If you've been following the Pittsburgh Steelers closely over the years, it's been easy to figure out which direction they intended to go with their first-round pick. While the team's draft trends could change this year with new head coach Mike McCarthy in town, Omar Khan—who overlapped with Mike Tomlin and former GM Kevin Colbert for roughly two decades—might be set in his ways.
Based on recent draft trends under Khan, we can draw one notable conclusion: the Steelers will draft a Round 1 player they met with for a pre-draft visit. This is a trend that has been running for five straight years, meaning the Steelers are three-for-three when it comes to selecting prospects in the first round they met with for 30-visits.
If this trend continues for a sixth straight draft, the shortlist narrows to just six prospects who could wind up being drafted by the Steelers in 2025.
Trends are made to be broken, but the recent data points to one of these six players being Pittsburgh's first-round selection.
Pittsburgh Steelers draft trends point to these six prospects in Round 1 of the NFL Draft
1. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
While Denzel Boston would not be considered a high-value pick at No. 21 overall, the Washington wide receiver checks a ton of boxes the team typically looks for. Boston is a stand-up football character with excellent size at the wide receiver position (6'3 5/8'', 212 lbs.) The big wideout recorded 20 touchdown receptions and over 1,700 yards in his final two seasons with the Huskies.
After earning a formal NFL Combine visit with the Steelers, Pittsburgh's brass brought Boston in for a 30-visit. This doesn't feel like the type of receiver Pittsburgh needs right now, but McCarthy likes big wideouts who can play outside or in the slot.
2. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
A fan-favorite this year, Vega Ioane received a pre-draft visit from the Steelers just days before the deadline wrapped up. Historically, this is a good sign that he could be high on Pittsburgh's draft radar... and it only makes sense.
After losing Isaac Seumalo to the Cardinals in free agency, Pittsburgh has a gaping hole at left guard. Meanwhile, Ioane is considered a consensus top-15 player in the 2026 class. The Steelers could roll the dice and hope he slips to pick No. 21, or trade up in Round 1 to secure the top guard prospect this year.
3. Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
After drafting offensive tackles twice in the first round since 2023 (Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu), Spencer Fano didn't seem like a player who would be on Pittsburgh's draft radar. However, Jones is entering a contract year, and the future at tackle looks murky.
Fano is coming off back-to-back excellent seasons as the right tackle at Utah. After earning a coveted pre-draft visit by the Steelers, Khan could be eying one of the best offensive line prospects in the class. Fano has the skill set to play practically anywhere across the offensive line at the next level, including guard, if that's how the Steelers view him. Landing him may also require a trade-up.
4. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is planted firmly on Pittsburgh's Round 1 radar after the team hosted the USC star for a pre-draft visit. The Steelers need a receiver that they can pepper with targets over the middle of the field, and Lemon had outstanding production working from the slot for the Trojans.
Unfortunately, Lemon is expected to be off the board long before the Steelers are on the clock at pick No. 21. According to odds from Underdog, there is just a 2 percent chance of the gritty wideout making it to the Steelers' selection in Round 1. Khan has the firepower to trade up for Lemon if this is the player the front office has their heart set on.
5. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo
Without a quarterback and with needs on the offensive side of the ball, it would be a bit unusual to see the Pittsburgh Steelers opt for a position like safety in Round 1. However, based on how the board falls, there's a chance Emmanuel McNeil-Warren could be their top player on the board at pick No. 21—especially after the big safety earned a 30 visit with the team.
The Steelers would be breaking first-round trends by drafting a non-Power 4 player in Round 1, but the Toledo prospect has excellent film. McNeil-Warren has terrific length and range, and he does his best work in the box. The Steelers need a youth infusion at the position, and McNeil-Warren is firmly on their draft radar.
6. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
This selection would feel like an off-the-wall pick, though I'm higher on Chris Johnson than most. The San Diego State cornerback has been gaining steam as fast as any prospect in this class, leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. He has an impressive athletic profile and quality size, with terrific tape and excellent ball skills.
Even with the addition of veteran CB Jamel Dean, the Steelers could be looking for youth and talent at the cornerback position, and knowing Johnson won't last until their second-round pick, we have to at least consider him a candidate to be considered at pick No. 21.
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