2024 NFL Draft: Steelers Preview - Part 3

 

These players are tied to the Steelers either through select mock drafts, or visits during the senior bowl, combine, pro days, etc. The summaries come from NFL.com. 

WR Troy Franklin: Oregon  6'2", 176

combine: 4.41s 40, 39"vert, 10'4"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12/2nd All-American, 81rec/1,383yds/14TDs

strengths: Can hit corners with a wicked crossover to uncover on quick slants. Gives strong vertical push to drive corners off intermediate breaks. Accelerates past & stacks corners behind him. Talented after the catch and will hit his share of catch-&-run scores. Explosive leaper with loose upper body to twist & pluck it.

weaknesses: Unable to hold off challengers and save catch space when contested. Rolls into intermediate breaks with excessive gather steps. Ball-tracking inconsistencies will pop up at times. Focus drops are part of the package.

grade: 6.35 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Chris Olave

WR Jalen McMillan: Washington  6'1", 197

combine: 4.47s 40, 37"vert, 10'7"broad jump

2023: 45rec/559yds/5TDs, 3car/30yds/1TD

strengths: Long-strider who can create some space mid-route. Able to con coverage out of phase with leverage & fakes. Run-blocks from the slot with willing engagement. 

weaknesses: Takes time to get his route speed cranked up. Agitated & knocked out of rhythm by physical coverage. Seems to be missing a "run down" gear to get under deep balls. Focus & catch strength let him down on contested throws.

grade: 5.97 (Average backup/Special teamer) 

WR Adonai Mitchell: Texas  6'2", 205

combine: 4.34s 40, 39.5"vert, 11'4"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-BIG 12, 55rec/845yds/11TDs

strengths: Speed-shifter inside the route with sudden change of direction. Ridiculous catch web, bringing in off-frame throws from all directions. Already using the NFL two-foot drop near boundaries. Patient long-ball tracker & noted jump-ball winner. Able to break tackles and fall forward for positive yards after the catch.

weaknesses: Allows smaller players into his space to contest catches. Cradle-catcher who fights the ball when catching with his hands. Needs to keep routes on time with better efficiency & finish. Doesn't play with aggression or sustain when asked to run block. 

grade: 6.38 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: George Pickens

RB Isaac Guerendo: Louisville  6', 221

 

combine: 4.33s 40, 41.5"vert, 10'9"broad jump

2023: 132car/810yds/11TDs, 22rec/234yds

strengths: Subtle lateral shifts to bounce around bodies through the 1st 2 levels. Drops his pads to plow through early arm tacklers. Greets blitzers with squared-up posture to strong punch. Effective pass catcher able to rescue throws off his back hip. 

weaknesses: Below-average explosiveness out of the gate. Cuts are more rounded to lack suddenness. Needs to be a little lighter on his feet to catch rush movement. 

grade: 6.15 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Stevan Ridley

WR Keon Coleman: Florida State  6'3", 213

combine: 4.61s 40, 38"vert, 10'7"broad jump

2023: 1st All-ACC, 50rec/658yds/11TDs

strengths: Attacks underneath throws with extended, sticky hands. Works aggressively back on short & intermediate throws. Unlikely to see focus drops. Meets jump balls with full extension to the high-point. Uses size to gain advantage over the corner on jump-ball wins. Hard to bring down after the catch.

weaknesses: Press coverage can blanket his release & catch a ride. Below-average acceleration getting out of breaks & cuts. Could struggle finding separation to avoid excessive contested catches. Capable of being a much more effective run blocker.

grade: 6.25 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Drake London

WR Brian Thomas Jr: LSU  6'3", 209

  

combine: 4.33s 40, 38.5"vert, 10'6"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-SEC/3rd All-American, 68rec/1,177yds/17TDs

strengths: Good job of steering clear of press hands during his release. Able to bend his hips and sit in the chair of route breaks. Straight-line speed takes him into top position on go-routes. Outstanding ball-tracker who can bring it in over his shoulder. Length & burst to run down and secure potential overthrows. 

weaknesses: Needs to pick up his route pace & salesmanship as a pro. Will battle occasional focus drops. Fast but possesses average run-after-catch talent. Might need to ramp up physicality against clingy coverage. 

grade: 6.44 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

OT JC Latham: Alabama  6'6", 342

2023: 1st All-SEC/2nd All-American

strengths: Quick into pass sets, maintaining posture & balance through the rep. Firm inside hand and consistent arm extension help negate rush momentum. Possesses true knock-back pop with heavy hands and explosive hips. Turns early advantages into quick knockouts with his furious finishes. Grip strength allows him to save blocks that start to slip away.

weaknesses: Average recognition and plan for pre-snap pressure looks. Beaten inside by over-sets & down the middle by long-armed stick & drive. Can be impatient into 1st contact as a run blocker, causing him to lunge. Below-average lateral quickness for backside cut-off blocks.

grade: 6.71 (Year 1 starter)

comp: Jawaan Taylor

C Graham Barton: Duke  6'5", 313

2023: 1st All-ACC

strengths: Patient but firm, exploding into the block & running his feet to secure. Smooth climber with good adjustments to targets in space. Counters rush movements with well-postured mirror-&-sticky hands. Once he's settled into defenders in run/pass, he's usually the winner. 

weaknesses: Occasionally struggles getting into position for redirects when beaten. Needs to guard against lunging as a 2nd-level blocker. Corrals escaping defenders with his arms. 

grade: 6.46 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Cody Whitehair

OT Blake Fisher: Notre Dame  6'6", 310

combine: 5.20s 40, 28"vert, 9'6"broad jump

strengths: Explodes hips & hands into kick-out blocks for early lead. Impressive agility with the ability to shine on combo blocks and lead pulls. His hands work independently but they're both wired to his feet in protection. Mirrors crafty edge rushers with reactive athleticism & nimble feet. 

weaknesses: Often the last out of his stance, putting him behind in his chores. Miscalculates angles up to LBs on cut-off blocks. Needs to play with tighter hands and more consistent control in pass protection.

grade: 6.26 (Will eventually become an average starter)

WR Rome Odunze: Washington  6'3", 212

combine: 4.45s 40, 39"vert, 10'4"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12/1st All-American, 92rec/1,640yds/13TDs, 2car/37yds/1TD

strengths: Good separation talent. Early eyes on the ball to find positioning as quickly as possible. Brilliant job of bodying defenders & controlling air traffic. Will be too strong and too skilled for some defenders. Catches with strong, reliable hands away from his frame.

weaknesses: Rushes through early stages of his double moves. Attention to detail is missing from his routes. Too content taking 50/50 battles rather than operating at top speed. Room for greater effort as a run blocker.

grade: 6.74 (Year 1 starter)

comp: Larry Fitzgerald

OT Tailese Fuaga: Oregon St  6'6", 324

combine: 5.12s 40, 32"vert, 9'3"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12/2nd All-American

strengths: Glides into pass sets with controlled slides, ready hands & quiet upper body. Hands are highly active through the rush, helping to keep opponent centered. Mirrors with fluidity, with little to no stall when changing direction. Gathers & adjusts his track to make his blocks in space. Smooth and accurate when working from block to block.

weaknesses: Pops up tall off the snap and gets behind in back-side cutoffs. His run blocking is much less organized & technical than his pass blocking. Doesn't have the range in pass sets to succeed when tardy out of his stance. 

grade: 6.48 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Taylor Decker

RB Will Shipley: Clemson  5'11", 206

2023: 167car/827yds/5TDs, 31rec/244yds/2TDs

strengths: Quality acceleration early in the run and stacks cuts instinctively. Sets up tacklers to miss with his feet & eyes. Ankle flexion to make bold cuts at acute downhill angles. Snaps off in-breaking routes with separation burst.

weaknesses: Size & running style are more in line with a role as a complimentary back. Turns back into contact, limiting opportunities to fall forward. Hands aren't very natural or smooth out of the backfield.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

EDGE Marshawn Kneeland: Western Michigan  6'3", 267

 

combine: 4.75s 40, 35.5"vert, 9'11"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-MAC, 57tot tckls, 4.5scks, 2FFs

strengths: Runs well and possesses agility to fluidly change directions. Plays with very heavy hands and makes his 1st hit count. Sifts though moving bodies & latches into the RB with a good wrap. Generates consistent pocket push with his bull rush. 

weaknesses: Needs to diversify his rush attack and add a little more finesse. Struggles to consistently hold the point when playing with his hand down. Room for improvement with his hands stacking & controlling TEs. Gets pads turned and can be washed away against zone blocks. 

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

DE Darius Robinson: Missouri  6'5", 285

combine: 4.95s 40, 35"vert, 9'3"broad jump, 21reps

2023: 1st All-SEC, 43tckls/14TFLs, 8.5scks, 1FF

strengths: Gains forceful separation from blockers. Creates consistent point-of-attack advantages with arm extension into blockers. Twitchy upper body can rid blockers suddenly when it's time to tackle. Will unlock an even better power rush with more polish & schooling. Above-average change-of-direction talent for a big end in pursuit.

weaknesses: Rush off the edge lacks planning & focus early in the rep. Needs to find better angles of entry instead of a predictable charge down the middle. Recognition of play development is average. Play becomes too frenetic & lacking in control at times.

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Desmond Bryant

OT Jordan Morgan: Arizona  6'5", 311

combine: 5.04s 40, 28"vert, 9'2"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12

strengths: Athletic in his lower half, with ability to redirect his weight in space. Grip strength allows him to stay connected to run blocks longer. Well-timed combo blocks feature patient & pop. Very good feel for the depth of the pocket. Slide quickness to catch inside counters.

weaknesses: Long-armed DEs stab & separate from him against the run. Needs to fire his hands with greater assertiveness and reset when necessary. Inconsistent balance & body control through contact. Allows weight to creep too far outside in pass slides.

grade: 6.36 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Charles Leno Jr

WR Jacob Cowing: Arizona  5'8", 168

combine: 4.38s 40, 36"vert, 9'11"broad jump

2023: '23 Alamo Bowl Off. MVP, 90rec/848yds/13TDs, 5car/26yds

strengths: Sets up press release & short-area breaks with sudden stutter-go. Good short-area burst and features no deceleration at route stems. Runs defenders into open-field blockers in quick game. Much stronger than expected as a tackle-breaker. 

weaknesses: Routes lack continuity and consistently plausible fakes at break points. Feels much smaller as the route progresses down the field. Elevated number of drops when traffic is lurking. Missing the catch radius to being in off-target throws.  

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)

TE Tanner McLachlan: Arizona  6'5", 244

 

combine: 4.61s 40, 35"vert, 9'9"broad jump

2023: 45rec/528yds/4TDs

strengths: Active hand work after contact to extend his block sustain. Finished catches through explosive strikes. Flashes build-up speed on the move & after the catch. Hurdles, pulls, spins & stiff-arm to find the extra yards after the catch.

weaknesses: Needs to move his hands inside when getting into blocks. Lacks ideal body control and efficient footwork as a run blocker. Routes lose momentum coming out of turns.

grade: 5.96 (Average backup/Special teamer)