The Pittsburgh Steelers had a number of members of their 2024 draft class miss vital time final season as rookies, whereas others instantly stepped into distinguished roles. Guys like OT Troy Fautanu and WR Roman Wilson hardly noticed the sector in any respect of their rookie seasons. On the identical time, C Zach Frazier and G Mason McCormick each earned beginning spots alongside the offensive line, and LB Payton Wilson has a beginning spot locked in to start the 2025 marketing campaign.
After S Ryan Watts medically retired from soccer this offseason, Pittsburgh continues to be left with six gamers from their authentic draft class. We shall be rating these gamers when it comes to who to anticipate the most important sophomore leaps from in 2025, as all six gamers look to construct off their respective rookie seasons.
NO. 6: DL LOGAN LEE
DL Logan Lee is the straightforward option to put on the backside of this checklist as he has the least clear path to taking part in time, and is more likely to be thought-about extra of a fringe participant on the roster than a breakout candidate. Lee was drafted within the sixth spherical final yr and didn’t see any motion as a rookie. Whereas that would imply that he has loads of room to enhance in his sophomore season, Pittsburgh did draft Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black who challenge to be above Lee on the depth chart in addition to has Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, and Daniel Ekuale notably on the depth chart.
Pittsburgh hasn’t wasted any time including depth on the line of defense, and except Lee proves he’s considered one of their high six guys, he may get lower from the roster in coaching camp and get relegated to the workforce’s observe squad. We’ve got the total preseason to see if Lee can show he’s one of many high guys upfront, however as of now, the percentages are stacked in opposition to him.
NO. 5: G MASON MCCORMICK
This rating isn’t any slight to G Mason McCormick, who began 14 video games as a rookie final season after getting drafted within the fourth spherical out of South Dakota State. As an alternative, it’s recognizing the feat of that accomplishment and the way it could also be troublesome to anticipate a a lot higher leap in 12 months 2 from McCormick, who’s a gradual participant at guard however might lack that high-end ceiling on the place.
McCormick has loads of room to enhance as a participant, boasting a 57.7 total grade by Professional Soccer Focus. Nonetheless, he stepped in admirably when G James Daniels went all the way down to damage, taking part in 936 snaps when many projected him to be a backup for his complete rookie season behind Daniels and Isaac Seumalo. He ought to take a step ahead with a full offseason below his belt, however the magnitude of that step ahead needs to be tempered primarily based on the affect he had as a rookie.
NO. 4: C ZACH FRAZIER
What was mentioned about McCormick can be utilized to Zach Frazier, who may very properly rank first total on this checklist in relation to the very best total gamers from the 2024 Draft class. Frazier lived as much as the billing and the expectations positioned on him as a rookie final season, displaying Pittsburgh that he might be their franchise heart. He began 15 video games and performed 976 offensive snaps, incomes a 76.8 total grade from Professional Soccer Focus, which ranked him sixth out of 64 facilities within the league final yr in keeping with their grading system.
Frazier comes into 2025 as most likely the very best total offensive lineman on Pittsburgh’s roster, however anticipating him to make an excellent larger soar in his second season relative to what he managed to do as a rookie could also be wishful considering. We are able to anticipate to see some enchancment from him as he has a full season below his belt, however except Frazier takes residence First Workforce All-Professional honors (which might be superior, by the best way), it’s exhausting to place him a lot larger on this checklist.
NO. 3: LB PAYTON WILSON
LB Payton Wilson was an intriguing title to rank as the previous third spherical decide got here in final season and contributed closely on Pittsburgh’s protection, beginning 4 video games and performed 492 defensive snaps with one other 301 on particular groups, making 78 whole tackles (49 solo), three tackles for loss, a compelled fumble, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a landing), two cross deflections, and an interception.
Nonetheless, Wilson appears to be like primed to be stepping right into a full-time beginning place reverse Patrick Queen on protection, with Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb probably getting sprinkled in, resulting in seemingly extra snaps and alternatives for Wilson to take an enormous step ahead in 2025. His pace and pursuit have been notable final season, in addition to his talent set in protection, rating sixth in protection grade in keeping with PFF. Ought to the alternatives be there, it’s not exhausting to see Wilson hit the 100-tackle mark in his second season, with seemingly extra splash performs to return as properly.
NO. 2: WR ROMAN WILSON
It’s straightforward to place beforehand injured gamers on the high of this checklist. Nonetheless, within the case of WR Roman Wilson and OT Troy Fautanu, each discover themselves able to tackle beginning roles at very pivotal positions for the offense. Within the case of Wilson, the previous third-round select of Michigan had his season finish earlier than it ever actually started, struggling a hamstring damage in coaching camp, which lingered into the common season, coping with illnesses that held him to only 5 offensive snaps as a rookie.
Presently, the WR depth chart is broad open behind DK Metcalf as Pittsburgh has Calvin Austin III penciled in as their present WR, with Robert Woods, Scottie Miller, and Ben Skowronek rounding issues out. After buying and selling George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, the WR2 job is broad open getting into coaching camp, and Pittsburgh is relying on Wilson to make a 12 months 2 soar this season, as he has appeared good in workforce actions so far. The Steelers misplaced out on their proficient route runner final season, however now totally wholesome in 2025, there’s a good probability that Wilson can hit the bottom working.
NO. 1: OT TROY FAUTANU
Very like the case with Roman Wilson, there’s solely an arrow pointing upward for OT Troy Fautanu. The previous first-round select of Washington was highly-touted popping out of faculty for his athleticism and motion expertise in addition to his play demeanor within the trenches, making Pittsburgh ecstatic that he fell to them on draft night time. Sadly, after a robust Week 2 displaying in his lone begin of the yr, Fautanu suffered a season-ending knee damage in observe previous to Week 3, chopping his 2024 season quick after taking part in simply 55 snaps.
Heading into 12 months 2, Fautanu is projected to start out at proper deal with reverse Broderick Jones. With no different high quality beginning choices behind him, Fautanu is the clear starter Pittsburgh is working with for the 2025 marketing campaign. He confirmed glimpses of promise in opposition to the Denver Broncos. Nonetheless, now he has the chance to be the clear-cut man for the complete season, inserting quite a lot of strain on him to carry out, but additionally the chance to simply deserve the highest spot on this checklist if he reveals he might be the participant Pittsburgh thought he may once they drafted him.
