Steelers GM Omar Khan Sends Shockwaves as Late Round Cornerback Gets Called Out What’s Next for the Rising Star

Seventh-round picks don’t typically come into the NFL with a lot of hype. But Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan placed some expectations on the team’s final selection in the 2025 NFL Draft — cornerback Donte Kent.

“We expect him to contribute sooner rather than later,” Khan said in Friday’s episode of the team’s doc-series, The Standard.

The Steelers general manager said that sentence at the end of a conversation where he was rather complimentary about the seventh-round cornerback.

“Spent significant time studying his film. Looking at his production, both not only on the defensive side but on special teams, the more we watched, the more excited we got about him. Solid character.

“Another guy that’s got a really good opportunity.”

The Steelers drafted Kent at No. 229 overall in the seventh round of the 2025 Draft. A Harrisburg, PA native, Kent played five seasons at Central Michigan in college.

Steelers Added CB Donte Kent in Seventh Round

With other position groups such as defensive line and running back taking precedence, the Steelers didn’t draft a cornerback until the final round. Pittsburgh had two seventh-round picks, and Khan used the first one on tight end Carson Bruener.

The Steelers finally added cornerback depth at No. 229. They clearly like who they found.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein was rather positive about Kent for his speed and versatility during the draft process.

“Speedy four-year starter and team captain with the athletic ability to garner Day 3 interest in the draft. Kent’s measurables are better suited for the slot, but he can play outside if needed,” Zierlein wrote. “His speed and burst lead to pass breakups, but he lacks the route anticipation and instincts to turn more of those into interceptions.

“He’s not scheme-dependent but is better in man coverage than he is in zone.”

It’s unlikely Kent will earn a regular defensive role as a rookie. So, for him to make the Steelers roster, Kent will have to play special teams.

The cornerback has experience on that unit too, as he lined up as a gunner at Central Michigan.

“He’s tough enough in run support and has potential as a gunner or punt returner, which should increase his draft value,” wrote Zierlein prior to the draft.

In 53 games at Central Michigan, Kent posted 234 combined tackles, including six for loss. He also had 46 pass defenses, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

Steelers CB Depth Entering 2025 NFL Training Camp

Cornerback has become a hot topic around the Steelers lately.

Pundits connected the team to former All-Pro free agents Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey this offseason. On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed the Steelers as a landing spot for former Pittsburgh undrafted cornerback Mike Hilton.

However, with different reports on Alexander, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens, and Ramsey, who is expected to head to the West Coast, signs point to the Steelers not being interested in another cornerback addition.

The excitement the team has around Kent could be part of why. The Steelers also added veteran Darius Slay in free agency.

Slay is projected to start opposite Joey Porter Jr., who Slay has touted as someone he hopes to help this season. In the slot, the Steelers could play 2024 undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. a lot.

Bishop played significant snaps during the first half of last season. But at the midseason point, veteran Cameron Sutton returned from a suspension and took snaps away from Bishop.

Sutton, though, is not back with the team this fall.

Besides Kent, the Steelers have seven other cornerbacks on their 90-man roster as well — Brandin Echols, James Pierre, D’Shawn Jamison, Quindell Johnson, Cameron McCutcheon, Kyler McMichael and Cory Trice Jr.