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In the midst of what has been a crazy NFL free agency period, 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 new NFL year, 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 I think the Steelers have on their watch list this week:
Justyn Ross, Wide Receiver, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
After not participating in drills at the combine, Ross is slated to work out for NFL scouts at the Clemson Pro Day. Ross is currently sitting as the 7th-best wide receiver in this year’s draft and is a clear day-one NFL starter. The Steelers have wide receiver very high on their draft priority list and Ross will be available to them; it is just a matter of if he’ll still be around for the Steelers’ second-round selection.
Mario Goodrich, Cornerback, Projected 4th Round
I think we can all agree that the Steelers are looking to deepen their secondary through this year’s draft. Depending on how long they plan to address that, Goodrich may fall into their lap. He plays best in zone coverage, is not afraid to make a tackle, and has great ball skills. Andrew Booth Jr. gets a lot of NFL attention, and rightfully so, but Goodrich would be a nice rotational player to whomever drafts him.
(Note: Andrew Booth Jr. is included on my watch list, but he is rehabbing a strained quad he suffered at the combine and will not be participating in the Clemson Pro Day)
Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Line, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
Jordan Davis, Defensive Line, Projected 1st Round
Nakobe Dean, Inside Linebacker, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
Quay Walker, Inside Linebacker, Projected 2nd Round
Lewis Cine, Safety, Projected 3rd Round
George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Projected 2nd Round
Derion Kendrick, Cornerback, Projected 2nd Round
To be candid, the Steelers are going to be watching the entire Georgia roster at their Pro Day. I only included six of approximately 13 notable prospects to watch. Reports on Wednesday morning confirmed Head Coach Mike Tomlin, General Manager Kevin Colbert, and new Linebackers Coach Brian Flores are in attendance and met with Davis and Dean as well. We saw Davis and Wyatt put on a show at the combine and we should watch how they follow up. Tomlin has been showing a lot of favoritism towards Pickens and was looking on like a proud father during his workout. Therefore, I’m keeping an eye on Pickens, Dean, Cine, and Kendrick, simply because those positions are a higher need than defensive line for the Steelers in the earlier rounds. Regardless, expect a lot of noise coming out of Athens, Georgia on Wednesday.
Connor Heyward, Tight End, Projected 6th to 7th Round
Heyward features a unique skillset in being a running back converted into a tight end. He had a good showing at the combine, but he’s looking to build on that at the Michigan State Pro Day on Wednesday. Heyward would be a great Swiss-Army-Knife player in the right offense. As of right now, he sits as a late third-day selection.
Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver, Projected 5th Round
Nailor tested extremely well at the combine. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and was nearly flawless in the other drills. With this year’s draft being so robust at wide receiver, this will force Nailor to wait until the third day to be called, but he could still be an instant starter. He’d play more on the outside, but has the athleticism, agility, and explosiveness to groom him to become a slot receiver. We’ll be watching how he follows up his great combine performance and if he can improve his draft stock.
Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Projected 2nd Round
Being a 2021 Heisman Finalist, Walker III is one of the best running backs featured in this year’s draft. He possesses a unique skillset of speed mixed with physicality and elusiveness. For the Steelers, Walker III would be considered as the ‘lighting’ to Najee Harris’ ‘thunder’ and they’d make a great tandem in the backfield. No matter where Walker III lands, NFL scouts already assume him to be a day-one starter and will watch him on Wednesday to solidify that notion.
Aiden Hutchinson, Edge, Projected 1st Round
Hutchinson is one of the most sought-after defensive players in this year’s draft. As a Heisman Finalist in 2021, he was a game-wrecker and built an impressive resume in doing so. Hutchinson put up freakishly-athletic numbers at the combine and confirmed he is a true top-5 pick in the draft. He is set to work out in front of NFL scouts and coaches this week to prove his case to be the first-overall pick in the draft.
Daxton Hill, Safety, Projected 3rd Round
Hill is one of the most versatile defensive backs in this year’s draft. He can play centerfield and make plays on the ball wherever he is. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in tackling and plays with a great physicality. Hill tested well at the combine, including a speedy 4.38-second 40-yard dash. He’s a true sideline-to-sideline defensive player and can be coached to become a great NFL free safety.
David Ojabo, Edge, Projected Early 2nd Round
Lining up opposite of Hutchinson, Ojabo was the other half of Michigan’s top-ranked pass rush in 2021. Although he doesn’t have a lot of college starts under his belt, he has one of the highest ceilings of the draft. Ojabo tested very well at the combine and is pushing to boost his draft stock at his Pro Day. Ojabo has the necessary speed, strength, length, and explosiveness NFL defenses love and is a clear day-one starter wherever he goes. For the Steelers, he’d be brought in to compete with Alex Highsmith, but that is assuming Ojabo falls to the 52nd overall spot, which I don’t think will happen.
Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Projected Late 4th to 5th Round
Haskins would be a great compliment to Harris in the Steelers’ backfield. He’s a downhill, physical runner and can also pass block. Haskins tested well at the combine and let everyone know he is a true “power back” and is a hard worker. I do not think it is out of the question to say that there is a good chance of the Steelers calling Haskins if he shows well at their Pro Day. He’ll be available in the later rounds and the Steelers need to bolster their depth at running back for 2022. Haskins could play a big part in that.
As we move closer to more Pro Days, 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 me know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Clemson, Thursday, March 17th
Justyn Ross, Wide Receiver, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
After not participating in drills at the combine, Ross is slated to work out for NFL scouts at the Clemson Pro Day. Ross is currently sitting as the 7th-best wide receiver in this year’s draft and is a clear day-one NFL starter. The Steelers have wide receiver very high on their draft priority list and Ross will be available to them; it is just a matter of if he’ll still be around for the Steelers’ second-round selection.
Mario Goodrich, Cornerback, Projected 4th Round
I think we can all agree that the Steelers are looking to deepen their secondary through this year’s draft. Depending on how long they plan to address that, Goodrich may fall into their lap. He plays best in zone coverage, is not afraid to make a tackle, and has great ball skills. Andrew Booth Jr. gets a lot of NFL attention, and rightfully so, but Goodrich would be a nice rotational player to whomever drafts him.
(Note: Andrew Booth Jr. is included on my watch list, but he is rehabbing a strained quad he suffered at the combine and will not be participating in the Clemson Pro Day)
University of Georgia, Wednesday, March 16th
Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Line, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
Jordan Davis, Defensive Line, Projected 1st Round
Nakobe Dean, Inside Linebacker, Projected Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
Quay Walker, Inside Linebacker, Projected 2nd Round
Lewis Cine, Safety, Projected 3rd Round
George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Projected 2nd Round
Derion Kendrick, Cornerback, Projected 2nd Round
To be candid, the Steelers are going to be watching the entire Georgia roster at their Pro Day. I only included six of approximately 13 notable prospects to watch. Reports on Wednesday morning confirmed Head Coach Mike Tomlin, General Manager Kevin Colbert, and new Linebackers Coach Brian Flores are in attendance and met with Davis and Dean as well. We saw Davis and Wyatt put on a show at the combine and we should watch how they follow up. Tomlin has been showing a lot of favoritism towards Pickens and was looking on like a proud father during his workout. Therefore, I’m keeping an eye on Pickens, Dean, Cine, and Kendrick, simply because those positions are a higher need than defensive line for the Steelers in the earlier rounds. Regardless, expect a lot of noise coming out of Athens, Georgia on Wednesday.
Michigan State, Wednesday, March 16th
Connor Heyward, Tight End, Projected 6th to 7th Round
Heyward features a unique skillset in being a running back converted into a tight end. He had a good showing at the combine, but he’s looking to build on that at the Michigan State Pro Day on Wednesday. Heyward would be a great Swiss-Army-Knife player in the right offense. As of right now, he sits as a late third-day selection.
Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver, Projected 5th Round
Nailor tested extremely well at the combine. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and was nearly flawless in the other drills. With this year’s draft being so robust at wide receiver, this will force Nailor to wait until the third day to be called, but he could still be an instant starter. He’d play more on the outside, but has the athleticism, agility, and explosiveness to groom him to become a slot receiver. We’ll be watching how he follows up his great combine performance and if he can improve his draft stock.
Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Projected 2nd Round
Being a 2021 Heisman Finalist, Walker III is one of the best running backs featured in this year’s draft. He possesses a unique skillset of speed mixed with physicality and elusiveness. For the Steelers, Walker III would be considered as the ‘lighting’ to Najee Harris’ ‘thunder’ and they’d make a great tandem in the backfield. No matter where Walker III lands, NFL scouts already assume him to be a day-one starter and will watch him on Wednesday to solidify that notion.
University of Michigan, Friday, March 18th
Aiden Hutchinson, Edge, Projected 1st Round
Hutchinson is one of the most sought-after defensive players in this year’s draft. As a Heisman Finalist in 2021, he was a game-wrecker and built an impressive resume in doing so. Hutchinson put up freakishly-athletic numbers at the combine and confirmed he is a true top-5 pick in the draft. He is set to work out in front of NFL scouts and coaches this week to prove his case to be the first-overall pick in the draft.
Daxton Hill, Safety, Projected 3rd Round
Hill is one of the most versatile defensive backs in this year’s draft. He can play centerfield and make plays on the ball wherever he is. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in tackling and plays with a great physicality. Hill tested well at the combine, including a speedy 4.38-second 40-yard dash. He’s a true sideline-to-sideline defensive player and can be coached to become a great NFL free safety.
David Ojabo, Edge, Projected Early 2nd Round
Lining up opposite of Hutchinson, Ojabo was the other half of Michigan’s top-ranked pass rush in 2021. Although he doesn’t have a lot of college starts under his belt, he has one of the highest ceilings of the draft. Ojabo tested very well at the combine and is pushing to boost his draft stock at his Pro Day. Ojabo has the necessary speed, strength, length, and explosiveness NFL defenses love and is a clear day-one starter wherever he goes. For the Steelers, he’d be brought in to compete with Alex Highsmith, but that is assuming Ojabo falls to the 52nd overall spot, which I don’t think will happen.
Hassan Haskins, Running Back, Projected Late 4th to 5th Round
Haskins would be a great compliment to Harris in the Steelers’ backfield. He’s a downhill, physical runner and can also pass block. Haskins tested well at the combine and let everyone know he is a true “power back” and is a hard worker. I do not think it is out of the question to say that there is a good chance of the Steelers calling Haskins if he shows well at their Pro Day. He’ll be available in the later rounds and the Steelers need to bolster their depth at running back for 2022. Haskins could play a big part in that.
As we move closer to more Pro Days, 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 me know in the comment section below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
