The Steelers hosted four more players for pre-draft visits today: Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas and Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
Because he's a local visit, Bartholomew does not count toward the 30 allotted pre-draft visits.
Golden is a potential option in the first round for the Steelers. He's a versatile receiver that can line up anywhere on the field. He isn't the most polished route runner, but his start-stop ability helps him produce at all three levels. He's a burner, running a 4.29 40-yard dash. He's also a willing blocker, very good in making contested catches downfield and takes a lot of pride in how he prepares for opponents and critical moments.
"Just understanding who we're playing that week," Golden said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "What type of defense they're like. If their corners are physical. I try to do that every day. Get as much film in as I can. When I prepare the right way, it allows me to go out there and play fast."
Johnson offers a great blend of size at 6-1, 224 pounds, and the ability to run in a wide zone or outside zone system, making him a great fit for Arthur Smith. His size and underrated breakaway speed makes him an intriguing candidate to pair with Jaylen Warren, especially since his desire to to be a versatile runner.
Johnson currently projects to be a second-round pick, so the Steelers bringing him in for a visit might indicate a fervent attempt to get back into the second round.
Thomas is very young at just 20 years old, but he is a long cornerback at 6-2 with 32 3/8-inch arms. He also possesses a good amount of polished traits as a press cornerback. However, he ran a very concerning 4.58 40-yard dash at the Florida State pro day. That is an alarming number for a cornerback. But, his skill set as a press cornerback could still make him an interesting option.
The Steelers don't have a need at tight end, but bringing Bartholomew doesn't hurt. He's not one of the top tight ends in a deep class. He may not even get drafted. But, Bartholomew was a team captain for the Panthers and he does a lot of the work the Steelers like in tight ends.
The full list of 30 allotted pre-draft visits, both completed and scheduled:
• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville • Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (scheduled for Friday) • Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas • D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State • Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State • Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa • Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee • Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech • Matthew Golden, WR, Texas • Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State • Savion Williams, WR, TCU • *Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh • *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia • Yahya Black, DT, Iowa • Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State • J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss • Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU • Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State • *Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:39 pm - 04.03.2025DowntownGolden, Johnson among pre-draft visits
The Steelers hosted four more players for pre-draft visits today: Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas and Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
Because he's a local visit, Bartholomew does not count toward the 30 allotted pre-draft visits.
Golden is a potential option in the first round for the Steelers. He's a versatile receiver that can line up anywhere on the field. He isn't the most polished route runner, but his start-stop ability helps him produce at all three levels. He's a burner, running a 4.29 40-yard dash. He's also a willing blocker, very good in making contested catches downfield and takes a lot of pride in how he prepares for opponents and critical moments.
"Just understanding who we're playing that week," Golden said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "What type of defense they're like. If their corners are physical. I try to do that every day. Get as much film in as I can. When I prepare the right way, it allows me to go out there and play fast."
Johnson offers a great blend of size at 6-1, 224 pounds, and the ability to run in a wide zone or outside zone system, making him a great fit for Arthur Smith. His size and underrated breakaway speed makes him an intriguing candidate to pair with Jaylen Warren, especially since his desire to to be a versatile runner.
Johnson currently projects to be a second-round pick, so the Steelers bringing him in for a visit might indicate a fervent attempt to get back into the second round.
Thomas is very young at just 20 years old, but he is a long cornerback at 6-2 with 32 3/8-inch arms. He also possesses a good amount of polished traits as a press cornerback. However, he ran a very concerning 4.58 40-yard dash at the Florida State pro day. That is an alarming number for a cornerback. But, his skill set as a press cornerback could still make him an interesting option.
The Steelers don't have a need at tight end, but bringing Bartholomew doesn't hurt. He's not one of the top tight ends in a deep class. He may not even get drafted. But, Bartholomew was a team captain for the Panthers and he does a lot of the work the Steelers like in tight ends.
The full list of 30 allotted pre-draft visits, both completed and scheduled:
• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (scheduled for Friday)
• Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
• D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
• Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
• Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
• Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
• Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
• Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
• Savion Williams, WR, TCU
• *Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh
• *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
• Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
• Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
• J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
• Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU
• Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
• *Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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