On Wednesday, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper unveiled his first 2025 NFL mock draft, which included predictions for the first round for all 32 teams. Among the teams featured was the Pittsburgh Steelers, who secured the 21st overall pick after their performance in the Wild Card Round.
In Kiper’s mock draft, Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was the fourth wide receiver to be selected, though he could be considered the third when considering the hybrid skills of Travis Hunter from Colorado, who was projected to go second overall to the Cleveland Browns. Following Hunter, Kiper projected Egbuka to go at No. 21 to the Steelers, with other receivers such as Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona (No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders) and Luther Burden III from Missouri (No. 12 to the Dallas Cowboys) landing ahead of him.
Kiper offered insight into why Egbuka would be an ideal fit for Pittsburgh, explaining that the Steelers’ last first-round selection of a wide receiver came in 2006 when they picked Santonio Holmes at No. 25. Since then, the team has not selected another receiver in the opening round, but Kiper believes that trend should end unless major changes occur during free agency. The Steelers have struggled with depth at the wide receiver position and need a consistent playmaker behind George Pickens. Without another reliable target, the Steelers’ offense will continue to face challenges, regardless of their quarterback situation.
Egbuka had an impressive 2024 season, catching six passes for 64 yards during Ohio State’s national championship victory, which pushed his season total to 1,011 yards. This performance marked his second consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Known for his speed and precise route running, Egbuka would be an excellent addition to the Steelers’ offense, which is lacking in reliable pass-catching options.
According to NFL Mock Draft Database, a website that compiles and analyzes mock drafts from across the media, Egbuka is the consensus pick for the Steelers at No. 21 among the 594 mock drafts surveyed at the time of writing. Egbuka, a former five-star recruit and the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2021 class according to 247Sports, played all four years at Ohio State. During his career, he accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards in two separate seasons and recorded 10 or more scrimmage touchdowns in each of the past two seasons. He also set multiple school records, including becoming Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions with 205 and ranking second in receiving yards with 2,868—just behind Michael Jenkins. Egbuka’s 24 career receiving touchdowns put him seventh on the all-time list, just one behind Santonio Holmes, the last Ohio State receiver the Steelers selected in the first round.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 205 pounds, the 22-year-old Egbuka possesses an exceptional blend of athleticism and fluidity as a route runner. His consistency and ability to perform in the slot could be exactly what the Steelers’ offense needs to complement their other wideout, George Pickens, who excels in making splash plays on the perimeter. Egbuka’s versatility and reliability would add a dynamic element to Pittsburgh’s passing game and help elevate the overall effectiveness of the offense.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Steelers will likely be keeping a close eye on the wide receiver position, and adding a player of Egbuka’s caliber could be a crucial step toward improving their offensive capabilities for the future.
