Steelers Now
Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka isn’t far removed from capping a highly-productive collegiate career, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper sees him being next in line when it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In his first mock draft for this cycle, the longtime draftnik tabbed Egbuka as being the Steelers’ first-round draft choice at 21st overall this April.
Egbuka would be a key addition for the Steelers, having piled up a career-high 81 grabs for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in Ohio State’s national championship-winning attack. He’s drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, a two-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro, and displays some of the same talent.
Egbuka is the Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver in the categories of receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868). He accomplished those figures despite sharing the field with first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr. (4th overall in 2024), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20th in 2023), Chris Olave (11th in 2022), and Garrett Wilson (10th in 2022). This season, Egbuka played alongside freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who figures to be highly sought after when he’s eligible to be drafted.
The Steelers haven’t selected a wideout in the first round since 2006. They chose an Ohio State pass-catcher then, as well, in eventual Super Bowl XLIII hero Santonio Holmes. More recently, Pittsburgh has drafted guys like Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and JuJu Smith-Schuster in following rounds. All found some success in the Steel City before moving on to different teams.
The receiver position should be one of the Steelers’ biggest priorities this off-season. George Pickens accounted for a good portion of the Pittsburgh’s workload catching passes, accounting for 900 yards and three touchdowns on 59 receptions this season. However, the mercurial talent is soon due for a new contract, which the team might not want to give him.
