Steelers Have Formal Meeting with Ohio State Star WR
INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a formal interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was run by head coach Mike Tomlin. Egbuka, who’s from Washington, also said he grew up a Seattle Seahawks fan and idolized Russell Wilson.
Egbuka is considered one of the top wide receivers in this year’s class, and he could be an ideal fit with the Steelers, who are in desperate need of wide receiver help. The former Buckeye has been linked to the Black and Gold in numerous mock drafts this offseason.
In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, posted Monday, the Steelers opted for Egbuka at 21st overall. With that choice, they passed over Michigan’s interior defensive line stalwart Kenneth Grant.
“Steelers wide receivers posted the second-worst PFF receiving grade in the league last season on targets under 20 air yards,” PFF’s Dylan Wasserman wrote. “A reliable route runner like Egbuka would at least somewhat remedy that problem, giving Pittsburgh someone who can reliably move the chains without the offense always needing to air it out.”
In the scenario, the Denver Broncos took Missouri receiver Luther Burden III at No. 20. The Arizona Cardinals traded up to take Grant with the choice after the Steelers’. Last week, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said the Steelers should be thrilled if Grant lasts until their pick.
Burden and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden also met formally with the Steelers. Golden said that they didn’t talk much ball but it gave him an opportunity to let them know his story and who he is as a person.
Egbuka recorded a career-high 81 grabs for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior on Ohio State’s national championship-winning team. He’s drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, a two-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro, and displays some of the same talent.
Egbuka is the Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver in the categories of receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868). He accomplished those figures despite sharing the field with first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr. (4th overall in 2024), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20th in 2023), Chris Olave (11th in 2022), and Garrett Wilson (10th in 2022). This season, Egbuka played alongside freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who figures to be highly sought after when he’s eligible to be drafted.
The Steelers haven’t selected a wide receiver in the first round since 2006, and it was an Ohio State product in Santonio Holmes.
The Steelers have selected three Ohio State players in the first round over the last 20 years — Holmes, Cam Heyward and Ryan Shazier. Could Egbuka be next?
Alan Saunders and Derrick Bell provided reporting from Indianapolis.