NFL franchises are active this week at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s an annual tradition like no other, providing teams (and fans) the opportunity to get to know NFL draft prospects up close and personal, clocking official measurements and athletic testing numbers — at least, for those who choose to participate in those events. It’s becoming less common these days for top combine participants, though there’s plenty of participants every year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, of course, are conducting their own interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine, both formal and informal. NFL teams are permitted to conduct 45 total formal interviews, and the reported interviews so far have screamed DEFENSE.

Though there’s no shortage of offensive needs (quarterback, running back), the overwhelming theme reviewing the team’s reported official and unofficial visits is that the team is prioritizing defensive line and defensive backs. There have been a couple of reported formal meetings with running back prospects, including top-billed RB Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State, but all signs seem to indicate this could be a defense-heavy draft.

There have been no formal planned visits yet reported at the wide receiver position, though one can assume they’ll meet with several by the time all is said and done. George Pickens, heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal, led the team with 900 receiving yards in 2024, while TE Pat Freiermuth led the team in receptions (65) and receiving touchdowns (7). Any time a tight end is leading the charge in either category (and his name isn’t Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce), it’s probably a sign that something’s not quite right. The Steelers have been frequently tied to Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in mock drafts.

Here’s a look at the Steelers’ formal meetings reported from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. We’ll keep it updated with additional reports as they come through.

Steelers reported formal Combine meetings

Texas DB Jahdae Barron (via Joe Clark)
Notre Dame S Xavier Watts (via Jonathan Heitretter)
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (via Ryan Fowler)
Penn State S Jaylen Reed (via Joe Clark)
Michigan CB Will Johnson (via Ross McCorkle)
Oregon DT Derrick Harmon (via Alan Saunders)
Texas QB Quinn Ewers (via MLFootball)
Michigan DL Kenneth Grant (via Derrick Bell)
Texas DL Vernon Boughton (via Ross McCorkle)
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon (viacacagJosh Carney)
Texas DL Alfred Collins (via Ross McCorkle)
Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Texas A&M DL Shemar Turner (via Ross McCorkle)
Oregon DL Jordan Burch (via Ross McCorkle)

Steelers reported informal meetings

Georgia DL Warren Brinson (Reported by Ross McCorkle)
Kansas State DB Jacob Parrish (via Jonathan Heitritter)
WKU CB Upton Stout (via Jonathan Heitritter)
LSU CB Zy Alexander (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Kansas CB Cobee Bryant (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Clemson TE Jake Bringingstool (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Pitt TE Gavib Bartholomew (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Clemson S RJ Mickens (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Miami FL EDGE Tyler Baron (via Jonathan Heitritter)
UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo (via Jonathan Heitritter)
Syracuse EDGE Fadil Diggs (via Joe Clark)