By Mike DeFabo
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.
Friday brought more of the same: Pittsburgh filled another huge need by taking Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson at No. 83 … and again passed on Sanders, who surprisingly slid all the way out of Day 2.
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Would the Steelers still consider Sanders on Day 3? Will they take another developmental quarterback? And what other positions could they target? 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.
Shedeur Sanders*, QB, Colorado (No. 34, QB2)
Some expected Sanders to slide out of Round 1. Nobody expected him to make it all the way to Day 3. The Steelers have passed on him twice, but Mike Tomlin spoke highly of him this week. Few QB-needy teams remain, so it’s possible Sanders could still be there at No. 123, when the Steelers pick next.
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.
Elijah Roberts*, Edge/DT, SMU (No. 154, EDGE23)
The Steelers likely aren’t done along the defensive line despite adding Derrick Harmon in Round 1. Another depth piece on Day 3 would make sense. 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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)
Mike DeFabo is a staff writer covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, he spent three years at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a Penguins beat writer, three years covering Purdue football and basketball for CNHI and one season following the Michigan State basketball team to the 2019 Final Four for the Lansing State Journal. Mike is a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the proud home of Steelers training camp, and graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeDeFabo
