As the Draft approaches, its time to bring back my annual preview of prospects with some connection to the Steelers (official visits, mock drafts, etc). The summaries are from NFL.com.
TE Jared Pinkney (Vanderbilt) - 6'4" 257lbs
2019: 20rec/233yds/2TDs
combine: 4.96s 40, 23reps
strengths: Has fluid hips. Sudden hands to snare fastballs underneath. Able to do additional damage after the catch. Tracks & adjusts to the flight path of the ball. Catch radius rescues throws outside his frame. Can locate & land as a move blocker in space.
weaknesses: Lacks a 2nd-gear. Needs to play with better physicality against draping coverage. Allows route timing to be altered by contact. Fails to drive his feet through initial contact as a blocker.
grade: 6.10 (Good backup who could become a starter)
proj: Rd. 5
TE Thaddeus Moss (LSU) - 6'2" 250lbs
2019: 47rec/570yds/4TDs
strengths: Willing to get grimy as a run blocker. Gets into space & adjusts to connect with moving targets. Has tremendous hands & instincts as a pass catcher. Deft footwork for boundary catches. Reliable underneath catches.
weaknesses: Hand placement needs more consistency as a run blocker. Not very sudden getting off of the line. Frequently detoured by press. Same speed rolling in & out of turns. Has sluggish foot quickness getting in & out of breaks.
grade: 5.98 (backup/special teamer)
comp: Mycole Pruitt
proj: Rd. 3
RB La'mical Perine (Florida) - 5'11" 216lbs
2019: 131car/677yds/6TDs, 40rec/262yds/5TDs
combine: 4,62s 40, 22reps, 35" vert
strengths: Patiently steers lead blockers into their targets. Has decisive eyes. Low center of gravity allows for additional balance to defeat arm tackles. Intuitive near the goal line. A core special teams player.
weaknesses: Has a monotone tempo. Lacks desired burst to accelerate. Doesn't re-set rush paths at times. Takes on excessive contact. Needs more technique work in blocking.
grade: 5.96 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rd. 5
TE Adam Trautman (Dayton) - 6'5" 255lbs
2019: 70rec/916yds/14TDs, 1st FCS All-American/Pioneer League OPY
combine: 4.80s 40, 18reps, 34.5" vert
strengths: Gets to top speed quickly. Fights through draping coverage. Accelerates out of breaks. Uses his body positioning to create late catch space. Toughness to consistently catch through contact. Naturally adjusts to the ball. Wins high-point catches.
weaknesses: A limited route tree. Nothing much after the catch. Initial movements as a run blocker out of his stance are manic. Needs to correct hand placement at the point of attack.
grade: 6.20 (Good backup who could become a starter)
proj: Rd. 3
OL Colton McKivitz (West Virginia) - 6'6", 306lbs
2019: 3rd All-American/2nd All-Big 12
combine: 5.35s 40, 20reps, 26" vert
strengths: Adequate range in space. Has feet positioned before engaging. Combination blocks are executed with timing. Upper body power & hand strength secures defenders. Gets under opponent's skin. Ability to limit edge speed with quick-sets.
weaknesses: Displays some tightness in his lower half. Initial pop into run fits is lacking. Radius of power zone appears narrow at the point of attack. Can be too slow to throw big under-hook punches.
grade: 5.99 (backup/special teamer)
comp: Kaleb McGary
proj: Rds. 5-6
OL Darryl Williams (Miss. St) - 6'2" 304lbs
combine: 5.23s 40, 23reps, 25.5" vert
strengths: Flexibility at center & guard. Locates 2nd block on combinations. Alters timing at climbs based upon LB positioning. Good power in underhook punch. Sets vertically to read A-gap blitzes.
weaknesses: Below-average snap-to-step quickness. Not much explosiveness into initial pop. Below-average bend & athletic ability. Unable to move big bodies with leg drive & leverage. Big rushers can run downhill on him.
grade: 5.98 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rd. 3
TE Colby Parkinson (Stanford) - 6'7" 252lbs
2019: 48rec/589yds/1TD, 2nd All-PAC 12
combine: 4.77s 40, 18reps, 32.5" vert
strengths: Strides into routes like a big WR. Crisp breaks with tight turns underneath. Creates route leverage. Plays over safeties. Good focus on challenging catches. Has body control for necessary adjustments downfield.
weaknesses: Not very fiery as a run blocker. Doesn't do much with the block once centered. Inconsistent dealing with contested catches. Allowed safeties to body him.
grade: 6.13 (Good backup who could become a starter)
comp: Mike Gesicki
proj: Rd. 4
S Ashtyn Davis (Cal) - 6'1" 202lbs
2019: 57tckls, 2ints/4PU's, 2FF, 2nd All-PAC 12
combine: 14reps
strengths: Electric chase & recovery speed. Experience at a variety of spots. Smooth backpedal with exceptional closing burst. Disruptive length at the catch point. Alert & energetic in zone coverage. Has toughness. Trigger & demeanor to race into the alley in run support.
weaknesses: Reckless as a downhill tackler. Needs to shorten stride length. Instincts are inconsistent. Has some hip tightness. Peripheral route awareness can be spotty from the deep zone. Needs to play with better contain discipline against zone-read QBs.
grade: 6.33 (Will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
comp: Tyvon Branch
proj: Rd. 3
OT Isaiah Wilson (Georgia) - 6'6" 350lbs
2019: 2nd All-American
combine: 5.32s 40, 26reps, 29" vert
strengths: Hard to negotiate for work-around defenders. Natural movement at the point of attack. Able to seal the gap as a base blocker. Torque power to widen his knees with kick-out blocks. Strong inside jab to stall rush counters.
weaknesses: Diminishing balance as a run blocker. Needs better control & pace. Footwork is a work in progress. Needs to keep his hands inside on base-blocks. Tight hips hinders his range. Has a diminished anchor.
grade: 6.34 (Will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
comp: Phil Loadholt
proj: Rd. 2
WR Lynn Bowden (Kentucky) - 5'11" 204lbs
2019: 185car/1,468yds/13TDs, 30rec/398yds/TD, Paul Hornung Award
combine: 13reps
strengths: Versatile. Has RB value with jet sweep zone reads. Runs with excellent vision & toughness. Slippery but strong with the ball in his hands. Vertical value from the slot. Quick catch & tuck to get upfield after the catch. Fearless, efficient & effective returner.
weaknesses: Feet lacks explosiveness in short spaces. Carries the ball loosely. A one-speed route runner. Route-running is a little dull. Unnatural catching kickoffs & punts.
grade: 6.24 (Good backup who could become a starter)
comp: Randall Cobb
proj: Rd. 3
