The Most Intriguing Top 30 Visits For The Steelers
With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, the number of Steelers’ top-30 formal visits is slowly increasing by the day. Recently, however, the team has started bringing in a few names that could raise some eyebrows—for better or worse. Whether it’s due to name recognition, positional value, or perceived draft stock, a few of these visits definitely stand out. So let’s take a moment to highlight some of the prospects who’ve come through the door and caught my attention.
For list on all the Steelers confirmed or rumoured top-30 visits check out our SCN Visit Tracker.
Matthew Golden
Perhaps the prospect who has surged up draft boards the most is Texas Longhorns’ No. 1 wideout, Matthew Golden. At the turn of the year, he was ranked 102nd on the NFL Mock Draft Database, but he now sits as the 20th-ranked prospect on the consensus board. This meteoric rise is thanks to a six-week stretch where Golden looked like the most complete receiver in the class—showcasing elite speed, the ability to snap off routes, and outstanding body control.
With the Steelers making their blockbuster move for DK Metcalf, it would be a surprise to see them essentially spend both their first- and second-round picks this year on the same position. However, for me, Golden is the WR1 in this class and would be the ideal long-term complement to Metcalf so spending 21 on him would be a welcomed addition personally. Plus a receiving trio of Golden, Metcalf, and George Pickens in 2025 would be nothing short of electric.
Matthew Golden’s Advanced Analytics:
➖HIGHER Y/Rec than Tetairoa McMillan (17.0)
➖HIGHER CTC % than Emeka Egbuka (61.1%)
➖LOWER Drop Rate than Tre Harris (6.5%)Golden had 7 Formal Meetings including the Bills, Packers, Bengals, Cardinals, Steelers, Rams, and the Cowboys.. pic.twitter.com/3PobsbUkEk
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) April 3, 2025
Shedeur Sanders
One of the most polarizing prospects in this class is Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He’s earned this label due to the wide range of opinions on his game, as well as the way he carries himself off the field—often in tandem with his father, Deion Sanders. Now, the concerns about his off-field presence aren’t necessarily detrimental; they mostly stem from things he may say in the media or how outspoken his father can be regarding his situation.
As a player, Sanders is surgically accurate in the short and intermediate areas of the field, and he reads the game from the shoulders up as well as anyone in this class. However, he does lack the high-end athleticism and elite arm talent that would make you feel confident in him becoming a true franchise cornerstone at the position. The fact that the Steelers brought him in for a visit this week is intriguing, especially considering they weren’t present at his pro day. That might suggest they initially believed he’d be off the board well before their pick at 21. But now, on the off chance he slips, we know there’s at least some level of legitimate interest in Sanders from the Steelers.
Guess we can say confirmed? https://t.co/qDd2YQwzy2 pic.twitter.com/nDIn8qS5bL
— Noah Strackbein (@NoahStrackbein) April 8, 2025
Shemar Stewart
Texas A&M has had multiple five-star defensive line prospects come through its program—most of them uber-athletic tweeners who struggle to stick in the NFL due to a lack of a true, defined position. Shemar Stewart appears to be the next in that mold. At 6’5″ and weighing somewhere between 267 and 280 pounds, Stewart posted a freakish 9.99 RAS thanks to his incredible athletic testing. However, the concerning part of his evaluation is his lack of production. While stats aren’t everything, just 4.5 sacks across 37 collegiate games isn’t exactly something to write home about.
His fit with the Steelers is also a bit of a head-scratcher. He’s not quite big enough to consistently play the 3-tech unless he adds more weight, and the team already has three edge rushers with defined roles—one of whom is about to get paid $40 million per year. So, taking Stewart at 21 would definitely surprise me. That said, the interest in him clearly shows the Steelers remain highly intrigued by elite-level athletes at the top of the draft, who have unlimited ceilings but also huge bust potential.
The #Steelers are set to host potential first-round edge rusher Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M on a pre-draft visit, per Ryan Fowler of TDN.
The Steelers do not have an obvious need at outside linebacker.https://t.co/1xG1zLkfb4
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) April 7, 2025
These are just a couple of the names that really jump off the screen to me as intriguing prospects the Steelers have formally brought in for visits. But as I mentioned earlier, be sure to check out the SCN Steelers Visit Tracker to stay up to date on every prospect who makes their way to Pittsburgh.
Just remember, there have already been plenty of visits—and with more still to come over the next two weeks, expect a steady stream of updates as we get a clearer picture of how the Steelers might approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
Please, someone else draft Sanders before us.
I want no part of the endless “Prime” nonsense that will likely accompany him.
And before anyone counters with “it hasn’t been a problem at Colorado”:
Yes, if you haven’t already figured it out, I can’t stand Deion’s habit of self-aggrandizing.
My question about Deion is whether the Steelers might actually be too big of a fish to fry for him to try and insert himself into the media narrative. Like it or not, Mike Tomlin is a Hall of Fame head coach, and he’s the type of guy who would either (1) have Deion’s respect or (2) simply not care what Deion has to say.
Now, if we were talking about a team like the Jets—an organization without the pedigree or stability the Steelers have—it feels a lot more likely that Deion could try to walk all over them.
I’m not saying this is how it’s going to go, but it’s definitely some food for thought.
The two I find most interesting are Sanders and Golden. The main reason is I don’t see them being able to draft either especially at 21. If Golden somehow gets to 21 does that mean that a Pickens trade is forthcoming? I would surprised if they drafted a WR 1-21 with the investment already there. I know that Wilson is kind of out of sight out of mind right now, but he was rated by Zierlein very similarly to Golden.
As to the QB I don’t know what to think unless you really love him. He doesn’t seem to be that kind of prospect. I don’t see any elite qualities that make you take that chance.
I’d miss George but if we got a 2? Kahn has said he wants the 2, So…Is there a DL we like in the 2nd round?
Personally, I love Golden and would be genuinely excited to see him play alongside DK and George. But if taking him at 21 means you end up trading George and picking up a late second-rounder, I’d be okay with that. I think George is a star on the field, but reading the tea leaves, it doesn’t feel like the Steelers are gearing up to extend him—unless something massive changes in 2025. So from a team-building standpoint, maximizing his value while you still can makes a lot of sense.
As for Shedeur Sanders, I believe his accuracy and field vision are elite traits. That said, there are clear limitations in his game that showed up in college and are hard to ignore at the next level. One thing I will say, though: outside of Travis Hunter, that Colorado offensive ecosystem did nothing to help him thrive.