Steelers Surprisingly Set Host Potential First-Round Edge Rusher for Pre-Draft Visit
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host Shemar Stewart, a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft at edge rusher, on a pre-draft visit this week, according to a report by Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.
The Steelers previously met with Stewart at the 2025 Senior Bowl, where he might have been the best player in attendance. Stewart is a 6-foot-5, 267-pound edge rusher that played defensive end in a 4-3 front at Texas A&M.
Most players of that size would transfer to playing outside linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense. Bud Dupree was 6-foot-4, 269 pounds coming out of Kentucky.
The Steelers do not have an obvious need at edge rusher, where All-Pro T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are entrenched and Nick Herbig has performed well in two seasons as a backup. Jeremiah Moon spent most of 2024 as the fourth outside linebacker, though he played mostly on special teams.
The Steelers pushed Moon down the depth chart when they acquired Preston Smith at the 2024 trade deadline, and Smith is another bigger-bodied edge rusher (6-foot-4 7/8, 271 pounds) that can also shift inside at times.
“You can’t run out of rushmen, particularly in December,” head coach Mike Tomlin said last season after acquiring Smith. “So it’s exciting. Make no mistake, there’s enough work for all parties involved, and we’re excited about sorting that out as we prepare.”
But it would be a big surprise to see the Steelers prioritize edge rusher in the first round, given the team’s other needs now and in the future at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and defensive tackle.
STEELERS 2025 NFL DRAFT VISITOR TRACKER
Louisville QB Tyler Shough (March 6)
Ole Miss DT J.J. Pegues (March 6)
West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum (March 6) (exempt)
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson (March 14)
TCU WR/RB Savion Williams (March 14)
Iowa DT Yahya Black (March 14)
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins (March 17)
Pitt K Ben Sauls (March 18) (exempt)
Texas WR Matthew Golden (April 3)
Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson (April 3)
Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas (April 3)
Pitt TE Gavin Bartholomew (April 3) (exempt)
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (April 4)
South Carolina SS Nick Emmanwori (April 4)
Oregon NT Jamaree Caldwell (April 4)
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel (April 4)
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten (April 7)
Florida State DT Joshua Farmer (April 7)
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon (reported)
SMU DL Elijah Roberts (per player)
Texas RB Jaydon Blue (per player)
Ole Miss CB Trey Amos (per player)
Kansas State RB DJ Giddens (reported)
Texas A&M OLB Shemar Stewart (reported)
Visits completed: 15/30
Visits reported: 21/30