NFL Combine drills are kicking off and the Pittsburgh Steelers have their brass on hand to check out the best prospects in the nation. In less than two months, Omar Khan and the front office will have made their first-round selection, and their decision could shape the future of the franchise.
There is no shortage of talent on hand in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. Though not every player will be participating in drills this week (many will wait until their Pro Day), their performances on the field could improve or hurt their draft stock.
For Pittsburgh, their biggest positional needs are easy to spot. This narrows down the pool of players they will be eying with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here's a look at every potential first-round pick Pittsburgh could make from the Combine participants on hand.
Every potential Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick to watch at the 2025 NFL Combine
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka is a well-rounded wide receiver from Ohio State will multiple 1,000-yard,10-touchdown seasons. Despite his production, scouts are waiting to see how he tests before labeling him as a bonafide first-round prospect. If Egbuka fails to wow coaches, he could go late in the first round.
Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
Derrick Harmon is a big man with loads of upside. The 20-year-old is coming off an excellent season at Oregon, and how he tests in Indianapolis will showcase just how high his ceiling is in the NFL. During NFL Combine media sessions, Harmon was insistent that he could play every position across the interior defensive line in the NFL.
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Matthew Golden is an expert at creating separation. The savvy route-runner is one of the best receiver prospects in the class, and with a strong Combine performance, he could skyrocket his draft stock after this week.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Unfortunately, Kenneth Grant admitted that he is dealing with hamstring tightness and he won't test at the NFL Combine. However, coaches and scouts got a feel for his personality during in-person formal meetings this week.
Waltern Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
I'm hearing that some teams already have Walter Nolen off their draft board for character-related concerns, but Nolen is both athletic and strong with a variety of ways to win on the defensive line. He needs to interview well to win back doubting teams, but he has all the talent in the world to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Luther Burden III will likely be off the board before the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the clock with the 21st overall pick, thanks to his outstanding yards-after-catch ability. Burden is an electrifying player on film and he can confirm his status as a phenomenal athlete with a good showing at the NFL Combine.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson opted out of NFL Combine testing? This is bad for teams picking at the top of the draft who wanted to see him perform, but good for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers who are hoping he somehow slips into the 20s. If he does' Omar Khan could be ready to scoop him up. The Steelers had a formal meeting with the star Michigan cornerback during NFL Combine week.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
It's a long shot to think one of the best running back prospects of this generation will make it to pick 21, but if he does, there is interest on the part of the Steelers. Pittsburgh's brass had a formal meeting with Jeanty in Indianapolis. It's unlikely, but the former Boise State star is a candidate if he slips.