The Pittsburgh Steelers are very serious about changing. The message out of Indy is that they’re making physicality a top priority in their 2025 rookie class. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin provided deeper context in an interview with NFL Network. He shared that the team focused their draft picks by focusing on players known for their physical playing style. This strategy somewhat surprisingly resulted in what appeared to everyone as a largely defensive-oriented draft class. Five of the team’s seven selections focused on shoring up their defensive front.
Steelers opened their draft with 21st overall pick in the first-round, taking wide receiver Ashton Jeanty. Tomlin reiterated the need to reapply physicality from top to bottom on the roster. He did a lot more than just telegraph his intention to cultivate a more competitive culture.
In the later rounds, the Steelers focused on defensive development, pulling in quality talent. Topping the list of new additions was fourth-round edge rusher Jack Sawyer, a fellow product of the Big Ten Conference. Indeed, Tomlin quickly gave props to the Big Ten’s strong showing. That’s a testament to the conference’s enormous depth and unforgiving nature, with 18 football programs set to exist in the conference in 2024. Sawyer himself echoed this sentiment, stating,
“The Big Ten, I think, is the best conference in football.” – Jack Sawyer
In addition to Sawyer, the Steelers drafted fifth-round defensive tackle Yahya Black and seventh-round linebacker Carson Bruener. By the time this year’s draft had reached its seventh round, the team had selected cornerback Donte Kent, emphasizing their pursuit of aggressive defensive playmakers even more.
Tomlin’s approach to the draft appears rooted in a desire for gritty players who embody the Steelers’ blue-collar ethos. He expressed that physicality is essential for success in the organization, saying that players must bring toughness to the field.
Harmon, another one of the newly drafted players, shared his perspective on the team culture:
“You gotta have some grit to be in this organization.” – Harmon
Tomlin’s focus on physicality was seen all throughout the draft process. The Steelers even considered trading their second-round pick for star wide receiver DK Metcalf, but ultimately chose to build through the draft instead.
“You gotta have a little bit of edge to you and you gotta play with a little pride to you, and I feel like that’s me.” – Will Howard
Howard’s sentiments are right in line with Tomlin’s top expectations of this football team. The one BIG goal the coach wants to accomplish. He has a vision of a deep roster filled with players who are humble, hungry, and smart.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin praised Sawyer’s physical attributes, highlighting his ability to set edges and contribute significantly on defense:
“You’re talking about a 260-pound man who has his ‘mean’ on half the time and probably more than half the time, and that’s really a good thing.” – Teryl Austin
The choice to select so many players of the Big Ten demonstrate positioning and purposeful effort. Perhaps most importantly, it shines a light on a big confidence in the kinds of athletes this demanding conference churns out. Tomlin is clearly making the reestablishment of a clear and tangible physical identity Job #1. This approach really does set them up as a more competitive team long-term.
Leave a Reply