The Pittsburgh Steelers will have plenty of options when the 21st overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around in April (assuming the organization does not trade back). Wide receiver, cornerback, and any position along the defensive line could be addressed with the pick. Another under-the-radar option is running back, especially now that the NFL-world got to see the true value of a good running back with Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris (left) and Jaylen Warren (right).
Running back is one of the deepest positions in the 2025 NFL Draft, which makes selecting one in the first round extremely risky. However, the Steelers are likely to lose Najee Harris in free agency, who has been the team's lead back for the last four seasons. Jaylen Warren will likely be back in 2025, but the team may not want to elevate him to the primary ball carrier. Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently released a mock draft, and he believes the Steelers will select Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State with the 21st overall pick.
"The Steelers spent the past two drafts beefing up their offensive line," Jeremiah wrote. "Now they land a top-five player in the class to run behind it."
It is hard to argue with Jeremiah's reasoning, and there is no denying that Jeanty was the best running back in college football during the 2024 season. The back finished second in Heisman voting, and he has all the tools to be a game-changer at the NFL level. Jeanty rushed for over 2,600 yards and 29 touchdowns during the 2024 season, while averaging seven yards per carry.
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Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs with the football during the College Football Playoffs during the 2024 season.
Jeanty was a big reason Boise State was able to make it to the College Football Playoff. He led the best rushing attack in the nation, although it should be noted a lot of his production came against weaker competition. Boise State is a member of the Mountain West Conference, so while his production is impressive, it is not like he was putting up these performances against the best team's in the country.
If the Steelers were to draft Jeanty in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it would be a flashy move. Pittsburgh could certainly wait to select a quality running back on Day 2 or Day 3 of the event, but Jeanty likely has the ability to elevate the offense immediately.
It is very likely that Jeanty is off the board before the Steelers get the chance to draft him. He is seen by some as a shoe-in to be a top-15 selection, which would force the Steelers to wait until later in the event to address the position.
Steelers Need To Wait To Draft A Running Back
There are far too many holes on the Steelers' roster for the organization to consider drafting a running back in the first round. Wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive line help should all be prioritized over a ball carrier. Emeka Egbuka could be available when the Steelers are picking at 21, and he is considered to be a pro-ready. If Egbuka or a top interior defensive lineman are still on the board, that has to be the direction Pittsburgh goes.
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Buckeyes' Emeka Egbuka (2) stands with his hands on his hips during a home game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Even if the Steelers decide not to go with a running back on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft, Warren should be trusted as the lead back. Pair him with a Day 3 running back and the running game should not take a hit. If anything, it will likely improve over what it was during the 2024 season.
What do you think of the Steelers using their first-round pick on a running back? Would you like to see Jeanty in Pittsburgh, or would you rather see the team prioritize another position early on? Let us know in the comments below!
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