The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed another solid NFL Draft. General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin did a strong job of addressing major needs across the roster in this past weekend's event. They struck a good balance between value and necessity, adding potential future starters, while also building depth. While it's always difficult to fully evaluate a draft until years later, early signs point to another well-executed effort from Pittsburgh’s front office.
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Steelers' Jack Sawyer during his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
In the fourth round of the draft, pick 123, the Steelers selected outside linebacker Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher was a key part of the Buckeyes’ National Championship run in 2024, finishing the season with nine sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. Over his four-year college career, Sawyer totaled 23 sacks and consistently disrupted opposing offenses with his power, speed, and relentless motor. Despite his impressive resume, many assume he will have to wait behind established veterans on the Steelers’ loaded defense.
Still, not everyone is counting Sawyer out of the 2025 rotation. NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter believes the rookie might be too great to keep off the field. With his combination of size, production, and championship pedigree, Sawyer could quickly prove he belongs in Pittsburgh’s defensive game plan. If he shows enough in training camp and preseason, don’t be surprised if the Steelers find ways to get him involved early.
"Sawyer is slated to be a contributor behind Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt as a rookie, but there's always a chance he plays more snaps early in his career than expected," Reuter writes. "I figured the Ohio State star might not go in the top 50 because of his lack of twitch on the edge, but it was downright criminal for Pittsburgh to sang him in the fourth round."
Sawyer entered the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most productive and battle-tested outside linebackers in the country, yet he surprisingly slipped all the way to the fourth round. When the Steelers were on the clock at pick No. 123, they saw too much talent and value to let him slide any further.
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Steelers' Jack Sawyer with a scoop and score to win the game for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Reuter called the selection an absolute steal, praising the Steelers for capitalizing on an unexpected opportunity. Outside linebacker wasn’t necessarily a pressing need for Pittsburgh, but with Sawyer still available that late, Khan and Tomlin made the smart call to scoop him up.
The NFL Draft is always interesting because sometimes the board breaks in a certain direction. There are times when positional needs are sitting right there, but a player of great value is also available. Teams have to decide between addressing a need and grabbing the best player available. Sometimes, the Steelers will draft the position they need, but other times—like with Sawyer—they’ll see a player falling down the board that they had ranked higher and simply have to snatch him up. That’s exactly what happened with Sawyer.
Steelers' Jack Sawyer Likely To Get Reps As A Rookie And Contribute In 2025
While the Steelers already have two Pro Bowl-caliber edge rushers in TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, Reuter believes Sawyer could still carve out a meaningful role in the rotation as a rookie. Given his physical tools, motor, and championship pedigree at OSU, he might see more snaps in 2025 than many fans expect. The Steelers love to keep their pass rushers fresh, and that could open the door for Sawyer to contribute situationally—especially on passing downs or in specific sub-packages.
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Steelers' Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt sit on the sideline during a home game.
Of course, no one is expecting Sawyer to take significant reps away from Watt or Highsmith, but he’ll be part of the rotation alongside third-year linebacker Nick Herbig. Like Herbig in his early years, Sawyer will be asked to make the most of limited opportunities—and he has the talent to deliver. If he can flash during training camp and in preseason action, don’t be surprised if he becomes a reliable spark off the bench, capable of delivering splash plays when the defense needs it most.
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