The Pittsburgh Steelers are wrapping up their big board as the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer and closer. Even with everyone counting the days before the Tennessee Titans officially go on the clock, there seems to be no clear-cut direction that many teams should go, including Pittsburgh. The staff has interviewed numerous quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive linemen, but which is the right pick? Depending on how the draft falls for them, this could be either an easy decision, or one of the toughest ones they've had to make in some time.
While making an appearance on The Mina Kimes Show, draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked about two prospects that could be selected at Pick 21. After making his decision, he quickly shifted gears and talked about a sleeper pick that would fit with the Steelers.
"The other one that's kind of sneaky that people don't think about with the running back position: TreVeyon Henderson," said Jeremiah. "What do they always say when they get rid of a coach? 'You always hire the opposite of what you just had,' so if Najee Harris is a physical, somewhat-plodding runner, you want the exact opposite of that, and they can have Jaylen Warren -- there was that little pairing there -- but they can get it all in one body with TreVeyon Henderson's, so I think that is somebody I wouldn't sleep on."
Considering the fact that the Steelers brought in nine running backs for a pre-draft visit and spoke to a few more at their Pro Days, it's safe to say that they are focused on finding their replacement for Najee Harris. The first round may not be the greatest idea for that, especially since that's when Harris was drafted just four years prior.
While Harris was mainly used as a power back, Henderson is seen as more of an all-around guy who has power, speed, agility, and some ability to act as a receiver out of the backfield. He had the highest athleticism score out of all running back prospects during the NFL Combine this year, and that could be something that made the Steelers very interested in him.
As Jeremiah mentions, Jaylen Warren was the yang to Harris' yin. They complemented each other extremely well over the last few seasons and Pittsburgh needs a new back to now do that for Warren. Instead of getting another big body that runs between the tackles, they may want someone that can do everything so they can keep the former undrafted free agent in that changeup role.
Steelers' Coaching Changes Prove Jeremiah's Theory Right
When the Steelers fired former offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, they promoted Randy Fichtner to that role, and the two are total opposites. Haley was very aggressive and wanted things done his way, while Fichtner was much more conservative and possibly too willing to do whatever his players wanted, and the offense stayed stagnant.
In an attempt to modernize the game, the team let Fichtner and his old-school tactics walk in favor of Matt Canada, who promised a new offense full of college-style misdirection and motions. The only misdirection was him tricking the team into thinking he could run an NFL-level unit. When they let the highly inexperienced Canada go, they brought in a very experienced, respected coach in Arthur Smith, who could get the team back to basics.
