With the 2025 NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking onward towards the start of the 2025 NFL season. The team has injected fresh, young talent into its roster with the goal of elevating the franchise's success for years to come. However, the addition of new players inevitably introduces increased competition for coveted roles and also requires an assessment of these positions and their potential long-term impact on the franchise.
Perry Knotts / Associated Press
The Pittsburgh Steelers select DL Derrick Harmon out of the University of Oregon with the 21st choice in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gerry Dulac, a Steelers insider, recently published an article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in which he discussed the potential ramifications of one of the Steelers' recent draft selections. In his article, Dulac suggests that this particular draft pick has very likely set the stage for the release of a player who is currently a member of the Steelers organization.
"[Jaylen] Warren is an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season who, like [Najee] Harris, is just as unlikely to be re-signed," Dulac stated. "So, ideally, [Kaleb] Johnson gives them their lead back through the 2028 season."
With their third-round selection, the 83rd overall pick and their second choice in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers added former University of Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson to their roster. Given the significance of the NFL Draft, an event preceded by a lot of anticipation and widespread discussion, a lot of different people shared their perspectives on how the Steelers should utilize their draft capital.
Aside from the widely discussed vacant quarterback position, the running back spot emerged as one of the most frequently discussed areas that required attention for the team's future.
The Daily Iowan
Newly drafted Steelers' running back celebrates with the crowd during a college game
This follows the Steelers' decision in the 2024 offseason not to exercise the fifth-year option on their former starting running back, Najee Harris, which ultimately led to him signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Harris was a significant investment for the Steelers, having been selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft as the 24th overall pick, with the expectation that he would become their long-term franchise running back.
Despite the team ultimately choosing a different direction, Harris demonstrated consistent production during his four seasons in Pittsburgh, recording 4,312 rushing yards, with each of those seasons exceeding the 1,000-yard mark. Upon joining the Chargers, Harris made certain remarks that some fans interpreted as indicating a less-than-ideal experience in Pittsburgh, which resulted in disappointment among some fans.
As it currently stands, Jaylen Warren appears to be in line to assume the starting running back role for the Steelers, unless the team chooses to immediately give Johnson that position. Notably, unlike the other running backs previously mentioned, Warren entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Steelers in 2022 after not being selected during the draft. Since joining the team, Warren has developed into a significant and impactful contributor to the Steelers' rushing attack.
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Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (#30) catches a pass as he warms up on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game in Pittsburgh, PA.
During his three seasons with the Steelers, Warren has accumulated a total of 1,674 rushing yards, a significant number considering he shared a considerable amount of touches with Harris. Warren's current contract is scheduled to expire at the end of the 2025 season.
Dulac's analysis suggests that the Steelers organization views their recent draft pick, Johnson, as the long-term go to guy of their running game, an element of their offensive strategy that the Steelers traditionally place a high value on.
The Steelers Are Looking For An Explosive Offense
During a press conference held after the Steelers selected Johnson in the 2025 NFL Draft, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith shared the team's offensive aspirations. Smith indicated that the Steelers are striving to cultivate an explosive offense, with a combination of both a strong running game as well as an effective passing game. Given this goal of achieving explosiveness, the selection of Johnson appears to be a strategic move that directly supports this aim.
The Steelers' revamped offense, featuring returning players, free-agent acquisitions, and the addition of talent from the 2025 NFL Draft, is undoubtedly generating considerable excitement among fans.
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