Updating Steelers depth charts from Day 3 selections of the 2025 NFL Draft

There were a lot of questions as to how the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 draft would play out in the first round. Would they move up to grab a player they wanted? Would they trade back rather than settle for what they needed most with who was remaining? Would the Steelers reach for a quarterback in a weak class? Instead, the Steelers held pat at 21 and selected defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a player they did not want to miss out on by trading back. On Day 2, the Steelers didn’t have a pick in the second round, so it was a long wait. When the Steelers made it to pick 83, they stuck with their pick, the only one of the night, and drafted running back Kaleb Johnson from Iowa.

Now that the selections have been made, it’s time to check out the Steelers depth chart at each position. The depth chart for defensive tackles was already covered from Day 1 (although now more can be added) and can be seen HERE. To split things up better, Day 2 and Day 3 will be done separately. With Day 2 being covered HERE, it’s not time to finish off with Day 3 picks.

Note: The depth charts for players added as undrafted free agents (UDFAs) will not be included, but if a UDFA was part of a position group of a drafted player they will be included.

After drafting Jack Sawyer on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Steelers currently have eight outside linebackers on the roster. The current projected depth chart at outside linebacker for the Steelers is as follows:

Outside Linebacker

• T.J. Watt
• Alex Highsmith
• Nick Herbig
• Jack Sawyer
• Jeremiah Moon
• Julius Welschof
• Eku Leota
• Thomas Rush

I think this depth chart is pretty straightforward. Watt and Highsmith are the starters and Herbig is going into year three as the main reserve. Now the Steelers have Jack Sawyer as an upgrade of Jeremiah Moon as a player who can help more against the run than what Herbig has to offer. Whether or not the Steelers keep five outside linebackers will be the biggest question.

After drafting Yahya Black on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Steelers currently have twelve defensive tackles on the roster. The current projected depth chart at defensive line for the Steelers is as follows:

Defensive Tackle

• Cameron Heyward
• Keeanu Benton
• Derrick Harmon
• Yahya Black
• Montravius Adams
• Daniel Ekuale
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
• DeMarvin Leal
• Dean Lowry
• Logan Lee
• Esezi Otomewo
• Domenique Davis
• Jacob Slade

I crossed out Montravius Adams because it has been reported the Steelers have released him, but they have not made an announcement and he still remains on their official 90-man roster (UPDATE: They just made the announcement). This might be a little controversial, but I’m just putting Black in place of Adams as the next nose tackle. He may actually be a little bit lower on the list, but I think this is reasonable.

After drafting Will Howard on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Steelers currently have three quarterbacks on the roster. The current projected depth chart at quarterback for the Steelers is as follows:

QuarterBack

• Mason Rudolph
• Skylar Thompson
• Will Howard

Some might wonder why I have Will Howard behind Skyler Thompson, but it’s more about where Howard should be. He needs to only be expected to be QB3 this season. Right now there are only three on the roster so a player who actually has some NFL starts goes ahead of him. But if the Steelers add another veteran quarterback, something they will do but it’s only up in the air if a certain quarterback who is expected to come to the Steelers actually signs, this still puts Howard still in the third spot with Thompson bumping below him.

After drafting Carson Bruner on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Steelers currently have seven linebackers on the roster. The current projected depth chart at linebcker for the Steelers is as follows:

Linebacker

• Patrick Queen
• Cole Holcomb
• Payton Wilson
• Malik Harrison
• Mark Robinson
• Carson Bruner
• Devin Harper

There are all kinds of question marks about this depth chart so I just put them out there. Cole Holcomb might be the next man behind Patrick Queen if he returns the form. But that is a big if. How high do the Steelers have Malik Harrison coming in from the Ravens? Should he be ahead of Payton Wilson? I think spots two through four can be shuffled anywhere you want, but it comes down to Mark Robinson and Carson Bruner for the potential last spot and special teams contributor.

After drafting Donte Kent on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft, the Steelers currently have ten cornerbacks on the roster. The current projected depth chart at cornerback for the Steelers is as follows:

Cornerback

• Joey Porter Jr.
• Darius Slay
• Brandon Echols
• Corey Trice
• Beanie Bishop Jr.
• James Pierre
• Donte Kent
• D’Shawn Jamison
• Cameron McCutcheon
• Kyler McMichael

The top two quarterbacks on the depth chart are pretty obvious, but there’s a hodgepodge in the next four spots that could go in any direction. The important thing is that Donte Kent comes in as a seventh round draft pick below those players but ahead of the final three on the Steelers roster. He will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot with the likes of James Pierre and Beanie Bishop. Also, Kent is listed on the Steelers website has also being a punt returner.

While this is likely the Steelers depth chart at this time, there are plenty of things that could change between now and the start of the 2025 regular season. Does this depth chart look accurate as of today? How soon do you project any of these players to get significant playing time? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.