The following is the seventh of seven Pittsburgh Steelers position analyses for the 2025 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday:

WIDE RECEIVERS

Current roster: DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Lance McCutcheon, Brandon Johnson

Last five drafts: Pickens (second round, 2022) hasn’t reached his potential and now could be on the trading block. Austin (fourth round, 2022) emerged as a quality receiver last season. Wilson (third round, 2024) was injured early as a rookie and wasn’t able to ever get on the field. Chase Claypool (second round, 2020) made a quick plunge as a player and is now a free agent.

Top wide receivers available: Travis Hunter, Colorado; Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona; Matthew Golden, Texas; Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Luther Burden, Missouri

Penn State/Pitt players: Pitt’s Konata Mumpfield and Penn State’s Julian Fleming will most likely be undrafted free agent signees.

Possible Steelers picks: Xavier Restrepo, Miami; Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas; Jordan Watkins, Mississippi; Traeshon Holden, Oregon; Ricky White III, UNLV

Analysis: The addition of Metcalf during free agency has made the future of Pickens with the team uncertain. Picken’s rookie contract expires at the end of the 2025 season, so now might be an opportune time to trade him for a few draft picks. If that happens, the Steelers could be in position to take a top receiver, say in the second or third round. But, as it stands now — and if they believe Wilson will blossom in 2025 — the Steelers would probably not be seriously considering a receiver until the fifth, sixth or seventh round, or possibly as a high priority free agent.

TIGHT ENDS

Current roster: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Donald Parham Jr.

Last five drafts: Freiermuth (second round, 2021) hasn’t elevated his game to Pro Bowl-type level but has been steady. Washington (third round, 2023) still has potential, and Heyward (sixth round, 2022) has been a solid special teamer.

Top tight ends available: Tyler Warren, Penn State; Colston Loveland, Michigan; Mason Taylor, LSU; Elijah Arroyo, Miami; Harold Fannin, Bowling Green

Penn State/Pitt players: Warren is the top tight end in the draft and will go in the first round. Pitt’s Gavin Bartholomew could sneak in as a late-round selection.

Possible Steelers picks: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame; Jake Briningstool, Clemson; Jaylin Conyers, Texas Tech; Bartholomew

Analysis: The tight end draft class is pretty good this year, but the Steelers have too many other priorities. The fact that they’ve taken two tight ends (Freiermuth and Washington) in the top three rounds in two of the last four drafts, it would seem to be silly to use one of their higher picks this year on another. They could possibly use their seventh-round pick on one or wait and sign one after the draft — there should still be a few decent ones remaining.

Coming Thursday: Buck Frank commentary

— Buck Frank