It’s been a busy week for the Steelers’ decision makers, already attending Texas’ and Ohio State’s pro days. They will presumably keep their foot on the pedal and attend the pro day of Ole Miss on Friday. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels have a number of prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft that uniquely fit the Steelers’ needs. Below are descriptions of a few of these players and how they could fit into the Steelers’ plans.
Walter Nolen DL (#13 JLSports Top 50)
The Steelers’ rush defense finished 6th in yards per game allowed during the regular season but were gashed to the tune of 299 yards on the ground in their playoff loss to the Ravens. Getting embarrassed by your division rival for your 8th straight playoff loss calls for some changes.
The leader of the defense, Cam Heyward, put together another outstanding season but will be 36 years old by the time the 2025 campaign begins. A much-needed jolt of youth is coming for the defensive line, and it could start with Ole Miss’s Walter Nolan.
Nolen opted not to work out at the combine, deferring to showcase his athleticism at his pro day, but he did measure in at 6’4” and 296 pounds in Indianapolis. He plays with an attacking, aggressive style and has a non-stop motor. He’s not a polished technician, but he wins with raw power and effort.
And by wins, I mean wins. To the tune of a 91.6 run stop grade per PFF.
There’s no better fit for the Steelers’ need for a young defensive lineman who can stop the run with some pass rush upside. There’s also nobody better to learn from than Cam Heyward, who could use the help.
Trey Amos CB (#48 JLSports Top 50)
Darius Slay was brought in to serve as CB2 after Donte Jackson departed via free agency. Slay had an impressive 2024, but at 34 years old, he certainly isn’t the long-term plan. Many were underwhelmed with the signing of Slay, with so many younger quality starters available in free agency. However, the draft offers some even younger solutions, including Ole Miss corner Trey Amos.
Amos fits the Steelers mold at corner. He’s long (6’1”, 31 1/4” arms) and can move (4.43 40-yard dash). He plays physical and is elite at breaking up the reception at the catch point. He’s strictly an outside corner who can play man, zone, and help in the run game.
Amos projects as a second round pick among a tightly graded group of corners who all bring different skills and styles to the table. If there’s an early run on corners, Amos could hear his name called on day one. Though the board would have to fall unfavorably for the Steelers to pull the trigger at #21.
Tre Harris WR (#81 PFF Big Board)
Before the addition of D.K. Metcalf, wide receiver was a major need for the Steelers. At this point, it may be a luxury to add one, but with so many questions regarding George Pickens’s future, Omar Khan and company are keeping their options open.
The former Ole Miss wideout met with the team at the combine, where he also displayed some of his natural ability. His 4.54 40-yard dash was to be expected as he’s a natural outside or “X” receiver with a 6’2” 205-pound frame. He also showcased an impressive 38 1/2” vertical and 10’5” broad jump.
As I mentioned, Harris predominantly lines up out wide, doing so 86% of the time in 2024. This fits right into Tomlin’s pass game philosophy of working the perimeter. Harris is not a polished route runner and can struggle to beat press coverage, but he has all the physical tools to refine his game and become a productive NFL receiver.
Without a second-round pick, it could be tough for the Steelers to draft Harris, but a slide into the third isn’t out of the question.
J.J. Pegues DL (#124 PFF Big Board)
It may take multiple bodies to revitalize the Steelers’ defensive line. J.J. Pegues is a great example of the depth this draft has available to them.
Pegues is a stout and talented defender at 6’2 1/2″ and 309 pounds. He finished his senior season at Ole Miss with a career-high overall grade of 74.6, per PFF. The Steelers will be particularly interested in his 81.8 run defense grade. Although his pass rush grade was only 65.6, his “true set pass rush grade” was 76.4, meaning he rushed well against true drop-back passes.
Pegues’ versatility doesn’t stop with his pass-rushing and run-stopping ability; he’s capable of lining up virtually anywhere along the defensive line and even on offense.
His use on offense came as a fullback and even a ball carrier at times. This intrigued teams enough for them to ask him to work out as a fullback at the NFL combine.
The 23 year old prospect is an interesting one who Mike Tomlin and company will certainly have their eyes on. He’s projected as a day three pick, which puts him well within the grasp of the Steelers.
Jaxson Dart QB (#129 PFF Big Board)
Aaron Rodgers will presumably decide to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and serve as QB1 for the 2025 season. If he doesn’t, this off-season pursuit of a future, or even present, signal-caller will be an epic fail, landing only Mason Rudolph. This could cause the Steelers to become desperate.
Jaxson Dart is a talented QB who put together an impressive senior season at Ole Miss. He completed almost 70% of his passes and threw 29 TDs to just 6 INTs. The intriguing statistic for Steelers fans is that he led the nation in deep yards with 1,517. With the acquisition of D.K. Metcalf and Tomlin’s aforementioned deep, perimeter passing game, Jaxson Dart could be the perfect fit.
Dart is tough and athletic but lacks many of the traits of a top-tier NFL QB. His throw power and accuracy are average, his mechanics are loose, and he struggled to work through progressions, even on a limited level.
Based on his ability and how far he is away from being an NFL starter, Dart grades out as a day-two QB at best. But, because he’s a warm body with upside in a league desperate for quarterbacks, he has become almost a consensus first-round pick.
He should be available when the Steelers pick at #21, but I have seen him go as early as #9 in mock drafts. Omar Khan appears to have another plan to attack the QB of the future by accumulating compensatory picks for the 2026 draft. However, that’s purely speculation, and we could and would be blindsided by the Steelers pulling the trigger on Jaxson Dart.
