Don’t inform Omar Khan rookie cornerback Donte Kent is “solely” a seventh spherical choose. The final choice the Pittsburgh Steelers fabricated from April’s 2025 draft, Kent was the largest Wild Card. Off many draft radars, admittedly together with our personal, Kent was the one non-Huge Ten choose the group made this yr. Hailing from the MAC, a convention the place the Steelers have discovered gems earlier than, the workforce’s pre-draft curiosity in him wasn’t seen. However behind the scenes, Khan and firm had been doing their homework.
“Donte, spent important time finding out his movie,” Khan mentioned within the newest episode of the workforce’s docu-series, The Normal, which aired Friday night. “Taking a look at his manufacturing, each not solely on the defensive facet however on particular groups. The extra we watched, the extra excited we bought about him. Stable character.”
A 3-time convention choice, Kent began 4 years at Central Michigan. He lacked interceptions however nonetheless made loads of performs on the soccer, breaking apart a school-record 47 passes. On particular groups, he served as a gunner and part-time returner, working again one punt for a landing in 2024.
Like most seventh spherical picks, Donte Kent’s path to creating the 53-man roster received’t be straightforward and can come on particular groups. He’ll battle the likes of veteran James Pierre and fellow rookies like UDFA security Sebastian Castro for his place on the workforce. We gave Kent low odds to make the preliminary 53, however Khan shares a extra optimistic and pressing tone.
“One other man that’s bought a extremely good alternative,” he mentioned. “And we anticipate him to contribute before later.”
A yr in the past may’ve given Kent a greater likelihood. Pittsburgh went into 2024 with out established beginning gunners and located their options after cutdowns. Pierre was introduced again whereas WR Ben Skowronek was signed to the follow squad and shortly discovered his place on the energetic roster. Each stay on the 2025 squad because the favorites for these key particular groups spots. Pittsburgh additionally added cornerback depth in veteran Brandin Echols whereas Cory Trice Jr. and Beanie Bishop have sturdy odds to stay.
Even when Kent can’t make a right away contribution, beginning out on the follow squad would serve him properly. From there, one in-season harm may see him referred to as up and get his first style of normal season motion.
