2025 NFL Draft Preview: Steelers Pt. 2

 

These summaries come from the combine tracker at NFL.com

WR Jayden Higgins - Iowa St  6'4" 214

2024: 3rd AP All-American/2nd All-BIG 12, 87rec/1,183yds/9TDs

combine; 4.47s 40, 39"vert, 10'8"broad

strengths: Purposeful drive phase disguises comebacks & stops. Runs routes with smooth strides & good balance. Effective use of size to physically separate at breaks. Competes for catch space using focus & hand strength to win. Hands are natural, soft & sudden.

weaknesses: Unable to sink hips for sudden stops & sharp cuts in his routes. No second gear to prevent corners from closing distance. Finds himself in a high number of contested catches. Below-average run-after-catch talent in smaller spaces.

grade: 6.31 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

OG Jackson Slater - Sacramento St  6'3"  311

2024: FCS All-American/All-BIG SKY

combine: 5.01s 40, 28.5"vert, 9'broad, 31reps

strengths: Easy cut at his stance & into action on skip pulls. Fits up blocks with low pads & wide base. Upper-body power and strong hands allow him to latch longer. Punches & resets with independent hands in protection. Scans his gaps & finds protection work when uncovered.

weaknesses: Has trouble turning heads-up blocks out of the gap. Below-average adjustments to 2nd-level movement. Can become impatient and lunge with his punch. Lacks technical agility for NFL protection scrambles.

grade: 5.82 (Average backup/Special Teamer)

EDGE Jared Ivey - Ole Miss  6'6", 274

2024: 3rd All-SEC, 42tckls/10.5TFLs, 7scks, 3PBUs, 2FFs

strengths: Comes off the ball and explodes into blockers with lift. Flurries like a boxer to keep blockers at the end of his punch. Rangy and can play off blocks to nab runners from the back side. Rush tools to mismatch guards for quick wins as an interior rusher.

weaknesses: Anchor & contact balance don't match the listed measurables. Rush plan crumbles when he's hit with a sudden punch. Leggy pass rush is segmented & mechanical. Below-average change of direction & closing burst inside the pocket,

grade: 6.00 (Traits/Talent to be an above-average backup)

EDGE Shemar Stewart - Texas A&M  6'5", 267

 

2024: 3rd All-SEC, 31tckls/5.5TFLs, 1.5scks, 2PBUs, 1FF

combine: 4.59s 40, 40"vert, 10'11"broad

strengths: 1st-step burst & good bend to create danger in the gaps. Exceptional chase speed to close hard off the backside. Speed-to-power rush knocks pass-setting tackles off their mark. Will threaten guards with length & quickness as a sub-rusher inside.

weaknesses: Allows blockers into his frame, diminishing his length. Gets pushed off his base & widened at the edge. Rushes the passer with intensity, but there can be a lack of plan & focus. His hand usage in both phases is well behind schedule. In desperate need of some go-to moves.

grade: 6.41 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Ray Robertson-Harris

DT Deone Walker - Kentucky  6'7", 331

2024: 3rd All-SEC, 37ckls, 1.5scks, 1FR, 2PBUs

combine: 25"vert, 8'8"broad

strengths: Can overwhelm opponents with physical traits. Firm edge-setter when bumped out to 5-technique. Pries open pathways to the pocket when finding proper arm extension. Athletic feet create rush opportunities across the gaps.

weaknesses: High center of gravity makes anchoring & leveraging gaps an issue. Has trouble staying on balance and on his feet at times. Sub par conditioning leads to his motor gassing out. Below-average leg bend limits power potential as a bull-rusher.

grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Jordan Phillips

CB Trey Amos - Ole Miss  6'1", 195

2024: 1st All-SEC, 13PBUs, 3INTs, 1FF, 50tckls/13.5TFLs

combine: 4.43s 40, 32.5"vert, 10'6"broad, 13reps

strengths: Possesses foot quickness & size to be a problem in press. Has body control and footwork to stay in phase versus NFL routes. Plant-&-drive is sudden without stall at the top. Desired pacing, positioning in vision in cover 3 looks.

weaknesses: Allows unnecessary separation from off-man coverage. Needs better eye balance & decisiveness from off coverage. Plays WR's hands instead of the ball with his back to the action. Arm tackler & slow to get of of perimeter blockers. 

grade: 6.28 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Tarheeb Still 

CB Darien Porter - Iowa St  6'3", 195

2024: 18tckls, 3INTs, 2PBUs

combine: 4.3s 40, 36.5"vert, 10'11"broad

strengths: Smooth athlete with easy change of direction & acceleration. Long speed with well-timed transitions to phase deep routes. Mature field awareness and zone discipline despite a lack of experience. Standout talent at gunner with 4 blocked punts.

weaknesses: Limited man-cover reps on tape to evaluate. Takes time gathering & adjusting to more complex routes. Below-average play strength to discard run blocks. Quite a bit to clean up with tackling & contain in run support.

grade: 6.19 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Riq Woolen

RB Devin Neal - Kansas  5'11", 213

2024: Honorable All-BIG 12, 219att/1,266yds/16TDs, 24rec/254yds/1TD

combine: 4.58s 40, 37.5"vert, 10'4"broad

strengths: Runs behind his blocks while maintaining decisiveness. Plays with synced-up eyes & feet for sudden transitions. Prioritizes ball security. Pushes through initial contact and falls forward for yardage. Converts short-yardage carries with downhill mentality and forward lean. 

weaknesses: Average early burst to keep defenses from crowding his runs.. Lacks creativity to find alternate pathways when needed. Needs better strain and finish to keep his QBs protected.

grade: 6.10 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

 TE Mason Taylor - LSU  6'5", 251

2024: 3rd All-SEC, 55rec/546yds/2TDs

strengths: Very natural mover with above-average athleticism. Capable at running an expanded route tree. Tracks & adjusts to throws with ideal consistency. Plucks throws with natural hands and good extension. Good body control with late adjustments on move blocks.

weaknesses: One-speed route runner who lacks attention to detail. Needs to improve his physicality and leverage inside the route. Requires better technique  & commitment as a blocker. Needs to bring his hands inside to improve block sustain.

grade: 6.40 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Dallas Goedert

QB Will Howard - Ohio St  6'4", 236

2024: 3rd All-BIG 10, 73%, 40,010yds, 35TDs/10INTs, 105att/226yds/7TDs

combine: 31.5"vert, 9'4"broad

strengths: Can work off-platform with relative ease & efficiency. Throws from a grounded base with good mechanics and repeatable delivery. Able to buy time for routes to develop when pressured. Has poise, accuracy & touch to beat a blitzing defense. Uses legs on zone-read and for short-yardage carries.

weaknesses: Can be mechanical & predictable from the pocket. Will struggle to beat NFL corners when throwing outside the numbers or into tight windows. Not enough eye manipulation to keep defenders guessing. Had some contested  throws bailed out by WR's ball skills.

grade: 5.90 (Average backup/Special Teamer)

comp: Blake Bortles

QB Jaxson Dart - Ole Miss 6'2", 223

2024: 1st All-SEC, 69.3%, 4,279yds, 29TDs/6INTs, 124att/495yds/3TDs

strengths: Gets across the full field of progressions when he needs to. Recognizes potential trouble and gets away from it. Beats man coverage when making predetermined throws. Very accurate with his back-shoulder fades. Runs with early acceleration & vision in the open field. 

weaknesses: Deep zone coverages slowed his momentum & consistency. Lazy footwork forces him into muscled throws at times. Displayed inconsistencies with decisiveness in his reads. Throws feel very labored when he's forced to work off-platform. Deep throws lack energy and force WRs to break stride.

grade: 6.17 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Gardner Minshew

 DT Derrick Harmon - Oregon  6' 4 1/2", 313

2024: 2nd AP All-American/3rd All-BIG 10, 45tckls.10.5TFLs, 5scks, 4PBUs, 2FFs

combine: 4.95s 40, 

strengths: Versatility to play up & down the line in odd or even fronts. Punch is quick, powerful & efficient to stall the block. Capable as a block collector to keep his LB clean. Uses arm-over or rip move to penetrate the gap. Creates rush momentum to roll downhill once he hits an edge. 

weaknesses:  Gets caught behind lateral blocks when he shouldn't. Inconsistent to finish his plays after gaining an advantage. Rush is linear with a lack of upper-body turn to flip edges. Footwork becomes too static, prevents secondary rush. Pad level and agility issues create missed tackles in tight quarters.

grade: 6.38 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Daquan Jones

QB Quinn Ewers - Texas  6'2", 214

2024: 2nd All-SEC, 65.8%, 3,472yds, 31TDs/12INTs, 2 rushing TDs

strengths: Makes it look easy when he's working in rhythm. Arm talent to make trick-shot throws from a variety of angles. Gets the ball out in a hurry with just the flick of his wrist. Capable of making touch throws from off-platform. Throws with consistent accuracy on boot-action rollouts.

weaknesses: Can be fooled from pre-snap to post-snap looks by defense. Gets stuck on his 1st read, regardless of coverage. Lazy footwork forces WRs to break stride to make the catch. Will throw late and put too much air under some downfield throws. Must improve his feel & response to edge pressure.

grade: 6.15 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Sam Howell/Kelly Holcomb

S Xavier Watts - Notre Dame  6', 204

2024: Consensus All-American, 82tckls/3.5TFLs, 6INTs/1TD, 10PBUs, 1FF/1FR

strengths: Plays with excellent twitch & anticipation. Tremendous ball skills and feel for passing lanes. Very rapid diagnosis & response to the run. Displays good pre-snap recognition of play design. 

weaknesses: Can be frenetic with false steps at the top of the route. Below-average body control and reactive agility. Lacks discipline & patience when defending the run. Reckless pursuit leverage creates open cutback lanes. Must come to balance and drop his entry point as an NFL tackler.

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Malik Hooker

S Jaylen Reed - Penn St  6', 211

2024: 2nd All-BIG 10, 98tckls, 2.5scks, 3INTs/1TD, 3PBUs, 1FF/1FR

combine: 4.49s 40, 33.5"vert, 19reps

strengths: Sees route developments from zone coverage. Trusts instincts & eyes for quick trigger on the throw. Does a good job of slipping blocks to find work as a tackler. 

weaknesses: Misreads & mental mistakes were costly. Lacks play speed and range for single-high looks. Comes in hot and lacks agility to recover as an open-field tackler. 

grade: 5.88 (Average backup/Special teamer)

2025 NFL Draft Preview: Steelers pt. 1

 

These summaries come from the combine tracker at NFL.com

RB Cam Skattebo - Arizona State, 5' 9 1/2", 219

'24: 1st AP All-American/1st All-BIG 12, 293att/1,411yds/21TDs, 45rec/605yds/3TDs

combine: 39.5"vert, 10'3"broad

strengths: Runs with excellent footwork in tight quarters. Bursts into his top speed. Either breaks defender's tackle or makes them feel his force. Quick vertical transition from catch to run underneath. 

weaknesses: Lacks desired acceleration out of his cuts. Must improve his ball security at the next level. Missing straight-line speed to outrun NFL pursuit. Limited catch radius requires an accurate passer. Needs to square rusher instead of seeking shoulder shots. 

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Jaylen Warren

WR Emeka Egbuka - Ohio St  6'1", 202

'24: 3rd All-BIG 10, 81rec/1,011yds/10TDs, 8att/33yds

strengths: Good feel for manipulating coverage in space. Hits his turns & stems with good timing and tempo. Smart hand-fighter with the ability to create late space. Presents numbers to the QB and works back to the throw. Plays with pro feet with double taps near the boundary. 

weaknesses: Jostled by redirection & physical coverage underneath. Struggles to drop weight and open quickly on comebacks. Average quickness & separation in and out of breaks. Takes time to find acceleration after slowing feet inside the route or on screens. 

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

WR Matthew Golden - Texas  5'11", 191

'24: 58rec/987yds/9TDs

combine: 4.29s 40

strengths: Meets the moment with big plays in big games. Agile feet allow quicker gather-&-cut as a route runner. Shows ability to sink, slow & open quickly from hard vertical push, Twitchy pluck-&-tuck protects the catch through contact. Displays body control and focus for highlight reel adjustments and grabs.

weaknesses: Routes can be too nonchalant & unfocused. Pops upright into route breaks, providing coverage a tell. Inconsistent working back on throws to protect the catch-point. Poor hand timing causes focus drops underneath. 

grade: 6.42 (Will become a good starter within 2 yrs)

comp: Chris Olave

WR Nick Nash - San Jose State  6'2 1/2", 203

'24: Unanimous All-American/1st All-Mountain West, 2-2/42yds/2TDs, 104rec/1,382yds/16TDs

combine: 4.57s 40, 34"vert, 10'3"broad

strengths: Times up acceleration to give separation a boost. An explosive leaper with full-body extension to maximize catch radius. Wins above the rim with body control, timing & hand strength, 

weaknesses: Could do a better job of disguising underneath routes. Below-average suddenness to escape in tight quarters. Not looking to get overly involved as a run blocker. 

grade: 6.20 (Will eventually be an average starter)

DT Kenneth Grant - Michigan  6'4", 331

'24: 3rd AP All-American/2nd All-BIG 10, 32tckls/6.5TFLs, 3scks, 5PBUs

combine: 22reps

strengths: Capable of playing multiple spots in odd or even fronts. Possesses club strength to knock blocker off balance. Good strike & extend with arm-over release as a two-gapper. Bosses around with heavy hands as an interior rusher. 

weaknesses: Too often lacks explosiveness for dominant early phase reps. Plays with tightness in lowers and a narrow base. Limited range & short-area quickness as a tackler. Poor 1st step quickness to create advantages for his rush. 

grade: 6.36 (Will eventually be a plus starter)

comp: Tedarrell Slaton

WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith - Auburn  6'1", 190

'24: 2nd All-SEC, 50rec/981yds/8TDs

combine: 4.37s 40, 34.5"vert, 10'4"broad

strengths: Works back to the throw or scrambling to throwing space on play extension. Locates & makes winning adjustments on underthrows. Attacks high point with sudden, springy hops.

weaknesses: Below-average long speed. Telegraphing hitches and comebacks, allowing defenders to dart in. Lacks suddenness or burst to separate out of turns. Lacks Special Teams value to return or cover.

grade: 5.98 (Average backup/Special Teamer)

DT Jordan Phillips - Maryland  6'2", 312

'24: 29tckls/1TFL

combine: 31"vert, 9'broad, 29reps

strengths: Explosive hips with twitchy upper-body power. Can spring into gaps off the snap & penetrate upfield. Has spin counter than can peel him off the block. Secondary effort to maintain gap integrity. 

weaknesses: Gets too far out over his pads, limiting his 2nd gap control. Fails to read & mirror lateral blocks quickly enough. Below-average shed timing as a potential tackler.

grade: 5.84 (Average backup/Special Teamer)

OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson - Florida  6'7", 316

combine: 5.33s 40, 24.5"vert, 8'broad

strengths: Makes measured, accurate climbs to LBs. Brings his feet through contact to create momentum for movement. Uses well-timed two-hand punch to maximize his reach advantage. 

weaknesses: Lack of knee bend creates limitations as a run & pass blocker. Stop-start and change of direction is gradual & heavy. Issues changing speed could open him to bull-rush & inside counters.

grade: 5.65 (Candidate for the bottom of the roster or Practice Squad)

WR Konata Mumpfield - Pittsburgh  5'11", 186

'24: 52rec/813yds/5TDs

combine: 4.59s 40, 36"vert, 10'4"broad

strengths: Uses altered route tempo & sudden feet to work past coverage. Shows ability to make athletic in-air adjustments to bring it in. Blends focus & aggression to win contested catches. Good vision with slippery hips in his run after catch.

weaknesses: Routes lack focus. Average separation burst out of breaks underneath. Drops typically come when working into the middle of the field. Needs better awareness for anticipatory throws as a pro.

grade: 5.80 (Average backup/Special teamer)

QB Jalen Milroe - Alabama  6'2", 217

'24: 64.3%, 2,844yds, 16TDs/11INTs, 168att/726yds/20TDs

strengths: Has NFL arm strength, delivering drive throws with velocity. Ball comes out in a split second if he needs it to. Good things happen as a passer when rolling out to his right. Back-breaking scrambler when defense loses lane integrity.

weaknesses: Hurried & lacking rhythm when working from the pocket. Struggles to make anticipatory throws. Success rate plummets when forced to come off primary option. Sails deep-outs & forces crossing routes to break stride to catch it. Slow to feel mounting pressure & takes too many sacks.

grade: 6.14 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Kordell Stewart

QB Dillon Gabriel - Oregon  5'11", 205

'24: 3rd AP All-American/Big 10 OPOY, 72.9%, 3,857yds, 30TDs/6INTs, 75att/149yds/7TDs

strengths: Consistent production throughout his college career. Trusts his protection and rarely appears jittery in the pocket. Throws with good touch & natural operation. Equally capable with his arms or legs when he exits the pocket. Dual-threat potential becomes elevated on 3rd downs or near the end-zone.

weaknesses: Average quickness getting through full-field scans. Sits on intermediate targets too long with his eyes. Ball placement & accuracy isn't as good as it looks on paper. Lacks arm strength to lead WRs on deep shots off play-action. Deep-out & deep-seam throws lose their energy.

grade: 6.10 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)

RB Ollie Gordon II - Oklahoma St  6'1", 226

'24: Honorable All-BIG 12, 190att/880yds/13TDs, 29rec/179yds/1TD

combine: 4,61s 40, 34.5"vert, 10'broad

strengths: Big back with frame & demeanor for volume carries. Gets going downhill without much dancing. Uses stiff-arm and shoulders to batter tacklers in space. Smooth screen release with natural hands. Capable of handling protection asks with more work. 

weaknesses: Linear runner with tightness in his lowers, Lacks agility for short-area elusiveness. Below-average speed to widen the field or hit HRs. Runs too high  & absorbs thundering shots. 

grade: 6.15 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Brian Robinson Jr

RB RJ Harvey - UCF  5'8", 205

'24: 3rd AP All-American/1st All-BIG 12, 232att/1,577yds/22TDs, 20rec/267yds/3TDs

combine: 4.4s 40, 35"vert, 10'7"broad

strengths: Relishes the heavy lifting and wears opponents down over time. Maintains good pad level & squareness on his carries. Displays ability to dart from gap to gap when choosing his pathway. 

weaknesses: Runs with modest levels of burst & elusiveness. Average instincts and feel for lane development. Movements are segmented & lack creativity between the tackles. Below-average ability to square & stall NFL blitzers.

grade: 5.96 (Average backup/Special teamer)

WR Elic Ayomanor - Stanford  6'2", 206

'24: 2nd All-ACC, 63rec/831yds/6TDs

combine: 4.44s 40, 38.5"vert, 10'7"broad

strengths: Able to build up and bypass corners on outside release. Able to stem the route abruptly to beat leverage. Has made acrobatic catches for TDs. Physical tools & willingness to become a plus-run blocker. 

weaknesses: Lacks play speed to elude tight man coverage in pros. Pops upright into his breaks, tipping off coverage, Ball-tracking is very labored down the field. Poor catch technique results in excessive drop totals.

grade: 6.19 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)