After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost five straight games to end the 2024 NFL season, fans are hungry for changes. While many supporters are calling for major coaching staff shake-ups, the Steelers are more likely to focus on improving their roster rather than making significant changes on the sidelines. The team’s priority will be to strengthen key positions, and that process will begin with free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Steelers' George Pickens appears angry on the sideline.
One position the Steelers are expected to address early in the draft is wide receiver, a major need after the team struggled at the position during the 2024 season. The Steelers' offense has struggled with consistent playmaking, and adding a dynamic wideout could help elevate their passing game. With the 21st overall pick, Pittsburgh has a golden opportunity to find a reliable target for their quarterback of the future.
In his 2025 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Steelers will select wide receiver Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State with their first-round pick. Egbuka has been a standout at OSU, showcasing his ability to make explosive plays and create separation. His combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability makes him an ideal fit for the Steelers' offense as they look to inject some much-needed firepower into their passing game.
"The last time the Steelers took a receiver in Round 1 was 2006, when they drafted Santonio Holmes at No. 25. But unless things drastically change in free agency, Pittsburgh has to break that streak," Kiper said. "There aren't enough reliable pass catchers in this offense. The Steelers don't have a surefire WR2 behind George Pickens, and the offense isn't going to improve until they do something there, no matter the QB."
Kiper pointed out that the last time the Steelers selected a wide receiver in the first round was Santonio Holmes, who went on to become a Super Bowl MVP and a key contributor to the team's offensive success for several seasons.
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Steelers' Santonio Holmes toe taps for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Egbuka could be the perfect fit for that same role, bringing a much-needed dynamic presence to the receiving corps. Pairing him with George Pickens would give the Steelers a formidable duo, and many fans would see Egbuka as an immediate solution to the team’s wide receiver struggles.
"Egbuka caught six passes for 64 yards in Monday's National Championship win, putting him over 1,000 yards on the season (1,011)," Kiper said. "It was also the second time in the past three years that Egbuka caught double-digit touchdowns (10). He's a great route runner with speed and would eat up targets in the Steelers' offense."
Pickens had another solid season with the Steelers in 2024, catching 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns. He also had several big plays and touchdowns called back, all while missing three games due to injury. His absence highlighted just how thin the wide receiver room is, making it clear that more help is needed.
There have been rumblings that the Steelers may be considering moving on from Pickens. While he has been productive, many are frustrated with his maturity levels. Behind closed doors, reports have surfaced that Pickens frequently shows up late, raising concerns about his professionalism. If the Steelers were to trade Pickens or decide not to move forward with him after the 2025 season, their wide receiver situation would become even more problematic.
Steelers Need To Draft A WR Who Can Make A Quick Impact
Calvin Austin III has shown significant progress, but Roman Wilson barely saw the field in 2024, raising doubts about his role in 2025. The question remains whether he’ll be given the opportunity to contribute. Drafting Egbuka would immediately provide the offense with a reliable playmaker, a far cry from the days when rookies struggled to make an impact early on.
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Emeka Egbuka hauls in a pass for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
In 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers selected wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who immediately became a difference-maker and helped turn their offense around. The Steelers need to find that same level of impact in whoever they draft at wide receiver in 2025. Kiper believes Egbuka could be that guy for Pittsburgh, bringing the kind of immediate production the offense desperately needs.
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