Steelers’ First-Round DL Plans In Doubt After Surprising Pre-Draft Snubs

The Pittsburgh Steelers will go into the upcoming NFL Draft with lots of holes on the team's roster. While the situation at quarterback has drawn most of the media attention, Pittsburgh's defensive line is also in need of new recruits. Many mock drafts have the Steelers taking a defensive lineman with the 21st overall pick. However, the players that the team chooses to meet with before the draft are an indicator of where the Steelers' priorities lie. As recently pointed out by insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers have not met with any prospects who would be considered a first-round defensive lineman.  

Fittipaldo says that despite the Steelers meeting with some defensive prospects, so far, it has all been second or third-round caliber players. Prospects the Steelers have met with include SMU defensive tackle Elijah Roberts and Ole Miss Rebels cornerback Trey Amos. 

"They've brought in a number of Day 2 and Day 3 DL prospects, but no one yet who is considered a first-round DL. That's something to keep an eye on. I've been on DL in the first-round since the end of the season, but I might change my mind if [Kenneth] Grant or [Derrick] Harmon don't come in for visits."

Fittipaldo named Kenneth Grant and Derrick Harmon as first-round picks. Both players have consistently ranked at the top of the list of best defensive talent in the draft. Should either be available 21st overall, they would be a solid choice for the Steelers to bolster their trenches.

The Steelers' reason for not being more aggressive in pursuing first-round defensive talent is currently unknown. It could be the case that the Steelers feel the upcoming defensive linemen in this draft class have enough depth that the team can afford to wait to select one. Pittsburgh might take a player in the third or fourth-round and still get a highly talented prospect. Ultimately, the team's plans will evolve as it gets closer to the draft.

As the situation at quarterback only becomes more prolonged, it may take on a new urgency for the Steelers. The Steelers have seemingly been waiting on quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his future, and are apparently confident that the veteran quarterback will land in Pittsburgh. The longer Rodgers takes to make his decision however, the more uneasy the Steelers may get. 

Rodgers will likely give the team a clear answer before the draft, but if not, then drafting a quarterback will become a central priority for the Steelers. In which case, the Steelers will likely have to wait until the third or fourth-round to take a defensive lineman.

The Steelers don't have a second-round pick in the upcoming draft, meaning they have to make the 21st overall count. On the defensive line, the Steelers could start looking for Cam Heyward's long-term replacement. Heyward will play at age 36 in 2025, and his current contract extends after the 2026 season. Ben Roethlisberger said on his podcast recently that if the Steelers could find a replacement for Heyward in the draft, it would be a no-brainer.

Steelers Must Select A QB At Some Point In 2025 NFL Draft

On the other hand, a quarterback is arguably a team's most important position. Until the Steelers find a reliable starting quarterback, it will remain the team's top priority, with everything else, including linemen, being secondary. In the scenario where the Steelers don't land Rodgers and turn to the draft for a starter, the team's lack of a second-round pick is particularly concerning.

It is likely that if the Steelers sign Rodgers, the veteran will only receive a one-year contract with Pittsburgh. The following year, the Steelers could turn to a quarterback draft class again with hopefully more depth than this year's. 

Do you think the Steelers will draft a lineman with the 21st overall pick? Who do you think the Steelers should draft? Let us know in the comments.

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