Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Issues Urgent Warning To Pittsburgh About First-Round Draft Mistake

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at crossroads when it comes to their plans for the remainder of the 2025 offseason, as they still have a lot of questions to answer on their roster with the 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner. They started off hot by making a splash trade this offseason for DK Metcalf, but since then, they have left most of Steeler Nation impatiently waiting for what is next. 

Most of the questions surround the plan at the quarterback position, as the team still doesn't appear to have an answer, despite attempting several different solutions following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. However, there are still other questions on the offensive side of the ball that the Steelers appear to have a clear focus on addressing in the draft. Throughout the pre-draft process, the Steelers have brought in several running backs for pre-draft visits and more than any other position. While it hasn't been popular to draft a running back with a premium pick as it wasn't deemed a good value, the Steelers haven't been shy to go against the trend and showed that with the selection of Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Drafting a running back in the first round may be more popular now that everyone around the league watched what the Philadelphia Eagles did last season following the signing of Saquon Barkley. However, the aforementioned Roethlisberger warns against that. In the most recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, Roethlisberger talks a bit about the different draft options, particularly in the first round. While doing so, he warned against taking a running back that early this year. 

"I would not go in the first round running back, I am not a proponent of that. I think there are always a couple guys that could be game changers, but there is not going to be one at our pick that I would mess with."

There is no doubt that some of the running backs in this class can be game changers like Roethlisberger mentions, as this draft is one of the top classes for running backs in several years. That also supports Roethlisberger's point however, as with such a deep running back class, the Steelers could likely find one later on who is also capable of making a substantial difference. 

Now, should the Steelers trade back in the first round and pick up another top 100 pick to attempt and replace the pick they gave to the Seattle Seahawks in the Metcalf trade, running back becomes a much more likely outcome. Picking a running back with the last few picks in the first round or early in the second round while acquiring another pick would make a lot more sense. 

Jaylen Warren is currently set to be the Steelers starting running back in 2025, and many support him as every time he had the ball in his hands to this point in the NFL, he has produced. However, not yet proving he can handle a full workload as the lead back, as well as being on a one-year contract, makes the running back position a higher need than most might want to admit. If the Steelers do select a running back in the first round this year, the team will quickly need to find solutions along the defensive line and at quarterback, or else there will be a lot of skeptics doubting the team's strategy. 

Steelers Might Have Ideal Target At Running Back Early In The Draft

It is clear the Steelers have the desire to take a running back in the upcoming draft, but TreVeyon Henderson might be the perfect match for them. The team recently brought him in for a pre-draft visit, and he checks a lot of the boxes they look for. 

Henderson has a good all-around skill set with top level speed and good size, which make him intriguing to all teams. However, the Steelers put a very strong emphasis on pass blocking and ball security from their running backs, and those are likely Henderson's top attributes. Should the Steelers go that route in the first round, the pick will be controversial, but the team will be adding much needed playmaking to their offense.