Pittsburgh Steelers: Defense Gets More Physical While Quarterback Remains Unsettled
Round 1 (21): DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Round 3 (83): RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Round 4 (123): EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Round 5 (164): DT Yahya Black, Iowa
Round 6 (185): QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Round 7 (226): ILB Carson Bruener, Washington
Round 7 (229): CB Donte Kent (Central Michigan)
Takeaways: The Steelers were manhandled by the Ravens, 28-14, on Wild Card Weekend last season. Derrick Henry (25 carries, 182 yards, two touchdowns) and Lamar Jackson (15 carries, 81 yards) found gaping holes running behind Baltimore's offensive line that won the battle in the trenches against Pittsburgh.
After that game, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said it didn't take long to realize his team needed to become more physical.
"I doubt I had even gotten in the shower yet," Tomlin said to NFL Network's Rich Eisen.
Three of Pittsburgh's first four draft picks addressed adding physicality to their defense. Harmon, Sawyer, and Black will bolster a front seven that already includes T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen, and Alex Highsmith.
Harmon can occupy multiple offensive linemen and is also a strong interior pass rusher.
"As you guys can see, not only in that pick but all our others, there's a commitment with this draft group to reestablish physicality and big-man presence," Tomlin said.
The biggest question mark with the Steelers remains their starting quarterback. They passed on Shedeur Sanders and seven quarterbacks were drafted before Pittsburgh took Howard. The wait on Aaron Rodgers' decision continues.
"The Steelers must feel really good about their chances of signing Aaron Rodgers," Kiper wrote. "That's the only explanation for their approach to the 2025 draft.
"Don't get me wrong. Derrick Harmon is perfect for this defense. His 34 pressures when lined up as an interior lineman led the FBS. He combines power and quickness to create chaos. And with Cameron Heyward turning 36 years old, the defensive line had to get some youthful reinforcements. The pick itself is really good, but it just seems like Pittsburgh is rolling the dice at its most important position."
Cleveland Browns: Huge First-Round Trade and Landing Spot for Shedeur Sanders
Round 1 (5): DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Round 2 (33): ILB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Round 2 (36): RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Round 3 (67): TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Round 3 (94): QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Round 4 (126): RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Round 5 (144): QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Takeaways: The Browns made bold moves and headlines.
In Round 1, they traded down from No. 2 to No. 5 in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Instead of taking Travis Hunter, who the Jaguars selected at No. 2, the Browns took Graham at No. 5 and now have two first-round picks in 2026.
General Manager Andrew Berry said acquiring Graham plus an additional first-round pick in 2026 was a win-win.
"We just felt like it was a fantastic opportunity for our organization to move down three spots and still get a top-notch prospect in the trenches," Berry said via Kelsey Russo of the Browns’ website.
Sanders falling to the fifth round was the most surprising development of the draft. But his addition could be a steal for a Cleveland quarterback room that also includes former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Gabriel.
Kiper gave the Browns an A+ and praised Cleveland for having the best draft in the NFL. He remains high on Sanders' potential, despite his draft freefall.
"I think he will be an outstanding pro QB, and I believe we will look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing," Kiper wrote.
Cincinnati Bengals: Pass Rusher Shemar Stewart Will Be Expected to Blossom Quickly
Round 1 (15): EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Round 2 (49): ILB Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Round 3 (81): G Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
Round 4 (119): ILB Barrett Carter, Clemson
Round 5 (153): G Jalen Rivers, Miami
Round 6 (193): RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Takeaways: Stewart had just 4.5 sacks during his college career, but his raw potential as a pass rusher is obvious. Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals led the NFL in sacks last season (17.5), but he's in a contract dispute that leaves his future with the Bengals uncertain.
The Bengals will be counting on Stewart, Knight, and Carter to strengthen their defense that allowed 25.5 points per game, including 76 total points in two games against the Ravens.
Head Coach Zac Taylor believes that new Defensive Coordinator Al Golden will figure out how to put the right pieces together.
"Tremendous belief in Al," Taylor said via the Bengals’ website. "I think he's got great conviction in what he wants to do on defense and how he's going to do it, who he needs to do it with. I really like the direction we're headed on defense."
