Over the last few months, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made some big changes to their roster, including trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
Then, in the 2025 NFL draft, Pittsburgh added seven prospects, including three in the first four rounds. After taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in third, the Steelers landed Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth (No. 123 overall).
While Sawyer was originally viewed as a rotational player (at least to start his career) during this draft, NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter predicted that the former Buckeyes defensive end/outside linebacker could compete for starting snaps in his first season with the Steelers.
"Sawyer was excellent value in the fourth round, despite not being the twitchiest edge rusher in the draft," Reuter wrote. "He may have been seen as a long-term acquisition with All-Pro T.J. Watt entering a contract year, but there's always a chance he sees more snaps than expected with Watt playing through injuries at times and Alex Highsmith missing six games in 2024 with a sprained ankle."
The 22-year-old was a five-star recruit at Pickerington High School North in Pickering, Ohio, where he played football and basketball before committing Ohio State.
Over four seasons, Sawyer appeared in 54 games and recorded 144 tackles (29 for a loss), 23 sacks, 11 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered (two for touchdowns) and an interception.
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He also earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors twice and captained the Buckeyes to a national championship this past season.
Luckily, Pittsburgh is in a position where they could rely on Watt and Highsmith on the edge, but Sawyer starting the year playing a lesser role in a rotation and stepping up as a starter when needed isn't a farfetched idea. In fact, that could start to prepare them for life after Watt, as he's entering the final year of his contract in 2025, and the Steelers could decide to move on from him as he turns 31.
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