ESPN NFL Draft analyst ignores signs from Steelers brass while selecting two recent national champions in latest mock draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers quietly have a lot of holes to fill on their 2025 roster. But if you were watching the Senior Bowl closely, you saw Steelers coaches and personnel surrounding defensive linemen and defensive backs. But for Matt Miller of ESPN, he's still all in on the skill positions… Steelers Select pair of OSU […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers quietly have a lot of holes to fill on their 2025 roster.
But if you were watching the Senior Bowl closely, you saw Steelers coaches and personnel surrounding defensive linemen and defensive backs.
But for Matt Miller of ESPN, he's still all in on the skill positions…
Steelers Select pair of OSU Playmakers in latest ESPN Mock Draft
Round 1: WR Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka does it all as a slant-route king. He is a heck of a punt returner and one of the best blocking wide receivers, too. He doesn't flash elite speed or size at 6-foot and 203 pounds, but he's a smart route runner with solid hands (a drop rate of just 2.8%) and an all-out effort on every snap. He caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season.
The Steelers need to start thinking about rebuilding their wide receiver room if George Pickens doesn't return after his rookie deal expires before the 2026 season. And regardless of Pickens' future, the team could use a true No. 2 receiver right now. Pairing Egbuka with Pickens and 2024 rookie Roman Wilson would be a good start.
– Matt Miller, ESPN
Egbuka is a perfect compliment to WR George Pickens. He's a stout Z-WR who is unafraid to drop his pads and do the dirty work both in the middle of the field and in terms of blocking.
But if you're the Steelers you have to wonder how much longer George Pickens is still in town. And while Egbuka is just fine, he's no WR #1, meaning the Steelers could be back in the same place next year.
Round 2: RB Quinshon Judkins
Najee Harris is set to hit free agency, and his return to Pittsburgh is far from guaranteed. Judkins would be an ideal replacement. He has the downhill power of Harris but better speed to rip off the chunk plays missing from the Steelers' offense, as evidenced by his 28 runs of 10 or more yards.
– Miller
Judkins fits the bill for the Steelers. He's big, physical, and has enough burst and explosion to get vertical and stretch the field. He would be an excellent replacement for Harris if and (at this point) when Harris departs in free agency.
But if we are being honest, given the way the Steelers want to play, the fact that Mike Tomlin is still the HC, and how much attention the team paid to defenders at the Senior Bowl, it's likelier we see two defenders in the first two rounds compared to two weapons.
