Pittsburgh Steelers way-too-early 53-man roster prediction after 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is now complete after the seventh round closed things out on Saturday evening. The Pittsburgh Steelers had an interesting draft. The team didn't draft a quarterback until the sixth round, so it seems likely that Aaron Rodgers will end up being the team's starter. 

Elsewhere, talented defensive lineman Derrick Harmon should make an immediate impact next to Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward after being selected in the first round. Third-round selection Kaleb Johnson could also end up taking the starting running back role from Jaylen Warren. 

The rest of the team's picks, including Ohio State edge-rusher Jack Sawyer, should come in and provide depth around the roster.

Steelers 2025 NFL draft class

• Round 1, Pick No. 21: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon
• Round 3, Pick No. 83: RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
• Round 4, Pick No. 123: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
• Round 5, Pick No. 164 (from KC): DT Yahya Black, Iowa
• Round 6, Pick No. 185 (from SEA): QB Will Howard, Ohio State
• Round 7, Pick No. 226 (from KC): LB Carson Bruener, Washington
• Round 7: Pick No. 229 (from PHI): CB Donte Kent, Central Michigan

Now, with free agency and the draft over, let's take a way-too-early look at what the final 53-man roster could look like. Of course, a lot will change between now and the beginning of the season. However, it would be wise to get an early look at the general state of things in Pittsburgh

Steelers 53-man roster prediction

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard 

You have to assume that since the Steelers waited until the sixth round to select Will Howard that they aren't relying on him to be the starter. Mason Rudolph also shouldn't be trusted to be the starter, so it's safe to assume Aaron Rodgers will end up being the guy. 

I have Howard beating out Skylar Thompson for the QB3 role. Howard has potential and could learn a great deal behind Rodgers. 

Running backs (4): Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Cordarrelle Patterson

Kaleb Johnson could easily take over the starting job, but expect Jaylen Warren to still play a sizeable role. Kenneth Gainwell was added in free agency and could be a nice change-of-pace back. 

For the final spot, I have Cordarrelle Patterson sticking around. He's a favorite of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and still provides some much-needed versatility. 

Wide receiver (6): DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek

This group was successfully upgraded with the addition of DK Metcalf. Now, Metcalf and George Pickens form what could be an elite wide receiver duo. 

Austin, Miller, and Wilson also seem like locks to make the roster, so there could be just one spot available. For now, Skowronek lands it, but a UDFA or veteran signing could end up claiming that spot. 

Tight end (4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Donald Parham Jr. 

This is a solid group that I don't see much changing in. Freiermuth, Washington, and Heyward should all be locks, but the fourth spot may be up for grabs, if the team even keeps four. 

For now, Parham gets the nod due to his experience in the NFL and ability as a red-zone threat. 

Offensive line (9): Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Lecitus Smith, Max Scharping, Calvin Anderson

This starting five should be set, but the backup spots are very much in play. The only backup I feel confident in making the final roster is Scharping, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the team bring in some depth. 

This is also a unit that could be cracked by a UDFA. 

Defensive line (6): Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Cameron Heyward, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black, Dean Lowry 

Harmon seems to be the final piece in what should be an elite defensive line in 2025. Even the depth is good here, as Loudermilk, Black, and Lowry are all fine options. 

This would be a tough group for a UDFA to crack. Montravius Adams and Daniel Ekuale could work their way onto the final roster. 

Linebackers (8): T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Jack Sawyer

Like the defensive line, this linebacker group is rock-solid and has depth to it. This will be another group that will be hard to crack for a UDFA. 

Carson Bruener was taken in the seventh round this weekend, but could be ticketed for the practice squad unless he has a huge summer. 

Cornerbacks (6): Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols, Cory Trice Jr., Beanie Bishop Jr., Donte Kent 

Slay takes over as the starter for Donte Jackson while Echols and Bishop compete for the starting nickel job. 

Trice makes the team as a backup on the boundary while rookie seventh-rounder Kent sneaks onto the roster due to his special teams prowess. 

Safeties (4): DeShon Elliott, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miles Killebrew, Juan Thornhill

The Steelers have set starters at safety, as Elliott and Fitzpatrick are a solid duo. Killebrew is kept around for his special teams efforts and Thornhill has been a solid safety in the past and provides good veteran depth. 

It's entirely possible the team keeps five safeties. If I had to keep a fifth, I'd go with UDFA Sebastian Castro, who didn't get selected even though he was certainly talented enough to be. 

Specialists (3): P Cameron Johnston, K Chris Boswell, LS Christian Kuntz

The Steelers have two punters on the roster, but until summer, we won't know who has the edge for the job. Let's roll with the veteran Johnston, who is coming off a major injury, for now. Boswell and Kuntz should retain their roles for 2025.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS NFL DRAFT GRADES

How Mel Kiper Jr., other experts graded Steelers 2025 draft class

Will Howard draft grades: How experts viewed Steelers' QB pick

Kaleb Johnson draft grades: How experts viewed Steelers pick

Yahya Black NFL draft grades: How experts viewed Steelers' fifth-round pick

Jack Sawyer NFL draft grades: How experts viewed Steelers' fourth-round pick