Scouting The Mock: A look at the latest Steelers 2025 mock drafts, Part 3

After a little break from the series—given all the moving parts—it feels like the perfect time to dive back into some mock drafts, especially now that the majority of the major moves in free agency are out of the way… aside from quarterback for the Steelers.

If you’re interested in where things stood prior to free agency, feel free to check out the previous article linked below.

Scouting The Mock: A look at the latest Steelers 2025 mock drafts, Part 2

Now, with the first week of free agency in the books, the blueprint for where the Steelers might be heading is becoming a bit clearer for us fans. However the largest change for the Steelers draft from the past week is they no longer have a second round pick and have moved one of their 7ths into a 6th. So, as we always do, let’s dive into two mock drafts from this past week and hand out some grades.

Mock One:
Post-Combine 7-Round Mock

“Steelers updated mock draft after the DK Metcalf trade”– Curt Popejoy/Steelers Wire

R1 Pick 21: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
R3 Pick 83:  QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
R4 Pick 123: RB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
R5 Pick 156: CB O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina
R6 Pick 185: OL Emery Jones Jr, LSU
R7 Pick 229: WR Kyren Lacy, LSU

Summary:

Even after the first big wave of free agency, some things just don’t change. Once again, the Steelers land the mountain of a defensive tackle out of Michigan Kenneth Grant in the first round, hoping he can become a mainstay on the interior of their defensive line. As discussed before, he’s an athletic freak—dominant against the run and flashing some intriguing pass rush upside on tape. Unfortunately, we missed out on seeing him test at the combine, so let’s hope he gets on the field for his pro day.

With their second pick, the Steelers take Jalen Milroe—the “toolsiest” quarterback in this draft class. He boasts a massive arm and elite rushing ability, but at this point, that’s really the core of his on-field game. That said, Milroe gets glowing reviews off the field for his leadership and work ethic, which makes for an intriguing combination when paired with his raw physical talent. With the Steelers’ current quarterback room consisting of Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them take a swing on a player like Milroe here.

Jalen Milroe with a smooth drop in the bucket. pic.twitter.com/jywA4Wimmw

— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) March 16, 2025

To begin Day Three, the Steelers add to their new-look running back room of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell by selecting the biggest back in the group—DJ Giddens out of Kansas State. Giddens is another raw prospect, but he’s a very patient runner and elite in open space, making defenders miss with ease. On tape, he doesn’t show top-end speed, but his combine performance may have eased some of those concerns about his game.

After the two earlier additions to the cornerback room, the Steelers take another long outside corner in O’Donnell Fortune who can learn under Darius Slay and compete with Cory Trice for the backup outside role. However, his heavy zone-play style might not be the perfect fit for the Steelers’ defense.

To close out the draft, the Steelers go back-to-back with LSU products. First, they take Emery Jones Jr., a developmental tackle who can serve as an insurance policy for Broderick Jones or provide added depth. Finally, they select the talented but polarizing Kyren Lacy, whose draft stock has tumbled due to serious off-the-field issues.

Grade: B-

The computer Mock:

This weeks mock draft was completed on the “PFF Mock Draft Simulator” with a trade down during round 1 with Detroit, sending pick 21 and a 2026 4th, for pick 28 and 60 this year.

R1 Pick 28: DT Walter Nolan, Ole Miss
R2 Pick 60: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
R3 Pick 83: QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
R4 Pick 123: RB Damian Martinez, Miami
R5 Pick 156: WR Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas
R6 Pick 185: DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
R7 Pick 229: S Malachi More, Alabama

Summary:

This draft begins with another player who has been frequently mocked to the Steelers since the end of the postseason—Walter Nolan out of Ole Miss. Nolan is a high-pedigree prospect, once ranked as the No. 1 player in his high school class alongside Heisman winner Travis Hunter on various recruiting sites. A former five-star recruit, Nolan truly came into his own this past season at Ole Miss, racking up 6 sacks and 25 hurries while earning a 91.6 run defense grade per PFF—an area that will likely be his bread and butter as a rookie.

The main concern with Nolan is his motor, but if the Steelers can keep him playing at full throttle, they might just land their next franchise cornerstone along the defensive line.

Benjamin Morrison was one of the most highly touted players heading into this draft cycle, thanks to an outstanding sophomore season at Notre Dame. Unfortunately for Morrison, the 2024 season didn’t go according to plan, as a hip injury sidelined him for much of the year. Despite the setback, Morrison remains a longer corner with explosive traits that translate well into press-man coverage. If he can stay healthy, those tools could still make him one of the best corners from this class when it’s all said and done.

Notre Dame CB, Benjamin Morrison would’ve been a top 15 pick if not for a hip injury in 2024.

He had 9 INTs and 18 PBUs in only 31 career college games.

I usually try avoid players coming off injury, but I’d run to the podium if he was there at 23. pic.twitter.com/LS9q77l13g

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) February 13, 2025

Round 3 seems to be the sweet spot for quarterback Tyler Shough in most mock drafts right now. The Louisville product has one of the more fascinating stories in this class. After a seven-year college career plagued by injuries, he finally stayed healthy in 2024 and put on a show. Despite turning 26 soon, Shough flashes some of the best traits on tape in this QB class. He’s got solid arm talent, paired with the mobility to move around the pocket and extend plays. In this scenario, he’d be competing with Mason Rudolph, considering the current state of the Steelers’ quarterback room.

Damien Martinez might be one of the more underrated backs in the draft. The violent runner out of Miami has shown valuable scheme versatility, playing in both zone and gap schemes during his collegiate career. His production backs up the tape—he racked up 3,173 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns over three years. Martinez would likely join the Steelers’ running back room as the immediate red-zone and short-yardage option.

Similar to the last mock, the Steelers grab a wideout on Day 3, but this time a round later. Isaac TeSlaa is another addition to the “avatar” receiver build that now includes DK Metcalf and George Pickens. TeSlaa stands 6’4″, 214 pounds and pairs that frame with an impressive 9.92 RAS score, making him one of the freakiest athletes at the position in this class.

Speaking of athleticism, the Steelers double-dip along the defensive line with Nebraska’s Ty Robinson. While slightly undersized for the position, Robinson turned heads at the combine with his testing numbers and has generated some late buzz in the draft community.

Closing out the mock draft once again is Malachi Moore. The experienced and versatile defensive back from Alabama provides quality depth at both safety and in the slot, which should be valuable for the Steelers’ secondary.

Grade: A-

I felt like both of these drafts had the right idea when it comes to how the Steelers should approach things and the positions they targeted. That said, the second draft is clearly going to get the higher grade from me. We were able to trade down, still land one of the top defensive line prospects, and pick up an extra second-round pick in the process. That’s a win every time

How do you guys feel about these drafts now that we are through the main wave of free agency?