Like many teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers have multiple needs to address as they head into 2025 free agency and the NFL draft. But given the number of yards the defense gave up in 2024, especially as the season progressed, one area stands out more than others:
Defensive line, defensive line, defensive line.
The defense as a whole is the oldest in the league, with a snap-weighted average age of 28.4. Four of their current six linemen will be 30 or older next year: Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams and Dean Lowry. And Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac believes three of those guys could be gone. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who in that group is staying.
The Steelers must continue constructing the defensive line of the future. Keeanu Benton, taken at No. 49 overall in the 2023 draft, is a star in the making and a good start. Beyond him (and cornerback Joey Porter Jr.), the Steelers have focused primarily on offense with their top picks.
“The DLine has been their biggest need the past two years,” Dulac wrote. “If you want to know how Derrick Henry goes off for 162 and 186 in a matter of three weeks, look no further.”
And Henry, 31, shows no signs of slowing down. He’s not going away anytime soon.
The challenge for the Steelers will be intense next season, with matchups against four of the NFL’s top 10 rushing teams in the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
With this tall task ahead and defenders not getting any younger, a case could be made for Pittsburgh to use at least two of its top three picks to rebuild the defensive line. Talented rookies could give the unit a shot of youth, energy and run-stuffing capability.
The Steelers’ second-most pressing need is in the secondary, but veteran free agents might better address that.
What positions do you think Pittsburgh should focus on to start the NFL draft? Let us know in the comments below.