Predicting the jersey numbers of the Steelers 2025 draft class

A number is an athlete’s identity. Some free agent arrivals try to pay big bucks to get the same number they’ve worn elsewhere. But for rookies, a lot of times they are at the mercy of the equipment managers. Before the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the jersey numbers for the 2025 NFL Draft class, let’s see if we at Steel Curtain Network can forecast it correctly. It’s time to see who will wear what in our minds.

Round 1 DT Derrick Harmon – Oregon

College Number with the Ducks: No. 55

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: Cole Holcomb

Official Steelers Number: No. 99

Upon learning of the Harmon selection, I was thinking that Harmon would possibly get No. 65 despite it being more of an O-Line Number in Pittsburgh recently. But the Steelers have already assigned their top selection the double-nines. In hindsight, that fits.

Prediction Confidence: Absolutely Certain

Round 3 RB Kaleb Johnson – Iowa

College Number with the Hawkeyes: No. 2

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: Mason Rudolph

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 20

The Steelers don’t typically like to give rookies untraditional numbers for their particular position, but getting his college identity back is not happening with Mason Rudolph getting his old digit back upon returning after a year’s hiatus from the Steel City. I was almost certain that KJ would get No. 22 with Najee Harris in L.A., but Juan Thornhill was recently assigned the double deuces. No. 34 is an option, but that just doesn’t seem right for the Steelers third-rounder. I’m seeing No. 20 as a possibility here.

Prediction Confidence: Relatively Certain

Round 4 OLB Jack Sawyer – Ohio State

College Number with the Buckeyes: No. 33

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: Kyler McMichael/Aaron Shampklin

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 44

Even though two guys are assigned Sawyer’s college number, neither McMichael or Shampklin are predicted to be on the 53. But I can’t really see the Steelers handing out the 33 to a LB, but I could see the Steelers Round 4 selection getting Tyler Matakevich’s No. 44.

Prediction Confidence: Highly Certain

Round 5 DT Yahya Black – Iowa

College Number with the Hawkeyes: No. 94

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: Dean Lowry

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 65

This one’s a mystery. I can’t double Yahya up with Lowry because they both play defense, so It looks like No. 63 or No. 65 is the best guess. I’m thinking that Black could get the six-five. Let’s go with that.

Prediction Confidence: Not Even Close to Certain

Round 6 QB Will Howard – Ohio State

College Number with the Buckeyes: No. 18

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: Open

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 18

This one seems like a no-brainer. Diontae Johnson and Mike Williams are in the wind, and Howard’s college number is available. The jersey may go from scarlet, gray and white to black and gold, but the digits should remain constant for Howard.

Prediction Confidence: Highly Certain

Round 7 LB Carson Breuner – Washington

College Number with the Huskies: No. 42

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: James Pierre

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 48

With the No. 1 pick in the 1995 Draft for the Steelers, the team selected Mark Breuner. 30 years later, his son, also a U-Dub alum, has been drafted to play in the Steel City. Even though his dad’s digits are available, No. 87 is not a linebacker’s number. Carson could make his legacy with a number more proper for the position.

Prediction Confidence: Fairly Certain

Round 7 CB Donte Kent – Central Michigan

College Number with the Chippewas: No. 4

Current Wearer of Draft Pick’s College Digits: D.K. Metcalf

Predicted Steelers Number: No. 34

If Metcalf couldn’t get No. 14 with his great accomplishments in the league, a rookie seventh-rounder isn’t getting D.K.’s consolation jersey number.

Prediction Confidence: Not Very Certain

Predicted Undrafted Free Agent Numbers

WR Roc Taylor – Memphis: No. 3

TE D.J. Thomas Jones – South Alabama: No. 81

S Sebastian Castro – Iowa: 37

OG Aiden Williams – Minnesota/Duluth: No. 71

K Ben Sauls – Pitt: No. 16

FB J.J. Galbreath – South Dakota: No. 48

WR Ke’Shawn Williams – Indiana: No. 85

How right will we be? We will know very soon. Stay tuned.