Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Scenario 3.0: Finally fixing a problem

It is hard to believe, but the 2025 NFL Draft is just days away, and it is time to start breaking down scenarios. What will the Pittsburgh Steelers do if the board falls a certain way? What if there is a run on a position of need? That’s the entire point of these scenarios, and we’ll aim to do at least five of these scenarios before the start of Round 1 next Thursday night.

See the past scenarios below:

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Scenario 1.0: Options remain along the defensive line

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft Scenario 2.0: Taking a dark horse position in Round 1

So, what exactly is the plan here? I used to do these all the time on our old site, and what I would do is find a quality simulator, post what happened, evaluate options, and I’d make my pick. Obviously, many will disagree, and that’s fine, it’s all part of the process.

I used the Pro Football Network mock simulator, only did a 1 Round mock, and while I saw trades, more on that below, I rejected them all considering it was just a 1 Round simulation.

If you want to run your own simulation, feel free to do so and let us know in the comments how things went for you, but here is how Round 1 broke down for me on Steelers Draft Scenario 3.0.

Round 1

1. Cameron Ward – QB Miami (FL)
2. Travis Hunter – CB Colorado
3. Abdul Carter – EDGE Penn State
4. Armand Membou – OT Missouri
5. Will Campbell – OT LSU
6. Ashton Jeanty – RB Boise State
7. Mason Graham – DT Michigan
8. Tetairoa McMillan – WR Arizona
9. Will Johnson – CB Michigan
10. Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT Texas
11. Tyler Warren – TE Penn State
12. Jalon Walker – LB Georgia
13. Shemar Stewart – EDGE Texas A&M
14. Matthew Golden – WR Texas
15. Shedeur Sanders – QB Colorado
16. Mike Green – EDGE Marshall
17. Jahdae Barron – CB Texas
18. Derrick Harmon – DT Oregon
19. Mykel Williams – EDGE Georgia
20. Emeka Egbuka – WR Ohio State

Trade Offers

Tampa Bay

• Pick 29
• Pick 61

Indianapolis

• Pick 45
• Pick 80
• 2026 IND 2nd
• 2026 IND 3rd

Minnesota

• Pick 24
• 2026 MIN 2nd

Considering I am only doing a 1 Round scenario, I didn’t accept any of these trades, but several of these scenarios would be extremely enticing for the Steelers. The Colts offer would be extremely enticing, but the Steelers would be surrendering their 1st Round pick in 2025 to gain two Top 100 picks and two Day 2 picks in 2026. Nonetheless, it seems too far-fetched to even entrain, and all trades are rejected.

With those trades rejected, it is time to evaluate what the Steelers could do with their 1st Round pick. When you look at positions which still have quality players, there are many.

If I’m being honest, in this scenario I was looking to hopefully grab an offensive player, mainly a wide receiver; however, the two who I feel are truly 1st Round talents were gone before the Steelers picked at No. 21. As for quarterbacks, the Colts drafting Shedeur Sanders meant there weren’t any quarterbacks who even garnered my attention with a 1st Round selection.

On the defensive side of the football there were some options. The Steelers could have any number of the following players who could turn out to be solid players for the team for years to come:

• Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
• Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
• Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Those are the big names remaining for the Steelers as eligible picks in Round 1. Here is an overview of each player:

Walter Nolen

“Nolen has NFL-starting size but won’t blow you away with his physical traits. However, he gains quick advantages with his explosiveness into contact and ability to beat up blockers when singled up. He has the athletic talent to play into gaps but needs to play with better hands to keep himself clean at the point of attack. He wins as a rusher with his athleticism and play strength, and doesn’t need to be schemed for. The pass rush still requires refinement, but he already flashes quick-win moves that foreshadow good pressure and sack production as a pro. Nolen’s blend of explosiveness and playmaking talent create high upside as a three-down interior lineman.”

Kenneth Grant

“Grant is a broad-bodied nose tackle whose tape can run hot and cold depending on the game and the types of blocks he’s facing. He struggles to anchor when hit with down blocks due to his narrow base and tall pads, but he uses his power and length to beat single blocks and split double teams when he finds the crease. He had some sack production in college, and we could see him improve in that area once he learns to create more rush space with his hands. Grant’s game will finally come together in full when he’s able to take his impressive physical attributes and impose his will on opponents.”

Nick Emmanwori

“The assessment of Emmanwori’s tape could depend on which games you watch. He’s a physical specimen with rare size and outstanding speed, but he doesn’t always play with a “first to the action” mentality in run support. When he gets it cranked up, he becomes a much more effective tackler and overall run stopper from sideline to sideline. He’s capable of playing over the top, inside the box or even matching up with pass-catching tight ends. He’s upright with average transition fluidity in coverage, but he has great recovery speed and uses his length to throw a blanket over the catch point. He has rare NFL traits and talent, so a boost in urgency could take him from a good starter to a Pro Bowl-caliber player.”

When I look at these prospects, I have to ask myself how they would fit into the 2025 roster immediately. I still see Walter Nolen as a project, so I’m going to pass on him. When it comes to Emmanwori and Grant, both could have a role in the defense from Day 1; however, I’m sick of the Steelers neglecting the importance of the defensive line. Grant coming in as a 1st Round pick would give the Steelers the “plug” they’ve been lacking at nose tackle for years now.

The hope is the days of Montravius Adams trying to be that “plug” are long gone, and it will allow both Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward to finally do their thing with a big bodied defensive lineman next to them.

With the 21st overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select defensive lineman Kennth Grant, Michigan.

What do you think of this selection? Would you have taken a different position? A different prospect? Let us know 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 upcoming NFL Draft.