Matt Miller of ESPN predicts the Pittsburgh Steelers will address offense early and often in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 season with the highest-paid defense once again. That's why Matt Miller of ESPN believes the Steelers will address their offense early and often in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In Miller's latest mock draft, he has Pittsburgh selecting its one and only defensive player at pick No. 21 — Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas.
"It's no secret the Steelers need a quarterback for both the short- and long-term, but I expect them to add a veteran before the draft instead of overdrafting for a passer like they did with Kenny Pickett in 2022," Miller writes . "Instead, I have them picking a foundational defensive player to help compensate for an aging roster and missed draft picks. Thomas is a big cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, with the speed to play press coverage and hang in man situations."
The Steelers just signed veteran cornerback Darius Slay in free agency to pair with Joey Porter Jr. in their secondary, but he is likely just a one-year rental at 34.
Thomas, on the other hand, is still only 20 and has the makings of a true shutdown corner. Over the past three years at Florida State, he has 96 tackles (65 solo), 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 15 passes defensed.
Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas during practice for the 2025 Senior Bowl on Jan. 29, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
Miller then has Pittsburgh selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with its third-round pick (No. 83).
"With the expectation that Pittsburgh will eventually sign Aaron Rodgers , Milroe would get at least a season to redshirt and work on his mechanics to maximize his rare physical traits," Miller writes.
The Steelers are clearly interested in Milroe after wining and dining him ahead of his Alabama pro day. The 22-year-old then showcased his athleticism, running a blazing 4.37-second 40-yard-dash .
Milroe did not have a great week of practice at the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, often lacking in accuracy and displaying subpar decision-making in the pocket. However, he would be a difficult prospect to pass on if he's still available in the third round.
Over the past two seasons at Alabama, Milroe threw for 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama Athletics
Miller finally has Pittsburgh address running back in the fourth round, selecting Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo with pick No. 123.
The Steelers have smaller-framed running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell under contract for 2025, but they could use a bruising back after losing Najee Harris in free agency.
Skattebo put that exact skillset on display in 2024 while rushing for 1,711 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns. He also had 45 catches for 605 yards and three more scores.
Pittsburgh then selects Rutgers offensive tackle Hollin Pierce with pick No. 156.
The Steelers already have their starting offensive tackles in place in Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu , but it remains to be seen who the next man up is. The massive 6-foot-8, 341-pound Pierce could prove to be exactly that.
Next up is Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who Pittsburgh lands with pick No. 185.
The Steelers traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf this offseason, but they could use a shiftier wide receiver to complement Metcalf and George Pickens .
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound wide receiver could turn out to be what Pittsburgh is missing. In 2024, Watkins had 49 catches for a career-high 906 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Steelers round out the 2025 NFL Draft with yet another running back at pick No. 229 — Michigan's Donovan Edwards .
The addition of Edwards would make Pittsburgh's running back room a bit crowded, but Warren and Gainwell are each set to play on one-year deals. Edwards could then be paired with Skattebo for the next four years.
From 2021-24, Edwards rushed for 2,251 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also had 86 catches for 797 yards and four more scores.
