The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is behind us, and 32 NFL teams are scrambling to adjust their big boards ahead of the NFL Draft. While we shouldn't get too caught up in the Combine testing numbers, the performances in Indianapolis gave us terrific insight into dozens of payers from every positional group this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot to glean from this experience.
Pittsburgh's positional needs are easy to diagnose. In addition to still not having a respectable quarterback under contract, the Steelers are desperate for upgrades at positions like wide receiver, interior defensive line, running back, and cornerback.
Thankfully, the NFL Combine assured us there won't be a shortage of elite athletes getting set to enter the National Football League. These eleven players are undoubtedly skyrocketing up the Steelers' draft board after the Combine.
Prospects flying up Pittsburgh Steelers' draft board after 2025 NFL Combine
Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
Let's start with the quarterback position. With Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders opting out of athletic testing and drills at the NFL Combine, the focus of the broadcast coverage shifted to Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart had a respectable Combine performance, but Tyler Shough is the player who should be drawing the Steelers' attention right now.
Shough was one of the few quarterbacks to run the 40-yard dash—showing off his 4.63 speed (something Mike Tomlin has admitted is important). Shough measured in at nearly 6'5'' and 219 pounds with 9 3/4'' hands. In passing drills, Shough showed off the big arm we saw on tape.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Steelers value workhorse size at the running back position, but they know they need to get more athletic. Quinshon Judkins offers an outstanding blend of both. After measuring in at 5'11 1/5'' and 221 pounds, Judkins blazed with a 4.48 40-yard-dash and a fantastic 1.51 10-yard split.
The Ohio State product combined brilliant timed speed with a 38.5'' vertical and 11-foot broad jump. Judkins was already on Pittsburgh's draft radar, but he's flying up the board after a stellar NFL Combine performance.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
If the Steelers are serious about getting more explosive plays out of the running back position, look no further than Bhayshul Tuten. The Virginia Tech product tested as the fastest running back of the class with 4.32 speed while earning a 40.5'' vertical and 10'10'' broad jump.
Tuten isn't big (5'9'', 206 pounds), but he weighed in seven pounds heavier than former first-round running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tested as an even better athlete. He's got big-play potential written all over him, and after a lightning performance at the Combine, he will skyrocket up the Steelers draft board.
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton confirmed what we already suspected: he's a terrific athlete at the running back position with a great size profile. Hampton measured in a shade under six feet while weighing 221 pounds. The North Carolina product didn't let this stop him from running a 4.46 40-yard dash or posting a 10'10'' broad jump.
Hampton looked explosive and fluid moving through drills. After earning a 9.61 Relative Athletic Score, there's not a chance he's available in the second round, but his stellar performance could get the Steelers to at least consider him in Round 1.
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Matthew Golden was already considered one of the top targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but his remarkable 40-yard time only confirmed that. While Golden refrained from other athletic testing, he posted a 4.29 40-yard dash—the best time among all receivers and second-best time at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Golden has good size (5'11'', 190 lbs) and now officially checks the speed box. His showing in Indianapolis could cause him to go ahead of Pittsburgh's first-round pick this April, but he will undoubtedly be one of the top choices on the Steelers' draft radar.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
During the NFL Combine broadcast, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah compared Jaylin Noel to Emmanuel Sanders, and it's not hard to see why. After dominating in one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl, Noel showed up with an awe-inspiring performance in Indy.
The Iowa State receiver ran a 4.39 40-yard dash while testing out of this world with a 41.5'' vertical jump and 11'2 broad jump. Noel also put up great numbers on the 20-yard shuttle (4.17) and 3-cone drill (6.82). He was one of the few receivers to participate in every athletic testing drill and it paid off.
Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
From one 'Jaylin' to the next, Jayin Lane was equally as impressive as Noel at the NFL Combine—posting similar numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.34) vertical jump (40''), broad jump (11'), shuttle (4.12), and 3-cone (6.75).
Layne also possesses a sturdy 191-pound frame, though he did come in just under 5'10''. Still, Lane posted remarkable numbers and his nearly 10'' hands will catch the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Layne could be a Day 3 prospect if the Steelers miss out on talent early in the draft or want to double up on the position.
Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
You can take it to the bank that Derrick Harmon will be in consideration for the 21st overall pick on the draft if he's still on the board for Pittsburgh. With many interior defenders opting out of testing, Harmon showed off his speed with a 4.95 40-yard dash.
During D-line drills, Harmon showed quickness and fluidity. His 6'4 1/2'', 313-pound frame with 34 3/8'' arms will certainly intrigue a team like the Steelers that value height and length on the defensive line. Harmon only helped his case at the NFL Combine.
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
I still don't know what to do with a player like Darien Porter who is already a 24-year-old cornerback prospect with limited college snaps despite six college seasons. But the size-tools package is incredibly rare at the CB position.
At nearly 6'3'' and 195 pounds with over 33'' arms, Porter ran a 4.30 40-yard dash to go with a 4.04 20-yard shuttle and 6.71 3-cone. The Steelers like long, athletic cornerbacks and Porter tested as one of the most athletic cornerbacks we've ever seen at the NFL Combine.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
While the Steelers may not love that Maxwell Hairston measured in at 5'11'' and 183 pounds, you can bet they noticed his 4.28 40-yard dash at the Combine. Hairston posted the best 40 time at the NFL Combine this year, regardless of position.
This performance comes after a strong showing in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Hairston looked explosive and fluid during drills and could be on the Steelers' draft radar as early as the second round.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
We don't expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to dip their toes into the off-ball linebacker pool early, but Danny Stutsman is a player this team will love as a do-it-all linebacker. At 6'3'' and 233 pounds, Stutsman ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and looked terrific in drills.
Linebacker isn't the biggest need for Pittsburgh, but if the Steelers don't retain Elandon Roberts and if Cole Holcomb doesn't stick around, it suddenly becomes a sneaky priority for this team. Stutsman has every-down linebacker potential at the next level and he proved he's a terrific athlete.