Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, I finally released my official 2025 mock draft, which includes trading down nine spots in the first round and still getting a top-end defensive line prospect. The team also addresses all its needs of RB and WR, as well as getting a sleeper QB out of the ACC in the fourth round. Overall, it turns out to be a solid draft class for the Steelers, addressing needs on both sides of the ball.

Now, the team needs to figure out the internal issues of getting a TJ Watt deal done along with figuring out the QB situation, two things the teams have been reactive instead of proactive. Why waiting on these two situations will now cost the team money and lingering uncertainty in an already testy locker room.

Lastly, we will look at two prospects that I mocked to the Steelers in the draft, including a QB who set the school record for passing yards in the ACC in his only season at the program. He is a pure pocket passer who specializes in timing and anticipation, but there are worries about his arm strength and limited athleticism.

The other prospect was a four-year starter at a Big Ten school from which the Steelers love to pick their defensive line. This time, they will go to the offensive trenches to choose a tackle with experience, a nimble lower body, and great size. However, to be a complete player, the tackle will need to put on more weight and work on hand and footwork.

0:00-21:00 2025 NFL Mock Draft

21:01-31:35 Proactive, not Reactive

31:36-40:25 QB Kyle McCord Syracuse

40:26-48:38 OT Jack Nelson Wisconsin

In this episode of Steelers Central, we’ll start looking deeper into more options outside of Aaron Rodgers, like the possibility of trading for Kirk Cousins or signing Carson Wentz. There is a growing sentiment that quarterback could be rising up Pittsburgh’s need list as well, with players like Shadeir Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Kyle McCord being brought in for visits. The clock is ticking in Pittsburgh’s search for their 2025 starting quarterback.

Next, there looks to be some turmoil early in the TJ Watt contract negotiations. He recently posted a peace sign on his IG story, signaling some early frustration. Why, I don’t think fans should be worried…yet. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly has also reported that Watt wants an average salary more than Myles Garrett. That is a move the Steelers should not give in to.

Lastly, we’ll look at two mid-round prospects that the Steelers have brought in for top-30 visits. The first is a homerun hitter with top-end speed and burst with some fumbling and boom or bust issues. The second player is a nimble run stiffer with a great motor but an absolute lack of pass-rush variety.

0:00-18:40 Options Outside of Aaron

18:41-31:21 Watt a Dilemma

31:22-44:18 RB Bhayshul Tuten Virginia Tech

44:19-52:12 DT J.J. Pegues Ole Miss

In this episode of Steelers Central, a TJ Watt extension is almost inevitable, but what will it cost the Steelers? A couple of factors will play into extension talks, including injury history and play drop-off. Listen to why giving him 40 million a year would be an overpay for the team and what would be an appropriate amount for both sides to settle on.

As the draft nears closer, what three prospects do I expect to slide that could catch the Steeler's eye, including the second-rated QB in this draft class, the top WR, and a top three running back that didn’t have an elite combine?

Lastly, we’ll break down draft previews of WR Savion Williams, a physically gifted and versatile offensive weapon with concerns about his hands and lack of production, and QB Shedeur Sanders, a pro-ready pocket passer who can dice you up but does not have elite physical traits and sometimes tries to do too much.

0:00-13:00 TJ Watt extension cost

13:01-21:35 Prospects that could slide

21:36-31:30 WR Savion Williams TCU

31:31-45:39 QB Shedeur Sanders Colorado

On this episode of Steelers Central, we’ll look back at what HC Mike Tomlin said about the DT position and what exactly the team is looking for when they draft one in this upcoming draft class, why this could be similar to what they did in 2001 trading down three spots to get NT Casey Hampton, one of the more underrated reasons why they won two Super Bowls.

Along with drafting an interior defensive lineman, this Steelers must have a breakout season entering his third year to take this interior pass rush to the next level. Keeanu Benton has shown flashes of being the athletic, disruptive NT he was drafted to be but has not consistently put it all together. This must be the season he does it.

Lastly, we’ll look at the safety position, an area that the Steelers have paid much more attention to in recent weeks. Nick Emmanowri combines a linebacker’s body with his athletic ability in coverage to make the most complete safety in the draft. Malaki Starks is a heat-seeking missile defending against the run and has an excellent change of direction to match up with some fifty WRs. See which one I think Pittsburgh could take a gamble on in the first round.

0:00-12:10 Steelers want a playmaking DT

12:11-19:15 Keeanu Benton's breakout season

19:16-28:20 S Nick Emmanwori South Carolina

28:21-40:07 S Makaki Starks Georgia

On this episode of Steelers Central, Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and Art Rooney all had media appearances early this week, with the main discussion point surrounding the QB position. There is still no clarity on whether Aaron Rodgers will sign despite working out with DK Metcalf recently and reports that the six-hour meeting went well between the two sides. What we do know is that the team will sign two more QBs by the start of training camp, either through the draft, trade, or Free Agency, according to GM Omar Khan.

There was also a question asked about the team’s WR room being too one-dimensional. People are forgetting a WR that the team drafted last year and the continued development of Calvin Austin. Why I think one star WR on this time has a lot more in the toolbox than he has shown thus far in his career. There is a need for size going over the middle, though, so I’ll give you three names that the team could look at in the draft to address that need, and possibly a future need if the team decided to part ways with one of their two FA WRs next year.

Lastly, I’ll break down the two running backs from Ohio State that the Steelers could be interested in. One offers a more aggressive running style similar to Najee Harris, while the other is a home run hitter with 4.40 speed and solid pass protection skills despite standing at just 5’10".

0:00-19:55 Media Availability Takeaways

19:56-29:45 One Trick Ponies

29:46-38:55 RB Treyveon Henderson Ohio State

38:56-50:48 RB Quinshon Judkins Ohio State

In this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers have become one of the NFL's biggest QB carousels as of late, with five consecutive seasons featuring a new opening-week QB. They have become the very thing they have made fun of for the past two decades: a team that has been unable to develop a QB and is turning to various veterans who are past their prime or not good enough.

The team has also been scouting some of the top safeties in the draft, which may seem like an unusual move, but upon examining the future, it becomes clear. The team has one more year of Deshon Elliot before they must extend him, and Minkah Fitzpatrick has a $24 million dollar cap hit next year. The Steelers may face some tough decisions, and if the board does not fall right, safety could become a fallback option for them.

Lastly, we'll analyze a big-bodied WR from Stanford who possesses some jump ball ability and MOF reliability for the team in the play-action game, as well as an undersized RB from Texas who has serious home run-hitting ability in the backfield.

0:00-19:37 Steelers QB Carousel

19:38-26:15 Sleeping on the Safety Position

26:16-35:25 WR Elic Ayomanor Stanford

35:26-43:39 RB Jaydon Blue Texas

In this episode of Steelers Central, Aaron Rodgers's only option is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants have signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, while the Minnesota Vikings have withdrawn from consideration, and no other team appears interested. Pittsburgh is officially the front runner for the 41-year-old cannon-ball-armed QB, who can sometimes be a headcase. Why now is the time to put pressure on him with him officially being out of options!

Next, the team also seems to be infatuated with an SEC quarterback who is not named Jaxson Dart. Jalen Miroe went to dinner with Mike Tomlin and quarterback coach Tom Arth. Milroe has no shortage of physical talent, but concerns remain about his flawed mechanics. The Steelers should wait until the 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh to draft their next signal caller.

The Steelers lack depth at the tackle position, with one going into the biggest year of his career and moving back to the position he was drafted into. Broderick Jones has all the physical tools and demeanor to be the blindside protector, but will the Steelers go out and get a mentor to fuel his fire of not being a bust?

Lastly, I highlight two Iowa State WRs that the team has met with, and despite having two different playstyles and physical profiles, they have some of the same strengths and weaknesses. Listen to who I think would be the better pick for the Steelers.

0:00-19:55 It’s down to one Aaron

19:56-29:15 Steelers love Milroe?

29:16-42:35 Trust the Brod father

42:36-51:30 WR Jayden Higgins

51:31-62:22 WR Jaylin Noel

On this episode of Steelers Central, we’ll discuss the Steelers' recent depth signings at the defensive line and safety. Both signings were solid moves that provided much-needed depth on the front and secondary. 

These signings also haven’t changed my mind about what the Steelers do in the first round. They still go for a game-changing defensive lineman, with the possibility of trading down if the draft board falls right. I am surprised that they did not send D-Line coach Karl Dunbar to Oregon for their pro day, given the production he showed at Oregon and the interviews Harmon and Tomlin had at the NFL Combine.

Next, could the Steelers just let George Pickens walk at the end of the 2026 season while just getting a 2027 compensation pick? That's what Mark Kaboly thinks could happen. The Steelers have not seemed sold on Pickens as their WR1 due to his poor attitude and off-the-field outbursts, including reportedly being late for the Christmas Day game against the Chiefs. Additionally, could the ongoing lack of quarterback play also be a factor in the future? Could the Steelers move on from the athletic freak of nature in favor of another draft pick and a more mature locker room leader? I would not rule it out.

Lastly, I’ll analyze two running backs in this year’s draft. One is a projected 1st- or 2nd-round pick with great power and burst, and the other has power and back size; a more elusive player in space would fit best in a zone scheme and make people miss at the second level. See which one I think Pittsburgh has a better shot at landing.

0:00-13:55 Addressing the Depth

13:56-21:55 The First Round Pick is…

21:56-37:10 To trade George or not trade George

37:11-47:35 RB DJ Giddens KSU

47:36-56:29 RB Omarion Hampton UNC

In this Steelers Central episode, Mason Rudolph's signing raises the question of whether the team should just roll with him and continue adding more pieces around him or wait for Aaron Rodgers to give them formidable QB play. The Steelers added more depth at both the running back and cornerback positions. Why I like both of these additions to their respective rooms. The Steelers should also consider trading down in the draft to acquire another Day 2 pick because of the number of holes they have to fill on the roster. If the board falls right, the Steelers could get the guy they want in the first round and get another quality prospect in the later rounds while accumulating draft capital. Lastly, I will analyze Jaxson Dart’s film and explain why I’m not entirely sold on him as a prospect.

0:00-13:05 Mason Rudolph QB 1?

13:06-25:13 Kenneth Gainwell and Brandon Echols additions

25:14-35:14 The Possibility of the Steelers trading down

35:15-48:32 QB Jaxson Dart

On this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers finally land another WR in his prime to form an elite downfield duo with George Pickens. This should benefit the offense, despite giving them two similar wide receivers, but I do have my concerns with factors around them and the possible attitude problems that go along with them. Next, the Steelers have fumbled the bag so poorly on the quarterback position that they are stuck between Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson or reuniting with Mason Rudolph. They have now turned into quarterback purgatory. What have the Steelers done so far in free agency? Well, signing 34-year-old Darius Slay and ILB Malik Harrison is all they have done. That is shameful when you had over 60 million going into FA to make meaningful additions at CB, WR, and DT. Lastly, I go off on the lack of urgency that this team has had, skimping at almost every turn and then having the unmitigated gall to say they are contending for a championship. They have gone from a prideful, stable organization, only satisfied with deep playoff runs and championships, to cutting corners, making bad decisions, and above all, mediocrity on almost all levels.

0:00-13:15 DK Metcalf Trade

13:16-29:55 The QB Conundrum

29:56-40:00 Steelers Moves thus far

40:01-55:52 Nothing but Disappointment