room. It's competition. So, if you want to eat, go take your food. So that's what it's all about."

Black started all 13 games in 2024, making 27 career starts, while recording 34 tackles, 18 of them solo stops this past season. He had seven tackles for a loss, one sack, two passes defensed, two quarterback pressures and one blocked field goal.

"At the end of the day I am going to play wherever they need me," said Black. "They've got a great group, so wherever I fit in and learn."

In 2023 he started all 14 games, recording 51 tackles, 22 of them solo stops. He added five tackles for a loss and three and a half sacks. He also had five passes defensed, two quarterback pressures and one forced fumble.

Black made a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh, loving the city from the moment he arrived.

"First, can we talk about how pretty it is when you drive in to Pittsburgh, going through the tunnel and it opens up and it's a beautiful city. That's what I saw first," said Black. "Everybody in that city and around there has such a great mindset. It takes me back to my days at Iowa. Hard-nosed, tough and they are doing the right thing.

"I loved it there. They are great people. The love came back to me. The black and gold stays around."

Will Howard - Quarterback - Ohio State - Sixth Round - 185th Overall

The Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 185th overall pick.

"I talked to the Steelers at the Combine," said Howard. "I had a formal interview with them. I had dinner with them before our Pro Day. It just made a lot of sense. From the moment I met Coach (Mike) Tomlin, I was like this is a guy I can play for. I am just so blessed. I am overwhelmed."

Howard had to wait a few days to get the phone call that he was drafted, but it was worth the wait for him.

"It's been long. But it's not about when, it's where," said Howard, who is from West Chester, Pa. "I had to trust in God and believe he had a plan for me and the right team was going to pick me. And I think 100 percent the right team picked me. I am a Pennsylvania kid.

"The Steelers are an organization I have a lot of respect for a lot of years. Coming into this process I was hoping the Steelers would take me because I thought it was a great organization. I am so blessed.

"I couldn't be more fired up to be with an organization like the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Howard spent one season with the Buckeyes after starting his college career at Kansas State. He appeared in a total of 50 games, completing 767 of 1,202 passes, 63.8%, for 9,796 yards, 83 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Howard started all 16 games for the Buckeyes, leading them to a school record 14 wins and the College Football Playoff National Championship. He completed 309 of 423 passes for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns. His completion percentage was a career and school record, also setting an Ohio State record with eight games with at least an 80% completion percentage.

Among the honors Howard won in 2024 were the Most Valuable Player in the win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl and the win over Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship.

Howard began his college career in 2020 at Kansas State and in four seasons appeared in 34 games. He completed 458 of 779 passes for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns.

He led the Wildcats to the Big 12 title in 2022, including a win over Texas Christian in the Big 12 Championship game. His 48 touchdown passes set a Kansas State record and he tied the school single season record with 24 touchdown passes in 2023.

Carson Bruener - Linebacker - Washington - Seventh Round - 226th Overall

The Steelers selected Washington linebacker Carson Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 226th overall pick.

"This is a dream come true," said Bruener. "I am so happy. I got my name called. I got that phone call. It's something special for sure. I can't wait.

"It does not (seem real). I am sitting in the same spot my dad got drafted in 30 years ago at our cabin. The same exact spot. It's a full circle moment. It's crazy."

Bruener, who is the son of former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, appeared in 52 games at Washington. He finished with 306 tackles, 180 of them solo stops, 10 tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed and four forced fumbles.

Bruener also is a special teams standout, something he knows will benefit at the NFL level.

"Special teams is something I started playing at the University of Washington early in my career and is something I embrace and really fell in love with," said Bruener. "It's something I have been able to do my whole career and excel at. I know that is something I am going to be able to bring to Pittsburgh for sure."

In 2024, Bruener appeared in 13 games, finishing with 104 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He added three interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Bruener said he didn't know the Steelers would be calling, even though his dad was right there with him after he left Pittsburgh following the first round to be with the family.

"We had no idea. He is with me, and I was able to see where they had me on the draft board," said Bruener. "The biggest thing is just patience is key and seeing where this draft leads. He said I could see the Steelers picking you with the next pick and two seconds later I get a phone call from Pittsburgh. It was a crazy moment."

Donte Kent - Cornerback - Central Michigan - Seventh Round - 229th Overall

The Steelers selected Central Michigan cornerback/punt returner Donte Kent in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 229th overall pick.

"It's hard to explain. I am just happy. I am a PA baby, and I feel like PA babies stay in PA," said Kent, who is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "That's an exciting moment for me, to go play for the Steelers.

"But my emotions were through the roof throughout this whole draft. Just keeping God first. Staying positive. It all paid off. And I am so excited."

Kent appeared in 53 games for Central Michigan, starting 48, and finished with 235 career tackles, 171 of them solo stops. He had 47 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four and a half tackles for a loss, and one and a half sacks.

Kent said he is comfortable playing in the slot or outside, doing whatever is asked of him.

"I feel like I can do both," said Kent. "I am a versatile player. I can play the nickel position. I can play the cornerback position. I am a football player that can return punts. I can come in and be a core special teams player. You can throw me back deep as a kick returner as well.

"I want to come in and do whatever I can to contribute to the team in a positive way."

He also returned 16 punts for 217 yards, including a long of 68 yards, and one touchdown, all during the 2024 season.

Kent was named All-Mid-American Conference three times, including first team in 2022 and second team in 2023 and 2024.

Kent said he didn't have a lot of contact with the Steelers during the pre-draft process, but did say he believes Coach Mike Tomlin saw him as far back as the Big 33 high school game between stars from Pennsylvania and Maryland.

"I think it was my versatility," said Kent of what he thinks caught the Steelers attention. "Just being able to play different positions at a high level.

"I think that's really what caught their attention."

Following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers agreed to terms with seven undrafted rookie free agents.

The full list is below:
Sebastian Castro, safety, Iowa
J.J. Galbreath, tight end, South Dakota
Ben Sauls, kicker, Pittsburgh
Roc Taylor, wide receiver, Memphis
DJ Thomas-Jones, fullback, South Alabama
Aiden Williams, offensive guard, Minnesota-Duluth
Ke'Shawn Williams, wide receiver, Indiana

More on the undrafted rookie free agents:

Sebastian Castro, safety, Iowa: Castro appeared in 53 games for the Hawkeyes, starting 32. He finished his career with 163 tackles, including 113 solo tackles. He had 14 tackles for a loss, 18 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, four interceptions and two sacks.

J.J. Galbreath, tight end, South Dakota: Galbreath appeared in 45 games for South Dakota, pulling in 93 receptions for 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2024, he appeared in 10 games, finishing with 32 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns. He was named first team Associated Press All-American and first team All-Conference. In addition he was a third team Phil Steele All-American.

Ben Sauls, kicker, Pittsburgh: Sauls is no stranger to the Steelers, having kicked for the Pitt Panthers since 2020. Sauls appeared in 53 games, connecting on 52-of-64 field goal attempts, 81.25%, including a long of 58 yards in 2024. Sauls was the only kicker selected to the Pro Football Focus All-America team and was also a second team All-America selection by SI.com and a Lou Groza semifinalist.

Roc Taylor, wide receiver, Memphis: Taylor appeared in 43 games, pulling in 162 receptions for 2,366 yards and seven touchdowns. Taylor had 66 receptions for 950 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, while pulling in 69 receptions for 1,083 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 when he was a second-team All-AAC selection.

DJ Thomas-Jones, fullback, South Alabama: Thomas-Jones appeared in 36 games in three seasons, pulling in 69 receptions for 610 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2024, he played in 13 games, finishing with 22 receptions for 191 yards and three touchdowns. He began his college career at Ole Miss, where he appeared in six games in 2020.

Aiden Williams, offensive guard, Minnesota-Duluth: Williams played in 40 games over four seasons, including 11 games each for the last three years. Williams was a 2023 NSIC All-Conference second team selection as well as a key part of the school leading the conference and ranked seventh in the NCAA in rushing offense. He was also named All-NSIC second team in 2022. Williams is from Anchorage, Alaska.

Ke'Shawn Williams, wide receiver, Indiana: Williams played in 59 games during his college career, starting 11 of them in his career. Williams has 2,640 all-purpose yards, including 1,833 receiving. He spent the 2024 season at Indiana where he played in 13 games with 39 receptions for 448 yards and five touchdowns. Williams spent four seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Indiana.

A look at the Steelers 2025 Draft Class

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