The Steelers crashed out of the 2024 NFL season in the Wild Card round. They would look to land some stars in the NFL Draft to extend their playoff run next season. Let's look at what PFN predicted in their most recent 7-round mock.
The Carolina Panthers desperately need an edge rusher, making this an ideal fit. Although Walker is a tweener, his burst, bend, and finishing ability are excellent. His speed and ability to flatten make him a challenge for opposing offensive tackles, despite his lack of size and length. Walker is the type of alpha player this Panthers defense needs. He would be a high-energy player who would set the tone moving forward.
This selection feels inevitable. No team in the NFL gravitates toward outcast wide receivers the way Mike Tomlin and the Steelers do. Bond is the most natural separator in the class. He possesses unbelievable quickness, fluidity, and explosiveness. At times at Alabama and early with Texas it looked like he could be a top pick. He ran detailed routes that snapped off some of the best cornerbacks in the country. But things fell apart at Texas in more ways than one and he fell into obscurity within that offense. Can the Steelers extract his talent while minimizing the distractions?
Quinshon Judkins reunites with his Ohio State OC Chip Kelly in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, gifting the Raiders with an explosive, turbocharged carving knife at the RB position. For some people, Judkins is going as high as the second round itself. With the physical traits and production he’s already shown, it’s hard to argue that Judkins would not be a valuable get for any team. But, on a team like the Raiders that was searching for their Josh Jacobs replacement all of last season, he might be the perfect fit.
The Seattle Seahawks have a solid foundation at cornerback, led by Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon. Seattle was a great pass-rushing defense, and they should continue to solidify the back end. Quincy Riley displays strong route recognition and elite ball skills. While he may be a bit undersized for the position, Riley plays with a competitive edge.
After a redshirt freshman 2022 campaign that saw Riley Leonard pass for almost 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, he was in the first round of some way-too-early mock drafts for the 2024 NFL Draft cycle. Things can change quickly, though. The 2023 campaign was a massive letdown for Leonard, who regressed while dealing with injuries (left toe, ankle). He transferred to Notre Dame in 2024 and enjoyed a run in the College Football Playoff, but the Fighting Irish largely won in spite of his passing abilities, relying more often on his ground game. (The fleet-footed quarterback rushed for 906 yards and scored 17 ground touchdowns). Leonard never recaptured the magic that first drew the interest of evaluators in 2022, but there is no denying his upside. He’s athletic. He has a loose and live arm. And his competitive resolve is a strength.
Hunter Wohler is a versatile safety who thrives near the line of scrimmage. He’s a reliable tackler, effective blitzer, and strong run defender. While he is limited in range and hip fluidity for deep coverage, Wohler is great in zone and man matchups. He is a good fit for aggressive and attacking defenses.
After losing Milton Williams in free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles will likely look to replace him in the draft and continue their dominance in the trenches. Cam Jackson is massive and has the raw power to be an immediate contributor as a run-stuffer. He has a relatively safe floor, but Vic Fangio and Co. could help him maximize his physical gifts at the NFL level.
Travis Martin, a 6'3", 215-pound safety, is a ball-hawking playmaker with impressive size. He is known for his ability to create turnovers. Martin’s physicality and knack for big plays makes him a good fit for the Steelers.
