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.
WR K.J Hill (Ohio St) - 6', 196lbs
2019: 57rec/636yds/10TDs, Honorable All-Big 10
combine: 4.6s 40, 17reps, 32.5" vert
strengths: Had consistent production & performance levels. Disciplined to hide route intentions. Able to run an extensive route tree. A willing worker into the middle. Reliable, sticky hands makes catches outside his frame look easy.
weaknesses: Marginal suddenness for quick separation underneath. Initial upfield push lacks threatening quality. One-note route speed. Not overly dynamic when he has the ball. Needs to sense when to work back to the ball.
comp: DaeSean Hamilton
grade: 5.99 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rd. 4
LB/S Khaleke Hudson (Michigan) - 5'11", 224lbs
2019: 102 tckls (3.5TFLs), 2scks, 3PU's, 2nd All-Big 10
combine: 4.56s 40, 30reps, 33" vert
strengths: Early run diagnosis triggers race to beat blockers to the spot. Downhill flows into gaps looking for work. Tremendous burst out of his stance as a punt-blocker. Twitchy, short-area change of direction in space.
weaknesses: Frequently pin-balled around by blockers. Has to work overtime to pull away from blocks. Lacks length & pattern anticipation for man coverage. Average response time to what he sees in the zone.
grade: 5.46 (priority free agent)
proj: Rd. 6
RB Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) - 5'10", 226lbs
2019: 320car/2,003yds/21TDs, 26rec/252yds/5TDs. Doak Walker Award, 1st AP All-American
combine: 4.39s 40, 17reps, 36" vert
strengths: Allows lead blockers to eat. Sinks, plants & cuts with one-cut talent. Burst around corner outpaces pursuit. Has breakaway gear. Balances through contact for extra yardage. Can make something out of nothing.
weaknesses: Wear & tear could be a concern. Had some fumble problems. Lacks fluid jump-cuts. Anticipates 2nd-level moves instead of splitting defenders. Elevated drop total as a pass catcher. Not a powerful pile mover in tight quarters.
comp: Ryan Matthews (w/ durability)
grade: 6.41 (will be starter within first 2 seasons)
proj: Rds. 1-2
DL Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma) - 6'2", 304lbs
2019: 30tckls (7.5TFLs), 4scks, 2FFs, 3rd AP All-American/ 2nd All- Big 12
combine: 4.79s 40, 23reps
strengths: Never takes plays off. Above-average snap quickness. Works to find edge as a nose rusher. Able to force his way in once he gets under the edge. Hustles to chase RBs. Always looking for work.
weaknesses: Allows blockers to play under his pads. Unable to defend & anchor against down blocks. Lacks desired coordination & body control. Ends up on the ground too often. Inconsistent hands to counter & shed blocks. Fails to create momentum despite initial quickness & pop.
comp: Quinton Jefferson
grade: 6.00 (developmental-traits prospect)
proj: Rds. 1-2
TE Hunter Bryant (Washington) - 6'2", 248lbs
2019: 52rec/825yds/3TDs, John Mackey Award Finalist, 2nd AP All-American/ 1st All-Pac 12
combine: 4.74s 40, 23reps, 32.5" vert
strengths: Above-average burst into routes. Outruns LBs. Has impressive ball skills. Goes up & over trailing defenders. Focuses through the catch. Hands are sudden, safe & strong. Has the speed to weave around tacklers & tack on yards.
weaknesses: Needs to take smarter angles on wall-off blocks. Some potential press coverage issues. Double moves & complex routes bog him down. His routes can bring closing safeties into play. Has a knee injury history.
comp: Jordan Reed
grade: 6.15 (Good backup who could become a starter)
proj: Rd. 4
WR James Proche (SMU) - 5'11", 201lbs
2019: 111rec/1,225yds/15TDs, 1st All-AAC
combine: 20reps, 34.5" vert
strengths: Stacks & shields coverage. A good win rate on contested catches. Calm eyes keep CBs guessing. Ball tracking & late adjustments are special. Last-second space creator to the back shoulder. Able to make one-handed circus catches.
weaknesses: Lacks desired suddenness against press. Strides are tight & restrictive. Excessive steps into top of routes. His routes are rounded. Below-average vertical speed.
grade: 5.93 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rds. 4-5
WR Collin Johnson (Texas) - 6'6", 222lbs
2019: 38rec/559yds/3TDs
combine: 17reps
strengths: Uses his hands to diminish press jabs. Physical at the top of routes. Uses length to create late catch space. Flashes an ability to make circus catches. Makes high-point catches look easy. Secures throws. Uses his size for big initial punch as a run blocker.
weaknesses: Gawky short-area movements in underneath routes. Not elusive after the catch. Lacks separation burst. Routes are too one-speed. Needs to impose his size on opponents.
comp: Auden Tate
grade: 5.95 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rds. 3-4
WR Denzel Mims (Baylor) - 6'3", 207lbs
2019: 66rec/1,020yds/12TDs, 1st All-Big 12
combine: 4.38s 40, 16reps, 38.5" vert
strengths: Leverages CBs out of in-breaking routes. Has build-up speed. Effective locating & adjusting to the throw. Focus sharpens on 50-50 throws. Full-body extension offers a vast catch radius. Size & length to become a more potent stalk-blocker in space.
weaknesses: Early push upfield is dull and lacks urgency. Has a slow gather. Routes lack focus. Allows coverage to crowd routes & contested catches. Needs to be more physical at top of routes. Has a history of drops.
comp: Tre'Quan Smith
grade: 6.33 (will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
proj: Rds. 1-2
TE Stephen Sullivan (LSU) - 6'5", 248lbs
2019: 12rec/130yds
combine: 4.66s 40, 36.5" vert
strengths: Body control & adjustments to block in space. Footwork to mirror & sustain his blocks. Fires into outside CBs with good force. Frame & toughness to protect the catch into collisions. He can high-point it over coverage.
weaknesses: Hands are wide & grabby at the point of attack. Not enough power to secure base blocks. Sluggish in & out of breaks from the slot. Needs to play to his speed potential. Can do better working back to the ball.
grade: 5.49 (priority free agent)
proj: Rd. 6
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