NFL Draft best available players for Pittsburgh Steelers: All eyes on Shedeur Sanders

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The Pittsburgh Steelers filled perhaps their biggest need in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, landing Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 21 while passing on quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders remains available after sliding all the way out of Round 1, but the Steelers don’t have a second-round pick after trading it for DK Metcalf, putting their next selection 51 slots away at No. 83. Will they find a way to land Sanders, or another quarterback on Day 2, or will they target other positions (like running back) first?

Here’s who they might be eyeing. Rankings from Dane Brugler’s Top 300 are listed in parentheses, and prospects who visited Pittsburgh before the draft are marked with asterisks.

Day 2

Round 2 or early 3 (could require a trade)

The Steelers don’t have a second-round pick after trading it for Metcalf. Still, they hosted several players graded in the first and early second rounds who are still available. Could one fall into their range? Or could a trade — going up from 83 or dealing a veteran to get back into Round 2 — be in play?

Shedeur Sanders*, QB, Colorado (No. 34, QB2)

You can tell Sanders grew up with a Hall of Fame father and was mentored by Tom Brady when you see his feel for the game, football IQ and ability to read defenses. However, at 6-2 and 212 pounds, his arm strength and mobility are closer to average. The Steelers passed on Sanders once, but Mike Tomlin spoke highly of him this week. Sanders could go quickly on Day 2, but few QB-needy teams remain, and there are other signal-callers available, so it’s not out of the question he could be there in Round 3.

Tyler Shough*, QB, Louisville (No. 50, QB4)

Playing for QB whisperer Jeff Brohm, Shough showed he can be effective in an NFL-like offense. Other QBs have generated the headlines, but Shough could offer a nice mix of value and upside on Day 2.

Nick Emmanwori*, S, South Carolina (No. 17, S1)

The only safety to take a pre-draft visit in Pittsburgh, Emmanwori surprisingly fell out of Round 1 and could go very quickly on Day 2. He’s one of the freakiest athletes in the draft at 6-3 and 220 pounds. The Steelers already have Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is the NFL’s third-highest-paid safety ($18.3 million per year), and DeShon Elliott, a gem on a bargain-basement contract, so it would be a surprise if they made an aggressive move for him.

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame (No. 54, S3)

Watts’ measureables (6-0, 205 pounds with 4.58 speed) don’t stand out, but he’s a smart, versatile defensive back with instincts to find the football, something the Steelers often value. He would fit nicely in Pittsburgh’s three-safety packages.

TreVeyon Henderson*, RB, Ohio State (No. 46, RB4)

The 30th and final visitor for the Steelers this year, Henderson generated some first-round buzz but did not go on Thursday night. While early-career durability concerns plagued him, he has the upside and versatile skill set to be a legitimate three-down back.

Kaleb Johnson*, RB, Iowa (No. 44, RB3)

He’s a great scheme fit after thriving in Iowa’s outside-zone centric offense, with the 6-1, 224-pound frame to become a bell cow.

Jaylin Noel*, WR, Iowa State (No. 42, WR5)

The Steelers have enjoyed success with 5-10 receivers who are good at getting in and out of their breaks, even though Noel’s slot experience might be redundant with others like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. He can also play on the perimeter.

Jayden Higgins*, WR, Iowa State (No. 45, WR6)

At 6-4 and 214, the Steelers could plan for Pickens’ departure (whether by trade this year or free agency next spring) by drafting another big, strong target.

Trey Amos*, CB, Ole Miss (No. 39, CB5)

At 6-1 and 195 pounds with 31 1/4-inch, Amos led FBS with 16 passes defended in 2024.

Azareye’h Thomas*, CB, Florida State (No. 51, CB6)

The Steelers have recently valued what they call “Avatar” corners. At 6-2 and 198 pounds, Thomas is another lengthy corner in that mold.

Mid-late Round 3

The Steelers have done extensive work on running backs, and Round 3 feels like a sweet spot to land one with starting potential.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State (No. 60, RB5)

In Ohio State’s potent running back tandem, Judkins was the Najee Harris. The Steelers already have Jaylen Warren and could use another physical bell cow to carry the load.

Dylan Sampson*, RB, Tennessee (No. 74, RB6)

If the Steelers want speed over size, the 5-8 Sampson would be a good option. He is projected to be picked right when the team is likely to pounce on a back. He’s the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year and has such good leadership qualities that he gave the pregame speeches as an underclassman, when he was just a backup.

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia (No. 97, RB9)

Etienne is one of the few backs on this list who did not visit Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t mean the Steelers don’t like him. He’s less explosive but more well-rounded than his brother, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, and he doesn’t turn 21 until July.

Bhayshul Tuten*, RB, Virginia Tech (No. 108, RB10)

A 5-9, 206-pound back with a lot of production on zone runs, Tuten has 4.32 speed to hit home runs.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford (No. 89, WR10)

A willing blocker, the 6-2, 206-pounder set a school record against Colorado with 294 receiving yards while often facing off against cornerback Travis Hunter.

Day 3

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (No. 86, QB6)

If the Steelers want to take a quarterback flier on Day 3, Ewers is the prospect Brugler believes has the highest ceiling.

Kyle McCord*, QB, Syracuse (No. 117, QB7)

His willingness to stand in the pocket and fit the ball into tight windows is a double-edged sword. McCord threw five interceptions (including three pick sixes) at Acrisure Stadium this year against Pitt.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State (No. 135, QB8)

The Steelers took Howard to dinner before his pro day. He has the size of Ben Roethlisberger and played his best football when it mattered most in the College Football Playoff.

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame (No. 162, QB10)

Khan and Tomlin attended Leonard’s pro day, where they got to see a mobile QB who ran for 900 yards. He’d be a low-risk move in the fifth round as a backup with developmental potential.

RJ Harvey*, RB, UCF (No. 92, RB8)

With 4.40 speed, Harvey is elusive, but his 5-8 size and running style might be a bit redundant with Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.

Jaydon Blue*, RB, Texas (No. 181, RB21)

A very good zone runner with 4.38 speed.

DJ Giddens*, RB, Kansas State (No. 115, RB13)

At 6-0 and 212 pounds, he’d bring a bigger body type to the room, but he doesn’t run as physically as his size suggests.

Ollie Gordon II*, RB, Oklahoma State (No. 136, RB14)

The 6-1, 226-pound back led college football in rushing in 2023, which shows how deep this running back class is. He’s one of the few running backs in the top 15 at his position over 6-0.

Jamaree Caldwell*, DT, Oregon (No. 124, DT18)

At 6-2 and 332, Caldwell projects as a developmental nose tackle who could turn into more.

Elijah Roberts*, Edge/DT, SMU (No. 154, EDGE23)

Though he’s listed as an edge rusher, Roberts has experience as an interior defensive lineman, too. Maybe the Steelers would add more weight to his 6-4, 285-pound frame and move him inside full-time because of his unique body type and upside in sub packages.

Jared Harrison-Hunte*, DT, SMU (No 214, DT27)

A former basketball player who has light feet and good pass-rush moves for a player at his position.

Yahya Black*, NT, Iowa (No. 185, DT25)

The Steelers like to draft defensive linemen from the Big Ten. A 6-6, 336-pound nose tackle, Black is in that mold. If he develops, he could bump Benton over to the 3-4 defensive end position in the Steelers’ base.

JJ Pegues*, DT, Ole Miss (No. 116, DT22)

The Steelers hosted at least four defensive linemen projected to be drafted on Day 3. If they want to double-dip, Pegues is an intriguing option. He has the versatility to play everywhere from the nose to the five-technique and could even contribute as a fullback and short-yardage back.

Caleb Ransaw, CB/S, Tulane (No. 160, CB15)

At 6-0 and 197 pounds, Ransaw has experience outside at cornerback, inside and even as a sub-package linebacker. He worked out at safety at the Senior Bowl, was a standout at the combine with a Relative Athleticism Score of 9.96 out of 10. The Steelers seem to like these hybrid safety types.

Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF (No. 195, CB20)

A strong Senior Bowl performer who has outside-inside versatility, with his fastest track to playing time inside.

Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA (No. 207, CB23)

He’s raw and unrefined, but he’s 6-3 and was second in the FBS last season with six interceptions.

Justin Walley*, CB, Minnesota (No. 234, CB27)

A four-year starter, Walley has a sixth-round grade from Brugler but will go earlier than that because of his experience. He’s an early Day 3 candidate.

Malachi Moore, S, Alabama (No. 130, S9)

Moore began his career playing the “Star” at Alabama, the same position Minkah Fitzpatrick played. Though Fitzpatrick excelled, Moore was inconsistent. A move to a more traditional safety position allowed his feisty style and instinct to show.

Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State (No. 133, S10)

Reed played in the post, in the box and matched up against slot receivers. The 6-foot, 211-pound safety’s big-hit, enforcer mentality could fit the AFC North.

Dante Trader Jr., S, Maryland (No. 172, S12)

A five-star lacrosse recruit and dual-sport athlete, what could the 5-11, 200-pounder become once he focuses only on football?

Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa (No. 218, S15)

A hybrid slot/linebacker, Castro could carve out a role in sub packages and on special teams.

Savion Williams*, WR, TCU (No. 114, WR13)

Because of his ability to line up in the backfield and out wide, the 6-4, 222-pound Williams is often compared to Cordarrelle Patterson. We know Steelers OC Arthur Smith loves him some CP.

Chimere Dike, WR, Florida (No. 158, WR17)

At 6-1, 196 and 4.34 speed, Dike is a Day 3 pick with traits to exceed his draft position.

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas (No. 210, WR24)

A 6-4, 214-pound athlete, TeSlaa would fit the Steelers’ offense if the former high school Wing-T QB can unlock his athletic potential.

Gavin Bartholomew*, TE, Pitt (No. 245, TE16)

The only tight end to take a Top 30 visit to Pittsburgh, Bartholomew could be in play as a late-round option for a Pittsburgh offense that loves tight ends. He would make the most sense in the seventh round.

Carson Bruener, LB, Washington (No. 273, LB23)

The 5-11, 227-pound linebacker doesn’t have the same build as his father, a Steelers first-round pick at tight end and now a scout for the team. But as a late Day 3 pick, Carson’s upside as a core special teamer puts him on the board for a team that appreciates bloodlines.

Willie Lampkin, C, North Carolina (No. 293, C10)

We know the Steelers love wrestlers. This Florida 2A state champion won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the ACC. At 5-11 and 279 pounds, he’s an extreme size outlier. However, he more than held his own as a late addition to the Senior Bowl and is especially interesting as a possible fullback convert as a seventh-round flier.

(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

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