The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those intriguing teams entering the offseason. With question marks at quarterback and key needs on offense and defense, who will this AFC North squad target in the 2025 NFL Draft?
With Mike Tomlin’s job appearing to be safe, the Steelers focus will be at QB as the team will decide on whether to retain Russell Wilson who is set to become a free agent or give the role to Justin Fields who will also be a free agent. The team could go in another direction at signal caller, but with the 2025 NFL Draft light on QB talent, either Wilson or Fields will be the answer.
The next focus is getting more explosive on offense. Outside of George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers lacked consistent targets on offense. They did draft Roman Wilson in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he may be a WR3 at best. So, the Steelers may look to the draft to add a WR2 to the mix to compliment Pickens.
Who fits the mold?
Well, there is one wide receiver who the team should consider targeting.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: CBS Sports has Ohio State star as the answer at receiver
With his decision not to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft and return to Ohio State for another season, Emeka Egbuka increased his draft stock in the 2025 NFL Draft. If he is a big factor in OSU winning the national championship, that stock could rise even higher. Given his size and ability to create after the catch, Egbuka will be a target of many teams needing a WR2. That includes the Steelers.
In his latest NFL Mock Draft, Josh Edwards believes the OSU star is a great fit in Pittsburgh.
Edwards writes:
“Emeka Egbuka would be a great complement to George Pickens in Pittsburgh. The long-term quarterback situation would still need to be addressed, but at least that player would have a few competent outlets in the pass game.”
Emeka Egbuka scouting report:
NFL Mocks agrees. There will be key targets at receiver on Day 2 and early Day 3 who would be good fits, but Egbuka at No. 21 is a great spot for a prospect who is right now the No. 3 prospect at the position. With 75 receptions for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns, Egbuka proved again to be the perfect No. 2 option at wide receiver. In 2023 he played second fiddle to Marvin Harrison Jr and in 2024, he complimented outstanding freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. He should have no problem creating a 1-2 punch alongside Pickens.
NFL Mocks has Steelers selecting Egbuka with pick No. 21
Like Edwards, NFL Mocks believes Egbuka is a solid building piece on offense for the Steelers. Again, he has great size at the receiver position. With his maturity coming out of college as a senior along with his savvy offensive awareness, the Steelers can only benefit from a tough receiver who can create after the catch. Another benefit of a player like Egbuka is he’ll be someone who will push Pickens, who has a tendency of lacking effort at times.
Some other targets for the Steelers is Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden who would also complement Pickens as second wide receiver options in Pittsburgh.