Steelers' one-sided pre-draft visits points to one side of the ball at pick 21

Pittsburgh's preferred direction in the draft seems obvious.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Ohio State v Texas
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Ohio State v Texas | CFP/GettyImages

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made one thing clear heading into the 2025 NFL Draft: offense is the priority. After multiple seasons of inconsistency and underperformance on that side of the ball, the franchise appears ready to break the cycle.

With the 21st overall pick in this year’s draft, the Steelers are positioning themselves to land an offensive cornerstone—and their pre-draft visits are giving fans a clear indication of where their focus lies.

Thus far, Pittsburgh’s confirmed pre-draft visitors have been a majority of offensive players. Among the most high-profile names to visit the Steel City are quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), two of the more intriguing prospects in the class. While not overflowing with top-tier QB talent, these quarterbacks still offer developmental upside.

The Steelers’ interest in both signal-callers underscores the uncertainty still looming at the quarterback position for the 2025 season.

READ MORE: The real Steelers-worthy QB prospect that everyone has overlooked

Mason Rudolph currently holds the starting role, having re-signed with the team on a two-year deal worth $8 million. While he offers familiarity and experience, the Steelers have not committed to him long-term. Their meetings with Sanders and Dart reflect a desire to explore potential successors—and possibly draft and develop a new face of the franchise.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' pre-draft visits shed hope on an important 2025 NFL Draft

In addition to the quarterback prospects, Pittsburgh has hosted standout running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina. Hampton brings a powerful, physical presence to the backfield and could help diversify a Steelers run game that will rely heavily on Jaylen Warren.

Hampton's visit suggests that the front office is evaluating not just the quarterback room but the offense as a whole—seeking multiple contributors who can elevate the unit.

The wide receiver position is another area drawing attention. The Steelers made a splash earlier this offseason by acquiring DK Metcalf via trade and inking him to a four-year, $132 million extension. Still, the depth behind Metcalf is a concern.

That’s where prospects like Matthew Golden (Texas) and Jayden Higgins (Iowa State) come into play. Both young receivers have the athleticism and upside to contribute while developing into reliable long-term options.

These pre-draft visits paint a clear picture: the Steelers intend to use their first-round draft capital to fix the side of the ball that has held them back. Pittsburgh’s defense has remained competitive, but playoff runs have felt out of reach.

Now armed with a top-25 pick and a new offensive mindset, the Steelers are signaling change.

The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and while nothing is guaranteed, Pittsburgh’s actions foreshadow their intentions. Whether it’s a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver, expect the Steelers to use their first-round selection to inject new life into their offense—and finally begin building around a true offensive identity.

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