Fans for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the teams in the league were reminded once again in Week 13 that General Manager Omar Khan and his front office know how to draft well. Nick Herbig and Payton Wilson both played a big part in the franchise's 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Other examples of guys exceeding expectations early in their careers are Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick. Having success in the draft is much more than simply going to the NFL Scouting Combine; years of film and live looks at prospects are part of the reason why certain guys end up in certain cities.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Over the course of the next couple of months, NFL teams will have scouts at all of the big-time college football games to see which players shine the brightest on the largest of stages. One of the first true opportunities for organizations to get looks at some of the best programs' players will be on Saturday at the SEC Championship Game with the University of Texas taking on the University of Georgia.
The Steelers should be expected to have some eyes on the matchup, as there are several potential draft candidates that fit the mold for what Pittsburgh could be looking for in 2025.
1.) Jahdae Barron - Cornerback - Texas
Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson have been a phenomenal pairing in 2024, but Jackson is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. He is currently third in the league with five interceptions, which likely means he will be able to cash in when the new league year rolls around in March. This will open the door for a rookie to come in and make an immediate impact.
Jahdae Barron is smaller in size at roughly 5'11", but has 53 games of collegiate experience under his belt. He has a career-high four interceptions in 2024. Barron has great ball skills and excels stopping the run, which is something the Steelers could use coming from a cornerback. He will certainly be someone to keep an eye on on Saturday.
2.) Daylen Everette - Cornerback - Georgia
The trend of the Steelers being interested in cornerbacks throughout the draft process is going to continue well in the 2025 offseason. Daylen Everette is another prospect to watch out for during the SEC Title Game. He has been mocked as both a day one and two pick, making his play in the next month or so pivotal for his draft stock.
Everette was a five-star recruit coming out of college and still has some room to grow at just 21 years of age. He has fantastic ball skills and great length at 6'1". His draft positioning is up in the air, but could be a wonderful complement to Porter.
Jason Getz / Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University of Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette on the field during a Bulldogs home game.
3.) Malaki Starks - Safety - Georgia
Damontae Kazee could be on his way out of Pittsburgh as a free agent in 2025 and injury concerns with rookie Ryan Watts are present in 2024. The Steelers could elect to go after a SEC safety in 2025, that being Bulldogs defender Malaki Starks. He may be a little bit out of reach for Khan and co., as Starks could be a Top 15 pick in April.
Starks is a freak athlete with tremendous speed and versatility. There's no guarantee that the Steelers will have any chance to snag him in the first round, but he could be an attractive target to trade up for if he begins to slide on day one.
4.) Trevor Etienne - Running Back - Georgia
Fans in the Steel City might have to come to a realization that Najee Harris will not be wearing black and gold in 2025. The team decided not to pick up his fifth-year option, and in turn, risked him walking in free agency. He has been having a very solid season, but the Steelers would have picked up a simple $6.9 million option if the plan was to keep him around.
Jaylen Warren could turn into the lead back, but it's extremely possible that Pittsburgh takes a running back if Harris is gone. Head Coach Mike Tomlin loves NFL lineage of any kind and Trevor Etienne, brother of Travis, has been a red zone machine. He has 21 scores in three seasons and could fall into the third round, making him a ball-carrier to watch when it comes to the Steelers.
5.) Isaiah Bond - Wide Receiver - Texas
George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are the only Steelers wide receivers under contract in 2025. Fans can expect a couple of veteran minimum deals to be signed in the offseason, but the draft is going to be a place for Khan to improve the room as well. Isaiah Bond is averaging just under 16 yards per reception and could be a lethal deep-ball weapon for Pittsburgh.
Bond grades out as a top 64 prospect, but could easily sneak into the first round depending on his next couple of months. His numbers won't be eye-popping, but his speed certainly is, as he is eyeing up Xavier Worthy's record-setting 4.22 40-yard dash from 2024. Bond has yet to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, but is expected to in the coming weeks.
University of Texas Athletics
Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond runs away from a defender during a Longhorns home game.
Steelers Should Be Expected To Target Big Men Up Front On Defensive Side Of The Ball
6.) Nazir Stackhouse - Defensive Line - Georgia
Keeanu Benton has been very solid for the Steelers since being drafted back in 2023, but there is still work to be done on the defensive front. Many believe that it could be a first-round target for Pittsburgh, but regardless, fans can expect some action in the upcoming draft. Nazir Stackhouse is a run-stuffing monster at 6'3", and 320 pounds. He was an AP Second Team All-SEC player in 2023, and has continued his strong play into 2024.
7.) Alfred Collins - Defensive Line - Texas
Another gigantic defensive force competing in the SEC Championship Game will be Alfred Collins, a defensive tackle for Texas. Standing at 6'5" and weighing in at 320 pounds, he has the ideal size for a dominant lineman at the professional level. He is physically gifted, but still has some things to work on. Pittsburgh could look to target someone like Collins later on day two or early on day three.
Which prospects are you looking to watch during the big SEC Championship Game on Saturday? Let us know in the comments below!
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