Pittsburg, PA
Steelers Mock Draft: The Final Product
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 softball improved to 16-4 on the season by sweeping host Kansas City Piper 17-1 in five innings and 15-3 in six innings Saturday afternoon.
Breck Slaughter earned the win in both games. She allowed one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks over five innings during the opener. Then, she allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks over three innings.
AnnaLynn Hudson pitched the last three innings of the day for the Purple Dragons.
Offensively, Pittsburg scored 17 runs on 20 hits during the opener and all nine Dragons reached the hit column. Kenleigh Warford led with four hits, Breck Slaughter and Micah Gomez each had three and Brecken Campbell, Brette Pasteur, Laney Trisler and Emily Shriver each had two. Slaughter, Trisler and Gomez each doubled twice and Pasteur and Shriver also recorded two-baggers. Brilee Mantooth homered. Gomez led the Dragons with four RBI, Campbell had three and Trisler, Mantooth and Shriver drove in two each.
The Dragons closed out their sweep with 15 runs on just 11 hits. Pasteur had a monster performance at the plate with four runs scored, three hits in three at-bats, two home runs and five RBI; she also worked a pair of walks and proved to be an utter pain for Piper pitchers Reagan Asbury and Harper Cordill.
Campbell also homered and finished with three hits for the Dragons. Slaughter and Shriver both finished with two hits and both seniors doubled.
Pittsburg won four games during the week and outscored Labette County, Independence and Piper by a combined 59-11. The Dragons return to Southeast Kansas League play on the road Monday against Independence; the Dragons beat the Bulldogs 14-1 in five innings last Thursday in Pittsburg.
The Dragons are looking to wrap up at least a share of the SEK League title.
Pittsburg 612 44 — 17 20 0
KC Piper 000 01 — 1 2 5
Breck Slaughter and Peyton Morey; Stella Utter and Ginny Garcia. W: Slaughter. L: Utter. 2B—PHS: Slaughter 2, Brette Pasteur, Emily Shriver, Laney Trisler 2, Micah Gomez 2; KCP: Faith Flournoy. HR—PHS: Brilee Mantooth.
——
Pittsburg 225 105 — 15 7 2
KC Piper 100 101 — 3 6 6
Breck Slaughter, AnnaLynn Hudson (4) and Peyton Morey; Reagan Asbury, Harper Cordill (5) and Faith Flournoy. W: Slaughter. L: Asbury. 2B—PHS: Slaughter. HR—PHs: Brecken Campbell, Brette Pasteur 2; KCP: Ginny Garcia.
This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers insider just poured gasoline on the Aaron Rodgers fire following latest report of what he was doing in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be in Pittsburgh over the weekend, with the thought that a deal would get done. One Steelers insider backs the report, but adds details that only compound a messy situation.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
At this point, the events of the past two seasons between Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers could probably be a book or movie. Everything from walks on the beach, to him throwing with DK Metcalf before signing, to someone capturing him driving a rental car into Pittsburgh has made waves.
This offseason was supposed to be different, and a decision from Rodgers was supposed to come much earlier. However, the Steelers remain in a holding pattern, and one that many believed would end over the weekend, after it was reported that Rodgers would be in town to sign a contract. Well, that seems to be true, but like much of this saga over the past two years, there seems to be a holdup.
Aaron Rodgers 2025 stats
- 3.4 TD to INT ratio.
- 3,322 passing yards.
- 65.7% completion percentage.
Aaron Rodgers visited Pittsburgh, but not the Steelers over the weekend
“Aaron Rodgers has been in town for a couple days, but the Steelers have not met with him yet and instead have been talking with his agent. Rodgers has stayed away from the team’s South Side facility while the three-day rookie minicamp has been going on.” – Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The news from Dulac comes on the heels of the report from 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that Rodgers would be visiting the Steelers over the weekend, with the intention to sign his deal.
That report was backed up nationally by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, but some in Steelers media (Mark Kaboly) said that if Rodgers was going to be in town, that was news to the team.
Omar Khan said as much during a radio hit after the reports surfaced, saying that he didn’t know where Rodgers was, but that talks remained fluid. Of course, general managers, including Omar Khan, have been known to bend the truth, which seems to lie somewhere in the middle here.
The bottom line with Aaron Rodgers
It’s obvious to me that the Steelers and Rodgers are held up over money. I know that it was said to not be the case, but you don’t intentionally avoid meeting with a team and have your agent talk to them, just days after they use a tender that determines your 2026 salary, if you’re just going to sign.
I would be surprised if Rodgers doesn’t sign at this point, but it doesn’t change the monetary situation that needs to be worked out here.
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