Steelers Insider Floats First-Round Defenders Who’d Fill Position Of Need

The Steelers have made marked improvements on the offensive line and now have the opportunity to flip to the opposite side.

“It’s important,” Khan told reporters at the NFL scouting combine in reference to the defensive line, per The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo. “But fortunately, we have the resources from a cap standpoint to address it. Maybe in free agency. There’s maybe some trade candidates out there. And the draft, this is a really good draft on the defensive line.”

Could the Steelers target a defensive tackle in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft? It feels possible for Pittsburgh, despite the team’s obvious needs at quarterback and wide receiver.

DeFabo floated three defensive tackles who could make sense for the Steelers at No. 21 overall. He included Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, Michigan’s Kenneth Grant and Ole Miss product Walter Nolen as potential fits.

Harmon (No 19), Grant (No. 26) and Nolen (No. 29) represent three of the top four prospects at the position, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Only Michigan’s Mason Graham, who is widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the entire class, ranks higher.

If the Steelers miss out on any of those prospects, however, there will be talent left over. The defensive line is viewed as the deepest position in the class with Brugler listing 17 edge rushers and 13 defensive tackles in his top 100 prospects.

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