- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,542
- Reaction score
- 4,985
- Points
- 93
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 Tuesday’s slate:
Sam Houston State
Zyon McCollum, Cornerback, Projected 3rd to 4th Round
Coming out of a non-FBS program in Sam Houston State, not a lot of eyes fell on McCollum coming into this draft season. But after his combine results, McCollum propelled himself into the Day 2 cornerback conversation. McCollum is an interesting prospect for the Steelers; the Steelers need cornerback depth, yet they haven’t been able to strike gold in that area through the draft. McCollum is that cornerback the Steelers need after the first round is wrapped up. At the combine, McCollum showed he has the speed (ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash), the vertical ability (posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump), and the agility to be a true lock-down cornerback. McCollum is one of the top value picks in this draft and if he shows out at his Pro Day, there’s a good chance he’ll move from a Day 3 pick, to a solid second day selection.
Florida State
Jashuan Corbin, Running Back, Projected 6th Round
Corbin had an interesting college career. He committed to Florida State, but then transferred to Texas A&M in 2018. After sitting out most of the 2019 season due to injury, he then transferred back to Florida State and started in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Corbin had a good career at Florida State on paper, but where NFL scouts are feeling iffy is how he’ll transition to the NFL. Corbin is a mostly downhill runner and not necessarily a ‘speed guy’. For the Steelers, think of him like an Isaac Redman or Gary Russell; both were reliable RB2’s for the Steelers. Corbin is currently projected as a 6th round selection, and he’ll need the Pro Day to help boost him to earlier rounds.
Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Projected 1st Round
Johnson II is a clear top edge prospect in this year’s draft. But with other big names like Aiden Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Travon Walker, Johnson II will have a tough time being a top-5 pick. Regardless, Johnson II is showing he has a high ceiling as an edge rusher in the NFL. He tested well at the combine and convinced NFL scouts he could be a solid, reliable defensive anchor. I’d even argue Johnson II should be a top-10 pick in the draft. In a league where edge rushers are highly valued, there is no reason to think Johnson II will fall out of the 1st round. At his Pro Day however, Johnson II will look to prove he’s worth a top-5 selection instead of just a top-40 prospect.
University of Washington
Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Projected 1st Round
The University of Washington is becoming ‘Cornerback University’. After producing Elijah Molden in 2021, who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans at 100th overall, there are a pair of lock-down cornerbacks NFL scouts are paying close attention to. First is McDuffie. McDuffie is set to be a solid day-one starter and is going to be called in the 1st round. McDuffie can play in any defensive scheme and is very physical in coverage. He’s effective in defending the run and isn’t afraid of contact at the line. McDuffie is one prospect the Steelers would be fortunate to grab at their 20th overall spot. At his Pro Day, look for McDuffie to make his case of being the number 1 cornerback prospect in this year’s draft.
Kyler Gordon, Cornerback, Projected 3rd Round
Gordon played on the opposite side of McDuffie. Together, the duo made opposing quarterbacks’ lives miserable. Gordon excels more in the slot and up close to the line of scrimmage. He has a very similar skill set of Molden. He’s extremely physical, a hard hitter, and is incredibly effective as a blitzer. At his Pro Day, he’ll need to show he is a more fluid runner in coverage and can keep up with speedy deep-threat receivers. In college, he had trouble keeping up with those types of receivers and this is why he’s considered a 3rd-round prospect as opposed to 1st round like his counterpart. But looking at the Steelers’ board, they should have Gordon as a top priority for their possible slot-cornerback; if all other outside cornerback options are gone.
North Carolina State
Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, Projected 1st Round
Ekwonu is the top-ranked offensive lineman in this year’s draft. Therefore, he’ll be getting a lot of the attention at the NC State Pro Day. Ekwonu is a large swing tackle who will likely line up at the blindside of the line. As a run-blocker, he thrives, as he led the way for a strong 2021 rushing attack for the Wolfpack. Ekwonu will immediately help a lower-tier quarterback feel comfortable in the pocket in an effort to help the entire offense. There are signs pointing Ekwonu will head to the Houston Texans at 4th overall, so I doubt the Steelers will be a viable landing spot. Regardless, expect a lot of reports coming out of Raleigh on Tuesday surrounding Ekwonu.
Zonovan Knight, Running Back, Projected 4th Round
Knight is a tough read as far as a projected ceiling is concerned. After a decent 2019 season, he took a step forward in 2020, only to plateau in 2021. Knight is a tough, physical runner who is looking more like a steady third-down back than a starter. Knight has already proved he can run between the tackles and pick up those tough yards. But where he’ll be looking to improve at his Pro Day is his catching ability. Knight wasn’t used much as a receiver in college and he’ll need to show he’s able to catch passes out of the backfield if he’s looking to improve his draft stock. One other area Knight will be showing is his kick return abilities. With his great straight-line speed, he could be used as a returner, thus adding to his draft value. If things stay the same, Knight is a safe middle-round prospect.
Emeka Emezie, Wide Receiver, Projected 6th Round
Emezie is a big outside receiver who is looking to improve his draft stock at his Pro Day. He’s a tough, physical pass catcher who is able to win 50/50 balls. While he struggles in creating separation on his routes, he’s a fluid route-runner who puts himself in the right position to make a play on the ball. Emezie has a large catch radius and is able to effectively control his body to stay in bounds and make the catch. As a run-blocker, he’s great. He can use his size effectively and hold off cornerbacks getting to the backfield. At his Pro Day, Emezie will need to show he can manage press coverage, create separation early in his routes, and that he has a solid burst off the line. In addition, he’ll need to show his talent can adapt to the NFL game. There were instances in his film where his physicality resulted in him making the contested catch, but looked to also be called as a push-off in today’s NFL. This is certainly coachable, but could play into why he’s considered as a Day 3 prospect at this point.
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..
Sam Houston State
Zyon McCollum, Cornerback, Projected 3rd to 4th Round
Coming out of a non-FBS program in Sam Houston State, not a lot of eyes fell on McCollum coming into this draft season. But after his combine results, McCollum propelled himself into the Day 2 cornerback conversation. McCollum is an interesting prospect for the Steelers; the Steelers need cornerback depth, yet they haven’t been able to strike gold in that area through the draft. McCollum is that cornerback the Steelers need after the first round is wrapped up. At the combine, McCollum showed he has the speed (ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash), the vertical ability (posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump), and the agility to be a true lock-down cornerback. McCollum is one of the top value picks in this draft and if he shows out at his Pro Day, there’s a good chance he’ll move from a Day 3 pick, to a solid second day selection.
Florida State
Jashuan Corbin, Running Back, Projected 6th Round
Corbin had an interesting college career. He committed to Florida State, but then transferred to Texas A&M in 2018. After sitting out most of the 2019 season due to injury, he then transferred back to Florida State and started in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Corbin had a good career at Florida State on paper, but where NFL scouts are feeling iffy is how he’ll transition to the NFL. Corbin is a mostly downhill runner and not necessarily a ‘speed guy’. For the Steelers, think of him like an Isaac Redman or Gary Russell; both were reliable RB2’s for the Steelers. Corbin is currently projected as a 6th round selection, and he’ll need the Pro Day to help boost him to earlier rounds.
Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Projected 1st Round
Johnson II is a clear top edge prospect in this year’s draft. But with other big names like Aiden Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Travon Walker, Johnson II will have a tough time being a top-5 pick. Regardless, Johnson II is showing he has a high ceiling as an edge rusher in the NFL. He tested well at the combine and convinced NFL scouts he could be a solid, reliable defensive anchor. I’d even argue Johnson II should be a top-10 pick in the draft. In a league where edge rushers are highly valued, there is no reason to think Johnson II will fall out of the 1st round. At his Pro Day however, Johnson II will look to prove he’s worth a top-5 selection instead of just a top-40 prospect.
University of Washington
Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Projected 1st Round
The University of Washington is becoming ‘Cornerback University’. After producing Elijah Molden in 2021, who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans at 100th overall, there are a pair of lock-down cornerbacks NFL scouts are paying close attention to. First is McDuffie. McDuffie is set to be a solid day-one starter and is going to be called in the 1st round. McDuffie can play in any defensive scheme and is very physical in coverage. He’s effective in defending the run and isn’t afraid of contact at the line. McDuffie is one prospect the Steelers would be fortunate to grab at their 20th overall spot. At his Pro Day, look for McDuffie to make his case of being the number 1 cornerback prospect in this year’s draft.
Kyler Gordon, Cornerback, Projected 3rd Round
Gordon played on the opposite side of McDuffie. Together, the duo made opposing quarterbacks’ lives miserable. Gordon excels more in the slot and up close to the line of scrimmage. He has a very similar skill set of Molden. He’s extremely physical, a hard hitter, and is incredibly effective as a blitzer. At his Pro Day, he’ll need to show he is a more fluid runner in coverage and can keep up with speedy deep-threat receivers. In college, he had trouble keeping up with those types of receivers and this is why he’s considered a 3rd-round prospect as opposed to 1st round like his counterpart. But looking at the Steelers’ board, they should have Gordon as a top priority for their possible slot-cornerback; if all other outside cornerback options are gone.
North Carolina State
Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, Projected 1st Round
Ekwonu is the top-ranked offensive lineman in this year’s draft. Therefore, he’ll be getting a lot of the attention at the NC State Pro Day. Ekwonu is a large swing tackle who will likely line up at the blindside of the line. As a run-blocker, he thrives, as he led the way for a strong 2021 rushing attack for the Wolfpack. Ekwonu will immediately help a lower-tier quarterback feel comfortable in the pocket in an effort to help the entire offense. There are signs pointing Ekwonu will head to the Houston Texans at 4th overall, so I doubt the Steelers will be a viable landing spot. Regardless, expect a lot of reports coming out of Raleigh on Tuesday surrounding Ekwonu.
Zonovan Knight, Running Back, Projected 4th Round
Knight is a tough read as far as a projected ceiling is concerned. After a decent 2019 season, he took a step forward in 2020, only to plateau in 2021. Knight is a tough, physical runner who is looking more like a steady third-down back than a starter. Knight has already proved he can run between the tackles and pick up those tough yards. But where he’ll be looking to improve at his Pro Day is his catching ability. Knight wasn’t used much as a receiver in college and he’ll need to show he’s able to catch passes out of the backfield if he’s looking to improve his draft stock. One other area Knight will be showing is his kick return abilities. With his great straight-line speed, he could be used as a returner, thus adding to his draft value. If things stay the same, Knight is a safe middle-round prospect.
Emeka Emezie, Wide Receiver, Projected 6th Round
Emezie is a big outside receiver who is looking to improve his draft stock at his Pro Day. He’s a tough, physical pass catcher who is able to win 50/50 balls. While he struggles in creating separation on his routes, he’s a fluid route-runner who puts himself in the right position to make a play on the ball. Emezie has a large catch radius and is able to effectively control his body to stay in bounds and make the catch. As a run-blocker, he’s great. He can use his size effectively and hold off cornerbacks getting to the backfield. At his Pro Day, Emezie will need to show he can manage press coverage, create separation early in his routes, and that he has a solid burst off the line. In addition, he’ll need to show his talent can adapt to the NFL game. There were instances in his film where his physicality resulted in him making the contested catch, but looked to also be called as a push-off in today’s NFL. This is certainly coachable, but could play into why he’s considered as a Day 3 prospect at this point.
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..
