Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been awfully busy in preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft this week. The Steelers head coach took in his third pro day of the week on Thursday, as he was spotted at the Notre Dame pro day on Thursday.
Tomlin had previously been at the Texas pro day on Tuesday, the Ohio State pro day on Wednesday and is expected to be at the Ole Miss pro day on Friday before the 2025 NFL owner's meetings start in Palm Beach, Florida this weekend.
At Notre Dame, Tomlin shared the field with former Steelers safety Ryan Clark , who is the 2025 NFL Draft class as a late-round or UDFA nickel cornerback, but also with a number of potential Steelers fits in the earlier rounds.
Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame Athletics
It starts with a pair of projected second-round defensive backs in cornerback Benjamin Morrison and safety Xavier Watts. Morrison was a projected first-round pick before a hip injury cut his season with the Fighting Irish short. Watts is a do-it-all defensive back reminiscent of what the Baltimore Ravens have in fellow former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
The Steelers have an obvious need at cornerback, where starter Darius Slay is signed for one season, and is already 34 years old. The slot situation is even less settled, with former UDFA Beanie Bishop and free agent addition Brandin Echols looking like they're in competition for that spot at the moment.
At safety, it's less obvious, with Minkah Fitzpatrick making the Pro Bowl at free safety in 2024 and DeShon Elliott having a fantastic season at strong safety as a free agent addition. The Steelers have also added former Cleveland Browns starter Juan Thornhill to that mix, giving them three capable safety options.
But that hasn't stopped them from scouting most of the top safeties in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Tomlin was at the Georgia pro day for Malaki Starks , secondary coach Gerald Alexander was in South Carolina for Nick Emmanwori 's pro day, Tomlin and Omar Khan met with Texas safety Andrew Mukumba before his pro day, and Tomlin, Khan and Teryl Austin were all in Columbus to see Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom on Wednesday.
The Irish also have a pair of intriguing defensive line prospects in Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III. Both are projected day three picks. Quarterback Riley Leonard will also be working out on Thursday. The Steelers previously scouted him at the 2025 Senior Bowl.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard in practice for the 2025 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. on Jan. 30, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
