2015 Steelers Draft Prospects: Part 1

With the 2015 NFL Draft approaching, its time for another installment of the Steelers draft prospect series. As with last year, I'll profile draft prospects who have been connected to the Steelers, through mock drafts or visits/workouts. The profiles come from nfl.com.

CB Trae Waynes - Michigan St  (6'0'', 186lbs)   

2014: 1st team All-Big 10, Semifinalist for the Thorpe Award. 3 INTs, 8 breakups, 46 tckls

Combine: 40- 4,31s, 19reps, 38in vert jump

Strengths: Trae loves man to man coverage. He's allowed just 2 TDs in the last 2 seasons. A bump & run specialist. He excels in deep coverage and has acceleration to contest any throw. He runs through targets and is a wrap up tackler.

Weaknesses: He would grab receivers at the top of the route at times during college. Struggles to mirror and match against quickness. His hips & feet get clumsy in transition.

NFL Comp: Antonio Cromartie

Score: 6.38 (Should become an instant starter)

CB Jalen Collins - LSU  (6'1'', 203lbs)

2014: Played all 13 games, Led LSU with 10 passes defensed
Combine: 40- 4.48s, 36in vert jump
Strengths: Has a rare combination of height, weight & speed. Uses soft bouncy feet to change direction and drive instantly on throws. He has desired awareness in the zone with extended playmaking range. Has the speed to come across the field to chase down a loose RB or WR. Is a leaper with the ability to challenge and win 50/50 throws.
Weaknesses: Only had 10 career starts. Plays with talent over technique. He's more of a straight-line burner than a fluid, change of direction athlete. He's inconsistent to turn and find/track the ball. Can hit with force but doesn't go out of his way looking for it.
NFL Comp: Terence Newman
Score: 6.32 (Should become an instant starter)

FS Gerod Holliman - Louisville  (6'0'', 218lbs)

2014: Won the Thorpe Award, 1st Team All-American, Led FBS with 14 INTs

Combine: 17reps

Strengths: He lights up when the QB looks his way. Has a smooth backpedal and fluid hips to mirror & matches slot receivers. He understands route concepts and reads QBs. A chance taker who can swing momentum. Can run through receivers with big hits, or play the ball at the catch point. He can play with sudden movements in space.

Weaknesses: Was he a 1 year wonder? Can be moved around the field by QBs looking him off. He sits on play-action a shade too long. An atrocious tackler, he's slow to break down in space and lacks balance & base when tackling.

NFL Comp: Jairus Byrd 

Score: 5.34 (Backup or special-teams potential)

CB Alex Carter - Stanford  (6'0'', 196lbs)

2014: Honorable Mention All-Pac 12

Combine: 40- 4.51s, 17reps, 40in vert jump

Strengths: Has aggressive effort to redirect receivers off the line. Shows patience from press coverage and doesn't open up his hips too quickly. A physical tackler willing to step downhill, shed the block & throw his body in a tackle. Tries to maul the receiver at the point of the catch in order to disrupt. He was matched up against NFL ready WRs at Stanford

Weaknesses: Struggles to mirror & match in man coverage against more sophisticated routes. He lacks fluidity in his hips & feet for quick recovery. He appears to lack some confidence in deep coverage. Can be a head dropper as a perimeter tackler, losing sight of his target.

NFL Comp: David Amerson

Score: 5.50 (Chance to become a starter)

CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - Oregon  (5'9'', 192lbs)

2014: All-American, 1st Team All-Pac 12, Thorpe Award finalist, Suffered season ending knee injury in December

Strengths: A very fluid mover, he's instinctive & alert. Adjusts on the fly as the play unfolds. He doesn't shy away from tackling. He tracks the ball effectively and has plus ball skills. Aggressive for his size in press coverage. 

Weaknesses: An unorthodox defender who rarely relies in technique. Gets in trouble trying to bait throws. He spends too much time trying to read QBs & jumps routes. Can get wild & lose techniques as a tackler.

NFL Comp: Alterraun Verner

Score: 5.57 (Chance to become a starter)

CB Kevin Johnson - Wake Forest  (6'0'', 188lbs)

2014: 2nd Team All-ACC, 44 tckls, Allowed just 24 completions

Combine: 40- 4.52s, 41.5in vert jump

Strengths: Very natural in man coverage. Has the feet & discipline to play square and mirror against complex routes. He's disruptive in press coverage, alters routes and slows receivers. Flips hips & accelerates against vertical routes. Has athleticism and enough speed to recover when beaten. He supports against the run.

Weaknesses: He gets fooled by head fakes downfield and turned around too often. He's late to turn & find the ball at times. Shows too much respect to deep speed and allows separation. He was also often penalized.

NFL Comp: Sam Shields

Score: 5.93 (Chance to become a starter)

 

DE Owanagbe Odighizuwa - UCLA  (6'3'', 267lbs)

2014: 2nd Team All-Pac 12, 11.5 TFL, 6 sacks

Combine: 40- 4.62s, 25reps, 39in vert jump

Strengths: Strong off the point of attack. He plays with a desired anchor and strong lower body. A run defender who can chase down creases. Has the potential to convert speed to power. He never gives up on a pass rush. He can play a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.

Weaknesses: He's not skilled as a pass rusher. He has some durability concerns. His range in pursuit is questionable. Could be mismatched if forced to cover in space.

NFL Comp: Sam Acho

Score: 5.79 (Chance to become a starter)

SS Jordan Richards - Stanford  (5'11'', 211lbs)

2014: 1st Team All-Pac 12

Combine: 40- 4.65s, 13reps, 32in vert jump

Strengths: Good hands to make difficult INTs. Attacks the ball at high point. Has extended range in run support and doesn't mind the physical side of the position. Has the secondary motor for extended pursuit.

Weaknesses: Displays obvious coverage limitations. Has marginal recovery speed. He struggles in man coverage. Can be grabby at the top of the route. Needs improvement as a wrap up tackler.

NFL Comp: Kurt Coleman

Score: 5.22 (Backup or special teams potential)