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ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller put out his final player prospect rankings for the 2025 NFL draft on Monday and the list is extensive. In fact, it’s a full 600 players long. While this might seem excessive, when you consider all 32 NFL teams will sign on average, eight players post draft in addition to the 256 picks made during the seven rounds including compensatory picks. This makes for a total of 512 players who will end up on NFL teams by the early part of the week following the draft.
We went through Miller’s rankings and while we disagree about the rankings in some areas, for the most part the guys Miller has beyond No. 256 will be considered priority free agents. Of those guys ranked outside of Miller’s draftable range, here are the eight we want to see the Steelers sign.
G Willie Lampkin – North Carolina
Lampkin will slide because his measurables are completely out of whack at 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds. But I’d love to see what a smart NFL team can do with a player who is as good a football player as him.
QB Riley Leonard – Notre Dame
In a draft with so many questions at quarterback, we’d love to see a firey competitor and exceptional athlete like Leonard come in and compete.
RB Ja’Quinden Jackson – Arkansas
Jackson is a converted quarterback to running back who runs with smarts and violence but lacks elite agility and speed.
DT Howard Cross – Notre Dame
Cross is built for the 3-4 nose tackle spot but lacks the bulk to hold up in the NFL right now. However, if his frame can hold more weight, he’s got potential as a rotational player.
G Luke Kandra – Cincinnati
Kandra has the frame to be a solid interior run blocker and with his high football IQ, is worth the contract to see if he can improve his functional strength and flexibility.
DT Junior Tafuna – Utah
We have a hard time believing Tafuna won’t be drafted but if he falls, his strength and physical nature make him an easy pick.
WR Roc Taylor – Kentucky
Taylor ran a 4.4 at the scouting combine and combined for more than 2,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons. The only other wide receiver at the combine who did that was Jayden Higgins. He’s a diamond in the rough with real starter potential.
QB Brady Cook – Missouri
Similar to Leonard, there’s no reason Cook shouldn’t be drafted. Cook needs to work on his mechanics and make more sound choices but all the physical tools are there to bring him into a training camp
#potential #UDFAs #wed #love #Steelers
