2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Preview: Part 5

 

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

WR - Josh Downs, North Carolina  5'9"  175

'22: 2nd All-American/1st All-ACC, 94rec/1,029yds/11TDs

combine: 4.48 40, 38.5"vert, 10'11"broad jump

strengths: Appears to have both quickness and long speed. Separation burst gains space through turns/cuts. Uses athleticism to elude defenders. Leaps & adjusts to pick throws off defender's head. Surprising catch toughness for his size. 

weaknesses: Can be slowed by a physical press corner. Needs to be more disciplined in route running. Struggled with focus drops at times during his career. Unable to make a difference as a run blocker.

grade: 6.46 (Will be a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 86 (Good)

comp: Kadarius Toney 

WR - Charlie Jones, Purdue  5'11" 175

'22: 110rec/1,361yds/12TDs

combine: 4.43 40, 36.5"vert, 10'4"broad jump

strengths: Generates good burst out of breaks. Clever hand usage for late separation. Sustains focus with coverage draped over him. Moves feet to work his way to the throw and catches with soft hands. Consistently productive as a returner. 

weaknesses: Lacking suddenness to shake press. Has trouble blowing by tight man coverage downfield. Has trouble uncovering consistently on all levels. His catch radius is very modest.

grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 77 (Good)

WR - Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi  6'2" 220

'22: 2nd All-SEC, 51rec/861yds/5TDs

combine: 4.46 40, 39.5"vert, 10'9"broad jump, 22reps

strengths: Finds his top speed quickly & continues to play at that speed. Routes are run with attention to detail. Works back aggressively to the throw. Makes use of his size & strength as a run blocker. 

weaknesses: Lacks juice out of breaks to separate from tight man underneath. Feet are efficient but lack suddenness. Unable to find a 2nd gear to run down deep balls. Needs to get his head around quicker on seam & over routes.

grade: 6.24 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 77 (Good)

comp: Anquan Boldin

CB - Tyrique Stevenson, Miami  6' 198

'22: 3rd All-ACC, 25tckls/1.5TFLs, 2INTs, 7PUs

combine: 4.45 40, 38.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

strengths: Play strength to press and slow release. Springy leaper with high-point talent. Hunts for the hands to break up catch tries. Can recover & close with above average acceleration. 

weaknesses: Overextends & loses balance when opening to chase. Fails to recognize plays developing around him. Multiple busts in zone coverages. Takes inconsistent angles in run support.

grade: 6.24 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 76 (Good)

comp: James Bradberry

DE - MJ Anderson, Iowa St  6' 2 1/2" 269

'22: 37tckls/9TFLs, 3.5scks

combine: 33"vert

strengths: Bypasses back-side gap with swift arm-over move. Plays off blocks to make tackles in his gaps. Creates angles to attack edges as an inside rusher. Activates inside spin counter as a rusher to disengage.

weaknesses: Still learning to quickly process blocking schemes. Below average pursuit quickness from back side. Long, wide rush steps make him susceptible to imbalance at contact.

grade: 5.97 (Average backup/Special teamer) Next Gen: 59 (Below Average)

G - Steve Avila, TCU  6'3 1/2"  332

'22: 2nd All-American/1st All-BIG 12

combine: 5.21 40, 29.5"vert, 8'2"broad jump

strengths: Full season of starting experience at C & LG. Plays with good flexion and body control for a man his size. Able to snap hips into initial block fits. Pass sets tend to be balanced and firm throughout the rep. Lateral slides to mirror & defend his edges.

weaknesses: Needs to steady his hands and improve his punch accuracy in pass pro. Could use better rhythm and control with settle steps into his 1st strike. Has a tendency to play too tall at the point of attack. Inconsistent hand usage prevents steering & cinching up blocks.

grade: 6.30 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 80 (Good)

comp: Chris Kemoeatu

OT - Anton Harrison, Oklahoma  6'4" 315

'22: 1st All-BIG 12

combine: 4.98 40, 28.5"vert, 8'9"broad jump

strengths: Patient not to overset or overextend at the top of the rush. Finds full arm extension to maintain feel for the rusher. Instinctive in his positional run blocking. Activates hands to discard opponent's punch. 

weaknesses: Has trouble locating initial hands in the run game. Fails to knock opponents back at 1st contact. Connection between feet & hands is disjointed. Below average agility to recover when beaten. 

grade: 6.27 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 82 (Good)

comp: Dion Dawkins

EDGE - Zach Harrison, Ohio St  6'5 1/2" 274

 

'22: 2nd All-BIG 10, 34tckls/8TFLs, 3.5scks, 1INT, 4PUs, 3FFs

combine: 25reps

strengths: Uses inside jab step to open the outside angle as a pass rusher. Makes well-timed challenges to beat down the pass. Physical traits to help neutralize run blocks. Good build-up speed when racing in pursuit. 

weaknesses: Rarely gets on top of the blocker quickly. Struggles with rush transitions & counter quickness. Lacks play-making urgency. A reach-and-grab tackler.

grade: 5.97 (Average backup/Special teamer) Next Gen: 72 (Good)

C - Luke Wypler, Ohio St  6'3" 303

 

'22: Honorable All-BIG 10

combine: 5.14 40, 30.5"vert, 8'10"broad jump, 29reps

strengths: Snap-to-step quickness for A-gap blockers. Athletic pulling around the edge & finding his work. Acceleration to reach and seal his zone targets. Climbs to LBs at winning angles. Punches with inside hands. Maintains proper base width through rush mirror.

weaknesses: Will lose control at the base block due to lack of length. Has trouble dealing with power players over him. Can be driven back into QB by bull rushes. Could struggle finding redirection of A-gap blitzers.

grade: 6.20 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 79 (Good)

comp: Garrett Bradbury

QB - Clayton Tune, Houston  6'2 1/2" 220

'22: 1st All-AAC, Independence Bowl MVP, 334/496 (67.3%) 4,074yds, 40TDs/10INTs, 128car/544yds/5TDs

combine: 4.64 40, 37.5"vert, 10'2"broad jump

strengths: Works his feet to find platform deliveries when possible. Patience & willing to work through his progressions. Uses rhythmic pocket climbs to secure his delivery. Maintains field scan when leaving the pocket. 

weaknesses: Pressure tends to rattle the reads. Lacks anticipation & zip for consistent ball placement. Release quickness can be sluggish. Accuracy plummets when forced to move his feet.

grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer) Next Gen: 77 (Good)

EDGE - Lukas Van Ness, Iowa  6'5" 272

 

'22: 2nd All-BIG 10, 38tckls/11TFLs, 6.5scks, 2 blocked kicks

combine: 4.58 40, 31"vert, 9'10"broad jump, 17reps

strengths: Fires out of his stance, capturing neutral zone quickly. Power in his hips to battle through angle blocks. Sees the runner & disengages to tackle with timing. Long-arm rush move generates good pocket push. Keeps pushing forward with secondary rush effort. Agility helps to corral mobile QBs. 

weaknesses: Inconsistent use of hands to control & shed quickly. Hasn't learned to transition from bull rusher into a closer. Very average foot quickness for inside rush moves. Takes too long activating change of direction as a twister. Lacked effectiveness as an interior rusher.

grade: 6.40 (Will be a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 79 (Good)  

         

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

 

2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Preview: Part 3

 

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

S - JL Skinner, Boise St  6'4" 209

'22: 1st All-Mountain West, 65tckls, 4PUs

strengths: Great job of dipping pad level to leverage his tackles. Anticipation & reaction quickness on route breaks. Arm length aids his range over the top as a center fielder. Ball skills & hands to put numbers in the interception column.

weaknesses: Needs to run his feet through contact. Lacks proactive punch to keep receiver blocks at bay. Trouble opening hips quickly to match vertical routes. Takes poor angles getting to throws.

grade: 6.33 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 79 (Good)

comp: Ronnie Harrison

DT - Keondre Coburn, Texas  6'2" 332

'22: 2nd All-BIG 12, 28tckls/3TFLs, 1.5scks

combine: 5.22 40, 27.5"vert, 8'5"broad jump, 24reps

strengths: Diagnoses & mirrors initial lateral movement by blocker. Quick reaction to attack down blocks and separate. Disrupts blocking scheme with short-area agility inside. Moves forward looking for workable rush counters.

weaknesses: Needs more efficient hands to control blocks. Inconsistent technique battling double teams. Allows backs to slip through his grasp. Rarely creates early rough advantage with snap quickness.

grade: 6.19 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 67 (Average)

comp: Dan Williams

CB - Clark Phillips III, Utah  5'9" 184

'22: P12 DPOY, Unan. All-American, 1st All-PAC12, 24tot tckls, 1sck, 6INTs/2TDs, 6PUs

combine: 4.51 40, 33"vert, 18reps

strengths: Reads QB & route simultaneously. Attacks throws with play-making angles & determined demeanor. Twitchy plant and drive when responding to throws. Physical in tight quarters. 

weaknesses: Allows early separation against shallow crossing routes. Will look to do too much from zone at times. Downfield physicality could lead to flags at the next level. Short limbs could limit jump-ball challenges & tackling in space.

grade: 6.26 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 75 (Good)

comp: Mike Hilton

WR - Tre Tucker, Cincinatti  5'9" 182

'22: 52rec/672yds/3TDs

combine: 4.40 40, 37.5"vert, 10'4"broad jump

strengths: Sudden feet elude press off the release. Sets up stop routes & comebacks with hard early drive. Short-area shake helps loosen the coverage. Talented option for receiver screens & quick games. 

weaknesses: Frame & catch radius are small. Knocked out of rhythm by route redirection. Has trouble finishing catches.

grade: 6.10 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 73 (Good)

WR - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio St  6'1" 196

'22: 3 games: 5rec/43yds

combine: 35"vert, 10'5"broad jump

strengths: Elevates his catch focus when contested. Leverages his intermediate break points. Tracks deep throws with poise & accuracy. Athletic and smooth catching on the move. Plays to his top speed throughout the route.

weaknesses: Rolls into his breaks with top-heavy momentum. Lacks suddenness for separation in & out of breaks. Below average top-end speed to win vertically. Likely to be viewed as a slot-only option. Lacks burst to elude after the catch.

grade: 6.41 (Will become a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 84 (Good)

comp: Jarvis Landry

OT - Carter Warren, Pittsburgh  6'5 1/2" 311

  

strengths: Attempts to center his inside hand when getting into blocks. Ability to generate movement when he sustains the block. Can mirror & collect inside moves. Uses independent hands with well-timed strikes.

weaknesses: Below average sustaining his blocks. Pad level rises high when pulling or moving in space. Feet move slower than hands, leading to lunging & holding. Fails to maintain slide tempo, losing rushers at the top of the arc.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 67 (Average)

C - Juice Scruggs, Penn St  6'3" 301

combine: 5.22 40, 32"vert, 8'6" broad jump, 29reps

strengths: Latches in with strong hands & a wide base. Inside hands to promote a strong core. Hands are patient in pass sets. Keeps head on a swivel looking for danger. 

weaknesses: Below average snap-to-step quickness. Very average lateral quickness to seal the nose tackle. Unable to flip his hips for recovery blocks. Needs to find quicker hand resets in pass protection.

grade: 6.00 (Traits/Talent to be an above-average backup) Next Gen: 61 (Average)

C - Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin  6'6" 313

'22: Honorable All-BIG 10

strengths: Unlocks his hips and rolls them into blocks. Fluid with reactive athleticism to adjust to targets in space. Flexible lower body allows him to cast solid protection anchor. Keeps head on a swivel to spy to protect both A-gaps. Dumps blitzers on the ground with upper body power.

weaknesses: Off-balance when playing too far forward off the snap. Average balance & body control through sustain phase. Lacks leverage to generate drive movement at the point. Leaning slows lateral transitions to mirror incoming twists.

grade: 6.35 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 87 (Good)

comp: Josh Myers

CB - Brian Branch, Alabama  6' 190

'22: 2nd All-American, 90tckls/14TFLs, 3scks, 2INTs, 7PUs

combine: 4.58 40, 34.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

strengths: Has range & instincts to play single-high safety. Pedals and transitions with smooth, agile feet. Able to mirror & match patterns from off-man. Uses ball-hawking angles and explosive burst to undercut the pass. Attacks blockers of all sizes with consistent tenacity. Diagnoses run & pursues runner with proper leverage and angles.

weaknesses: Could use tighter route squeeze relative to down & distance. Becomes a drag-down tackler when coming in too high. Occasionally outflanked as a run defender from the start.

grade: 6.49 (Will become a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 87 (Good)

comp: Minkah Fitzpatrick

CB - Deonte Banks, Maryland  6' 197

 

'22: 38tckls, 1INT, 8PUs

combine: 4.35 40, 42"vert, 11'4"broad jump

strengths: Lateral slide to mirror & slow the release. Uses independent hands to reroute receivers. Lower body is fluid & smooth to swivel from his pedal. Passes off receivers with clear communication in zone. Play strength at attack & play through perimeter blocks.

weaknesses: Gets crossed up by hard route stems. Gives ground when making lateral transitions. Panics when scrambling to get back into a play after falling behind. Gives up contain positioning against the run. 

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 87 (Good)

RB - Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh  5'10" 216

'22: 3rd All-American, 1st All-ACC, 239car/1,431yds/20TDs, 12rec/146yds/1TD

strengths: Lateral jump cuts to elude backfield pressure. Locates lane opportunities on the back side. Impressive escapability in tight quarters. Access to instant acceleration when he needs it. Uses spin move for contact balance and to wiggle away from tacklers. Former sprinter with breakaway speed in the open field. 

weaknesses: Runs with hurried tempo, bypassing timing of block development. Urgent but not overly creative early in the run. Has trouble keeping rusher in front of him in pass protection. 

grade: 6.24 (Will eventually be an average starter) Next Gen: 77 (Good)

comp: Isiah Pacheco

DT - Gervon Dexter Sr. ,  Florida 6'6" 310

'22: 55tckls/4TFLs, 2scks, 1INT

combine: 4.88 40, 31"vert, 9'2" broad jump, 22reps

strengths: Able to stay square to the line & mind his gap. Upper-body twitch for sudden block sheds. Slides through gaps with upper-body turn. Easy transition form bull rush to swim as a rusher.

weaknesses: Slow getting off the ball. Lacks explosive 1st contact as a bull rusher. Allows run blockers to take the action to him. Struggles getting to his punch separation in a timely manner. Content to play under stretch blocks rather than fighting for positioning. 

grade: 6.00 (Traits/talent to be an above-average backup) Next Gen: 70 (Good)

C - John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota  6'3 1/2" 301

'22: 1st All-American, 1st All-BIG 10

combine: 5.35 40, 29.5"vert, 8'8" broad jump, 26reps

strengths: Lateral quickness for reach blocks in outside zone. Captures defender's edge with firm outside hand. Consistent as a block finisher. Maintains proper balance to pass & receive twists. Able to unlock hips & ankles to drop a sudden anchor.

weaknesses: Below average adjustments to moving targets. Arm length is below average. Gets overextended with aggressive pass-setting slides. Allows his edges to become too leaky when his edge is attacked.

grade: 6.41 (Will become a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 84 (Good)

comp: Ben Jones

DT - Mazi Smith, Michigan 6'3" 323

'22: 1st All-BIG 10, 48tckls/2.5TFLs

combine: 34reps

strengths: Power to punch & lift the blocker under his pads. Plays with lively feet & short-area quickness. Able to slide, swim and seize the gap. Foot quickness to be part of a twisting rush unit. 

weaknesses: Motor runs out of gas when tempo heats up. Slow reaction to movement gets him sealed. Surprising lack of anchor consistency against double teams. 

grade: 6.34 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 77 (Good)

comp: Dontari Poe