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 Marcus Peters - Washington (6'0'', 197lbs)
2014: Suspended/Later dismissed following a sideline incident
Combine: 40-4.53s, 17reps, 37.5in vert jump
Strengths: Fluidity in his hips to flip & run. Tries to intimidate WRs with his physicality. He can redirect talented WRs with his length. Active & disruptive when the ball is in the air. At his best when contesting catches and often comes away the winner on 50/50 throws. Closes on throws with above-average burst and brings some force on contact.
Weaknesses: Has inconsistent footwork and is lose with technique. Lacks the patience in press and will open up early. Can get grabby off the line of scrimmage and downfield when beaten. Overly emotional and prone to mental mistakes because of it. Doesn't take coaching well.
NFL Comp: Aqib Talib
Score: 5.82 (Chance to become a starter)
OLB Max Valles - Virginia (6'5'', 251lbs)
2014: 3rd team All-ACC, led team with 9scks
Combine: 40-4.83s, 36.5in vert jump
Strengths: Uses leverage and snaps in his hips to withstand power against much larger blockers at the point of attack. Has all the tools to become a good edge-setter as a pro. He's too strong for most TEs to block. Has plus burst to the ball when its in his sight. Has athleticism to dip his shoulder and turn a tight corner. Has rare timing to deflect passes at the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Shows very little instinct as a DE or LB. He won't always pursue the ball carrier with a revved motor. Doesn't utilize proper footwork and angles to attempt tackles at times.
NFL Comp: Aaron Lynch
Score: 5.42 (Backup/Special Teams potential)
FS Cody Prewitt - Ole Miss (6'2'', 208lbs)
2014: 1st team All-SEC, 2nd team All-American
Combine: 40-4.60s, 11reps, 35in vert jump
Strengths: He'll squat on routes to tighten throwing lanes. Doesn't panic in zone coverage. He surprises with closing burst on the ball. He's steady as a center fielder. True to his back-side responsibilities in the run game. Has shown to have good hands.
Weaknesses: Uses a high backpedal and doesn't have the juice to explode, needs a buildup. Has average feet and is much better straight line than laterally. Can get exposed when asked to play man coverage in space.
NFL Comp: Phillip Thomas
Score: 5.29 (Backup/Special Teams potential)
TE Jesse James - Penn St (6'7'', 261lbs)
2014: Honorable All-Big 10, Led PSU TEs with 11 career TDs
Combine: 40-4.83s, 26reps, 37.5in vert jump
Strengths: Has flashed some straight line speed in space. Will turn quickly to find throws. Works to the open space against zone coverage. He can go up and over smaller defenders in the red zone as a split end.
Weaknesses: Gets very limited separation against man coverage. Does just enough as a run blocker. He doesn't handle power & movement in space as well as he needs to as a blocker. Will try to run through defenders rather than adjusting the route.
NFL Comp: Phillip Supernaw
Score: 5.18 (Better than average chance to make the roster)
OG Tre' Jackson - Florida St (6'4'', 330lbs)
2014: Unanimous All-American, 1st team All-ACC
Combine: 40-5.52s, 25in vert jump
Strengths: Has leverage & strength to stand and steer defenders in confined spaces. Power to jolt in his hands. Shows recovery ability when beaten in the run game. Has an aggressive play demeanor. Can take a stand when being bull-rushed.
Weaknesses: Loses his feet sliding to pick up rushers. Will duck his head into blocks on contact. Limited effectiveness in space. Too reliant on size over skill.
NFL Comp: Justin Blalock
Score: 5.70 (Chance to become a starter)
RB Jeremy Langford - Michigan St (6'0'', 208lbs)
2014: Honorable All-Big 10
Combine: 40-4.42s, 34.5in vert jump
Strengths: Has previously played WR & CB. Has burst around the corner and can separate from LBs in pursuit. Will square up blitzers and take them on in pass protection. Has blocking & pass catching talent to play on 3rd downs. Has a good spin move and plus lateral foot quickness. Maintains balance through contact.
Weaknesses: Not a physical runner. Lacks commitment through the tackles. Can look to take runs outside prematurely.
NFL Comp: Donald Brown
Score: 5.40 (Backup/Special Teams potential)
SS Ibraheim Campbell - Northwestern (5'11'', 208lbs)
Combine: 23reps
Strengths: Aggressive tendencies near the football. He springs into his tackles with authority. Does his job in run support, playing with leverage against perimeter runs & containment on the back side. Can mirror RB movement to shadow & hit. Adequate in range and man coverage skills underneath.
Weaknesses: Can take too long to make an initial read on play-action and drop into coverage. Has issues with dual focus on the QB and his coverage responsibilities. Will lose track of his coverage, leading to big plays. Has an average closing burst. Has had a number of missed tackles in his collegiate career.
NFL Comp: Duke Ihenacho
Score: 5.11 (Better than average chance to make the roster)
CB P.J Williams - Florida St (6'0'', 194lbs)
2014: 2nd team All-ACC
Combine: 40-4.57s, 12reps, 40in vert jump
Strengths: Able to face up and handle business from press coverage. A bump & run specialist. Has length & strength to put a WR into detour mode off the jam. Able to turn, run and close. Able to get on top of vertical routes and smother. Can carry speed down the field. Outstanding timing and ball skills to knock throws away. A sure tackler in open space with a 2nd gear to explode into ball carriers.
Weaknesses: Opens himself up to easy comebacks. Won't be able to consistently jam savvy NFL WRs off the line. His motor runs hot & cold. Inconsistent to step downhill and attack the run.
NFL Comp: Stephen Gilmore
Score: 5.86 (Chance to become a starter)
CB Ronald Darby - Florida St (5'11'', 193lbs)
2014: 3rd team All-ACC, Allowed just a 41.9% of completions his way
Combine: 40-4.38s, 12reps, 41.5in vert jump
Strengths: Can change directions suddenly with few false steps. Has body control to handle the strain of press-man coverage. Plays with instinct and awareness. Ready to come off his man and overlap & contest a catch or make a tackle. Recognizes route developments and makes easy breaks on throws. QBs often avoided him in college. He steps downhill and attacks against the run.
Weaknesses: Susceptible to inside releases, with feet stuttering before transitioning to close distances on loose WRs. Needs improvement with his back to the ball. Opens the door for comebacks underneath. He isn't a hitter. Gets muscled by bigger WRs. Prefers to hit with his helmet over wrapping up against RBs. Loses INTs to his below average hands.
NFL Comp: Jonathan Joseph
Score: 5.86 (Chance to become a starter)
DE Nate Orchard - Utah (6'3'', 250lbs)
2014: Tied FBS and school record with 18.5scks, 2nd team All-American, 1st team All-PAC 12, Won the Ted Hendricks Award (top DE)
Combine: 40-4.80s, 31.5in vert jump
Strengths: Has good foot quickness. Offensive Tackles struggle to handle his inside move. At his best as a squared-up runner with a 2-way go. Has seamless coordination of his hands & feet as a rusher. Smooth hips to backpedal into space or turn & run laterally. Has the ability to discard and make plays against the run. Shows ability to use his hands to help him win quickly.
Weaknesses: Not much of a factor against the run. Will get engulfed at the point of attack. Not consistent enough as an edge-setter. He wins with foot quickness and effort over skill & counter moves. A little tight in the hips and rounds the corner rather than turns into it.
NFL Comp: Trent Cole
Score: 5.69 (Chance to become a starter)
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