Steelers Expected to Acquire Elite Partner for George Pickens

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes were dashed once again, as they entered the postseason with a four-game losing streak that extended into a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens over the weekend. As the team shifts focus to the 2025 season, head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that star wide receiver George Pickens has significant growth to make in the offseason.

“There’s certainly, obviously, more room for growth there,” Tomlin told reporters earlier this week. “I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we’ll see where it leaves us.”

With the offseason now underway, the Steelers face a multitude of roster needs ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Among those, wide receiver stands out as a key priority, with Pickens being the team’s only reliable option at the position.

Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling has a solution for the Steelers, projecting the team to select Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the No. 21 overall pick in his latest mock draft. While some believe Pittsburgh may opt for an interior defensive lineman, wide receiver remains a glaring hole.

Egbuka, a polished and pro-ready pass-catcher, is known for his elite route-running and reliable hands. With the Steelers searching for a high-end No. 2 receiver to complement Pickens, Egbuka could provide the consistent presence needed to elevate the passing game.

During the 2024 college football season, Egbuka amassed 75 receptions for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns. His standout performance in the College Football Playoff saw him haul in 15 receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown.

The Steelers’ efforts to address their wide receiver depth could be a major factor in their path to returning to playoff contention in the 2025 season.