By the time the 2025 NFL draft gets here, we should have a clear idea of what the Pittsburgh Steelers top needs will be. For now, it’s pretty clear the top two are wide receiver and cornerback but as we have learned from the Steelers, expect the unexpected.
This makes any projection about that top pick a roll of the dice. Pro Football Focus offered up their perfect prospect for the Steelers and while we don’t agree it’s perfect by any means, it does make sense.
PFF went with East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel as the perfect option for the Steelers. Here’s what they had to say about the Revel and his disappointing 2024 season.
East Carolina CB Shavon Revel had his own disappointment in 2024 due to tearing his ACL during Week 2. With that said, his ridiculous 2023 campaign, paired with his 6-foot-3, 193-pound frame should still warrant a first-round selection, and the Steelers have historically been willing to look past injury concerns in favor of premium talent. In 2023, he was targeted 49 in coverage and allowed just 20 catches with one interception and 12 forced incompletions.
Revel’s draft stock is going to be directly tied to his health and what he can do this offseason. Pittsburgh is not in a position to spend a top pick on a player and have them shelved with injury for a second straight season. If terms of a perfect pick without taking into consideration how realistic it is that player will be on the board, Colorado’s Travis Hunter is it.
But if we keep things more realistic and stick to cornerback, Texas’ Jahdae Barron is the most pro-ready guy who is healthy and ready to go. Our overall perfect pick for any position most realistically available is Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. He epitomizes everything the Steelers need from a No. 1 wide receiver including his impressive downfield run blocking.
