Pittsburgh drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round and after releasing Larry Ogunjobi, he's penciled in as the starter in his place. The Steelers have four edge defenders to rotate in with Nick Herbig and Jake Sawyer but Watt and Highsmith are the guys on this defense.

However, former NFL head coach Jay Gruden, who coached the Washington Commanders and is the brother of Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden, dislikes the players they acquired in the draft, criticizing Derrick Harmon and Kaleb Johnson.

Will Howard, once considered a fringe Day 2 to early Day 3 QB prospect, found himself unselected until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft — an unforeseen circumstance the Steelers would ultimately alleviate.