The last thing on the minds of Pittsburgh Steelers fans these days is the 2025 NFL Draft. After a 5-2 start and a short-term security under center, things are going well in Western Pennsylvania. But the only thing more consistent than the Steelers is the passage of time, and soon enough it will be time for Pittsburgh to make a pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers haven’t made a ton of progress towards addressing their weaknesses. Quarterback Russell Wilson has taken the starting job and could find himself with a new deal after the year. Justin Fields, might, too. But the success under center has calmed the nerves under center and mitigated the urgent need for a new passer. At receiver, things are still awfully murky, and first-round tackle Broderick Jones hasn’t done much to improve his standing. As such, Pittsburgh still has several options ahead of them as its projected first-round pick slides deeper into the late-April night. In Sports Illustrated’s recent mock draft, the Steelers add to their elite defense instead of reinforcing a refurbished aerial attack, picking Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker at No. 27. “The Steelers’ quarterback situation will be fascinating to watch unfold, as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are set to enter unrestricted free agency in the spring,” Daniel Flick wrote. “But as Pittsburgh ponders its long-term answer there, the 6’6″, 345-pound Walker is too good of value to bypass at this spot. He led Kentucky with 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2023, and while his numbers have dipped this season, his impact-especially in run defense- remains prevalent.” It’s valid to prefer a receiver given the liability the offense has had to deal with behind George Pickens. In this mock draft, the top three receivers in the class – Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden III, and Texas’ Isaiah Bond – are off the board, perhaps forcing the team’s hand. While it may not be the position fans are clamoring for, Walker is worthy of first-round consideration. He’s a freakish height/weight/speed phenom in the trenches. His ability to soak up double teams and wreak havoc against undersized linemen would help any unit. His role, though, might not have a massive impact for next year’s Steelers team. Linemen generally transition slower than other positions as they get used to the league’s physicality. And if lineman Cameron Heyward is still playing, there may not be a ton of snaps available.
However, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Combining the forces of Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Walker on early downs is a matchup advantage for Pittsburgh. Rotating Heyward and Walker on passing downs allows both to stay fresh while retaining potency from the interior pass rush. As a short-term reinforcement and long-term replacement for Heyward, Walker makes a lot of sense. For a team that’s seen much of its success come from the trenches, Walker’s a solid suggestion – even if it’s not a sexy pick.
