Welcome to another scouting report to prep you for the 2025 NFL Draft. I suggest saving these links, bookmarking them, etc., throughout this process. I will be updating as many as I can from the time I publish these to the time they take part in the Scouting Combine and pro days.

The Steelers need to add to the receiver room this season. While this isn't the strongest class of receivers, there are still plenty options available in the draft. The first round is always an option, and Emeka Egbuka could be in the Steelers' range at 21st overall.

EMEKA EGBUKA

• Position: Wide receiver
• College: Ohio State (2021-24)
• Class: Senior
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 202
• PFF Big Board: No. 19
• Games watched: at Penn State, vs. Indiana, at Oregon (Rose Bowl), vs. Notre Dame (National Championship)

NFL comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

OVERVIEW

Egbuka capped his college career helping Ohio State win its first National Championship in a decade. He was the team's leading receiver with 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. He played 49 games over four seasons with the Buckeyes, but his 2023 season was affected by an ankle injury that forced him to miss three games and affected his play after he returned.

Playing mostly slot receiver, Egbuka is a great route runner with a high football IQ. He understands how to manipulate defenders' hips in coverage, which he couples with quick movement out of breaks and create separation while also understanding where to manipulate defenses playing zone coverage. Egbuka also possesses plenty of strength and physicality. He's also an accomplished blocker, which makes him an attractive option for teams that want to run the football.

Egbuka's game, at least at the college level, was limited to short and intermediate routes. He works the horizontal game very well, primarily in digs, outs and deep crossers. While he can also attack the seams, he's not a consistent vertical threat, especially the few times he lines up on the outside.

Egbuka's got a much higher ceiling as a slot receiver, but he may be able to be utilized as a Z receiver that's constantly used in motion prior to the snap. He can help move the chains, win on possession downs and aid in the run game. While he's in a similar mold as Amon-Ra St. Brown, expecting him to become a star receiver like that might be a bit farfetched.

HIGHLIGHTS

PFF GRADES

• Overall grade: 79.5 (68th of 1,041 WR)
• Receiving grade: 82.4
• Yards per route run: 2.51
• Drop rate: 5.8%
• Contested catch rate: 59.1%
• Grade vs. man coverage: 80.5

STRENGTHS

• Already a plus route runner. He manipulates defenders, attacks leverage with head fakes, stutter steps and other quick movements, winning most often with technique over raw athleticism.

• He's got good short-area quickness that allows clean breaks at the top of routes and creates separation with minimal wasted movement.

• Displays solid body positioning to shield defenders. Already accomplished at using late hands to win contested catches downfield.

• He's got a high football IQ and plus awareness in finding soft spots against zone coverage.

• Possesses enough ability to eventually be a solid runner after the catch. Already knows how to set up blocks and find cutback lanes.

• He's a physical blocker who sustains and drives through contact

WEAKNESSES

• Ankle injury impacted 2023 season, put up less than stellar numbers playing less than 100% after returning from injury.

• Limited exposure to outside alignments. Most likely will be limited to the slot.

• Below average catch radius clouds any potential to develop into a consistent downfield threat.

• He's more quick than he is fast. Makes it more difficult to win on vertical routes.

• Limited exposure to straight up press man coverage. Didn't show enough consistency in winning against more physical cornerbacks when pressed.