NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round prediction has some questions for the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen some of their 2025 NFL Draft capital change this offseason, but it is always a worthwhile opportunity for a look into what could happen when the proverbial bullets start flying.

There are always a crazy number of mock drafts circulating this time of year. When NFL Free Agency dies down and the draft process is less than 30 days away. However, some mock drafts carry more weight than others, and Matt Miller at ESPN has certainly started to gain more credibility in the space in the previous years.

In his latest mock draft, Miller predicts all 7 Rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, so it is time to take a look at what Miller has predicted for the Steelers…

Below you’ll see the pick, with Miller’s comments underneath. After that, you’ll see a breakdown of that prospect, and how he might fit with the Steelers. Let’s get to the predictions!

Round 1

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Miller: “It’s no secret the Steelers need a quarterback for the short and long term, but I expect them to add a veteran before the draft instead of overdrafting for a passer as they did with Kenny Pickett in 2022. Instead, I have them picking a foundational defensive player to help compensate for an aging roster and missed draft picks. Thomas is a big cornerback at 6-2 and 197 pounds, with the speed to play press coverage and hang in man situations. He started one season at Florida State and did a great job eliminating targets.

“A banner Senior Bowl week launched him into the first round, and he’d be a great fit with third-year corner Joey Porter Jr. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked up long-term in Cincinnati, the Steelers need all the coverage help they can get.”

Thomas Player Breakdown:

• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 197 pounds
• Position: Cornerback
• School: Florida State
• Current Year: Junior

Strengths

• Excellent size and length to excel as a boundary corner at the next level.
• Prototypical press-man corner who can jam receivers at the line with his length and well-timed punch.
• Competitive at the catch point and can use his long arms to disrupt the pass and bat the ball down.
• A fluid mover who can open his hips and turn vertical in bump and run instances.
• Above-average tackler and is effective getting the ball carrier to the ground.

Weaknesses

• High-cut athlete who struggles to change direction at the top of the route due to his long legs
• Just average recovery speed and is not twitchy in short areas to work his back to the football.
• Average ball skills and lacks consistent turnover production in college.
• Handsy at the top of the route and his physicality will draw penalties.

Round 2

No Pick (to SEA for DK Metcalf)

Round 3

83. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Miller: “With the expectation that Pittsburgh will eventually sign Aaron Rodgers, Milroe would get at least a season to redshirt and work on his mechanics to maximize his rare physical traits.”

Milroe Player Breakdown:

• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 225 pounds
• Position: Quarterback
• School: Alabama
• Current Year: Redshirt Junior

Strengths

• Dynamic dual-threat quarterback with an enticing combination of a strong arm and tremendous athleticism.
• Offers very good ball-carrier vision with top-notch lateral quickness for the quarterback position.
• Breakaway speed makes him a genuine threat to take off for a big gain at any moment.
• Agility, speed, and sturdy frame all make him a difficult ball carrier to bring down.
• Has an effortlessly strong arm with the ability to stretch the field with impressive distance.
• Generates ideal velocity behind his passes, which can help him make throws other quarterback prospects physically can’t.
• Does a good job of evading pressure in the pocket and keeping his head on a swivel.
• Keeps his head up looking for targets to throw to, even when he scrambles outside of the pocket.
• Flashes of accuracy give him a high ceiling when you consider how physically gifted he is.

Weaknesses

• Ball placement down the field can still be erratic at times.
• Doesn’t generate a ton of follow-through with his weight distribution when he throws.
• Footwork can be jittery when he sits in the pocket, and the lack of a stable base makes his accuracy spotty.
• Won’t wow scouts with his ability to go through full-field progressions and identify open targets past his first read.
• Has ball security issues, having fumbled the ball nine times and thrown 11 interceptions in 2024.
• Will need to be more secure as a ball carrier and will need to learn how to slide and avoid taking hits on a more consistent basis.
• Anticipation isn’t where it needs to be, as he often waits for a blatantly open target to throw the ball, as opposed to having a good feel for the route concept and his receiver’s separation to get the ball out quickly.
• Too keen to take a hit in the pocket rather than get the ball out to a check down or climb the pocket.

Round 4

123. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

Skattebo Player Breakdown:

Strengths

• Runs with tremendous forward lean and natural leverage, consistently falling forward through contact while maintaining outstanding balance through trash – reminds me of a young Maurice Jones-Drew in traffic
• Elite contact balance shows up repeatedly on film, particularly in his signature performance against Mississippi State where he broke 12 tackles en route to 262 yards
• Patient runner who sets up blocks effectively, showing discipline to let plays develop before hitting the hole with decisive authority and acceleration
• More skilled as a receiver than his background suggests – natural hands catcher who adjusts well to throws and shows good feel finding soft spots against zone
• Exceptional vision to spot cutback lanes and anticipate blocks developing, consistently making correct read even when initial hole is clogged
• Runs with infectious energy and competitiveness – type of back who energizes an offense with his physical, punishing style between the tackles
• Surprising lateral agility for his build, can string together multiple cuts without losing speed and shows good burst through the hole
• Reliable short-yardage and goal-line back who converted 78% of third-and-short situations in 2024 thanks to natural leverage and leg drive

Weaknesses

• Ball security is a major concern – 10 fumbles over past three seasons often stem from running too upright into contact and poor technique protecting the football
• Long speed is merely adequate – clicked 4.62 in forty and that shows up on tape with defenders occasionally running him down from behind
• Pass protection is wildly inconsistent – willing to stick his nose in but technique breaks down and will occasionally whiff completely on assignments
• Jump cuts can get too elaborate at times, dancing behind line instead of hitting available holes – needs to play more north-south against NFL speed
• Workload over past two seasons (521 carries) raises some durability questions despite sturdy build and physical running style

Round 5

156. Pittsburgh Steelers: Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers

Pierce Player Breakdown

Strengths

• Possesses rare physical dimensions that simply can’t be taught – a 6’8″ frame with 342 pounds of mass and go-go-gadget arms that give edge rushers nightmares trying to navigate around his massive radius.
• Displays uncanny discipline for a player his size, committing just four penalties over 3,172 snaps while maintaining consistent leverage despite his height disadvantage against most defensive ends.
• Unleashes devastating raw power on down blocks, creating comical displacement when matched up against smaller defensive linemen – I’ve seen him drive defenders five yards downfield like they’re on skates.
• Shows exceptional versatility having started 25 games at right tackle before successfully transitioning to left tackle for his final 25 starts without missing a beat.
• Executes an effective trap technique with his outside hand that funnels rushers wider than intended, essentially serving as a human toll booth that charges a steep price for passage.
• Demonstrates surprising awareness against stunts and blitzes, rarely looking confused by defensive movement despite his limited athletic profile.
• Maintains a remarkably consistent base in pass protection, rarely crossing his feet and maintaining width that forces defenders to take circuitous routes to the quarterback.
• Brings a brawler’s mentality to the run game, finishing blocks with nastiness and showing a genuine desire to bury defenders into the turf when given the opportunity.

Weaknesses

• Shows athletic limitations with a bottom-tier 40-time, making him vulnerable against speed rushers who can threaten the edge with burst and bend.
• Displays concerning tightness through his hips and trunk, struggling to redirect against inside counters once committed outside – watch the Michigan game where this was repeatedly exploited.
• Lacks recovery quickness when beaten initially, leaving him vulnerable to counter moves as he lacks the agility to reset his position against savvy pass rushers.
• Tends to bail out of his pass set prematurely against speed rushers, flipping his hips too early and creating inside rush lanes that more technically sound defenders will happily exploit.
• Shows troubling tendency to hinge at the waist rather than bend at the knees when fatigued, creating leverage issues that negate his size advantage and leave him vulnerable to bull rushes.

Round 6

185. Pittsburgh Steelers (via SEA/CHI): Jordan Watkins, WR, Ole Miss

Watkins Player Breakdown:

Strengths

• Carries compact frame and good play strength.
• Unfazed by route and catch contact.
• Bundles up and protects the catch into traffic.
• Looks to stack coverage on his hip once he bypasses.
• Contact balance like a running back after the catch.
• Rock-steady punt-return production.

Weaknesses

• Below-average separation burst and long speed.
• Routes are run with inconsistent push and urgency.
• Chest rises when getting into stems and breaks.
• Poor catch radius shows itself on 50/50 challenges.
• Substantial chunk of 2024 production came in one game (at Arkansas).

Round 7

229. Pittsburgh Steelers (via ATL/PHI): Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan

Edwards Player Breakdown:

Strengths

• Shows excellent burst and acceleration, making him a threat to break away on any play.
• Effective in both the run and pass game, providing versatility to any offense.
• Possesses good size and strength, allowing him to break tackles and gain extra yards.
• Displays patience and vision, waiting for blocks to develop before hitting the hole.
• Excels in pass protection, using his physicality to protect the quarterback.
• Reliable hands as a receiver, capable of making plays out of the backfield.
• Shows good agility and footwork, able to make defenders miss in open space.
• High football IQ, understanding defensive schemes and adjusting his play accordingly.

Weaknesses

• Can struggle with consistency in vision, sometimes missing open lanes.
• Lacks elite top-end speed, getting caught from behind on long runs.
• Needs to improve his balance when absorbing contact to avoid going down easily.
• Durability concerns due to a history of minor injuries.
• Occasionally hesitates in the backfield, leading to negative plays.

While it would take too much for me to put how the entire draft played out, if this was the Steelers’ haul after the 2025 NFL Draft, what would you think? I’d be surprised they double-dipped at running back, and also failed to address the defensive line throughout all three days of the draft.

It would also be another offense-heavy draft, which is something I absolutely despise. It only sets up a situation where the roster is lop-sided, if not now, down the road.

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.