Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Prospects: A Round-by-Round Analysis
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the 2025 NFL draft, and with their pre-draft visits, they’re sending a clear signal about their interests. Let’s take a closer look at the prospects they’ve brought in and where they might fit in the draft.
Round 1: Top Talent
The Steelers have invited several top prospects to Pittsburgh, including Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado; Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss; Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon; Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina; Matthew Golden, WR, Texas; Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M; and Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina.
According to Todd McShay, draft expert for The Ringer, Jaxson Dart is a strong contender for the second quarterback spot, thanks to his agility, strength, and arm talent. “He is used to the bigger, mobile, stronger-armed quarterback, and those are three qualities that Jaxson Dart has.”
Round 2: Potential Targets
Although the Steelers don’t have a second-round pick, they’ve still brought in some talented prospects, including QB Tyler Shough, Louisville; RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee; RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa; WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State; WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State; CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State; and CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss.
ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid projects Kaleb Johnson to the Commanders in the second round, praising his one-cut-and-accelerate style and pass-catching upside. “A young running back is an underrated need, and Johnson would fit perfectly into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.”
Round 3: Running Backs
The Steelers have shown interest in several running backs, including D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State; Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech; and Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas. These players all possess home run speed, which could be a game-changer for the Steelers.
As Jacob Gibbs notes, “DJ Giddens hits his top speed so freaking fast.” The Steelers haven’t had a running back with breakaway speed since Willie Parker, and these prospects could fill that void.
Round 4 or Later: Depth and Value
The Steelers have also brought in prospects who might be available in the later rounds, including Kyle McCord, QB Syracuse; RJ Harvey, RB, UCF; Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State; J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss; Elijah Roberts, EDGE/DT, SMU; Yahya Black, DT, Iowa; and Josh Farmer, DT, Florida State.
These players could provide depth and value for the Steelers, especially if they fall to the later rounds. The Steelers’ interest in defensive tackles is clear, but whether they’ll wait until Round 4 to nab one remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing their due diligence on a range of talented prospects, and it’s clear they have specific needs in mind. Whether they’ll trade up or down remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – they’ll be looking for players who can make an impact on their team.