Steelers Rookie Report: Training Camp Week One

A new series here at SCN will track the progress and any reports surrounding the Steelers’ new group of rookies this season. For some, this may mean limited action as we head into the season and opportunities dry up, but for now, we expect to hear updates on all the rookies in the Steelers’ offseason group.

Week one of training camp is now in the books, which means the pads will be coming out during this next week of practice. For now, we’ll dive into all the important updates and information that came out of the acclimation period of training camp for the Steelers.

Derrick Harmon:

Most of the attention, and rightfully so, will be on the Steelers’ first-round rookie Derrick Harmon out of Oregon, who has already been penciled in as a key contributor along the defensive line. By all accounts, Harmon has been one of the most impressive players, period. During the first week of camp, the rookie has reportedly been living in the backfield and batting down passes at the line of scrimmage, showing exactly why he has drawn comparisons to Cameron Heyward.

For Harmon, dominating in shorts is all well and good, and certainly better than not, but this will be a big week for the rookie as we finally get to see and hear how he performs with the pads on, which is especially important for defensive linemen.

Stock Status: Up

I know the pads aren’t on yet so grain of salt but man, Derrick Harmon has looked excellent this first week.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 27, 2025

Evaluations are limited for a first day/no pads but 1st round DL Derrick Harmon seemed active day. Getting off blocks, hands up in throwing lanes. Working base LDE and rotating into nickel. Good day. #Steelers

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) July 24, 2025

Kaleb Johnson:

Coming into the draft, we all knew the Steelers needed to address the running back room and they did so by selecting perhaps the best zone runner in the draft, Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa. For me, Johnson looks like he will start the season as the RB2 behind Jaylen Warren but there is a chance he could become the highest-volume back by the end of the year.

With that out of the way, the first week of training camp for Johnson, like Derrick Harmon, has been a positive experience. He has been able to show skills that needed to be confirmed against NFL-level athletes. By all accounts, he looked fast enough and many people and reporters were in awe of his ability to hit holes decisively during the first week. In an interview, he also mentioned wanting to prove he can be a factor in the passing game both as a receiver and blocker. This coming week will be interesting as he is thrown into the fire with the team beginning to wear pads, meaning we will see our first edition of backs on backers.

Stock Status: Up

Rookie #Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson:

“I feel like the hidden part of my game is my speed and my catching ability. I feel like I can really contribute with my catching … protections and stuff like that. A-Rod and all the quarterbacks, I feel like they’re trust in me now.” pic.twitter.com/MieYRofGFK

— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) July 26, 2025

I’m hesitant to call anything a big run given there’s no pads, but one thing I’ll say is Kaleb Johnson absolutely flies when he gets into open grass.

Serious build up speed.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 24, 2025

Jack Sawyer:

The Steelers drafted Sawyer to help with physicality against the run, which he specialized in during his time at Ohio State. Many raised eyebrows at the selection, but the value of taking the defensive captain of the national championship team with his intangibles seemed too good for the Steelers executives to pass up.

News surrounding the Ohio State product has been few and far between, which doesn’t always mean a bad thing. He will certainly get more opportunities as training camp continues.

Stock Status: Stable

Yahya Black:

The “big chassis,” as he’s been described, will be fighting to secure any playing time this year, as he currently sits behind a few other names on the depth chart. For the Iowa defensive lineman, it will be crucial that he plays to his size and helps the Steelers stop the run when given the opportunity.

As with the rest of the rookies, we’ll learn more once the pads come on. But from what’s been reported out of camp, Black has been getting his hands on passes at the line of scrimmage and has been viewed as a bright spot during the early acclimation period.

Stock Status: Up

Yahya Black has gotten his hands on two Mason Rudolph passes already today.

He’s not an elite pass rusher but that’s a great way to add value in that area.

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 27, 2025

Will Howard:

The national championship winning quarterback made his way to the Steelers in the 6th round which for many has been seen as supreme value. This isn’t to say he’s the future because I’m not sure that will be the case, but he could well become the future back up for years to come.

In camp you are always going to hear stats about how a quarterback is going, and for me the essentially mean nothing, especially with no pads on. From what I have seen it seems like he has been solid throughout the early days, but time will tell as he gets more reps.

Stock Status: Stable

#Steelers rookie QB Will Howard 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/YDMcOFSpaA

— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) July 26, 2025

Carson Bruener:

The linebacker is the Steelers’ latest addition to the bloodlines they value so highly in roster building. The team made it clear, however, that he was selected based on merit and his play with the Washington Huskies. For Bruener, it will be important to make an impact on special teams, as the inside linebacker group is deep with talent and competition for roster spots.

During the acclimation period, there hasn’t been much reported about the rookie linebacker from those on the ground. But as training camp progresses, we should start hearing more about his opportunities on both defense and special teams.

Stock Status: Stable

Donte Kent:

The Steelers’ last pick of the draft was turbo-charged defensive back Donte Kent from Central Michigan, who will look to provide versatility as an inside-outside corner with strong special teams potential. Like his fellow seventh-round rookie, Kent enters one of the most crowded position rooms on the Steelers’ 2025 roster, where he’ll be competing with the likes of Beanie Bishop, James Pierre, and Cory Trice for playing time and a roster spot.

The early part of training camp has been promising for Kent, who has flashed his natural ability to get his hands on the ball and make plays when given the chance. I haven’t heard much about him returning kicks yet, but that could be something that develops as camp goes on. Overall, Kent’s first week in Steelers training camp appears to be trending in the right direction.

Stock Status: Up

I think Donte Kent has put together a good start to camp and had a strong spring, too. Understand CB has become a bit more crowded with Ramsey around but wouldn't rule out Kent for a roster spot.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 25, 2025

Rookie Donte Kent picking off Skylar Thompson via @ben_burgh2 #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/YQtMktfYXf

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) July 26, 2025

As always, if you have any thoughts on the rookies and how they’ve performed based on the reports, let us know in the comments. We always enjoy hearing your opinions.