Steelers May Land Top-10 Defender Who Can Quickly Fall Down Draft Boards

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job drafting over the last two seasons since General Manager Omar Khan took over. Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl has also played a major role in bringing in quality young talent, which is exactly what he did with the Philadelphia Eagles. Weidl is a big reason the Eagles are the force they are today, and there is hope he can bring some of that magic to Pittsburgh. The Steelers will look to have another great draft in April of the 2025 offseason, but it is unclear how they will approach the big day with so many holes on the roster.

The Steelers have clear question marks on both sides of the football that can be addressed in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The organization desperately needs help at wide receiver, cornerback, and along the defensive line. Quarterback is also a problem, but this is not the draft to consider drafting a quarterback in the first round from where Pittsburgh is picking. The Steelers should be in a good spot to draft a solid wide receiver, but lead draft writer for the NFL, Eric Edholm believes there is a chance that Will Johnson will fall to Pittsburgh. Johnson is one of the best cornerbacks in the draft, and he is widely considered to be a top-10 selection.

"I don't believe Johnson is the top-10 lock some seem to think he is," Edholm wrote. "With the big corner facing injury and speed questions ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, but his skill set could bolster Pittsburgh's secondary."

Edholm wrote this in his most recent mock draft, where he had the Steelers staying put and selecting Johnson with the 21st overall pick. Johnson is one of the best defenders in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it is hard to imagine that he will fall all the way to the Steelers. He has been an elite cornerback in college football over the last two seasons, and he would be the perfect player to pair with Joey Porter Jr.

Cornerback was a weak spot for the Steelers during the 2024 season. The team lacked depth there, and Porter struggled with penalties, while Donte Jackson struggled with health. He led the team in interceptions, but he also struggled in coverage a lot and wasn't always efficient as a tackler. He is slated to become a free agent, and it is hard to imagine the Steelers will be bringing him back.

Johnson seems to be pro-ready. He has always been highly touted for his tackling ability, and his coverage skills are top-notch. The reason he may fall is injury concerns, which have never scared the Steelers away before. It is a long shot that Johnson will fall as far as Edholm is suggesting, but if he does, the Steelers will have no choice but to select him.

Steelers Likely To Go Defense During The First Round Of The 2025 NFL Draft

Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been at the Senior Bowl, and he has been focused on evaluating the players on the defensive line. This is an area of concern for the Steelers, and a high-impact player there would help elevate the defense. The same goes for the cornerback position, however a lot of the fan base wants to see Pittsburgh focus on the offensive side of the ball.

Pittsburgh's offense has been stagnant for years, and the group desperately needs help at wide receiver. The Steelers need play-makers, which is why it would be wise for the organization to focus on filling the hole at receiver in the first round. Players like Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden, or Luther Burden III should be available, and it would be a mistake to pass on any of them if the team does decide to go offense.

What do you think about the possibility of Johnson falling to the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!

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