2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Preview: Part 4

 

These summaries come from NFL.com. Players mentioned have either been connected via mock drafts, or combine/pro-day visits.

EDGE - Tuli Tuipulotu, USC  6'3" 266

'22: 1st All-American, 46tckls/22TFLs, 13.5scks, 3PUs, 2FFs

strengths: Enticing agility & short-space athleticism for his size. Plays with bend and has the ability to elude or challenge blockers. Displays ability to rush with a plan in place. Powerful hips help drive through redirect blocks. 

weaknesses: Rush becomes a little too straight-legged. Below average closing quickness to the QB. Unable to build momentum when initial movement is neutralized. Freestyles & loses his run fits.

grade: 6.38 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 71 (Good)

comp: George Karlaftis

OT - Dawand Jones, Ohio St  6'8" 374

'22: 1st All-American/2nd All-BIG 10

combine: 5.35 40

strengths: Massive wingspan overwhelms rushers when his hands are timed-up. Displays ability to slide up the edge with the rusher. Runs feet through contact on play-side runs. Massive hands to lock into opponent's pads. 

weaknesses: Penalties have been an issue. Hands can be mistimed, inhibiting length advantage. Uneven & disjointed handling twisting fronts. Must learn to create leverage with upward hand-strikes. Unable to execute move blocks with any consistency.

grade: 6.32 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 75 (Good)

comp: Trent Brown

CB - Rejzohn Wright, Oregon St  6'2" 193

'22: 1st All-PAC 12, 38tckls, 2INTs, 9PUs

strengths: Able to phase routes with good stop-and-go body control. Quick to accelerate when changing direction with lateral breaks. Recovery speed to track down routes crossing the hash. Downfield ball tracking keeps him in proper position. Prevents catch opportunities outside the numbers.

weaknesses: Can be too nonchalant in preparing to flip & run. Too eager to play the short route on high/low combination. Will need to cut back on penalties. Takes suspect angles when tackling in run support.

grade: 6.26 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 70 (Good)

comp: P.J. Williams

WR - Parker Washington, Penn St  5'10" 204

'22: Honorable All-BIG 10, 46rec/611yds/2TDs

combine: 16reps

strengths: Competitive & effective after the catch. Uses his frame to shield catch space against zone. Skilled pass-catcher with soft, but strong hands. Elite in-air talent. 

weaknesses: Below-average explosiveness. Runs routes with below-average tempo. Will struggle to separate from athletic corners. Can't find a 2nd gear to run down deep throws.

grade: 5.95 (Average backup/Special teamer) Next Gen: 74 (Good)

WR - Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee  6' 176

'22: 1st All-American, 67rec/1,267yds/15TDs

combine: 4.40 40, 40"vert, 11'3" broad jump

strengths: Top-end speed creates tension for defensive coordinators. Tears into cushions & rockets past off-man coverage. Maintains spacing from physical coverage getting into the route. Glides into acceleration mode at route stems to separate. Gets pitch-and-catch opportunities underneath against off-man. Willing & effective as a perimeter blocker. 

weaknesses: Route tree is somewhat limited. Knocked off course when press punch finds him. Lacks deception in his short & intermediate routes. Unsuccessful holding ground when the catch is contested.

grade: 6.50 (Boom-or-bust potential) Next Gen: 89 (Good)

comp: DeSean Jackson

S - Daniel Scott, California  6'1" 208

'22: 85 tot tckls, 2FFs, 3INTs, 4PUs

combine: 4.45 40, 39.5"vert, 10'8"broad jump, 22reps

strengths: Reads QB & route development in single-high looks. Pedals & transitions with quick feet and smooth hips. Fast run recognition with eager trigger toward the action. 

weaknesses: Recovery burst is just average. Can be head-faked out of position in man coverage. Lack of length stymies tackle success in space. Needs to come to balance at proper angles as a tackler.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)

RB - Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina  5'8" 179

'22: 201car/1,452yds/14TDs, 27rec/252yds/1TD

combine: 4.37 40, 38"vert, 10'6"broad jump

strengths: Pure speed to eliminate pursuit angles & strike with long TDs. Able to cut and burst in a single motion. Rides tight to blockers when slipping through interior creases. A challenging match-up for LBs as a receiver.

weaknesses: Unable to finish runs falling forward. Looks to bounce runs wide far too often. Needs a clear point of entry as a ball-carrier. Drops come in bunches.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer) Next Gen: 72 (Good)

WR - CJ Johnson, East Carolina  6' 1 1/2" 224

'22: 67rec/1,016yds/10TDs

strengths: Imposes his size and play-strength inside the route. Possesses high-level ball skills & body control. Tracks the ball with poise and positioning. Big, reliable target as a zone beater underneath. 

weaknesses: Below average acceleration off the line of scrimmage. DBs are rarely shaken at the top of his routes. Lacks desired level of quickness in & out of his breaks.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 68 (Average)

comp: Josh Morgan