Steelers Nearly Made Massive Move That Could Have Changed 2025 NFL Draft Outcome
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very successful NFL Draft in 2025, as a lot of the prospects were projected to go much higher. There is value throughout the entire draft class this year, which is the mark of a strategic organization. Pittsburgh did not make any crazy moves throughout the event, despite there being some talks about the organization trading back in the first round -- or even dealing star wide receiver George Pickens to recoup some draft capital from the DK Metcalf trade. None of that transpired, and the only trade Pittsburgh made was moving down in the fifth round of the event.
Pickens is staying put in Pittsburgh, at least for now, but there are always phone calls happening. The Dallas Cowboys were reportedly calling Pittsburgh to try and get a deal done for Pickens, but the two sides couldn't come to a deal. Another organization the Steelers nearly made a trade with was the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville had the 102nd pick in the third round, and Pittsburgh called them to try and deal the 83rd pick according to Mike Silver in an article he wrote for The Athletic.
"Now, given his desire to land Ransaw and Milum, either of whom the Jags would have taken with the 70th selection had they not consummated the deal with Detroit, Gladstone explored the idea of trading back up," Silver wrote. "The 102nd pick, obtained from the Lions, was the final selection of the third round. The Pittsburgh Steelers had reached out with an offer that could have allowed the Jags to move up to 83, but Gladstone deemed it insufficient."
Jacksonville's General Manager James Gladstone is the youngest at his position in the league, and he went through his first draft in the role. He had the desire to land both Wyatt Milum and Caleb Ransaw, but he didn't think he would be able to by sticking at 102. Pittsburgh tried to get a deal done for the 83rd overall pick, but Gladstone held off and got a deal completed with the Minnesota Vikings in order to land his guys.
The Jaguars acquired the 102nd pick for the 89th pick, and Jacksonville also gave up a fifth-round pick, but received a seventh-round selection as well. It is impossible to tell what Pittsburgh offered, but it had to of been something that returned less to the Jaguars. The Steelers stayed put at 83 and selected running back Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa. Johnson is a running back that was thought to go in the second round of the draft, but Pittsburgh managed to land him in the third.
The organization seems to be excited about Johnson, and he was the best part of the offense at Iowa over the last two seasons. He is expected to slowly work his way into a big role, and he could be the lead back in Pittsburgh for years to come. Had a trade been completed, Pittsburgh would have held the 102nd pick, and it is hard to imagine that Johnson would have fallen an additional 19 picks to still land in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Watched Jaguars Steal Star From Division Rival
Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns had the second overall pick in the event, and they were expected to take superstar Travis Hunter. Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, and he is considered to be a generational talent. He is a star as a cornerback and as a wide receiver, and thankfully the Jaguars completed a trade with Cleveland to keep Hunter out of the AFC North.
Jacksonville did give up a good amount of picks, including the organization's first-round pick in 2026. Pittsburgh fans might be worried about the amount of draft capital Cleveland is going to have, but there is a good chance the Browns manage to mess things up.
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