When an NFL team puts their draft board together, they do so with an eye on players will be realistically available when they pick as well as some higher-rated players who the team calculates would be worth a trade up for if they slip to a certain point. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the No. 21 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft and for this exercise we are not accounting for a potential trade up.
What we did instead is ran more than two dozen one-round mock draft simulations to determine who the most realistic options are who will be on the board when the Steelers pick. Here’s how the top 10 shook out in our order of preference.
Of note, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden is no longer among this top eight. Since his huge combine performance, he’s moved up and looks to be long gone before the Steelers pick. As for quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the lack of consensus on him makes it difficult to include as most sims have him being taken early despite his low ranking on the overall prospect rankings.
1 – WR Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State
With Golden and Burden long gone, Egbuka is the last best option for the Steelers at wide receiver in the round.
2 – CB Will Johnson – Michigan
Not sure why he’s sliding but Johnson is a better coverage player than Travis Hunter and would be an amazing value.
3 – DT Derrick Harmon – Oregon
More of a pass rushing defensive tackle, Harmon fits the versatile mold the Steelers like.
4 – DT Darius Alexander – Toledo
Big, athletic run stuffer with a quick first step and is rising fast since the combine.
5 – RB Omarion Hampton – North Carolina
Second-best running back in the draft and one of only a few who have the potential to be a full-time feature back right out of the gate.
6 – OL Grey Zabel – North Dakota State
Scheme and position versatile offensive lineman who is polished and powerful.
7 – CB Maxwell Hairston – Kentucky
Blew up the combine with his speed and planted himself firmly in the top tier of cornerback prospects.
8 – LB Jalon Walker – Georgia
Elite athlete who can dominate as an inside linebacker as well as an edge rusher and is only 20 years old.
