📄: Seventh Round: Donte Kent | 📸: Kent in pictures | 📺: Pick Announcement | 📃: How Kent fits with the Steelers | 📃: What to like about Kent | 📺: Tomlin calls Kent | 📺: Welcome to Pittsburgh
With the second of their two seventh-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected speedy cornerback Donte Kent of Central Michigan.
Kent, 23, was timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Central Michigan's pro day.
The 5-10, 187-pound cornerback also posted a 38 ½-inch vertical jump and broke up 47 passes during his career to go along with two interceptions.
Kent is considered a strong tackler. He recorded at least 50 tackles in each of his last four seasons at Central Michigan. He is considered a strong man-coverage cornerback than he is in zone.
Take a look at photos of Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-round pick Donte Kent
Central Michigan's Donte Kent plays during an NCAA Football game on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Florida International University wide receiver Eric Rivers (3) can''t hand on to a deep pass as Central Michigan defensive back Donte Kent (4) defends during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Miami. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett, right, is unable to catch a pass as Central Michigan defensive back Donte Kent (19) defends during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley (80) is pushed out of bounds by Central Michigan defensive back Donte Kent (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Central Michigan's Donte Kent during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
He also has a punt return background, averaging 13.6 yards per return in 2024 with one touchdown.
While he played on the outside at Central Michigan, Kent may profile better as a nickel cornerback for the Steelers thanks to his solid tackling ability.
He also was a team captain at Central Michigan.
The Steelers utilized Beanie Bishop and veteran Cam Sutton in that role last season and brought in Brandin Echols in as a free agent in the offseason, but Echols has been more of an outside corner in the NFL. The team also added safety Juan Thornhill in the offseason. Thornhill has experience in the slot in the NFL, as well.
But Kent adds another quality player to that competition, while his value on special teams also will come into play in regard to that battle.
