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.
OG Logan Sternberg (Kentucky) - 6'6" 317lbs
2019: 2nd All-SEC
combine: 5.30s 40, 26" vert
strengths: Uses grip strength & determination for additional block sustain. Plays with an edge. Good awareness & set-up to snap & catch twisting defenders. Has a tight-stiff punch. He works hard at improving position post-contact.
weaknesses: Looks to get away with excessive sneak-holds. High center of gravity diminishes his ability to move defenders. Average hand quickness. Could struggle to protect the edge in pass protection.
grade: 5.98 (backup/special teamer)
projection: Rd. 3
DT Raequan Williams (Michigan St.) - 6'4" 308lbs
2019: 48tckls (7.5TFLs), 5scks, 2PU's, 3rd All-Big 10
combine: 5.04s 40, 17reps, 25.5" vert
strengths: Very versatile. Big lateral slide step to skip across the center's face. Jab & counter footwork to open the edge. Active hands as a rusher. Effective arm-over inside counter. Creates downhill bull-rush momentum.
weaknesses: Slow-moving off the snap. Crushed by angle blocks. Struggles with double teams. Unable to get rid of blocks quickly. Has poor vision & awareness of the ball. Doesn't keep his feet low to the ground on lateral movements.
grade: 5.86 (backup/special teamer)
projection: Rd. 6
S Jordan Fuller (Ohio St.) - 6'2" 203lbs
2019: 62tckls, 2ints, 4PUs, 1st All-Big 10
combine: 4.67s 40, 35.5" vert
strengths: Can cover TEs. Hurries downhill to cut off angles. Has reactive athleticism. Maintains depth integrity. Can track & attack downfield. Has leadership traits on and off the field.
weaknesses: Heavy legged backpedal. Lacks desired range & long speed. Manipulated out of position by the QB. Gets lost at route stems in space. Has man coverage issues. Needs to run through tackle attempts.
grade: 5.62 (Chance to make end of roster or practice squad)
proj: Rd. 6-PFA
CB Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn) - 5'10" 198lbs
2019: 42tckls (1TFL), 7PUs, return TD
combine: 4.48s 40, 15reps, 37" vert
strengths: Explosive athleticism. Treats press jam like a sparring session. Instant acceleration to open & chase. Low center of gravity for quicker change of direction. Aggressive challenge diminishes WR's focus at the catch point. Hands force incompletions. Good balance & radar as an open-field tackler.
weaknesses: Lacks natural footwork. Inconsistent mirroring release. Eye balance between the QB & WR is lacking. Lacks finesse. Panic sets in with his back to the ball. Had interference problems. Needs to lower his target aim.
grade: 6.29 (Good backup who could become a starter)
comp: Darqueze Dennard
proj: Rd. 2
RB Javon Leake (Maryland) - 6' 215lbs
2019: 102car/736yds/8TDs, 9rec/55yds, Honorable All-Big 10
combine: 4.65s 40, 34" vert
strengths: Feet are springy & explosive. Runs with good instincts. Processes defense quickly without slowing. Plays with quick gather-and-cut footwork. Loose hips held elude open-field tackles. A return specialist.
weaknesses: Some hesitation as a gap runner. Has a narrow base. Tries to take runs wide open even when outflanked. Not a pile mover. Poor ball security. Engages in pass protection with helmet & shoulder rather than hands.
grade: 5.92 (backup/special teamer)
comp: Tevin Coleman
proj: Rds. 6-7
OG Damien Lewis (LSU) - 6'2" 327lbs
2019: 2nd All-SEC, Joe Moore Award
combine: 5.24s 40, 27reps, 30" vert
strengths: Measured & controlled. Wide base with an explosive power zone. Uses strong hands to gather, center & secure opponents. Leverages hips into blocks. Bulldozing down blocker. Won't be bull-rushed. Looks for work when uncovered.
weaknesses: Lacks athletic ability for outside zone or long pulls. Limited quickness for climb-up blocks. Slow to reset his feet. Below-average slide quickness. Needs earlier awareness of blitzes.
grade: 6.22 (Good backup who could become a starter)
comp: Gabe Jackson
proj: Rds. 3-4
DE Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) - 6'3" 248lbs
2019: 75tckls (21.5TFLs), 14scks, 3rd All-American/1st All-CUSA
combine: 4.70s 40, 33"vert
strengths: Throws a variety of rush attacks at tackles. Clever euro-step to slip around block at the top of the rush. Quick spin counter. Instinctive against the run. Charges into the backfield. Deft shoulder turn to slip under pulling blocks. Lateral range in short spaces.
weaknesses: Gets bounced around as an edge-setter. Hands need to become more violent into initial attack. Allows himself to be squared up in the pass punch. Leaves feet when attempting to leap past tackle.
grade: 5.99 (backup/special teamer)
proj: Rd. 4
RB Cam Akers (Florida St.) - 5'10" 217lbs
2019: 231car/1,144yds/14TDs, 30rec/225yds/4TDs, 2nd All-ACC
combine: 4.47s 40, 20reps, 35.5"vert
strengths: Tough finisher who's able to shed arm tackles. Wicked open-field spin move. An instinctive runner. Eyes & feet work in unison. Has trick play potential. Sudden feet to elude traffic. Open-field vision boosts his screen-game value. Has the grit needed to handle pass-blocking duties.
weaknesses: Ball security could be a concern. Attracts heavy contact rather than slipping it. Wide scan of terrain can cause brief delays to see openings. Hands aren't that natural. Trouble adjusting to throws outside of his frame.
grade: 6.35 (Will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
comp: Duke Johnson
proj: Rd. 3
WR Jalen Reagor (TCU) - 5'11" 206lbs
2019: 43rec/611yds/5TDs, 2 return TDs, 2nd All-Big 12
combine: 4.47s 40, 17reps, 42"vert
strengths: Fluid but explosive. Works all three levels. Sells vertical push to set up route breaks. Shows ability to lose coverage at the top of the route. Gets to top speed quickly. Snags passes at the high-point. Plays like a slashing RB in space. Has home-run potential as a returner.
weaknesses: Gets stalled by press more than expected. Needs to maintain focus & finish routes. CBs go un-stacked on long throws. Inconsistent leveraging space to catch. Ball skills fail to match his athletic ability.
grade: 6.39 (Will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
comp: Curtis Samuel
proj: Rd. 2
DE/OLB Curtis Weaver (Boise St) - 6'2" 265lbs
2019: 52tckls (18.5TFLs), 13.5scks, 1int, 3PUs, 2nd All-American/1st All-MWC, Ted Hendricks Award Finalist, MWC DPOY
combine: 32.5" vert
strengths: Quick lateral reaction to cross-fade blocker. Hands & feet work in unison. Slick & seamless at working around blocks. Accelerates into rush arc. Instinctive with rush counters. A heavy striker as a tackler.
weaknesses: Lacks functional pursuit speed as an edge defender. Below-average athlete to drop & cover in space. Has issues with balance & body control. Ineffective punching. Too much head-ducking when taking on blocks. Lacks hustle from back slide of plays.
grade: 6.10 (Good backup who could become a starter)
proj: Rds. 3-4
DT Ross Blacklock (TCU) - 6'3" 290lbs
2019: 40tckls (9TFLs), 3.5scks, 1st All-Big 12
combine: 4.90s 40, 29"vert
strengths: Athletic & agile in short spaces. Snappy initial quickness. Leverage & leg-drive to play under & through edge blocks. Rush instincts of a DE. Elite lateral quickness & change of direction. Plays with fast hands. Impossible for only one player to mirror.
weaknesses: Drops his head into double-team challenges. Inconsistent as a two-gapper. Needs improved hand placement. Knocked around by interior power. Ends up on the ground too often. Loses rush momentum to stiff punch. Failed to convert pressures to sacks at a steady clip.
grade: 6.39 (Will be a starter within first 2 seasons)
comp: B.J. Hill
proj: Rd. 2
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