PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Invariably the story after moving past who the Steelers selected in the first round, is what about day two? It’s tougher currently without a second-round pick. Who might still be available at pick 83?
Even if they had the second-rounder they gave up for receiver DK Metcalf, it would be hard to get a feeling of who might be available 21 picks into the round, but 50 picks to go?
Let’s do this the best we can based on the best available players according to ESPN and assuming the Steelers don’t trade back into the second round.
Quarterback
· Almost certainly gone-Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
· Likely gone-Tyler Shough (Louisville) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama), although Milroe could slide
· Likely available
Will Howard (6’4”, 236 pounds, Ohio State)-led Buckeyes to national championship completing 71.4% of his passes, 4010 yards, 35 TD, 10 INT, 7 rushing TD
Quinn Ewers (6’2”, 210 pounds, Texas)-21-4 as starter, had 26 straight games with TD pass, 65.8% completion, 3472 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT
Kyle McCord (6’3”, 218 pounds, Syracuse)-Steelers pre-draft visit, set several Syracuse all-time records with 12, 300-yard passing games, 66% completion, 4,779 yards, 34 TD
Running back
· Certainly gone-TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)-Steelers really like him, Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
· Likely gone-Kaleb Johnson (6’1”, 224 pounds, Iowa), came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit after rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 TD in 2024, good blocker
· Potentially to likely available
Cam Skattebo (5’10, 219 pounds, Arizona State)-a dual-threat tailback with 1,711 rushing yards and 605 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns in 2024. Finished fifth in Heisman voting.
Dylan Sampson (5’8”, 200 pounds, Tennessee)-Steelers pre-draft visit, carried the ball 258 times for the Vols for 1,491 yards leading the SEC with 114.7 yards-per-game.
DJ Giddens (6’, 212 pounds, Kansas State)-Steelers pre-draft visit had a great combine with the second-best broad jump and second-best vertical jump with seventh-best 40 time (4.43). Rushed for 1,343 yards and 7 TD in 2024.
Devin Neal (5’11”, 213 pounds, Kansas)-rushed for over 1,000 in three consecutive seasons with 41 touchdowns and was a team captain
RJ Harvey (5’8”, 205 pounds, Central Florida)-Steelers pre-draft visit set school record with 48 TD, 6th in FBS 1,577 yards in 2024, ran 4th fastest 40 (4.4)
Bhayshul Tuten (5’9”, 206 pounds, Virginia Tech)-Steelers pre-draft visit, had crazy NFL Combine numbers 4.32 40-yard dash(best for RB), 40.5” vertical & 10’10” broad jump. Rushed for 15 TD at Virginia Tech, known for power & speed
Wide receiver
· Certainly gone-Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)-Steelers pre-draft visit, Tre Harris (Ole Miss), Luther Burden III (Missouri), Jaylin Noel (Iowa State)-Steelers pre-draft visit
· Likely gone-Jack Bech (TCU)
· Potentially available
Jalen Royals (6’, 205 pounds, Utah State)-averaged 15.2 yards-per-catch each of last 2 seasons with 21 TD in 20 games and his 1.49 10-yard split tied for quickest among any player at NFL Combine, although ran 16th fastest 40-time (4.42)
Kyle Williams (5’11”, 190 pounds, Washington State)-averaged 17.1 yards-per-catch & a 4.4, 40-yard dash. Had 20 TD in 25 games at WSU.
Jaylin Lane (5’10”, 191 pounds, Virginia Tech)-had 79 receptions for 1,004 yards in 24 games at VT with 8 touchdowns, had top 3 Combine numbers in several categories and can return punts.
Tai Felton (6’1”, 183 pounds, Maryland)-96 receptions (most in Power 4 conferences) for 1,124 yards and 9 TD in 2024, ran 6th fastest 40-time (4.37)
Savion Williams (6’4”, 222 pounds, TCU)-Steelers pre-draft visit, 60 receptions, 611 yards, 6 TD/rushed for 322 yards, 6 TD/threw a TD pass, ran a 4.48 40
Cornerbacks
· Certainly gone-Will Johnson (Michigan), Shavon Revel (East Carolina), Trey Amos (Ole Miss)-Steelers pre-draft visit, Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)-Steelers pre-draft visit, Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Darien Porter (Iowa State)
· Likely available
Quincy Riley (5’11”, 194 pounds, Louisville)-2nd Team All-ACC, 13 PBUs, 2 INT, missed 2 games with ankle injury, ran 4.48, 40-yard dash
Nohl Williams (6’, 199 pounds, California)-7 interceptions (Pick Six vs top overall pick Cam Ward, another INT against Pitt, 2 INTs vs. Auburn) & an 80-yard kickoff return TD in 2024, 1st Team All-ACC, ran a 4.5, 40-yard dash
Jacob Parrish (5’10”, 191 pounds, Kansas State)-50 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU, 4th fastest 40-time (4.35)
Safeties
· Certainly gone-Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)-Steelers pre-draft visit, Kevin Winston, Jr (Penn State)
· Likely/potentially available
Xavier Watts (6’, 204 pounds, Notre Dame)-13 interceptions, 13 pass breakups over last 2 years, First-Team All-American as grad student in 2024, in four playoff games had 33 tackles (2 TFL), had 100-yard INT return for TD v USC
Jonas Sanker (6’, 206 pounds, Virginia)-team defensive MVP, captain, 98 tackles (65 solo)/8.5 TFL, INT and blocked FG against Pitt, 7th best 40-time (4.48)
RJ Mickens (6’, 199 pounds, Clemson)-75 tackles(6 TFL), 7 PBU, 2 INT, 10 tackles v Pitt, hard hitter, ran a 4.49 40-yard dash
Jaylen Reed (6’, 211 pounds, Penn State)-46 tackles (32 solo), 4 TFL, 2 INT, played only 2 seasons, track & basketball star in HS, ran a 4.49, 40 & bench 225 pounds 19 times