When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft philosophy, we like to think that we have it all figured out. For as long as I've been following this team throughout the pre-draft process, they've left a trail of breadcrumbs that often lead to their first-round pick. Mike Tomlin and former GM Kevin Colbert did not attempt to hide their interest in players like Devin Bush or Najee Harris.
Of course, this can always include a few curveballs as well—especially with a new front office. Last year, the Steelers selected Troy Fautanu in the first round. This was the first time they had selected a player in Round 1 from the Pac-12 since taking David DeCastro in 2012, as Tomlin and his crew typically don't venture that far west of the Mississippi River on their pre-draft scouting trail.
Most of the time, however, we can track the Steelers' interest and use their positional needs to figure out the players they've got their eye on in Round 1. But there's always a chance they could throw us through a loop as their selection is being announced this April.
As we continue to prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, the chips are starting to fall. Pittsburgh's trade for DK Metcalf makes selecting a wide receiver less likely with the 21st overall selection this year. Meanwhile, the interior defensive line remains an enormous area of need.
This defense surrendered 299 rushing yards to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card loss in January. Projecting forward, Cam Heyward turns 36 years old shortly after the draft while Keeanu Benton is the only interior defender who inspires hope for the future.
But there's one NFL Draft prospect subtly on the Pittsburgh Steelers' radar who's in contention to be their first-round pick... and nobody would see it coming.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could select Georgia Bulldogs defender Mykel Williams in Round 1 of the NFL Draft
If you've only started scouting positions you think the Pittsburgh Steelers will target in the first round, you may have overlooked Mykel Williams. The Georgia edge rusher is long and stout at the point of attack, but played a part-time role for the Bulldogs and didn't offer much production.
With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, Steelers fans know that edge rusher is already one of the biggest strengths on the team, and adding another seems like overkill.
But the Steelers may not view Williams this way.
At just over 6'5'' and 260 pounds with 34 3/8'' arms and 10 1/4'' hands, Williams is a long defender who already plays with remarkable strength at the point of attack. During his time on Georgia's defensive line, Williams lined up at 5-technique and 4i where he had no trouble long-arming offensive linemen, two-gapping, and stopping the run. In fact, run defense is already Williams' biggest strength.
What's perhaps most intriguing is his grown-man strength at just 20 years old. Though Williams doesn't offer much splash or explosion as a pass rusher, he has the upside to be a tremendous run defender at the next level—especially with more added muscle mass to his long frame.
That's where Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan perk up their ears.
The Steelers have had many edge rusher-to-interior defender transformation projects over the years. Heyward and Stephon Tuitt both played base 4-3 defensive end in college before putting on weight and kicking around the interior for Pittsburgh. Williams is further away in terms of his weight, but the Steelers could be intrigued by his versatility on the defensive line.
Pittsburgh's brass made the expected stop at Georgia's Pro Day (something they almost always do), but this year, they had a dinner meeting with Mykel Williams. We know Pittsburgh is desperate for defensive line help and players who can stop the run. Williams fits the bill.
This doesn't mean that Williams is firmly on the dock as one of Pittsburgh's top candidates with the 21st overall pick in the draft, but it helps. Last year, we saw the Steelers stray from past trends when they took Fautanu—who they didn't meet with at his Washington Pro Day.
But Pittsburgh's brass having the coveted Pro Day dinner meeting with Williams should at least raise some eyebrows. What will be really telling is if the Steelers also bring him in for a top-30 pre-draft visit. This would check nearly all of the boxes we look for in a potential first-round pick for Pittsburgh.
Williams was once considered a top-10 player in the 2025 NFL Draft. After not participating at the NFL Combine and only running an unofficial 4.73 at his Georgia Pro Day, Williams is slipping down the consensus board. There's a chance his slide could end at pick 21.
Mykel Williams is a long, stout run-defense specialist on the defensive line who, at 20 years old, is only scratching the surface. Now that he had a Pro Day dinner meeting with Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan, he could catch everyone off guard by being the Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round pick in the draft this year.
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