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: 4.68s 40, 31.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump
2023: 2nd All-PAC 12, 232car/1,195yds/16TDs, 24rec/190yds
strengths: Momentum runner capable of tearing through arm tacklers near the line. Good knowledge of blocking schemes and trusts his eyes with lane choice. Can handle heavier workloads and find the end zone on goal-line carries. Been a high-volume target getting upfield quickly & slipping the 1st tackle.
weaknesses: Running style puts him in a position to take on heavy contact. Below-average foot quickness for shifty cuts as an inside runner. Doesn't have the speed to outrun pursuit and turn the corner consistently. Needs to improve block identification & mirroring in pass protection.
grade: 5.89 (Average backup/Special teamer)
WR Ricky Pearsall: Florida 6'1", 189
combine: 4.41s 40, 42"vert, 10'9"broad jump, 17reps
2023: 65rec/965yds/4TDs, 3car/62yds/2TDs
strengths: Sinks hips low to snap off drive routes suddenly. Keeps route tempo primed through his turns. Catches with quiet, soft hands to stab drive throws. Adjusts his track and lays out to make the catch.
weaknesses: Doesn't have the suddenness to slip past committed press looks. Modest catch radius to save off-frame throws. Overtaken by aggressive CBs on contested catch tries.
grade: 6.32 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
comp: Alex Erickson
CB Andru Phillips: Kentucky 5'11", 190
combine: 4.48s 40, 42"vert, 11'3"broad jump
2023: 47tckls/1.5TFLs, 5PDs
strengths: Backpedal is low & balanced for quicker reaction time. Pounces quickly on top of the catch from zone or off-man. Possesses tools to eliminate more catch opportunities with added experience. Plays with the mindset of a safety when engaged in run support.
weaknesses: Doesn't play with the instincts & anticipation for heavy ball production. Some false steps and stalls coming forward from the top of his drop. Big receivers are able to play over the top of his head downfield. Has a tendency to overrun his leverage as a close-out tackler in space.
grade: 6.22 (Will eventually become an average starter)
C Zach Frazier: West Virginia 6'3", 313
combine: 30reps
2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American
strengths: Jolting upper-body power helps widen run lanes with down/secure blocks. Drives opposition into the ground with every opportunity he gets. Uses darting eyes & plus instincts to locate pressure points around him. Punches with good placement and above-average grip strength.
weaknesses: Loses inside hands as a run blocker and ends up with too much hugging. Below-average reactive movement to moving targets in space. Needs to prove he can anchor with more shallow pass sets. Goose could be cooked once the rusher beats him at his edge.
grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
comp: A.Q. Shipley
DT Braden Friske: Florida St 6'4", 292
combine: 4.78s 40, 33.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump, 26reps
2023: 2nd All-ACC/3rd All-American, 43tckls/9TFLs, 6scks
strengths: Plays with a fully fueled motor as both a run defender & pass rusher. Speedy, short strides allow for edge-to-edge rush & twist game potential. Punches and plays around blockers in search of his next course of action. Activity level creates challenges for heavy, static defenders.
weaknesses: Bigger linemen can stick to him once they get their hands into him. Solid play strength but gets pushed around by double-teams. Needs favorable early-rush positioning or he ends up on the end of a punch.
grade: 6.34 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
OT Matt Goncalves: Pittsburgh 6'6", 327
strengths: Gets into initial contact with a knock-back pop. Excellent drive power once his feet start running through contact. Flashes & feints his hands in pass sets to disrupt rush timing. Good feel for pocket depth and has mass to withstand bull rush.
weaknesses: Below-average quickness out of his stance getting to lateral blocks. Limited potential for success once he gets into space. Unable to open & accelerate quickly enough for rush recovery.
grade: 6.19 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)
comp: Geoff Schwartz
WR Tahj Washington: USC 5'10", 174
combine: 35"vert, 10'2"broad jump
2023: 59rec/1,062yds/8TDs, 1car/10yds
strengths: Tremendous toughness working into danger. Makes contested catches underneath that others his size can't. Changes up speeds and keeps route intentions a secret. Willing to stick his nose in and get after it as a run blocker. Explosive returner with talent as a gunner.
weaknesses: Limited catch radius. Average quickness to get in & out of his breaks. Rarely creates big separation out of break points. Big coverage can overtake him on downfield throws.
grade: 5.91 (Average backup/Special teamer)
WR Luke McCaffrey: Rice 6'2", 198
combine: 4.46s 40, 36"vert, 10'1"broad jump
2023: 1st All-AAC, 71rec/992yds/13TDs, 15car/117yds
strengths: Accelerates into top speed fairly quickly. Fearless into the teeth of the defense and excels at combat catches. Made jaw-dropping one-handed catches with coverage draped over him. Focus drops weren't an issue.
weaknesses: Has trouble releasing cleanly against serious press attempts. Movement is more one-speed than sudden & shifty. Can improve with adjustments coming back to deep throws.
grade: 5.96 (Average backup/Special teamer)
DT Jaden Crumedy: Mississippi St 6'4", 301
combine: 4.97s 40, 29.5"vert, 8'9"broad jump
2023: 35tot tckls, 2.5scks, 2PDs
strengths: Maintains proper pad level and features jolting knock-back power. Good transition from anchor to quick disengagement to tackle ball-carriers. Shows ability to dent the pocket with pure power. Consistent in mirroring pocket movements of the passer.
weaknesses: Occasionally lacks control when charging forward. Needs to develop his hands to better control blocks. Below-average feel & attack against down blocks. Below-average rush plan and gets stuck on pass blocks too often.
grade: 5.94 (Average backup/Special teamer)
OT Tyler Guyton: Oklahoma 6'8", 322
combine: 5.19s 40, 34.5"vert, 8'11"broad jump
2023: Honorable All-BIG 12
strengths: Impressive movement pulling and getting into space as a lead blocker. Hands are accurate & active in the battle to gain advantage after strike. Good awareness to protect B-gap against DT/DE twists. Length & footwork makes it easier to keep athletic rushes in front of him.
weaknesses: Plays too tall, limiting his ability to drive & sustain. Despite his athleticism, misses targets in space more than he should. Has trouble pressing defenders out of his frame in protection. Could have issues finding his anchor against a leveraged bull rush.
grade: 6.42 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
WR Ladd McConkey: Georgia 6', 186
combine: 4.39s 40, 36"vert, 10'4"broad jump, 13reps
2023: 30rec/478yds/2TDs, 2car/38yds/1TD
strengths: Difficult to keep him from uncovering due to route-running ability. Rhythmic route runner who keeps his feet under his pads for crisp cuts. Has enough vertical speed to keep coverage honest. Natural hands-catcher who typically plucks it away from his body. Slippery punt returner with vision of a RB.
weaknesses: Modest play strength could create issues in beating press. Deep ball-tracking drops were an issue in the past. Back & ankle injuries in '23. Average acceleration through route stems.
grade: 6.40 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
comp: Elijah Moore
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