The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 NFL draft with several pressing needs on their roster following their disastrous end to the 2025 season. Among those top needs is defensive tackle, a position at which Pittsburgh needs to get both better and younger. Luckily for the Steelers, the 2025 draft class is loaded with promising defensive tackle prospects.
While it may not be as sexy of a position as wide receiver or cornerback, two of Pittsburgh’s other top needs, the Steelers will undoubtedly address the defensive line early in the draft.
2025 NFL Draft: Steelers Defensive Tackle Prospects to Watch
Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Given the flaws they showed down the stretch of the 2024 season, don’t be surprised to see the Steelers target defensive line prospects who excel as run defenders. A team can’t consistently succeed in the AFC North without being able to stop the run. Insert Michigan’s Kenneth Grant.
Standing 6’3″ and weighing 340 pounds, Grant is a monster in the run game. His play strength and explosiveness will serve him well against the likes of the Baltimore Ravens or Cincinnati Bengals rushing attacks.
While Grant has plenty of room for improvement as a pass rusher, his size, strength and athletic potential will easily make him a first round pick. So, if Pittsburgh wants to draft the big man, they will need to do it early. Due to the serious depth at defensive line in this draft, the Steelers might wait until the second or third round to address the position. But, if a player with Grant’s abilities is available at 21, he would be hard for Pittsburgh to pass on.
Working on my initial Top 50 prospect list. I have 16 DL slotted in there.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 27, 2025
Deone Walker, Kentucky
On the topic of massive defensive line prospects who can stop the run, the Steelers will certainly do their due diligence on Kentucky’s Deone Walker. At 6’6″ and 345 pounds, Walker has the size defensive line coaches dream of having. Likely aided by his basketball background, Walker is a great athlete for his size. Combine Walker’s size, athleticism and versatility, and it’s easy to see a player who will be taken on Day 2 of the draft.
Like Grant, Walker has room to improve as a pass rusher. However, his size and length will be effective to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. Perhaps Walker’s biggest strength is his high motor.
In that regard, Walker is similar to Pittsburgh’s Keeanu Benton, who never seems to run out of energy. With Benton a stronger pass rusher and Walker better against the run, the two would compliment each other well in the front of Pittsburgh’s defense.
Alfred Collins, Texas
Anyone who watched the 2025 College Football Playoffs probably thought at some point, “my favorite team should draft one of these Texas defensive linemen.” The Longhorns defense was dominant in the trenches and Collins played a huge role in that success.
While he’s a little lighter than Walker and Grant, Collins is 6’5″, 320 pounds. Despite being lighter, Collins might be the strongest player of this bunch. That high-end strength will prove very beneficial as a run defender in the NFL.
Collins’ draft position will likely be lower than Walker’s due to his lack of production as a pass rusher. While Walker needs refinement in that area, Collins really hasn’t shown a reliable pass-rushing repertoire. He will get his arms up and swat passes, but that is about all Collins excelled at consistently in the passing game. But given his strength and run-defending abilities, the Steelers should be interested in Collins in the middle rounds.
Jordan Phillips, Maryland
While he is the smallest player in this group at 6’1″, 318 pounds, Maryland’s Jordan Phillips might have the highest athletic ceiling. Phillips makes up for his lack of size and length with elite play strength, strong hands, and quick feet. He looks like a true nose tackle in the NFL, which is the kind of player Pittsburgh desperately needs.
Due to his lack of size, Phillips will be available in the middle rounds of the draft. But of all these defensive tackle prospects, he just might be the best fit for the Steelers. Expect them to show a lot of interest in Phillips in the pre-draft process.
Main Photo Courtesy of Sara Diggins – USA Today Network – Imagn Images
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