The 2025 NFL Draft is now just a few days away. The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick in the draft and in the wake of the DK Metcalf trade, just two picks in the Top 120. Typically, the Steelers full draft board contains around 200 players. Even if the Steelers do not have a major need at a given position, a player will still appear on their board, because at some point they would likely become a value pick (for instance, the top edge rushers might be ranked lower on the Steelers board than they are for other teams because they don’t have an immediate need there but at some point in the draft they would be the best prospects remaining). The only things that could take a player completely off the Steelers draft board would be scheme fits, injuries, or off-field issues where the team simply has too many concerns to even consider drafting the player. Omar Khan has been a little more aggressive in moving around the draft board the last few years than Kevin Colbert typically had been, but also mostly stuck to the Steelers trends of drafting players that had strong Pro Day attendance or came to Pittsburgh for Pre-Draft Visits.
In this spirit of how the Steelers operate, the staff at SCB got together over the last week to do our best to put together a Steelers-specific Draft Board based on both player abilities and team needs. The Steelers lost a number of starters to free agency and filled the gaps with aging veterans on one-year deals. This means that almost every position is on the table for the Steelers as they have needs all over the field. The biggest need is at quarterback, but as we have discussed numerous times on the SCB Podcast, we don’t believe the long-term solution is available in this draft. Other needs include getting younger on the defensive line and adding a starting-caliber wide receiver (which could enable them to trade headcase George Pickens). In the later rounds, depth at running back and defensive backs will likely be priorities. Given the lack of youth on the defensive line, it would not be surprising to see the Steelers double-dip there.
The Top 21
With the Steelers picking 21st overall, our Top 21 players are all guys who we would feel comfortable with the Steelers taking if they were available. Players are ranked in the order we would select them.
1. Travis Hunter (WR/CB-Colorado)
The top player on this year’s SCB Steelers Draft Board is the ultimate “chess piece” Travis Hunter. He excelled as both a Wide Receiver and Cornerback at Colorado and won the Heisman Trophy after a season with over 1200 receiving yards and 4 INTs. Hunter is just an all-around football player and ranks out as both the top corner and top receiver in this draft class. As a corner, he is best in zone where he can use his eyes and instincts to attack the ball. As a receiver, he has the speed and elusiveness to make defenders miss in space and can run a full route tree. Hunter’s athleticism also gives him upside as a kickoff returner and he has the ability to be used in nearly every situation in the NFL.
2. Abdul Carter (EDGE-Penn State)
Carter and Travis Hunter were neck-in-neck atop our draft board. He has insane burst off the line and is a relentless pass rusher. Carter played through injuries in the college football playoff and was an absolute force this season with 12 sacks and 23.5 TFLs. His explosiveness off the edge and closing speed in the pocket give him all the traits of a top-tier pass rusher.
3. Mason Graham (DT-Michigan)
Graham is our top-ranked defensive lineman in the draft. With Larry Ogunjobi being cut in the offseason and the Steelers not adding a defensive lineman, there is certainly a need to get younger at the position. Graham has a wrestling background and wins with leverage and has the play strength to dominate on the inside. He posted solid numbers the last two years as a starter on the interior of Michigan’s defense (6.5 sacks, 14.5 TFLs combined) and can play against both the run and the pass. Teryl Austin attended Michigan’s Pro Day.
4. Cam Ward (QB-Miami)
In a relatively weak QB class, Cam Ward stands head and shoulders above the rest. He may wind up being the first overall selection in the draft. Ward started his collegiate career at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State for two years and finishing his final season at Miami. He threw for over 4300 yards and 39 TDs for the Hurricanes. On the field, he has a gunslinger’s mentality and ability to wiggle his way out of tight situations in the pocket. Ward will keep his eyes downfield and is always looking to make a play which can either turn into big gains or turnovers, reminiscent of a young Ben Roethlisberger or Donovan McNabb. Ward may be a boom or bust type prospect based on his willingness to take risks with the ball, but he has the natural pocket presence to extend plays and athleticism to get some yardage on the ground that teams in the modern NFL covet.
5. Will Campbell (OL-LSU)
Our top-ranked lineman in this draft class is the versatile Will Campbell from LSU. The big question for Campbell’s draft stock will be whether teams think he has the ability to play tackle or view him as a guard. He played 3 years as the starting left tackle for LSU and was a two-time team captain and All-American. Campbell is an aggressive run blocker with good footwork. However, his arms measured at just 33″ which is a bit shorter than the prototypical NFL tackle, leading some to think his best spot may be at guard. The SCB War Room thought Campbell has the ability to be an All-Pro guard if a team does move him inside and we were not deterred by his arm length in our rankings. With recent first round picks used on tackles, we saw the Steelers biggest need on the line at guard (Seumalo has 1 year remaining and Mason McCormick has a lot of developing to do).
6. Ty Warren (TE-Penn State)
Warren is the top tight end in this class and was the best receiving threat in Penn State’s offense last season. He is an all-around offensive threat, being used as both a receiver, blocker, and getting a handful of carries last season. He surpassed 1300 receiving yards and runs angry with the ball in his hands. He has said he wears #44 after John Riggins and runs with a similar style. Warren flashes agility through his breaks and is excellent in contested catch situations, able to go snag the ball away from defenders. He has the versatility and upside in his game (he is a willing blocker though his technique needs some refinement) to be an absolute weapon in the NFL.
7. Will Johnson (CB-Michigan)
On film, Johnson looks the part of a starting NFL cornerback. He is a press man corner who has the size and physicality to mix it up with top-tier receivers. Coming off an injury-shortened season (shoulder and toe) he did not take part in athletic testing at the Combine but did hold a late workout the week before the Draft. Some questions were raised about him not running the 40 at his private workout, but he did run the shuttle and took part in positional drills. When fully healthy, Johnson can absolutely be a #1 corner in the NFL and match up against outside receivers. We ranked him based on that potential. The Steelers did have a formal meeting with Johnson at the Combine.
8. Ashton Jeanty (RB-Boise St)
Jeanty was the Heisman runner-up after a fantastic season at Boise State where he ran all over the competition. He nearly doubled his production from 2023 to 2024 with 2601 rushing yards and 29 TDs (after 1347 yards and 14 TDs in 2023). Jeanty’s combination of breakaway speed and contact balance made him tough to bring down and has drawn comparisons to Ladainian Tomlinson. For all of his prowess running the ball, the Broncos did not use him much in the passing game. He is built like a bowling ball at 5’8″ 211 pounds and has the short-area quickness to make guys miss then explode through the hole. One of the biggest questions for Jeanty is his ability to translate running away from Mountain West defenders into the NFL. He had a good game against Oregon but did not put up his usual numbers against Penn State in the CFP.
9. Jalon Walker (EDGE-Georgia)
Walker played a hybrid role in Georgia’s defense playing both inside and outside. He has very good length and was a durable player for the Bulldogs, playing all 43 games over the last 3 seasons but has just one year as a starter. His stats improved each season and he led Georgia’s defense in pressures last year. Walker has been praised for his football IQ, leadership, and work ethic. Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin attended Georgia’s Pro Day.
10. Armand Membou (OT-Missouri)
Membou was a 3-year starter at Right Tackle for Missouri who is an elite run blocker with good size and length. He has a quick first step and the athleticism to get to the second level. We saw Membou’s best fit as being in an outside zone blocking scheme. One potential knock on him is that he does not have a history of position flexibility. His entire career at Missouri was spent at Right Tackle, but that matters less nowadays that NFL defenses will line up pass rushers on either side. Some scouts have compared Membou to Troy Fautanu in his body control, footwork, and ability to get downfield and finish blocks.
11. Nick Emmanwori (S-South Carolina)
The Steelers have spent a ton of time on Emmanwori in the pre-draft process. In addition to a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh, defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander went to South Carolina’s Pro Day to run Emmanwori’s drills. While safety may not appear to be an immediate need for the Steelers, a playmaker in the middle of the defense certainly is a need. Minkah Fitzpatrick has two years left on his contract and DeShon Elliott has just one year remaining. Emmanwori is a hybrid safety/linebacker type, similar to Budda Baker or Isaiah Simmons. At 6’3″ 220 pounds he is built like a linebacker and can hit like a linebacker but with 4.38 speed can run like a safety. He flies around the field to the football and has the size and speed to match up with both backs and tight ends in man coverage. He was a team captain last year as a junior and has started 36 games over the last three seasons. Emmanwori is the type of dynamic playmaker in the middle of the defense that can create turnovers and be used as a chess piece all over the field.
12. Matthew Golden (WR-Texas)
Matthew Golden’s 40 might be the most controversial Combine moment of the last decade. He “officially” was clocked at a blazing 4.29 but frame-by-frame analysis by Twitter truthers showed that it was likely closer to a 4.38 (which is still fast, but not the sub-4.3 number that was reported). On tape, he looks more like a 4.4 player than a sub-4.3 player. His speed doesn’t always show up and he can get caught from behind or the side. Overall, Golden is a well-rounded receiver who can play both inside and outside. He had a breakout in the biggest stages, averaging over 100 yards in the SEC Championship and three CFP games. Golden is a good route-runner who can track the ball and snatch it out of the air. He also has some upside as a kick returner where he brought back two for scores in his collegiate career.
13. Jahdae Barron (CB-Texas)
Barron is a versatile corner who played both inside and outside at Texas. He has excellent ball skills, leading the SEC in interceptions (5) and passes defended (16). At 5’10” he is a little on the shorter end of a “prototypical” outside corner but has the speed, football IQ, and toughness to play anywhere in the defensive backfield. There was some disagreement in the SCB War Room whether he was a nickel-only slot CB or if he was a top-tier prospect who could hold up against outside receivers. His production can’t be argued – he did not allow a touchdown in 2025 and had just 2 pass interference penalties his entire collegiate career. Barron also scored 3 touchdowns on a blocked punt, fumble return, and pick-six. He was a team captain for the Longhorns and is willing to stick his nose in and make tackles both against the run and on special teams.
14. Kenneth Grant (DT-Michigan)
The Steelers met with Grant at the Shrine Bowl and Teryl Austin attended Michigan’s Pro Day. At 6’4″ 330 pounds, he has the size to play on the interior of an NFL defensive line. Grant displayed very good two-gapping abilities and could step into the nose tackle role in a 3-4 set immediately. His best tape is against the run and is still working on his pass-rushing abilities but has the tenacity and grit to stick with plays and chase running backs down the field. Grant didn’t put up a ton of stats at Michigan, but his ability to two-gap and fill holes created opportunities for others on the defense to be successful, which is a trait you want in an interior lineman.
15. Derrick Harmon (DT-Oregon)
Harmon was a one-year starter at Oregon after starting 15 games at Michigan State the prior two seasons. He has incredible explosiveness off the ball and displayed great athleticism for a man his size. Harmon posted 5 sacks and 10.5 TFLs this past season and ran a 4.95 40-yard dash after measuring 6’4″ 313 pounds at the Combine. He has the upper body strength to bully his way through blockers and can be a disruptive, penetrating force on the interior of the defensive line. The Steelers did not have a heavy attendance at Oregon’s Pro Day, but met with Harmon at the Combine and had him to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
16. Tetairoa McMillan (WR-Arizona)
The opinions on “T-Mac” vary from being a Top 10 player in the draft to being a fringe first round prospect. Some see his 6’4″ size and ball skills and see the next AJ Green. Others have compared his game more to Drake London – a player who is not as physical as you would think for someone of his size. T-Mac put up over 1300 yards each of the last two seasons at Arizona and led the Big 12 in receiving yards last season. He has some elusiveness in the open field and can be hard to bring down, but struggles against press man and physical corners. He does have a knack for getting open when the play breaks down and made a lot of plays on scramble drills in college but will need to work on developing his route-running in the pros.
17. Emeka Egbuka (WR-Ohio St)
There is no such thing as a “safe” NFL prospect as injuries or other unforeseen issues can arise in a player’s career. That said, Egbuka seems like the closest thing to a “safe bet” prospect in this year’s draft. He is a steady, reliable receiver with a #2 skillset. He can run all the routes in a route tree and has solid, reliable hands. He has experience playing with top-tier talents at Ohio State (Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Smith) and was still able to end his career with the most receptions in Buckeyes history. Egbuka’s team-first mentality and leadership skills have been praised throughout his college career and he has the football IQ and toughness to succeed in the NFL. He has the size to play both inside and outside and can get open in tight areas near the goal line. Drafting a player like Egbuka to be a true #2 and complement DK Metcalf would also give the Steelers the flexibility to trade George Pickens during the draft for additional picks.
18. Jihaad Campbell (LB-Alabama)
The only inside linebacker in our rankings (depending on how you view Nick Emmanwori) is Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell. However, even that statement is not necessarily cut and dry as Campbell played both inside and outside in Alabama’s defense, which he led in most major statistical categories. He flashes a quick burst to close on the ball and is a strong tackler who arrives with ferocity and intensity. Campbell’s medicals will be important after he suffered a shoulder injury in late 2024 and had surgery in March. He is an effective blitzer from both the inside and outside but needs to work on his pass coverage and ability to work through traffic to find the ball. His best position in the NFL may be as a strong-side 4-3 linebacker where he can rush off the edge or stack up against tight ends.
19. Malaki Starks (S-Georgia)
Starks played all over the field for Georgia, but projects best as a strong safety in the NFL. He has the willingness to play in the box and stick his nose in against the run while also having the speed and versatility to play in a Cover-2 down the field. In 2023 he led Georgia’s defense in passes defended (10) and in 2024 led the team in tackles (77). He was a durable player, starting 42 games over the last three seasons and has the body control and athleticism to make plays on the ball in the air. Coaches hail his leadership and communication skills on the field and he will likely be a tremendous asset to any NFL defense. He will fly to the ball but can occasionally be overly aggressive.
20. Shemar Stewart (EDGE-Texas A&M)
Stewart is an athletic freak who came to Pittsburgh in April for a pre-draft visit. The team also met with him at the Senior Bowl. Stewart’s size and athleticism is similar to fellow Texas A&M product Myles Garrett. However, Stewart’s production is nowhere close to Garrett’s. Stewart moved around the Aggies 4-man front playing as both a 5-tech and an EDGE but only finished his 3-year collegiate career with 4.5 sacks and 11 TFLs. He misses a ton of tackles and for all his athleticism does not finish plays well. He has a quick burst off the ball and can collapse the pocket (he led the Aggies defense in pressures) but needs to learn to finish plays (1.5 sacks, 5.5 TFLs in 12 games).
21. Mykel Williams (EDGE-Georgia)
Williams, like fellow Georgia product Jalon Walker, was a chess piece in the Bulldogs defense playing both inside and outside linebacker. In addition to playing linebacker, Williams also saw some snaps on the interior of the defensive line in pass rush situations. At 6’5″ 260, he certainly has the size to be an impact player all over the field. He has the length and raw athleticism to rip through sloppy blocks and can close quickly on the quarterback. Williams’ success at the next level will be dictated by teams finding the right positional fit (we think he is best as an EDGE rusher) and working to develop his pass rushing technique. Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin attended Georgia’s Pro Day and took Williams out to dinner the night before.
The Next 11
With 32 picks in the first round of the Draft, we did rank 32 prospects overall. These are all guys that we like for their talent but feel would be a bit of a reach for the Steelers if they stay at 21. We would be comfortable with picking any of these players if the Steelers trade down from 21st overall.
22. Luther Burden III (WR-Missouri)
Burden was a 3-year starter at Missouri who played mostly in the slot but flashed abilities as an offensive Swiss Army Knife. In addition to his receiving talents, he had 4 rushing TDs and a punt return TD during his collegiate career. Burden had to suffer through some horrendous quarterback play this past season, but had a very good performance at the Combine. He has quick feet and changes direction well, attacking the ball in the air. He has the size and skill set of a #2 wide receiver, and can carry speed through his breaks like Antonio Brown and Stephon Diggs. Burden is a sharp route-runner and has the agility to make defenders miss with the ball in his hands, giving him the ability to rack up yards after the catch. He does have experience as a punt returner in all three seasons but also muffed three punts during his college career.
23. Kelvin Banks Jr (OL-Texas)
Banks, much like Will Campbell, is a swing lineman who played his whole college career at Left Tackle but his NFL future may be on the inside due to his size. Banks started 42 games over the last 3 seasons for Texas and won the Outland Trophy as the best lineman in the nation. He has good size and strength, getting to the second level with nasty intentions. Banks might be the best pure run blocker in the class, but his aggressiveness can also cause him to get off-balance and lean over his feet on occasion. With 33 1/2″ arms his NFL future may be inside at guard rather than outside at tackle where he played in college.
24. Josh Simmons (OL-Ohio St)
Simmons only played half of last season due to a knee injury, so his draft stock may depend heavily on his medical checks. Most reports from the pre-draft process have been good on that front and Simmons could hear his name called earlier than expected in Round 1. His biggest feather in his cap is not allowing a sack during his two years as a starter at Ohio State. He started his career at RT for San Diego State then transferred to Ohio State where he made the move to left tackle. He has the prototypical NFL size for the position and displayed good strength, hands, and footwork in his injury-shortened season. As an interesting fact, Josh’s uncle is former Steeler Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala.
25. Walter Nolen (DT-Ole Miss)
Nolen might have the widest variance of any prospect on this list. At times, he looks like the most dominant defensive player in the class. Other times, he can completely disappear and looks like just another guy. Nolen has a quick burst off the ball with fast hands to throw linemen aside and create penetration. There are some potential red flags and question marks with Nolen – he attended four different high schools in four years and transferred to Ole Miss after starting his college career at Texas A&M. The Steelers met with Nolen at the Senior Bowl and Combine.
26. Tyler Booker (OL-Alabama)
Booker played mostly left guard at Alabama, but did start one game at left tackle due to injuries this past season. While there are a lot of players in this class who could be considered short-armed tackles, Booker is the opposite. He is a guard with long arms (34 1/2″ at Combine, 34 7/8″ at his Pro Day). Even though he primarily played guard in college, some NFL teams may look at his frame and view him as a potential NFL tackle. He is incredibly strong in his upper body and plays with violent intentions. At the next level, he will need to work to improve his footwork but he certainly has the tenacity and grit to be a top-tier offensive lineman in the NFL.
27. Colston Loveland (TE-Michigan)
With the expanding role of receiving tight ends in the NFL, Loveland’s stock has risen during the lead up to the Draft and he could hear his name called in the middle of the first round. Loveland has an insane catch radius to go along with good hands and acceleration out of breaks. He is relatively young (just 21 years old) with room to fill out his frame. As a younger prospect his route running and blocking needs some work, but he has the potential to be a top-tier tight end if the right team can develop him. The Steelers don’t have a huge need at tight end, which dropped him towards the bottom of our Draft Board.
28. Trey Amos (CB-Ole Miss)
Amos’ career has been an upward trajectory, starting at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama then finishing at Ole Miss. In 2025 he tied Texas’ Jahdae Barron for the SEC lead in passes defended (16) and nabbed 3 interceptions. Amos is a physical and athletic corner who doesn’t back down in coverage or against the run. He also played special teams throughout his career and will attack the ball in all facets of the game. The Steelers met with Amos at the Senior Bowl and brought him to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
29. Omarion Hampton (RB-North Carolina)
Hampton was a do-it-all back for the Tar Heels who set the school record for all-purpose yards with over 2000. He has prototypical NFL size (6’0″ 220 pounds) and runs angry. Hampton looks like he gets stronger as the game goes on and he punishes defenders. He seeks out contact and is not afraid to lower his head and physically exert himself on a defender. Hampton has the versatility to be a feature back and to stay on the field in passing situations, both as a receiver out of the backfield and can hold his own in pass protection. The Steelers met with Hampton at the Combine and had him to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
30. Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE-Boston College)
Ezeiruaku is a pass rusher who can excel in a “wide-nine” format with an excellent dip and rip move. He racked up 16.5 sacks and 20.5 TFLs this past season. These marks more than doubled his career totals and propelled him into the first round conversation.
31. Grey Zabel (OL-North Dakota St)
Zabel is another player in this class who was a multi-year starter at tackle in college but has shorter arms and projects to move to the inside in the pros. Zabel played 4 of the 5 positions on the line during his time at North Dakota State. Interestingly, the one position he did not play (center) is where some draft analysts have him projected to play in the NFL. His arms are just 32″ and with a wingspan under 78″ he lacks the length most teams look for in offensive tackles. On tape, he shows off quick hands and plays with the nastiness and grit you want in a lineman. Zabel has good footwork to get out to the second level and the tough-guy mentality that will enable him to hold up against increased competition.
32. Mike Green (EDGE-Marshall)
Green is an athletic freak who has some off-field questions that could push him down the draft board. Green dominated this season in the Sun Belt with 17 sacks and 22.5 TFLs. Green has great upfield burst and is physically tenacious. He does have some red flags that NFL teams will investigate including a suspension and dismissal from Virginia where he started his collegiate career. Interestingly, Green had no reported pre-draft visits over the last month, which could be a sign that teams have soured on him as a prospect given his off-field issues. We debated whether or not to put him on our first round board, but ultimately left him given his talent on tape and athletic testing. Others considered here were Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston, Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr, and the two QBs who visited Pittsburgh late in the Draft process – Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
The Next Best
These are the guys we did not view as first round-worthy prospects for the Steelers. If the Steelers do find a way to acquire a 2nd round pick, these are guys we would consider with that selection.
QB – Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
RB – Treveyon Henderson (Ohio St), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio St), Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
WR – Jaylin Noel (Iowa St), Jayden Higgins (Iowa St),
TE – Elijah Arroyo (Miami), Mason Taylor (LSU)
OL – Josh Connerly (Oregon), Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota), Donovan Jackson (Ohio St), Tate Ratledge (Ohio St), Jonah Savainaea (Arizona)
DT – Tyleik Williams (Ohio St), Shemar Turner (Texas A&M), TJ Sanders (South Carolina)
EDGE – James Pearce Jr (Tennessee), Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
LB – Carson Schwesinger (UCLA), Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
CB – Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Azareye’h Thomas (Florida St), Shavon Revel Jr (East Carolina)
S – Kevin Winston Jr (Penn St), Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
