Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and relationships, and while not a notable date in the football calendar, it does mean we are inching closer to the offseason. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot to love about the Steelers right now considering their lack of promised changes.
However, I wanted to take this holiday as a chance to profile a small group of upcoming draft prospects that should have the Steelers attention. A lackluster offseason can be saved with a great draft class.
This list does just that. No, the Steelers won’t draft every one of these players, but to me, from my early scouting, they all make sense for the team.
Some of these players have the core traits that this team looks for in the position. Others have the measurables that the Steelers typically draft for at the position. Some just play like you want other members of this team to play.
In no particular order, these 16 draft prospects should already be on the Steelers' radar, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they fall in love with these upcoming rookies.
Steelers are in love with Will Howard
Starting this list off with a quarterback, Will Howard seems like the most logical option for this team to target if they decide to draft someone. He won’t be an early pick and likely goes in or after the third round. His play is solid even if it lacks the elite traits to make him a superstar.
You get a good rhythm passer in Howard who can do some damage with short and quick passes. He has good accuracy which helps make up for his arm strength, and he has enough athleticism to move around and escape sacks.
He has a winner’s mentality and has the potential to be a low-end starter. His floor seems to be a high-end backup. For a team lacking a clear quarterback answer, Howard would make a lot of sense.
Steelers are in love with Donovan Jackson
Does anyone else feel like the Steelers are drafting another guard this offseason?
If they do, and it's somewhere on day two, Donovan Jackson would make a lot of sense. He was as steady as they come at Ohio State, and in his three years as a starter, he has shown improvement in his game every year.
He doesn’t have a lot of negative traits to note, and while his athleticism will limit him from being a top guard, he screams consistent, multi-year starter. He is also comfortable in a zone-blocking scheme, so he fits what Arthur Smith wants. If a guard is drafted earlier, Jackson would be a great option.
Steelers are in love with Darien Porter
When it comes to Darien Porter, it is all about his build as to why the team will like him. He is tall, long, and carries his weight well. For a team that is trying to build out their cornerback room with big guys, Porter fits that build.
While he has that rare size, he does come with some issues. He is better in zone despite his build looking perfect for man coverage. He was also only productive for one season, and at his age, it may have been more due to his time in college as opposed to his natural talent. That size is perfect though, and it could sway the team to take him on day two.
Steelers are in love with Grey Zabel
The team went after the small school offensive lineman riser in Mason McCormick last year, and they could do the same with Grey Zabel. He played all over the line at North Dakota State, but his best fit seems to be at either guard spot (although he is garnering some attention as a potential center).
For a team that likes nasty and old-school interior blockers like McCormick and Zach Frazier, Zabel fits the bill. Given his strong outings so far, his stock is rising, and he will likely cost a day-two pick as it currently stands.
For anyone questioning this focus on guards, Isaac Seumalo is in the last year of his deal and will likely be gone next year. This team is trying to keep their trenches strong, so if the value is right, Zabel could get drafted by Pittsburgh this offseason.
Steelers are in love with Jahdae Barron
While I’m not convinced the Steelers go after a defensive back early in this draft, if they decide to spend their top draft pick on one, Jahdae Barron is my favorite. No, he isn’t that freakish avatar build of a defender. Heck, he doesn’t really have a defined position, but he is an absolute force on defense.
Barron lined up all over the field in college, from outside cornerback, to the slot, to both free and strong safety. His lack of a defined role is a little unnerving, but his best role, at least initially, is in the slot. There, he can flash his physicality and coverage skills.
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Long-term, there is the chance that he settles in as an outside cornerback or makes a more permanent move to safety. That kind of value and versatility is hard to come by. Given the questions in the slot, Barron has an instant role with the potential to be so much more.
Steelers are in love with Derrick Harmon
We are starting off with the first of quite a few defensive linemen, as this draft class is chock-full of fits for the Steelers. I’ve had Derrick Harmon circled for the team for a while, as he has all of the traits to be a good base end for the team.
He is a stout run defender with some pass-rushing traits. It seems like some of the first-round hype is dying down on him, but he has all of the makings of a good-not-great starter who can learn behind the starters in this room before taking over. His size and profile are almost perfect for what the team likes in their linemen.
Steelers are in love with Azareye’h Thomas
Take everything I said about Porter at cornerback earlier, add a younger player with better press-man skills, and you have Azareye’h Thomas. He was a top dog at Florida State, and his rare combination of size and coverage skills should have the Steelers salivating.
As stated, there is no guarantee that this team will draft a cornerback, and it is even less likely to be early in this draft. If they were to be tempted though, Thomas would be the guy to do it with. He is the perfect fit for how this team wants their cornerbacks to look and play.
Steelers are in love with Darius Alexander
A sleeper on this list, Darius Alexander isn’t getting the early-round hype that other names are getting. The Toledo product is on the shorter side, but he has impressed so far during the pre-draft process. He has displayed an explosive ability that has made it hard to block him.
If he puts together a strong showing at the combine, he could easily cement himself into the second day of the draft. He won’t be an instant starter for a team, but a year in an NFL weight room and learning behind some veterans could set Alexander up for long-term success.
Steelers are in love with Kenneth Grant
A name I mocked to the Steelers recently, Kenneth Grant is a boom-or-bust prospect entering 2025. While not as dominant as his running mate Mason Graham, Grant is a freaky athlete for a player of his size. Despite weighing close to 350 pounds for most of his playing time, Grant gets around easily.
He has an instant role on a team as a run defender and nose tackle given his squatty frame. The question will be if he can harness that athleticism to turn into a viable pass rusher. He needs some work, but you have to imagine that the Steelers are in love with his potential.
Steelers are in love with Isaiah Bond
Another name I have highlighted a few times, Isaiah Bond doesn’t seem to be getting the hype that some of the other receivers in this class are getting. For what the team needs though, Bond would be a natural fit.
He wins with his speed and sharp route running, making defensive backs look lost due to his timing and ability to fake out opponents. Traditionally, Pittsburgh has done well with a receiver like that, and they missed that body type last year.
Better yet, Bond seems like squarely a day-two pick at this point, so if the team looks elsewhere in round one, he could fill in the void in the second or third round. His style would be a great compliment to George Pickens.
Steelers are in love with Ty Robinson
A sleeper in the draft, it is hard to find that perfect body type for the Steelers base end even in this deep defensive line draft. However, Ty Robinson might just check all of the boxes. He is tall and well-built, and his reported length should satisfy the team.
He broke out last year after playing all over Nebraska’s defensive line, and while he doesn’t scream elite defender, he has the makings of a good rotational option and mid-level starter. He is close to maxed out given his age, but he should still be a viable defender in the NFL.
Steelers are in love with Shemar Stewart
A name I just began watching recently, Shemar Stewart is a ball of clay that could develop into an elite defender if everything clicks at the next level. While some view him as more of an edge rusher given how athletic he is, his size and presumed length should make him a great fit as an end for this defense.
He underperformed in college, but he moves well for his size and is violent when he makes contact with offensive linemen. He needs to finish better and get more refined technique, but if he can put everything together, you are looking at a special player on defense.
Steelers are in love with Kaleb Johnson
The running back class is deep, and while only one name may go in the first round, there are a lot of options to help fill in the blanks. With Najee Harris on his way out the door, the Steelers could target a very similar style of runner to replace him in the rotation.
Kaleb Johnson would likely cost the Steelers their second-round pick, but he would provide the offense with a powerful runner to pair with Jaylen Warren. He was extremely productive in school, and he should have an easy transition to the NFL. He fits the mold of what this team typically looks for in a back.
Steelers are in love with Alfred Collins
I find myself gravitating towards Alfred Collins as a great fit for what this team is looking for along the defensive line. Like most of the other names, his size checks out, but he seems like a safer option with a decently high ceiling and a high floor.
He lacks the elite upside of Stewart but has better traits than Robinson. He can instantly work his way into a rotation as both a run defender and pass rusher, and while he lacks a defining trait, he has enough tools to build around. The lack of weaknesses in his game should make him an early contributor.
Steelers are in love with Emeka Egbuka
While many view Emeka Egbuka as only a slot receiver, I think he can thrive on the outside and become a team’s top wideout. He is a great route runner with healthy speed and the ability to make the tough catches look easy.
Naturally, he has already generated a lot of buzz due to the Steelers inherent need for another receiver this offseason. While he isn’t that dynamic after the catch, he always finds ways to get open. Considering how bare the cupboards are at receiver, Pittsburgh has to have him circled on their list.
Steelers are in love with Devin Neal
Devin Neal really has everything the Steelers should want in a draftable running back. He has the size the team usually targets, but he also brings a healthy burst as a runner and looks fast on tape. He hits his holes hard and gets up to speed quickly.
He can provide this offense the change of pace that they want, but they don’t have to sacrifice the size they prefer in a player. Neal would form quite the one-two punch with Warren, and in this zone-blocking scheme, he would feel right at home. I don’t know how the team can’t love his film.