The Steelers have shown interest in the top safeties, but there are potential starters in this class deep into the draft.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, Ryan Parish debuted his list of “Bargain” NFL prospects the Steelers could target at positions of need. Now, Ryan’s series is back to once again highlight some of the lesser-known players in this year’s class. This series is not meant to predict who the Steelers will pick, but rather to highlight players Ryan thinks would fit with the team and should be available in Rounds 2-7. For this series, Ryan will avoid highlighting players frequently listed in the top 50-75 range on big boards. Looking for more? Check out Ryan’s picks this year at wide receiver, running back and cornerback.
Heading into this draft season, one of the major talking points was that this was a “down year.” It was an easy notion to latch on to, just look at state of the usual suspects for top picks:
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QB — This class was always going to have a tough act to follow after the 2024 group. The consensus seems to believe Cam Ward would still not crack QB3 of the 2024 class even after his star turn at Miami. The presumed second best QB, Shedeur Sanders, could go anywhere from second to the second round.
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EDGE — Abdul Carter, the top guy in the class, has generated a lot of excitement, but also comes with a foot injury and just one year of experience in that role. After that it’s a mix of guys with unclean resumes. Some are facing potential legal accusations, some are freak athletes who haven’t turned that into production, some are guys who need a fit well in some systems but not others. Overall, I think it’s a talented group, but there are few obvious slam dunks in a group that carries a lot of baggage this year.
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OT — When the presumed top prospect, as well as a handful of other potential first rounders, are having questions asked about whether they’re better off as guards, you get an idea of how intensely scrutinized this class has been.
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CB — Travis Hunter aside — who has his own baggage with his CB/WR potential that will take a smart staff to manage — I can sum up with a question. Who is the CB1 if we consider Hunter his own position? Your answer will probably be determined on how squeamish about injury histories you are, or what type of defense you run. This year’s class has a lot of prospects with specific scheme needs.
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WR — Another class with a tough group to follow. Tetairoa McMillan is the presumed top prospect — again, after Hunter — but he doesn’t have the usual traits that make a receiver a top-10 pick. Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden are probably second-round talents in most drafts. Luther Burden III wildly disappointed in 2024 and could fall out of the first...
Behind the Steel Curtain
