The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job as an organization of building through the draft over the last two seasons. Both of their first-round picks have been a bit worrisome due to poor performance by Broderick Jones and an injury to Troy Fautanu, but players like Zach Frazier and Nick Herbig have provided a ton of value outside of the first round. The Steelers will need to have another successful draft in 2025, especially with the amount of questions that are currently surrounding the roster.
Steelers.com
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl discuss draft strategy in 2024.
On Monday night, football fans got to see The Ohio State Buckeyes take down the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the National Championship. Ohio State went on an impressive run during the College Football Playoff, and they are considered one of the most talented college football teams of all-time. There are a ton of players that possess NFL-talent on the roster, and the Steelers should be interested in a handful of guys from Columbus.
The Buckeyes are slated to land all throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, and Pittsburgh will have multiple chances to pick a high-impact player from Ohio State.
1. Quinshon Judkins OR TreVeyon Henderson
The Steelers are more than likely going to let Najee Harris walk in free agency, which is probably the right move. Jaylen Warren is expected to be back, although he is a restricted free agent, so he will need some company in the backfield. Either Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson would be great backs to replace Harris.
Both players are great at carrying the ball while also being threats out of the backfield in the receiving game. Judkins will likely go higher in the draft, and he is the back that more resembles the aggressive running style of Harris. Both backs will make the offense better, but Judkins is a player the Steelers should absolutely target.
2. Emeka Egbuka
Pittsburgh will need help at wide receiver in 2025, whether George Pickens is still on the roster or not. Emeka Egbuka is a player who could immediately contribute to the offense. He is a clear first round wide receiver, but he should be on the board around when the Steelers pick at 21. He would have been a first rounder in 2024, but he decided to return to school to win a National Championship.
Jay LaPrete / Associated Press
Emeka Egbuka hauls in a pass for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
3. Tyleik Williams
The Steelers need some improvement along the defensive line, and Tyleik Williams is the perfect candidate to help do that. The defensive tackle was a massive force in the middle of the Buckeyes defense. Williams is expected to be a first-round pick on the back half of the round, which puts the Steelers in a great spot to add him to the defense.
4. Will Howard
The Steelers have some big questions that need to be answered at quarterback. The organization won't bring back Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but it seems like it is more likely that Fields will be the starter during the 2025 season. It is not out of the question that Pittsburgh selects a quarterback at some point in the draft, and Will Howard may be the type of player the Steelers are looking for.
Howard certainly opened some eyes during Ohio State's National Championship run. He won't be a first-round quarterback, but he could certainly be off the board near the top of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers Could Fix Issue That Is Plaguing Their Defense
The Steelers have struggled to find quality play at slot cornerback over the last two seasons. Cam Sutton has clearly lost a step, and Beanie Bishop Jr. was a big liability at times, especially early in the season. Pittsburgh hasn't had high-level play at the position since Mike Hilton was in town or since Sutton's first stop with the Steelers.
Kyle Robertson / Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock.
Usually the Steelers find a diamond in the rough at slot cornerback, and that player in 2025 may be Jordan Hancock. Hancock is a good tackler that shines in run support, and he is a physical corner which is what Pittsburgh is typically looking for. He is projected to be selected on the third day of the draft, so he is a name to look out for.
Are there any other Buckeyes you want to see in the black and gold? Let us know in the comments below!
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