Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers, quarterback will remain the team's top need entering 2026 and they'd love for one of the top four quarterbacks to be available here. They got a nice value with Jack Sawyer falling to them in the fourth round, but T.J. Watt is entering the final year of his current contract. While I don't expect Watt to play anywhere other than Pittsburgh, adding another young edge rusher makes sense and Uiagalelei had a breakout season in 2024 as he led the Big Ten in sacks (10.5).

As of writing this, Pittsburgh has not signed Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback room is Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard right now. A year ago, Iamaleava was almost a foregone conclusion to be a part of way-too-early mock drafts. The 2025 season did not go as anyone expected and Iamaleava has since transferred back to the West Coast. As with all of these quarterback prospects, Iamaleava has not played at a No. 16 overall level, but the pieces are there if he can put it all together.

Sure, the Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon this year, but you can never have too many defensive tackles. Cameron Heyward will be 37 entering the 2026 season; the defensive line could see some turnover. Overton fits what the Steelers have looked for in the past, as the 6-5 283-pounder can play off the edge or reduce inside. His 13.4% pressure rate at defensive tackle last season was second best in the FBS. He probably would have been a top-60 pick had he declared for the 2025 draft, but Overton has the opportunity to boost his stock even more -- especially if he can improve his sack total (two last season).

Best Pick: It was their first one. They passed on a quarterback to take defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. He's going to be a typical Steelers down player for years to come, which means menacing.

Worst Pick: I like running back Kaleb Johnson, who went in the second, but I thought there were better options at the position when he was picked. I think they see him as a Le'veon Bell type of back, but that's asking a lot.

The Skinny: They didn't take a quarterback until taking Will Howard in the sixth, which says a lot about how they felt about this class. Instead, they did what the Steelers usually do, which is take big people to help their defense. Getting Harmon was a smart move, rather than forcing a quarterback in the first.

Top needs entering the draft: Defensive tackle, quarterback, wide receiver and running back

The Steelers must feel really good about their chances of signing Aaron Rodgers. That's the only explanation for their approach to the 2025 draft. And if they don't land Rodgers (or pull some other magic at QB), coach Mike Tomlin's 18-year streak of going at least .500 could end. Mason Rudolph is the current starter. Yet, Pittsburgh added only Will Howard at the position -- in Round 6. He's a backup in the NFL. Instead of getting a quarterback they can win games with right now in Round 1, the Steelers went defensive tackle.

Don't get me wrong, Derrick Harmon is perfect for this defense. His 34 pressures when lined up as an interior lineman led the FBS. He combines power and quickness to create chaos. And with Cameron Heyward turning 36 years old, the defensive line had to get some youthful reinforcements. The pick itself is really good, but it just seems like Pittsburgh is rolling the dice at its most important position. And think about this, too: The Steelers didn't have a second-round pick because they traded it for DK Metcalf. But who is throwing Metcalf the ball???

Elsewhere, Kaleb Johnson will pair nicely with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell at running back. The Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry (tied for 20th). Edge rusher Jack Sawyer and defensive tackle Yahya Black provide some more youth to the defensive line -- and at good value. Sawyer ranked 90th for me but went 123rd. Black ranked 66th but wasn't drafted until 164th overall. And Sawyer's 15.9% pressure rate (eighth in the nation) will help T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Again, these are good picks that hit major needs. But this draft class grade will likely come down to Rodgers' decision. That's why I'm giving Pittsburgh a B-.