A year ago, we put out the word that lost in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ obvious interest and need along their offensive line, the organization also had its eyes set on drafting an inside linebacker. Aaron Curry’s Pro Day trips to North Carolina, Ohio State, and Kentucky was proof enough of their desire to add and add early. In the end, they nabbed NC State’s Payton Wilson with the second of their two third-round picks. For the 2025 NFL Draft, the same applies to the Steelers drafting a wide receiver.
During the 2025 Pro Day circuit, WRs Coach Zach Azzanni was the team’s most visible positional coach. Excluding the local Pitt Pro Day, a free space on the Pro Day Bingo card, we spotted him at three locations: Tennessee, Ole Miss, and receiver workout at the Big 12 Pro Day.
No other positional coach attended at least three Pro Days.
Adding onto the study we conducted last draft cycle, the Steelers have shown a correlation between positional coaches who attend at least three Pro Days and how their draft shakes out. Their pre-draft movements and 2024 selections only confirm it. Last year, Curry and o-line coach Pat Meyer were the busiest positional coaches on the trail. Both received high-prized rookie picks.
Updating our list, here’s the team’s history of positional coaches travelling to at least three Pro Days and if/where a draft pick was used.
| Coach (Year) | Schools Attended | Draft Pick? (Round) |
|---|---|---|
| ILB Coach Aaron Curry (’24) | 3 | Yes (3rd) |
| OL Coach Pat Meyer (’24) | 3 | Yes (1st, 2nd, 4th) |
| OL Coach Pat Meyer (’23) | 5 | Yes (1st, 7th) |
| DL Coach Karl Dunbar (’23) | 3 | Yes (2nd) |
| DB Coach Grady Brown (’23) | 4 | Yes (2nd, 7th) |
| WR Coach Frisman Jackson (’22) | 3 | Yes (2nd, 4th) |
| ILB Coach Brian Flores (’22) | 3 | Yes (7th) |
| DB Coach Grady Brown (’22) | 3 | No |
| OL Coach Adrian Klemm (’21) | 6 | Yes (3rd, 4th) |
| RB Coach Eddie Faulkner (’19) | 3 | Yes (4th) |
| ILB Coach Jerry Olsavsky (’19) | 4 | Yes (1st, 6th) |
| DB Coach Tom Bradley (’19) | 3 | Yes (3rd) |
| DL Coach Karl Dunbar (’19) | 3 | Yes (6th) |
| ILB Coach Jerry Olsavsky (’18) | 3 | No |
| QB Coach Randy Fichtner (’18) | 4 | Yes (3rd) |
| RB Coach James Saxon (’17) | 3 | Yes (3rd) |
| OLB Coach Joey Porter (’17) | 4 | Yes (1st, 7th) |
From 2017-2024, there’s been 17 such instances. In 15 of those cases, Pittsburgh drafted the position and 12 times it used a selection in the first three rounds.
History says wide receiver will follow the same track. This year’s draft is trickier knowing Pittsburgh only has two selections across the first two days, a first and third. Also, defensive line seems like an obvious need the team can’t wait on, the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf, and the 2025 wide receiver class is weak.
But their track record is strong. And there’s still reasons for Pittsburgh to add a receiver. For depth and additional firepower, minimizing the chances injuries leave the Steelers short-handed. A desire to add playmakers upon playmakers, a clear goal of the organization this offseason. And the recognition George Pickens and Calvin Austin III are entering the last year of their rookie deals no to mention the looming question of how Pickens will react to not getting a long-term deal. If he cries foul and the Steelers get a can’t-turn-it-down offer, they need a backup plan.
What WR could they be targeting? Anyone Azzanni saw is worth watching. At Tennessee, that’s Dont’e Thorton. His college production was limited but when he hit, he hit big. At Ole Miss, there’s a trio consisting of Tre Harris, Antwane Wells Jr., and Jordan Watkins, expected to be drafted in that order.
Other receiver candidates include Iowa State’s pair of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. TCU’s Savion Williams is another possibility, joining Higgins and Noel in making pre-draft visits.
This year’s draft could truly put this data to the test. It’s easy to make a case for it to be the exception, one where Pittsburgh would still likely draft a receiver but wait until the final day of the draft. But strictly following recent history, the Steelers will find a way to make it happen before Friday night of draft weekend concludes.
