A Letter From the Editor: Improving in Rounds 1 and 2 should be the Steelers goal

It is -hard to believe, but the 2025 NFL Draft is just a couple short weeks away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking at the opportunity to help complete their roster with the picks they have at their disposal. While they don’t have a full allotment of picks, as of now, the Steelers focus will be to find long term answers at positions of need.

As I thought about this the other day, I started to think about how the team’s top two picks in the draft, Rounds 1 and 2, haven’t been what most would expect from 1st and 2nd Round picks. What do I mean by “what most would expect” I’m not talking about the player and their draft slot necessarily, but how they performed. What was amazing to me was how many 1st and 2nd Round picks didn’t earn a second contract with the team.

In my opinion, and it’s just my opinion, Day 1 and 2 picks, Rounds 1-3, should all be frontrunners to get a new contract with the team. But that hasn’t been the case. Out of curiosity I went back to 2018 and looked at the team’s 1st and 2nd Round draft picks to see where these players are now, and how they were viewed by the organization from a contractual standpoint.

As a reminder, some of these picks fall under former General Manager (GM) Kevin Colbert, so any vitriol should be directed accordingly. Now, let’s get to the picks…

2018

Round 1: Terrell Edmunds

Edmunds played with the Steelers for the duration of his rookie contract, but didn’t have his 5th year option picked up. The Steelers did sign Edmunds to a one-year contract the following year, but he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent following the expiration of that one-year deal. That same season Edmunds was traded to the Tennessee Titans for the rest of the season. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars before returning to the Steelers briefly in 2024. He most recently was assigned to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.

Round 2: James Washington

Everyone thought this was a match made in heaven with Washington signing with the Steelers, but the former Oklahoma State receiver never developed into the receiver fans expected. After spending his rookie contract with the Steelers, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. After a year where he spent time on Injured Reserve (IR), Washington has spent time on the following rosters: New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints.

2019

Round 1: Devin Bush

Maybe one of the more controversial picks in the Colbert era, the Steelers traded up into the Top 10 to select Bush out of Michigan. Taking a player in the first round is one thing, but trading into the Top 10 to get him is another story. Bush looked to be well on his way to replacing Ryan Shazier, until a knee injury in his second season derailed those plans. The Steelers didn’t pick up Bush’s 5th year option, and he signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. After that season he signed with the Cleveland Browns, and recently signed a one-year contract to remain with the Browns in 2025.

Round 2: No Pick

The Steelers surrendered their 2nd Round pick to move up to draft Bush.

2020

Round 1: No Pick

The Steelers sent their 1st Round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Round 2: Chase Claypool

Claypool’s rookie season had fans thinking the Steelers found their next stud receiver. Claypool set rookie receiving marks in 2020, but 2021 brought a different set of circumstances. Claypool was criticized for many on-field issues, with likely as many off-field issues which weren’t made public. After the 2021 season the Steelers sent Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a 2nd Round draft pick which turned into Joey Porter Jr. in the 2023 draft class. Claypool stayed in Chicago for just 10 games before being traded to the Miami Dolphins. After the 2023 season, Claypool signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, but was released with an injury settlement in August. He remains a free agent.

2021

Round 1: Najee Harris

Harris was both productive and durable for the Steelers, but another first round pick who didn’t have his 5th year option picked up by the team. Harris recently signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

Round 2: Pat Freiermuth

Prior to the 2024 regular season the Steelers showed their appreciation for the former Penn State tight end by signing him to a contract extension. A rare draft pick to earn a second contract worth more then just one season.

2022

Round 1: Kenny Pickett

In Colbert’s final draft, Pickett remains one of the most controversial selections in recent memory. Not just because of his play style, or where he attended college, but the fact he stayed just two years before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2024 season. Pickett backed up Jalen Hurts and earned himself a Super Bowl ring in 2024 before being traded to the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

Round 2: George Pickens

The trade for DK Metcalf puts pressure on Pickens in the final year of his rookie contract. Will he be traded? Will he earned a second contract? Will the team franchise tag him after 2025 if he plays well enough? All options are on the table, and the Pickens’ future is very much uncertain at this point.

2023

Round 1: Broderick Jones

Round 2: Joey Porter Jr.

Round 2: Keeanu Benton

This is a big year for this crop of players. Jones will get his first legitimate shot at left tackle in Year 3, Benton is hopeful to be the next anchor along the defensive line, and Porter Jr. hopes to be the next lockdown cornerback for the Steelers in team history. How many of these will earn second contracts will hinge on their success in 2025. Will Jones break the streak of 1st Round picks to not have their 5th year option picked up?

2024

Round 1: Troy Fautanu

Round 2: Zach Frazier

Early returns on this crop remain incomplete. Fautanu hardly played in 2024, but Frazier looks like an anchor in the middle of the offensive line. With their careers just starting it is far too early to predict what might happen with these two players in the coming years before contractual decisions have to be made.

After that trip down recent memory lane, the point I was attempting to drive home is how the Steelers draft success needs to hinge on getting these top two picks right. Since 2018 the Steelers haven’t had a 1st Round pick have their 5th year option picked up, and that is a damning statement, in my opinion. As I stated earlier, getting these top picks right is what can help an organization keep these “anchors” on the roster. It is how a core nucleus is developed and strengthened over the years.

Recent memory has seen the Steelers roster turned over far too much at key positions, and that trend needs to stop by the organization hitting on these top picks. It’s Step No. 1 for the team moving forward, and the pressure is on Omar Khan to break the streak which was handed to him by his predecessor.