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.
combine: 4.21s 40, 41"vert, 10'11"broad jump
2023: 1st All-BIG 12, 75rec/1,014yds/5TDs, 4car/35yds
strengths: Deep speed requires additional defensive attention. Creates space & loosens coverage for teammates. Has bend and agility to run post-corner & whip routes effectively. There'll be problems for the defense if he breaks a tackle after the catch.
weaknesses: Needs to improve efficiency & quickness getting off the ball. Lack of hand strength gets him bullied on contested catches. Takes reps off when he's not expecting the throw to come his way. Fails to adjust his speed to the ball placement consistently enough.
grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)
comp: Darnell Mooney
WR Xavier Legette: South Carolina 6'1", 221
combine: 4.39s 40, 40"vert, 10'6"broad jump
2023: 2nd All-SEC, 71rec/1,255yds/7TDs
strengths: Owns his space and defender's space when catch is contested. Magnificent timing & extension to snare throws up the ladder. Powerful hands create added catch security with or without contact. Sneaky burst gear propels vertical separation & run-after-catch speed. Capable combatant when asked to do his part as a blocker.
weaknesses: Release and route phases lack polish. Rushes through route design rather than selling it to the CB. Below-average quickness getting in & out of his breaks. Hits cruise control and waits for jump balls rather than keeping foot on the gas.
grade: 6.24 (Will eventually become an average starter)
WR Malachi Corley: Western Kentucky 5'11", 215
2023: 1st All C-USA, 79rec/984yds/11TDs, 4car/11yds
strengths: Runs routes with leverage and effective head nods to manipulate coverage. Has late, twitchy hands to snatch throws suddenly. Creates chunk plays through vision & cutbacks after the catch. Truck-stick power to break tackles and punish perimeter defenders.
weaknesses: Has a tendency to struggle with contested catches despite being a tough player. Allows defenders to play through him and disturb his catch space. Average route runner who loses momentum coming out of breaks. Lacking desired ball skills to win 50/50 balls downfield.
grade: 6.35 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
comp: Deebo Samuel
S Cole Bishop: Utah 6'2", 206
combine: 4.45s 40, 39"vert, 10'4"broad jump
2023: 2nd All-PAC 12, 60tot tckls, 3scks. 1FF/2FRs, 2INTs/3PDs
strengths: Solid stop-start burst in coverage & pursuit. Looks to blister receivers in his zone. Hustle never shuts off, regardless of his proximity to the ball. Navigates traffic and knifes into crevices as a base defender.
weaknesses: Desire to make plays causes him to vacate coverage zones. Below-average eye balance between route & QB. Needs to do a better job of playing off run blocks near the line. Pursuit can lack pacing control, leading to overruns.
grade: 6.20 (Will eventually become an average starter)
EDGE Jonah Elliss: Utah 6'2", 248
2023: !st All-PAC 12/Consensus All-American, 37tot tckls, 12scks, 1FF, 3PDs
strengths: High-octane motor. Slippery inside spin counter is already in his bag. Agile & quick in lateral pursuit of runners in the backfield. Hand usage and placement to punch & play off of blocks.
weaknesses: Wide, choppy strides slow his race to the top of the rush. Unlikely to win often with his speed-to-power charges. Very little block destruction at the point of attack. Can be engulfed by size when trying to set the edge.
grade: 5.99 (Average backup/Special teamer)
WR Roman Wilson: Michigan 5'11", 185
combine: 4.39s 40, 12reps
2023: 2nd All-BIG 10, 48rec/789yds/12TDs, 1car/10yds
strengths: Explosive speed to stretch the field and stress coverage. Defenders struggle to stay with him when the play extends. Good post-catch acceleration on west coast routes to hit big plays. Competitive & focused when catches become contested.
weaknesses: Inconsistent elusiveness to avoid route redirection at press or in space. Routes lack consistent leverage & salesmanship. Needs to get better at quickly setting and presenting on zone throws.
grade: 6.35 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
comp: Marvin Mims Jr
CB Ryan Watts: Texas 6'3", 208
combine: 4.53s 40, 40.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump
2023: 38tot tckls, 3PDs
strengths: Traits & experience to transition to safety. Capable of lining up over slot TEs. Booming striker one he locks in and hits it downhill. Works around or through blockers with his run support.
weaknesses: Below-average foot quickness and reactive twitch. Frequently a step slow to turn his head and locate the throw. Questionable deep speed to stay deeper than the deepest.
grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)
CB M.J. Devonshire: Pittsburgh 5'11", 186
combine: 4.45s 40, 38.5"vert, 10'4"broad jump
2023: 2nd All-ACC, 32tot tckls, 4INTs/10PDs, 1TD
strengths: Footwork & route recognition keeps coverages snug. Very loose and athletic coverage movements in space. Prioritizes getting his eyes around to the QB. Smooth getting from his shuffle to downhill drive in zone coverage.
weaknesses: Inconsistent eye balance from deep-zone shuffle. Average comeback speed once he falls behind. Lacks aggression & techniques as a tackler.
grade: 6.10 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
DT Maason Smith: LSU 6'5", 306
combine: 5.01s 40, 31"vert, 9'broad jump
2023: 28tckls/4.5TFLs, 2.5scks, 2PDs
strengths: Can use long levers to strike and leverage blockers off-balance. Upper-body power to extend and set an edge when in position. Effective club move to rid himself of the block with force. Quick 1st 2 steps on pass-rush downs.
weaknesses: Leggy & plays with a very narrow base at the point. Too easily displaced when blockers get into him first. Bounced off balance when pad level gets too tall as a rusher. Isn't going to reset the pocket with a heavy bull rush.
grade: 6.11 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
S Malik Mustapha: Wake Forest 5'10", 209
combine: 22reps
2023: 2nd All-ACC, 80tot tckls, 0.5sck, 1FF, 1INT/2PDs
strengths: Swoops downhill in run support with good balance and tackle-ready posture. Closes the distance & runs through targets with wide, wrapping arms. Punches the gas to burst and challenge passing lanes & catch points. Contests the catch with well-timed ball attacks.
weaknesses: Gets caught up inside the box and loses the ability to play contain wide. Route coverage is more reactive than anticipatory. Field aggression makes him a target on pumps & play fakes.
grade: 5.98 (Average backup/Special teamer)
OT Roger Rosengarten: Washington 6'5", 308
combine: 4.92s 40, 30"vert, 9'5"broad jump
2023: Honorable All-PAC 12
strengths: Varies his pass protection approach to keep rushers guessing. Leads up with a more meaningful 1st punch to set the tone. Collected consistent wins when jump-setting the rusher. Looks to run his feet and finish aggressively once he's connected.
weaknesses: Below-average knee bend and overall athleticism as a tackle. Struggles badly to stay mirrored at the op of the rush. Needs to be more focused on keeping his hands inside in both phases.
grade: 6.10 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
OT Troy Fautanu: Washington 6'4", 317
combine: 5.01s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'5"broad jump
2023: 1st All-PAC 12/3rd All-American
strengths: Plays with lateral hustle to make back-side & play-side zone blocks. Generates push from lower half on down blocks and double-teams. Maintains active hands & feet to stay in front of the rusher. Keeps his weight back to avoid being countered off-balance in protection.
weaknesses: Run-blocking technique eventually gets away from him. Has issues with hand slippage due to inconsistent placement. Gets beaten inside when he's too eager and oversets the edge.
grade: 6.47 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
WR Devontez "Tez" Walker: North Carolina 6' 1 1/2", 193
combine: 4.36s 40, 40.5"vert, 11'2"broad jump
2023: 3rd All-ACC, 41rec/699yds/7TDs, 3car/23yds
strengths: Booming build-up speed to gobble up cushion to separate vertically. Ability to stack coverage & save catch space on go routes. Squares pads & bodies up CBs on slants. Leaping and full-body extension turn would-be overthrows into catches.
weaknesses: Route running features dull cuts and excessive drifting. Tends to wait on stop-route throws rather than working back. Average catch strength to secure of-target throws. Inconsistent tracking & adjusting to deep balls.
grade: 6.19 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
comp: Alec Pierce
WR Ja'Lynn Polk: Washington 6'1", 203
combine: 4.52s 40, 37.5"vert, 10'9"broad jump
2023: 69rec/1,159yds/9TDs, 4car/32yds/1TD
strengths: Possesses body control and ball skills to endure contested catches. Catches with hand extension away from incoming defender. Plays with terrific focus to track & finish the deep throws. Gives effort and gets fired up when executing run blocks.
weaknesses: Must prove he can play with better burst & suddenness. Too gradual getting into the top of the route. Below-average salesmanship and burst at break points. Takes too long transitioning from the catch to the run.
grade: 6.15 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
QB Michael Penix Jr: Washington 6'2", 216
2023: Maxwell Award, 2nd All-PAC 12/2nd All-American, 65.4compl%, 4,903yds, 36TDs/11INTs, 3 rush TDs
strengths: Sees pressure creeping up pre-snap and gets himself protected. Slides from pressure and resets to find his platform. Wrist flick sends it 50+yds without much effort. Has ability to make drive throws with added velocity when needed. Fearless attacking far-sideline buckets between the corner & safety.
weaknesses: Injury history. Forces receivers to break stride on a variety of throws. Heavily reliant upon receiving talent winning jump balls. Production/consistency plummets when forced to throw outside the pocket.
grade: 6.25 (Will eventually become an average starter)
comp: Tua Tagovailoa
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