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In the midst of what has been arguably one of the craziest NFL offseasons in history, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have the 2022 NFL Draft to prepare for. We were able to catch an early look at some of the top prospects by way of the NFL Combine in February, but as we round the corner into the month of the draft, college Pro Days are starting to heat up. So this begs the question, who should Steeler Nation be watching at their Pro Days? Well, here is who the Steelers most likely have on their watch list on Wednesday’s slate:
(Writer’s Note: Top receiver prospects John Metchie III and Jameson Williams are reportedly not participating in the Alabama Pro Day, but will most likely be in attendance.)
Christian Harris, Linebacker, Projected 2nd Round
Harris is one of the top-ranked linebacker prospects in this year’s draft. The Steelers like to, and need to, draft linebackers and Harris checks all the boxes they look for. Harris was dominant in college and showed he can be a true sideline-to-sideline player. Harris had a great NFL Combine and is looking to build on that at his Pro Day. He showed he is physical and athletic enough to wrap up ball carriers, yet possesses the necessary speed (ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash) to chase down ball-carriers from behind. Harris is jockeying for a 1st round selection with Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean, both of which Harris tested better than. Expect Harris to test well at his Pro Day and try to sneak his way into the 1st round conversation.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, 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. Look for Armour-Davis to really make a strong case at his Pro Day for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. The Steelers need a cornerback in the first half of the draft, and Armour-Davis could fall into their lap.
Brian Robinson, 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 Najee 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 will look to use his Pro Day to improve his draft stock, which will include 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. Robinson has the ideal physique, speed, and resilience for a three-down NFL running back, but he’ll need to prove himself in other critical areas to bump him to become a Day 2 selection.
Jalen Pitre, Strong Safety, Projected 2nd Round
Pitre is one of two tandem safeties coming out of Baylor this year. Pitre was used as a strong safety, and is entering the draft as such, but played everywhere in the Baylor secondary in 2021. Pitre didn’t necessarily ‘shine’ at the combine, so needless to say, this Pro Day is big for Pitre’s draft stock. Pitre values himself as a versatile defensive back and will use his Pro Day to prove he can keep up with NFL wide receivers. He’s shown struggles in his game speed and hanging with speedy slot receivers in man coverage, mixed with his relatively smaller stature to match up against bigger tight ends. Going into the combine, Pitre was on the cusp of the 1st round, but he’s started to float to the second day. Pitre is in need of a big Pro Day to get him back into the Day One conversation.
JT Woods, Free Safety, Projected 5th Round
Woods is the other Baylor safety in the draft. Woods is incredibly fast, physical, and 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 lobe Woods as a solid third day pick for them. But 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. At his Pro Day, Woods is looking to show he can play as a Top 100 prospect.
Bubba Bolden, Safety, Projected 4th Round
Bolden is another safety the Steelers have been keeping an eye on. From a talent level, he falls square in between Pitre and Woods above. Bolden’s 2021 came to an abrupt ending due to a shoulder injury, but he had a decent showing at the combine. Bolden plays as a physical safety, almost as strong safety, with free safety speed, but can line up as a dime backer in the box. Bolden possessing traits that aren’t measured at a Pro Day, such as football IQ, instincts, and great eyes. I’m not saying he’s the next Troy Polamalu so do not interpret this as that, but Bolden has the ideal rookie traits the Steelers like in a safety. We haven’t received word on who from the Steelers will be in attendance at the Miami Pro Day, but Bolden is set to be one of the best value safety picks of the draft in the earlier portion of the third day.
Charleston Rambo, Wide Receiver, Projected 5th to 6th Round
Going into the combine, Rambo was considered one of the biggest sleeper receiver prospects in the draft. But after relatively mediocre combine results, Rambo needs his Pro Day to boost his stock amongst NFL scouts. Rambo is a slot receiver, which the Steelers need, but doesn’t currently possess the physicality to help support that. He has long arms and is shifty and agile to get open, but he’s had trouble breaking tackles and getting past the first tackler. Coming out of the combine, Rambo was ranked towards the bottom of receivers in terms of expectations versus actual test results. Rambo is one of the top prospects who needs a big Pro Day, so expect a ‘boom or bust’ report from Miami in regards to Rambo’s draft stock.
Cam’Ron Harris, Running Back, Projected 7th Round
Considering Harris is already considered as a Day 3 prospect and wasn’t invited to the combine, his Pro Day is his biggest opportunity to prove his case that he can be an NFL running back. Harris is falls in the middle of most major rushing categories and is coming off an injury heading into the draft. He isn’t listed as the biggest, fastest, or most athletic running back in the draft, but he some how finds ways to pick up tough yards and rarely gets caught from behind in space. There is no denying Harris needs a strong showing at his Pro Day. The Steelers are most likely going to select a running back later in the draft, and Harris’ Pro Day performance will determine if he’s a solid 6th or 7th round pick, or an undrafted rookie free agent going into rookie training camp in May.
As we move closer to more Pro Days this week, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on who to watch!
Who are you watching this week? Is there anyone you think I missed on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Alabama
(Writer’s Note: Top receiver prospects John Metchie III and Jameson Williams are reportedly not participating in the Alabama Pro Day, but will most likely be in attendance.)
Christian Harris, Linebacker, Projected 2nd Round
Harris is one of the top-ranked linebacker prospects in this year’s draft. The Steelers like to, and need to, draft linebackers and Harris checks all the boxes they look for. Harris was dominant in college and showed he can be a true sideline-to-sideline player. Harris had a great NFL Combine and is looking to build on that at his Pro Day. He showed he is physical and athletic enough to wrap up ball carriers, yet possesses the necessary speed (ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash) to chase down ball-carriers from behind. Harris is jockeying for a 1st round selection with Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean, both of which Harris tested better than. Expect Harris to test well at his Pro Day and try to sneak his way into the 1st round conversation.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, 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. Look for Armour-Davis to really make a strong case at his Pro Day for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. The Steelers need a cornerback in the first half of the draft, and Armour-Davis could fall into their lap.
Brian Robinson, 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 Najee 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 will look to use his Pro Day to improve his draft stock, which will include 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. Robinson has the ideal physique, speed, and resilience for a three-down NFL running back, but he’ll need to prove himself in other critical areas to bump him to become a Day 2 selection.
University of Baylor
Jalen Pitre, Strong Safety, Projected 2nd Round
Pitre is one of two tandem safeties coming out of Baylor this year. Pitre was used as a strong safety, and is entering the draft as such, but played everywhere in the Baylor secondary in 2021. Pitre didn’t necessarily ‘shine’ at the combine, so needless to say, this Pro Day is big for Pitre’s draft stock. Pitre values himself as a versatile defensive back and will use his Pro Day to prove he can keep up with NFL wide receivers. He’s shown struggles in his game speed and hanging with speedy slot receivers in man coverage, mixed with his relatively smaller stature to match up against bigger tight ends. Going into the combine, Pitre was on the cusp of the 1st round, but he’s started to float to the second day. Pitre is in need of a big Pro Day to get him back into the Day One conversation.
JT Woods, Free Safety, Projected 5th Round
Woods is the other Baylor safety in the draft. Woods is incredibly fast, physical, and 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 lobe Woods as a solid third day pick for them. But 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. At his Pro Day, Woods is looking to show he can play as a Top 100 prospect.
University of Miami (Florida)
Bubba Bolden, Safety, Projected 4th Round
Bolden is another safety the Steelers have been keeping an eye on. From a talent level, he falls square in between Pitre and Woods above. Bolden’s 2021 came to an abrupt ending due to a shoulder injury, but he had a decent showing at the combine. Bolden plays as a physical safety, almost as strong safety, with free safety speed, but can line up as a dime backer in the box. Bolden possessing traits that aren’t measured at a Pro Day, such as football IQ, instincts, and great eyes. I’m not saying he’s the next Troy Polamalu so do not interpret this as that, but Bolden has the ideal rookie traits the Steelers like in a safety. We haven’t received word on who from the Steelers will be in attendance at the Miami Pro Day, but Bolden is set to be one of the best value safety picks of the draft in the earlier portion of the third day.
Charleston Rambo, Wide Receiver, Projected 5th to 6th Round
Going into the combine, Rambo was considered one of the biggest sleeper receiver prospects in the draft. But after relatively mediocre combine results, Rambo needs his Pro Day to boost his stock amongst NFL scouts. Rambo is a slot receiver, which the Steelers need, but doesn’t currently possess the physicality to help support that. He has long arms and is shifty and agile to get open, but he’s had trouble breaking tackles and getting past the first tackler. Coming out of the combine, Rambo was ranked towards the bottom of receivers in terms of expectations versus actual test results. Rambo is one of the top prospects who needs a big Pro Day, so expect a ‘boom or bust’ report from Miami in regards to Rambo’s draft stock.
Cam’Ron Harris, Running Back, Projected 7th Round
Considering Harris is already considered as a Day 3 prospect and wasn’t invited to the combine, his Pro Day is his biggest opportunity to prove his case that he can be an NFL running back. Harris is falls in the middle of most major rushing categories and is coming off an injury heading into the draft. He isn’t listed as the biggest, fastest, or most athletic running back in the draft, but he some how finds ways to pick up tough yards and rarely gets caught from behind in space. There is no denying Harris needs a strong showing at his Pro Day. The Steelers are most likely going to select a running back later in the draft, and Harris’ Pro Day performance will determine if he’s a solid 6th or 7th round pick, or an undrafted rookie free agent going into rookie training camp in May.
As we move closer to more Pro Days this week, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on who to watch!
Who are you watching this week? Is there anyone you think I missed on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
