Big WR Savion Williams, small RB Dylan Sampson among official draft visits to Steelers

Already loaded with big wide receivers and compact running backs on their roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted one of each for an official daft visit Friday.

TCU’s Savion Williams — a 6-foot-4, 222-pound receiver — and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson — a 5-8, 200-pound running back — joined Iowa defensive tackle Yahya Black as visitors to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Williams had 60 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, earning his second consecutive honorable mention All-Big 12 designation after he had 41 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Williams, who spent five seasons with TCU, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds at the NFL Combine.

A consensus third-round pick by the mock-draft compilation site nflmockdraftdatabase.com, Williams has a similar body type to the top two receivers currently on the Steelers roster: George Pickens (6-3, 200) and the newly acquired DK Metcalf (6-4, 229).

At running back, the top two options on the depth chart as of now are Jaylen Warren (5-8, 215) and Kenneth Gainwell (5-9, 200). Sampson provided outstanding production as a junior last season at Tennessee, earning third-team AP All-American status while being named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Sampson’s 22 rushing touchdowns were the most by an SEC player since former Steelers running back Najee Harris had 26 in 2020. Sampson averaged 5.8 yards on his 258 carries, gaining 1,491. He is expected to be a Day 2 draft pick.

The 6-6, 336-pound Black was honorable mention All-Big Ten in starting each of the final two of his five seasons at Iowa. He had 41/2 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and seven pass-breakups in that time.

During the weeks leading up to the draft, each team is allotted 30 official visits from draft prospects to its facility (with some exceptions made for “local” players).

Mason makes it official

✍️✍️✍️ pic.twitter.com/q9bx2qiwZ8

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 14, 2025

The Steelers announced the previously reported signing of Mason Rudolph to a two-year contract. An eight-year veteran who spent his first six seasons with the Steelers, Rudolph has made 19 starts in the NFL, including the January 2024 Steelers’ wild-card loss at the Buffalo Bills.

Rudolph, who made five starts for the Tennessee Titans last season, is insurance in case the Steelers’ pursuit of Aaron Rodgers falls through. Rudolph’s reported $8 million compensation over the next two seasons indicates he was signed to be a backup.

No comp picks

The NFL announced a slight clarification in the list of compensatory picks awarded for next month’s draft. The Steelers still did not earn any. The picks are given to teams who are deemed to have lost more quality and/or quantity of unrestricted free agents than they gained over the previous offseason. Since the system began in 1994, the Steelers rank ninth in having received 35 compensatory choices. They are slotted after Rounds 3-7 of the draft.