As the Free Agency period for 2025 kicks off, the Pittsburgh Steelers have filled a crucial hole at wide receiver, potentially changing their first selection in this year’s draft. After many projected Pittsburgh to choose a receiver at the No. 21 spot, the addition of DK Metcalf may lead them otherwise. As draft week is just over a month away, let us take a look at the most recent projections for Pittsburgh’s 21st overall pick.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Garrett Podell, CBS Sports

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton crushed the combine and firmly established himself as the 2025 NFL Draft’s RB2 behind Ashton Jeanty. He registered a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score out of a possible 10.00, which is the 14th best out of 1,909 running back prospects from 1987 to 2025. Pittsburgh likely lets Najee Harris walk in free agency, and then it selects Hampton to be the new lead back.

Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team

Don’t look now, but the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly have the most physical skill group in the league. You have newly acquired DK Metcalf, along with George Pickens at wide receiver and a deep tight end room.

Now, in this mock draft scenario, you have powerhouse runner Omarion Hampton to punish defenders in the box.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Johnny McGonigal, Penn Live

Originally, I had Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka going here. But after the Sunday night trade for DK Metcalf, the Steelers have two top receiver options along with George Pickens. Even if they bring back Russell Wilson, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh takes a shot on a young QB.

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Steven Cheah, Barstool Sports

Cam Heyward can’t play forever and Harmon had 5 sacks along the interior last year for the Ducks. At 6’4” 313 lbs. running a 4.95 40 with 34 3/8” inch arms is a similar build and profile to Heyward at 6’5” 295 lbs. with 34 1/8” inch arms.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Christian D’Andrea, For The Win (USA Today)

The Steelers could use a wide receiver (even with DK Metcalf in the fold) and Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka are available. But since when do the Steelers draft wideouts in round one? Rather than reach for a quarterback here, Mike Tomlin instead reloads his defense, replacing Donte Jackson with a burner who can handle boundary cornerback duties without issue or slide inside to be a 60 minute headache in the slot.

Barron ran a 4.3-second 40 in Indianapolis after five interceptions and 11 passes defended in an All-American 2024. Now he pairs with Joey Porter Jr. to give Pittsburgh a pair of rising young defensive back studs.

Which of these first-round projections are you digging the most following Pittsburgh’s first moves in the legal tampering period?