With the 2025 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round plans remain uncertain. Lacking a second-round pick due to the D.K. Metcalf trade, their opening selection carries even more weight.
While the roster has several areas of need, the strength of this draft class could steer them in a clear direction.
This year’s defensive line class is loaded with talent—second only to running back. But after the mixed results from selecting Najee Harris in the first round, it’s unlikely Pittsburgh goes that route again.
In the newest Yahoo Sports mock draft, analysts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald have the Steelers addressing their defensive line by selecting a powerful presence from a championship pedigree.
Steelers Target Michigan’s Kenneth Grant in First Round
Tice and McDonald project Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant as the Steelers’ top choice. At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, Grant combines elite size with rare athleticism, making him a high-upside prospect.
While his college performance at Michigan was marked by inconsistency, his physical tools are undeniable. If he slides to Pittsburgh’s pick, he could be a perfect developmental player behind veteran Cam Heyward.
The Steelers haven’t had a true run-stuffing interior lineman in years. Adding Grant would free up Heyward and rising star Keeanu Benton to focus more on rushing the passer, giving the defense a more balanced and explosive front.
Last season exposed some serious issues in the run defense—something even Heyward’s standout year couldn’t mask. A duo of Grant and Heyward could present a nightmare matchup for opposing interior offensive lines.
Whether it ends up being Grant or another big-bodied interior defender, don’t be shocked if the Steelers prioritize that position early in the draft.
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