The Pittsburgh Steelers had a watchful eye on the NFL Combine as hundreds of participants took the field for athletic testing and drills in preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft. The performances in Indianapolis gave outstanding insight as to where players could land on draft day and who the Steelers could target.
Pittsburgh holds the 21st overall pick in the NFL Draft this year. While they still don't know who their quarterback will be, this team entered NFL Combine Week with major needs at wide receiver, defensive tackle, running back, and quarterback.
With the Combine in the books, their top draft target just became obvious.
After the defensive line group took the field, it was easy to see why the Steelers could target Oregon's Derrick Harmon in Round 1... that is until the wide receivers performed. While high-profile players like Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka elected to sit out, Matthew Golden took advantage and made the best decision of his life by performing.
Golden is a player Steelers fans already had on the team's draft radar leading up to the Combine. The Texas receiver had a well-rounded skill set and the ability to create separation at the top of his routes. This would make for a terrific pairing with George Pickens' skill set.
But after running his 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the Steelers can leave no doubt—he's the prize at pick 21 this year.
Matthew Golden is squarely on the Pittsburgh Steelers Round 1 draft radar after the NFL Combine
Matthew Golden checked the boxes the Steelers were hoping for upon Combine weigh-ins. The talented wide receiver measured in at 5'11'' and 191 pounds with impressive 9 1/2'' hands. This is a bigger size profile than past Steelers 'X' receivers like Antonio Brown and Diontae Johnson.
Then Golden ran the 40-yard dash and had nothing else to prove.
Golden blazed with an official 4.29—making him the fastest receiver at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and the second-fastest overall prospect behind only Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
Texas' CFP standout Matthew Golden just ran a 4.30u 🤘
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/lHzyCUcICG
While Golden doesn't always play up to his speed on film, this is a box that is checked with flying colors. The impressive wide receiver already showcased his natural football ability on film. Now his confirmed elite testing speed is an added bonus.
For the Steelers, Golden would immediately slot into the starting lineup, and his profile suggests he could play any of the three wide receiver positions. However, the plan would likely be to make him the 'X' receiver.
But there's a problem.
Because Matthew Golden was already flying up the consensus board before the NFL Combine, his elite speed will only improve his draft status. Though the Pittsburgh Steelers could be ready to run to the podium to turn in their card for Golden, there's a good chance he doesn't make it to pick 21 after what we witnessed in Indianapolis.
If Golden somehow makes it to Pittsburgh's pick, you can bet he will be one of the top players on the Steelers' NFL Draft radar. Considering the team's biggest needs and Golden's NFL Combine performance, this feels like the obvious top target as we prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.