The Pittsburgh Steelers have made significant moves to bolster their defensive lineup during the recent NFL Draft, notably selecting Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson. Harmon, an interior pass rusher from Oregon, is expected to be a formidable successor to veteran Cam Heyward, showcasing an impressive 91.2 PFF pass-rush grade last season.

On the offensive side, the Steelers have high hopes for Johnson, who excelled in college with over 1,000 yards after contact. His arrival may change the dynamics of the backfield, leading to a competitive scenario with Jaylen Warren for starting duties. Additionally, the Steelers' draft strategy reflects a commitment to enhancing their defense first, before potentially addressing the quarterback situation later.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially announced the jersey numbers for their 2025 NFL Draft class. Derrick Harmon will don the iconic No. 99, previously worn by renowned player Brett Keisel. Running back Kaleb Johnson has been assigned No. 20, a number last held by cornerback Cameron Sutton, who departed in free agency. Outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, noted as a significant steal of the draft, takes No. 33, while defensive tackle Yahya Black will wear No. 78, formerly belonging to James Daniels, who signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Quarterback Will Howard will sport No. 18, replicating his college number from Ohio State. Linebacker Carson Bruener, son of former Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, will wear No. 44, a tribute to the legacy of Tyler Matakevich. Lastly, cornerback Donte Kent will take No. 34, last worn by safety Terrell Edmunds. These numbers not only reflect individual identities but also pay homage to Steelers' rich history.

The Pittsburgh Steelers approached the 2025 NFL Draft with a focus on addressing team needs and securing quality value rather than making headline-grabbing picks. While some critics found it challenging to identify a glaring issue with their selections, CBS Sports pointed to seventh-round cornerback Deonte Kent as the most questionable choice, citing a lack of information surrounding him. Despite this, the Steelers' commitment to enhance both their offensive and defensive lines through a strategic seven-player draft class was evident.

Among notable picks was the defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from Oregon, showcasing the Steelers' intention to bolster physicality in their roster. The overall draft strategy seemed sound, but there are opinions suggesting that more focus on quarterback options could have been beneficial.

The Arizona Cardinals are reevaluating their first-round draft decision in a redraft scenario for 2025. Initially, they selected defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the 16th pick, one of the top choices from the 2025 draft. However, a redraft proposed by Curt Popejoy suggests that the Cardinals would opt for Kenneth Grant instead, a player who was still available at that pick.

Grant, standing at 6'4" and weighing 331 pounds, brings an impressive physical presence, but his college performance in run defense did not match Nolen's dual-threat capability. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has repeatedly praised Nolen's versatility, which may indicate the Cardinals' preference for his skill set over Grant's. Alternatives like Derrick Harmon, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the 21st pick, may also be on the Cardinals' radar if Nolen were not the choice.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a calculated decision during the 2025 NFL Draft by passing on quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was widely speculated to be a first-round talent. Despite the surrounding media frenzy regarding perceived bias against Sanders, the Steelers opted for defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead. As the draft progressed, Sanders remained available, yet Pittsburgh chose to bolster their defense further with selections like running back Kaleb Johnson and edge rusher Jack Sawyer. Ultimately, the Cleveland Browns picked Sanders in the fifth round, suggesting a shift in his career trajectory from being 'the quarterback' to being 'a quarterback'. This may serve him well, given his previous exposure to high expectations due to his father being the head coach.