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With the likes of Art Rooney II and Head Coach Mike Tomlin in Florida this week at the annual NFL Owners Meeting, the Pittsburgh Steelers were still visiting college campuses for multiple Pro Days. This past week, we saw some larger universities such as Alabama, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Baylor, and Florida showcase their prospects for NFL coaches and scouts. But who did the Steelers see this week who performed well? Let’s take a look:
Sam Howell, University of North Carolina, Quarterback, Projected 2nd Round
Even with the addition of Mitch Trubisky, it is no secret the Steelers are leaving no stone unturned in this year’s rookie quarterback class; this includes early 2021 Heisman-favorite Howell. After an impressive 2020 season, Howell seemed to take a step back in 2021 and fell out of the Heisman contention after being one of the top favorites in a lot of preseason polls. Therefore, Howell attended and played in the Senior Bowl earlier this year and attended the NFL Combine as well. Although he wasn’t able to fully test at the combine, he recorded the hardest throw at 59 miles per hour. On Monday, Howell showed off his arm strength and accuracy for NFL scouts. In all, Howell threw about 66 passes and ended his workout with a red zone drill where he threw 40 short to intermediate passes; only 3 or 4 of which were dropped. There are a lot of quarterback-needy teams this year, and Howell looked to move his draft stock in the right direction.
Ty Chandler, University of North Carolina, Running Back, Projected 5th to 6th Round
Between Michael Carter and Javonte Williams in 2021 and Chandler this year, UNC is slowly beginning to produce decent NFL running backs. Although Chandler is currently sitting as a solid Day 3 selection, he’d be a great value pick for whoever gets him. For the Steelers, he’d be a great change-of-pace back in tandem with Najee Harris. Chandler ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the combine with a time of 4.38 seconds and has a great stride in space. Chandler took a giant leap forward in 2021 showing he has a decent ceiling, and he solidified that at his Pro Day. Chandler showed quick feet, great burst, and return-man capabilities that makes him a very interesting and versatile prospect. With players such as Deebo Samuel, Cordarrelle Patterson, and even Josh Cribbs who have created a modernized ‘receiver/running back/return man’ hybrid position, Chandler fits all those traits and he may be gone sooner than what others may think.
Kaiir Elam, University of Florida, Cornerback, Projected 1st Round
The Steelers need help at the cornerback position. I would even argue that cornerback in the first round isn’t necessarily out of the question for the Steelers’ 20th overall selection. Elam is a tough, physical corner who plays best on the outside. With Joe Haden presumably gone and Cam Sutton most likely moving back inside, this leaves an unavoidable vacancy in the Steelers’ secondary. Elam would be drafted as a true day-one starter and showed he can live up to those expectations. Early reports indicate he’s a middle to late 1st round selection, so the Steelers will need to see where the cards fall on the first day to determine if he’s worth the 20th overall selection. At his Pro Day, he proved his first-round draft status by showing great hip movement, quick lateral speed, and premier agility in keeping up with faster receivers. Elam’s Pro Day propelled him into consideration of one of the top defensive back prospects in the draft.
Brian Robinson, Alabama, Running Back, Projected 6th Round
The Steelers have had recent luck with Alabama running backs, so why not go back to that same pond? Sure, Robinson doesn’t sit at the same talent level as Harris, but the Steelers need a good RB2 in the mix. It would make sense for them to pair Harris back with his college backfield associate to help recreate the strong Alabama rush attack from 2020. For being 6’2”, 225 pounds, Robinson posted one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL Combine with a 4.53-second time. Robinson used his Pro Day to improve his draft stock, which included him showing he can catch out of the backfield, he has more than one speed, and he can cut through holes that aren’t his first read. He proved his catching ability and can find a second gear in the open field. Robinson has the ideal physique, speed, and resilience for a three-down NFL running back, and teams saw he can be a great value pick in the middle rounds. It is also important to note that in 2021, Robinson was first in the SEC with 79 missed tackles; the only other SEC running back to top that was Leonard Fournette in 2015 with 85. Robinson proved to have a higher ceiling than what scouts recorded after the combine.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama, Cornerback, Projected 3rd to Early 4th Round
Armour-Davis isn’t a name a lot of Steelers fans have been talking about. Going into the NFL Combine, Armour-Davis was sitting as a solid Day 3 selection. But after testing through the roof in Indianapolis, he’s been able to enhance his draft stock to be considered as a possible Day 2 pick. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and showed great lateral agility. Armour-Davis thrives in press-man coverage and can hang with speedy outside receivers. He’s also physical at the line and can knock receivers off their routes, not to mention break through receivers’ blocks and shut down run plays. Armour-Davis made a stronger case at his Pro Day for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He showed he can maintain coverage for an extended period of time and can effectively knock receivers off their route at the line. Scouts left the Alabama Pro Day as Armour-Davis listed as one of the most underrated cornerbacks of this year’s draft. The Steelers need a cornerback in the first half of the draft, and Armour-Davis could fall into their lap. If he is still around in the 3rd round, expect the Steelers to call him if they haven’t already.
JT Woods, Baylor, Free Safety, Projected 5th Round
Woods is the other Baylor safety in the draft. Woods is incredibly fast, physical, and a strong tackler who can fly all over the field. At the combine, he posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and showed a solid baseline as to what we can expect at the next level. Woods is the perfect combination of speed and physicality and has a high ceiling. For the Steelers, Woods is an interesting prospect. He plays the same position as Minkah Fitzpatrick, so he wouldn’t be a day one starter, but the Steelers don’t have much depth beyond that. So, I love Woods as a solid third day pick for them. At his Pro Day, Woods showed he can play as a Top 100 prospect. He tested through the roof at his workout and proved he has an elite combination of speed and coverage on the backend of the defense. He may have crept into the Day 2 conversation, but I love Woods as a solid third day pick for Pittsburgh. Currently, the Steelers don’t hold a 5th round selection, which is where Woods is projected, so if he is there in the 6th, he’s a steal.
Who did I miss on this list? Who did you like this week at their Pro Days? Let us know in the comments below!
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Sam Howell, University of North Carolina, Quarterback, Projected 2nd Round
Even with the addition of Mitch Trubisky, it is no secret the Steelers are leaving no stone unturned in this year’s rookie quarterback class; this includes early 2021 Heisman-favorite Howell. After an impressive 2020 season, Howell seemed to take a step back in 2021 and fell out of the Heisman contention after being one of the top favorites in a lot of preseason polls. Therefore, Howell attended and played in the Senior Bowl earlier this year and attended the NFL Combine as well. Although he wasn’t able to fully test at the combine, he recorded the hardest throw at 59 miles per hour. On Monday, Howell showed off his arm strength and accuracy for NFL scouts. In all, Howell threw about 66 passes and ended his workout with a red zone drill where he threw 40 short to intermediate passes; only 3 or 4 of which were dropped. There are a lot of quarterback-needy teams this year, and Howell looked to move his draft stock in the right direction.
Ty Chandler, University of North Carolina, Running Back, Projected 5th to 6th Round
Between Michael Carter and Javonte Williams in 2021 and Chandler this year, UNC is slowly beginning to produce decent NFL running backs. Although Chandler is currently sitting as a solid Day 3 selection, he’d be a great value pick for whoever gets him. For the Steelers, he’d be a great change-of-pace back in tandem with Najee Harris. Chandler ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the combine with a time of 4.38 seconds and has a great stride in space. Chandler took a giant leap forward in 2021 showing he has a decent ceiling, and he solidified that at his Pro Day. Chandler showed quick feet, great burst, and return-man capabilities that makes him a very interesting and versatile prospect. With players such as Deebo Samuel, Cordarrelle Patterson, and even Josh Cribbs who have created a modernized ‘receiver/running back/return man’ hybrid position, Chandler fits all those traits and he may be gone sooner than what others may think.
Kaiir Elam, University of Florida, Cornerback, Projected 1st Round
The Steelers need help at the cornerback position. I would even argue that cornerback in the first round isn’t necessarily out of the question for the Steelers’ 20th overall selection. Elam is a tough, physical corner who plays best on the outside. With Joe Haden presumably gone and Cam Sutton most likely moving back inside, this leaves an unavoidable vacancy in the Steelers’ secondary. Elam would be drafted as a true day-one starter and showed he can live up to those expectations. Early reports indicate he’s a middle to late 1st round selection, so the Steelers will need to see where the cards fall on the first day to determine if he’s worth the 20th overall selection. At his Pro Day, he proved his first-round draft status by showing great hip movement, quick lateral speed, and premier agility in keeping up with faster receivers. Elam’s Pro Day propelled him into consideration of one of the top defensive back prospects in the draft.
Brian Robinson, Alabama, Running Back, Projected 6th Round
The Steelers have had recent luck with Alabama running backs, so why not go back to that same pond? Sure, Robinson doesn’t sit at the same talent level as Harris, but the Steelers need a good RB2 in the mix. It would make sense for them to pair Harris back with his college backfield associate to help recreate the strong Alabama rush attack from 2020. For being 6’2”, 225 pounds, Robinson posted one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL Combine with a 4.53-second time. Robinson used his Pro Day to improve his draft stock, which included him showing he can catch out of the backfield, he has more than one speed, and he can cut through holes that aren’t his first read. He proved his catching ability and can find a second gear in the open field. Robinson has the ideal physique, speed, and resilience for a three-down NFL running back, and teams saw he can be a great value pick in the middle rounds. It is also important to note that in 2021, Robinson was first in the SEC with 79 missed tackles; the only other SEC running back to top that was Leonard Fournette in 2015 with 85. Robinson proved to have a higher ceiling than what scouts recorded after the combine.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama, Cornerback, Projected 3rd to Early 4th Round
Armour-Davis isn’t a name a lot of Steelers fans have been talking about. Going into the NFL Combine, Armour-Davis was sitting as a solid Day 3 selection. But after testing through the roof in Indianapolis, he’s been able to enhance his draft stock to be considered as a possible Day 2 pick. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and showed great lateral agility. Armour-Davis thrives in press-man coverage and can hang with speedy outside receivers. He’s also physical at the line and can knock receivers off their routes, not to mention break through receivers’ blocks and shut down run plays. Armour-Davis made a stronger case at his Pro Day for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He showed he can maintain coverage for an extended period of time and can effectively knock receivers off their route at the line. Scouts left the Alabama Pro Day as Armour-Davis listed as one of the most underrated cornerbacks of this year’s draft. The Steelers need a cornerback in the first half of the draft, and Armour-Davis could fall into their lap. If he is still around in the 3rd round, expect the Steelers to call him if they haven’t already.
JT Woods, Baylor, Free Safety, Projected 5th Round
Woods is the other Baylor safety in the draft. Woods is incredibly fast, physical, and a strong tackler who can fly all over the field. At the combine, he posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and showed a solid baseline as to what we can expect at the next level. Woods is the perfect combination of speed and physicality and has a high ceiling. For the Steelers, Woods is an interesting prospect. He plays the same position as Minkah Fitzpatrick, so he wouldn’t be a day one starter, but the Steelers don’t have much depth beyond that. So, I love Woods as a solid third day pick for them. At his Pro Day, Woods showed he can play as a Top 100 prospect. He tested through the roof at his workout and proved he has an elite combination of speed and coverage on the backend of the defense. He may have crept into the Day 2 conversation, but I love Woods as a solid third day pick for Pittsburgh. Currently, the Steelers don’t hold a 5th round selection, which is where Woods is projected, so if he is there in the 6th, he’s a steal.
Who did I miss on this list? Who did you like this week at their Pro Days? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
