Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

The Steelers have shown some interest in the 2025 safety class. But what if they address the position on Day 3?

Position: Safety

Class: Senior

Size: 6’1, 203 pounds

Age: Not listed

Projected draft round: 7

Stats via Sports Reference

Pitt safety Donovan McMillon might be deserving of a bit more interest this draft cycle. He put up back-to-back 100-tackle-plus seasons over his last two years as a Panther.

Not invited to the 2025 NFL Combine, the 6’1, 203-pound safety put up good numbers at his college pro day, with 21 bench press reps (would’ve been the best of his position at the Combine), a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, and a 35” vertical jump. That was enough to earn him a 9.20 RAS.

However, that above-average athleticism score doesn’t always show up on tape. McMillon doesn’t look that speedy on the field, and combined with some poor angles from time to time, there are a number of instances where he was outrun in the open field (No. 3 in all clips).

Outside of that concern, though, McMillon is at his best as a tackler. He’s aggressive and willing coming downhill. There are some misses on tape, but he’s largely a reliable and physical presence defending the run.

Those 21 bench press reps show up when he takes on blocks. McMillon doesn’t get washed out of the play easily when taking on wide receivers, and he has the athleticism to dodge offensive linemen in the open field.

The one-liner on McMillon is that he’s good against the run, but he was asked to play deep zone a lot in college as well. He held up pretty well there, and the versatility is a plus, but it won’t be his role in the NFL. However, with just one career interception, he’s not a ballhawk. He tends to play the man rather than the ball in the air.

McMillon isn’t that quick or fluid in the open field. He’s at his best coming downhill and could get caught flat-footed in coverage. He’s also more reactive than instinctive in coverage at this point, often manipulated by quarterbacks’ eyes or a little late to trigger on plays.

McMillon’s testing hints at a bit more upside than what shows up on tape, but for now I have a hard time seeing him as an NFL starter. If he can improve his instincts and short-area burst, plus bulk up just a little bit, he could be a solid box safety at the next level. For now, I think he’s a Day 3 flier who will likely make the roster via special teams. His willingness to tackle and fight through contact means he has a high floor in that role.

Donovan McMillon strengths

Relishes coming downhill
Good strength, toughness taking on blocks
Played both in the box and as a deep safety in college
Highly productive tackler

Weaknesses

Can get caught flat-footed covering vertical routes
Lacks high-end size, athleticism
More reactive than instinctive in zone coverage
Flat-footed and a little slow to trigger in coverage

Bob Rose of Athlon Sports

McMillon is an extremely physical defender who plays an aggressive downhill style reminiscent of a throwback safety. His bone jarring hits will often dislodge passes from receivers. … Donovan McMillon doesn’t have the scheme versatility that most NFL teams prefer, which will likely result in him being a late-round draft choice. McMillon could make an instant impact against the run, as a two-deep safety, or for a team that deploys a lot of zone coverages.

Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire

With his physicality and special teams experience, McMillon could step in from day one and provide instant impact on special teams while providing depth at the safety position. … McMillon has the makings of a player who could carve out a long career as a core special teams player.

NFL Draft Buzz

Has the violent hands to discard receivers and smaller tight ends, and McMillon is a sure tackler. In coverage, he shows good instincts when sitting back in zone, with click-and-close ability and good ball tracking. … He’s also very good in zone coverage, showing a great understanding of routes and the ability to close quickly. … McMillon is aggressive in run support, with a physical mentality, but struggles to break down space and leaves production on the field. … Despite his size, he’s not an overly physical tackler. McMillon might have to add some weight at the next level in order to become more physical. … Lacks the quick feet to mirror underneath and is slow to transition out of his backpedal and close on the ball

McMillon was one of the Steelers’ local visits this year, a category of pre-draft interest that generally gets forgotten as the offseason goes on. McMillon would be a bit redundant with Miles Killebrew already on the roster, but on late Day 3, preference matters more than filling roster needs. He’s a versatile, tough safety who might need a year on the practice squad, but he looks like a quality special-teamer.

Plus, he’s a Pennsylvania native, making a name for himself as a standout safety at Peters Township before playing college football.

TL;DR: McMillon is a late-round safety prospect without many standout physical traits, but he was a productive tackler who played solidly with a lot of different responsibilities over his time in college. He’s a physical player who could be a special teams ace in the NFL while seeing defensive snaps on run downs.

What are your thoughts on Pitt safety Donovan McMillon? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!