Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Mock Draft: The Final Product

Published

10 months ago

April 24, 2025

PITTSBURGH — The 2025 NFL Draft is finally here. The Pittsburgh Steelers have their big board set, their trade scenarios in place and are heading into the opening round with expectations for how they hope things will fall, and plans for all of the other ways it might.

No one knows how this draft shakes out compared to those in the past. It feels as if this year’s class is more of a mystery than most, and who goes where is still all over the board. And so, in making “The Final Product,” it took plenty of “what ifs” and conversations from those around the league.

Eventually it came to this. And with that, here is the final Steelers Mock Draft of the 2025 year.

Some things don’t change. The Steelers could have a number of names on the board at 21, but none would tower over Kenneth Grant. The Michigan defensive tackle has been the name to watch since Day 1 of the draft cycle and if he’s there with the 21st pick, which is sounds as if he will be, he’s the Steelers selection.

As a rookie, Grant is viewed as the nose tackle who can help fill the gap for time Cam Heyward needs off. In the future, he’s the replacement for Heyward, who hopefully begins his journey to Canton, Ohio. No matter what, though, the Steelers want a defensive tackle, and they get one early.

The Steelers need a quarterback, and Howard’s name is one that’s been floated around for months. Well, he’s not Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart, but he’s a name the team has shown plenty of interest in, who has some upside that remains untapped.

Plus, he’s a National Champion. And we all know how Mike Tomlin loves National Champions.

Howard joins the Steelers, who still believe Aaron Rodgers will be their quarterback in 2025. The hope is he develops enough in a year to compete for the starting job in 2026 against a likely first-round quarterback that they draft then. But for now, he’s a backup and the next rookie quarterback in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers won’t leave the NFL Draft without a running back, and have shown the most interest in those ranging from rounds 2-4. Jaydon Blue is exactly what they’re looking for in a speedy runner with big-play potential. Pittsburgh has made it clear that that is how they want to shape their running back room this season, and they’re shown the same intentions with their draft scouting.

Blue needs a little more work with his ability to find and hit holes quickly, and isn’t that great in-between the tackles. But the Steelers like his speed, and there’s a lot to like in it. They’ll hope they can utilize his skillsets to their advantage now while developing the rest over time.

So, Walley was sent my direction by not one but two Steelers draft analysts. After watching some tape, his physicality pops and he just feels like a player Pittsburgh would be all over. In the fifth round, cornerback is likely an option for them. So, the prediction is the 5-foot-11 cornerback who can play inside and out, running with 4.40 speed. He’s got a ton of upside and the ability to make some noise now. With Darius Slay on the roster for just one season, the Steelers need to start thinking of options long-term next to Joey Porter Jr.

Nothing changed from my last draft with McMillon. The Steelers want a defensive back in this draft class and looking next door makes sense. The Pitt star is viewed as one of the biggest sleepers in the NFL Draft and the Steelers have gotten a first-hand look at him for years.

They won’t shy away from Pitt players if they’re worth it. On defense, they tend to be, and McMillon is viewed as the next name that could make it in the NFL.

Jalen Travis was on my list the last time as well. Pittsburgh signed Calvin Anderson to a two-year deal, but that’s not enough effort to put toward finding a true swing tackle. They might as well go out late in the draft and try to find a player they think can develop into a depth piece. That’s Travis.

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Pittsburg, PA

Rascal Flatts, BBGuns, Chris Tomlin and more Pittsburgh concerts this weekend

Published

5 hours ago

February 23, 2026

Press Room

Rascal Flatts, BBGuns, Chris Tomlin and more Pittsburgh concerts this weekend

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Pirates Infield Prospect Leaves Spring Training Game With Injury

Published

17 hours ago

February 22, 2026

Press Room

Pirates Infield Prospect Leaves Spring Training Game With Injury

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have only just started playing games in Spring Training, but have their first significant injury so far.

The Pirates announced that third baseman Jack Brannigan left the Grapefruit League game vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. after getting struck with a batted ball.

Local and Pirates medical staff are currently examining Brannigan and the Pirates will give an update when they have one.

Minor leaguer Jesus Castillo took over for Brannigan at third base for the Pirates and is also hitting eighth vs. the Phillies.

More Injury Concern for Brannigan

Brannigan missed a great portion of last season due to injury and the Pirates will hope that this is just a minor ailment.

He played just 59 games for Double-A Altoona in 2025, as he went on the 7-day injured list on June 14 and then the full season injured list on July 21.

Brannigan suffered a torn labrum and underwent right shoulder labral repair surgery, which the Pirates anticipated would have him back early in 2026.

Him playing Spring Training games was a good sign and he’s been with Major League Camp this spring, after the Pirates protected him from the Rule 5 Draft at the end of last season, putting him on the 40-man roster.

Brannigan also missed all of August 2024 and a month in 2023 with injury, as he’s struggled staying on the field for a full season.

Jack Brannigan’s Tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates took Brannigan with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Notre Dame, where he was an All-American as a junior.

Feb 20, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jack Brannigan (83) poses for a photo during photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Brannigan played two games for the Florida Complex League (FCL) Pirates before playing 26 games for Single-A Bradenton, closing out 2022 by slashing. 211/.330./337 for an OPS of .667.

He started 2023 out with Bradenton, playing in 49 games and slashing .253/.398/.451 for an OPS of .849. He earned promotion to High-A Greensboro on July 21, and played in 38 games, slashing .299/.382/.605 for an OPS of .987.

Brannigan spent all of 2024 with Greensboro, but missed more than a month and a half with injury. he slashed .238/.344/.490 for an OPS of .834 in 77 games, with 69 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 53 RBIs and 40 walks to 89 strikeouts.

He spent the entire 2025 season with Double-A Altoona, slashing .225/.329/.358 for an OPS of .687 with 46 hits in 204 at-bats, eight doubles, two triples, five home runs, 30 RBIs, 25 walks to 62 strikeouts and nine stolen bases.

Brannigan has spent most of his time on the left side of the infield, with 107 starts in 114 games played at third base and 105 starts in 109 games at shortstop, with 82 appearances there the past two seasons.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

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🏀 Tigers defeat Gorillas in Pittsburg

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2026

Press Room

Fort Hays State forward Eli Lawson (32) attempts a shot over Emporia State’s Treyvon Taylor on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in Emporia, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Mason Hart, ESU Athletics)

FHSU Athletics

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State improved to 18-9 overall and 10-8 in the MIAA with a 65-56 win at Pittsburg State on Saturday afternoon at John Lance Arena. The Tigers moved back above the Gorillas in the MIAA standings, who fell to 15-12 overall and 9-8 in the MIAA. FHSU took the lead for good with about six minutes remaining in the game, picking up its second-straight win over PSU going back to last season.

After Pittsburg State briefly held a few small leads in the first five and a half minutes of the game, FHSU took the lead with a little over 13 minutes remaining in the half and kept it all the way to half. A 6-0 burst by the Tigers, which included a 4-point play from Jahvari Martino, pushed their lead to 11 with under a minute to go. The Gorillas hit the final basket of the first half and FHSU led 31-22 at the break.

An 11-2 run by Pittsburg State erased FHSU’s nine-point lead over about a six-minute span, tying the game 44-44 with just under nine minutes to play. The Gorillas went into the lead by one point two times, but a Lucas Hammeke layup near the 6:00 mark put the Tigers back on top for good. That sparked a 9-0 run by the Tigers to go up eight, which featured a pair of baskets by Dan Mukuna and a 3-point field goal by Kyle Grill. The Gorillas got back within three at the 2:53 mark, but FHSU limited PSU to just two points the rest of the game and won by nine.

FHSU limited PSU to just 36.5 percent shooting from the field for the game, while shooting 41.4 percent overall. Mukuna led the scoring for FHSU with 14 points, while Martino had 12 and Hammeke had 11. FHSU did a great job protecting the ball with a season-low three turnovers, while forcing PSU into 14. The Tigers outscored the Gorillas 15-0 on points off turnovers.

Mason English and Donald Coats each had 12 points to lead PSU. Alijah Curry added 10. Coats finished with a double-double by securing 13 rebounds.

Fort Hays State returns home to host Nebraska-Kearney in the final home game of the regular season on Thursday night (Feb. 26). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.

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