2017 Steelers Draft Preview: Part 1

Believe it or not, the 2017 NFL Draft is well on its way, with the combine and pro days behind us. Like in prior years, I've put together a list of players who could be dressing up in the black and gold come the '17 season. These players are connected either through mock drafts (mainly Bleacher Report's Matt Miller), or Steelers visits. The profiles are summarized from NFL.com.

DE Charles Harris - Missouri   (6'3'', 253lbs)

2016: 2nd All-B12, 12TFL/9scks

Combine: 4.82s 40/ 21reps/ 32in vert jump

Strengths: Has loose, fluid hips. Explodes out of his stance.Good first step quickness. Plays with energy through the whistle. Athletic, long strides in the open. An effective spin move, uses early speed to power to create movement before attacking tackle's inside shoulder. Showed some ability to drop into space.

Weaknesses: Gives ground on the edge and can be widened out of his run fit. Hands must get better at the point of attack. Plays with slow reaction time to counters and misdirection, can lose track of the ball. Slows to activate his counter spin back inside.

Comp: Connor Barwin

Grade: 6.0 (Chance to become a good starter)

CB Adoree' Jackson - USC (5'10'', 186lbs)

2016: Thorpe Award, All-American/PAC-12, 5INTS/ 11PBUs/ 4 return TDs

Combine: 4.42 40/ 36in vert jump

Strengths: Shows greater pattern recognition and is able to maintain coverage around the field. Plays in a variety of coverage techniques. Able to mirror and match from the press. Features a closing burst. Excellent ball skills with well-timed leaps and aggressive tactics at the catch point. A consistent tackler. Has high end return talent.

Weaknesses: Might be limited to just work in the slot. Very slight hitch in transition going forward from his pedal. Can be leveraged when without safety help. 

Comp: Jonathan Joseph

Grade: 5.89 (Could become an early starter)

G Dorian Johnson - Pittsburgh (6'5", 300lbs)

2016: 1st All-ACC

Combine: 5.27 40/ 21reps/ 30in vert jump

Strengths: Solid when asked to play in space. Plays with a leg drive as a run blocker. Operates with quality balance. Accurate radar in seeking out second level targets. Excels on short pulls. Sets up with a good base & anchor in pass protection.

Weaknesses: At times is too aggressive when he moves up to the second level. Needs to improve patience on his climb. Needs to let his hands go more quickly in the run game.

Comp: Jack Mewhort

Grade: 5.83 (could become an early starter)

RB Samaje Perine - Oklahoma (5'11", 233lbs)

2016: 1,060yds/12 TDs, 2nd All-B12

Combine: 4.65 40/ 30reps/ 33in vert jump

Strengths: Toughness to handle a heavy workload. Very powerful through his hips & thighs. Drives through initial contact. Decisive in downhill charge.

Weaknesses: Lacks loose hips to make sudden lateral escapes. Doesn't have a big first to third level burst. Needs a clear path, plays speed is very average. Could have trouble getting to the edge.

Comp: Michael Turner

Grade: 5.64 (backup/eventual starter)

OLB Deon Hollins - UCLA (6'0, 230lbs)

Strengths: Very good slant quickness to disrupt blocking assignments. Can be tough to redirect  as a pass rusher. Good change of direction to charge scrambling QBs.

Weaknesses: Appears to be without a true position. Had a dramatic reduction in playing time. A grab & hold tackler. Gets pulverized when tackles center him up.

Grade: 4.85

OLB Ryan Anderson - Alabama (6'2", 253lbs)

2016: 1st All-SEC, 61tckls/ 19TFL/ 1INT - TD/ 9scks

Combine: 4.78 40

Strengths: Disciplined in assignments. Has NFL-caliber hand work. Possesses a sturdy edge, relentless charge as a pass rusher. Leverages runners to the sideline. A tackle finisher.

Weaknesses: Lacks desired pursuit speed. Hips are a little stiff and he lacks plus range of motion. Missing desired traits consistent of NFL pass rushers. Can flatten out as a rusher.

Comp: Ahmad Brooks

Grade: 5.89 (Could become an early starter)

WR Carlos Henderson - Louisiana Tech (5'11", 199lbs)

2016: 82rec/ 1,535yds/ 19TDs

Combine: 4.46 40/ 13reps/ 36in vert jump

Strengths: Maintains play speed through directional route changes. Can elevate his catch focus. Sells double moves. Can dip to adjust to low throws. Competitive runner after the catch. Can slip the first tackle and power through the second. Has return skills.

Weaknesses: Short strider. Play speed is inconsistent. Too reliant upon speed & talent over fundamentals. Tight hipped and average at changing directions. Below average ball tracking on deep throws. Waits on throws rather than come back.

Comp: Quinton Patton

Grade: 5.52 (backup/eventual starter) 

QB Brad Kaaya - Miami (6'4", 214lbs)

2016: 62% compl, 3,532yds, 27TDs/ 7INTs

Strengths: Pro style pocket passer. Has ability to read the entire field. Throws to an area in front of the route when blitzed. Rarely takes unnecessary risks throwing into space. A rhythm passer. Well-timed climbs and slides to maneuver away from pressure.Footwork is consistent. Throws on balance with an easy delivery.

Weaknesses: Will rush throws into tight windows. Passes can sail. Consistently poor accuracy on intermediate work. Under-throws deep throws. Throws hang in the air, or nose-dive prematurely field side. Lacks improvisational skills on the move. Lacks mobility outside the pocket and will give into pressure.

Comp: Cody Kessler

Grade: 5.59 (backup/eventual starter)   

CB Cameron Sutton - Tennessee (5'11", 188lbs)

2016: 23tckls/2 TFL, 1INT/4PBUs

Combine: 4.52 40/ 11reps/ 34in vert jump

Strengths: Man-cover corner with feet to mirror & match off the line of scrimmage. Desired fluidity of movement with ability to open and run from backpedal. Good acceleration. Soft hands and smart angles to the ball. Punt-return talent.

Weaknesses: Too passive in press coverage. Plays a little tall in backpedal. Issues with his back to the QB, late to turn and find the ball. Unreliable in run support.

Comp: B.W Webb

Grade: 5.72 (Could become an early starter)