Steelers to Host Speedy Virginia Tech RB for Pre-Draft Visit
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a pre-draft visit scheduled with Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.
Tuten posted position-best results in the 40 (4.32) and vertical jump (40.5″) at the NFL Combine. He also finished second in the broad jump (10’10”). Tutten’s 1.49 10-yd split tied with Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden for the fastest player at the Combine.
Tutten had a banner year at Virginia Tech last season, rushing for 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tutten is an explosive back, similar to what the Steelers have in Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Tuten, who hails from Paulsboro, New Jersey, played his first two college seasons (2021 and 2022) at North Carolina A&T. After the 2022 season, Tuten transferred to Virginia Tech. In his first year in 2023, he started all 13 games and 173 times for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Steelers are in need of a running back after Najee Harris signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, so Tuten could be an ideal pick in the third round. The Steelers don’t have a second-round pick due to the blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahaws for star wide receiver DK Metcalf.
The Steelers placed a second-round tender on Jaylen Warren and signed Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell to a free agent contract. A Warren, Tuten, Gainwell and Cordarrelle Patterson backfield certainly would give the Steelers a lot of versatility. Patterson could potentially be a salary cap casualty this offseason, however.
Over the past six seasons, the Steelers have the lowest per-carry average in the league. Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Pittsburgh must first fix that if it hopes to ever be successful on offense again. Drafting a back like Tuten could help the Steelers fix that fatal flaw.
“Learn how to run the football better. First, let me be very clear. Pittsburgh, respectfully, last six seasons, you’re the worst running football team in the NFL, 3.9 yards per carry. You have lost your identity as an organization,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “I don’t care who the quarterback is. Until you fix that, it won’t matter.”
The Steelers are able to host 30 visitors between now and the 2025 NFL Draft. Tutten would be the the third RB to come to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit. DJ Giddens of Kansas State and Dylan Sampson of Tennessee have already visited.
STEELERS 2025 PRE-DRAFT VISITOR TRACKER
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel (reported)
Louisville QB Tyler Shough (March 6)
Ole Miss DT J.J. Pegues (March 6)
West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum (March 6) (exempt)
Kansas State RB DJ Giddens (reported)
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson (March 14)
TCU WR/RB Savion Williams (March 14)
Iowa DT Yahya Black (March 14)
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten (reported)