The Steelers' Most Exciting College Prospects From Their Latest Pre-Draft Meetings

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host several pre-draft meetings in the coming weeks with the most recent three players having impressive collegiate pedigree. Although the Steelers have had a productive free agency so far, some gaps have gone unfilled. The Steelers will have to decide how to use their draft picks most effectively to optimize their roster, and there is little room for error. 

Maybe the most promising of the batch is Yahya Black, a defensive tackle from the Iowa Hawkeyes. The defensive line continues to be the Steelers' second biggest issue outside the quarterback situation. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan said during his NFL Scouting Combine press conference that the team was looking to round out its defense for next season. So far over free agency, that hasn't fully panned out. 

Black was a starter in all 13 of the Hawkeyes' games, even earning an Honorable Mention for All-Big Ten in 2024. Black put up 34 total tackles in the 2024 season, with 18 solo and 16 assists. With Pittsburgh's ongoing defensive woes, it's possible the team will spend its first two draft picks on defense. The more Steelers leadership decides to lean into refining the defense, the better the chance Black has of being drafted by the team.

The most surprising visitor at the Steeler's pre-draft meetings was TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Savion Williams. Pittsburgh has heavily invested in their offense by picking up wide receiver DK Metcalf in free agency. An addition such as Williams may seem redundant in a position that the team doesn't seem to be struggling in, but it could hint at the team's plans for current players such as George Pickens. 

Regardless, Williams is a budding talent, achieving 60 receptions for 611 yards, and six touchdowns. Should he be picked up by Pittsburgh it is unclear where he could fall in the depth chart. Should Pickens not play for the Steelers for the last year of his contract, drafting a prospect like Williams could be Pittsburgh's best option to pick up a new wide receiver.

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Volunteers running back, and SEC Offensive Player of the Year, was the third prospect explored by the Steelers on Friday. Sampson could likely be the backup for newly-acquired Philidelphia Eagles player, Kenneth Gainwell. 

While Gainwell has yet to prove he will be as big an asset to the Steelers as Najee Harris, it's certain that he would be the starter over Sampson. It would be a full circle moment, as Sampson would have time to grow into his role with his new team, just as Gainwell did in Philidelphia. 

Sampson finished the 2024 season with 258 carries for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Sampson suffered a hamstring injury in the College Football Playoff Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in December and did not run a 40-yard dash in the NFL combine. The injury may have caused Sampson to slip in the draft ratings, as he is now projected to go in the second or third round.

Steelers' Most Likely Move In The 2025 NFL Draft Has To Be On The Defensive Line

Of the three prospects seen recently, Black seems most likely to become a Steeler. As long as Pittsburgh's struggles at defense go unaddressed during free agency, it is increasingly likely that Black or another defensive tackle will be taken by the Steelers in the first round of the draft. As the Steelers' needs evolve during free agency, mainly finding a quarterback and ironing out Pickens's contract, Williams and Sampson could become higher-priority picks.

Sampson seems to be the second most likely to be selected by the Steelers, at least in later rounds. William's situation remains to be seen, as the cause for the Steelers' interest in another wide receiver can only be guessed.

Which prospect do you think the Steelers should draft in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

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