TE Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Brycen Hopkins is another player the Steelers could target in the draft this year. The Purdue tight end is a superior receiver to Pinkney, but is not as powerful in the run game. Hopkins is a player who can line up all over the field. He can get vertical against linebackers and he excels as a route runner.
Hopkins, however, is on the older side, and he doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a traditional tight end. He also disappointed at his Senior Bowl weigh-ins – coming in at just 6’3 1/2” after being listed at 6’5” in college. Still, with a need at the position, Hopkins is a player who could impress the Steelers scouts during Senior Bowl practices.
DT Benito Jones, Ole Miss
Benito Jones is a player who could certainly draw some interest from Pittsburgh. Jones was a four-year starter at defensive tackle for Ole Miss. At 6’1” and 321 pounds, Jones has a stout frame and projects best as a nose tackle at the next level.
Jones had surprising production for a man his size in 2019. He finished his senior season with 10 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and an interception in 11 games. Javon Hargrave is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and there is plenty of reason to believe that the Steelers will not be able to retain him. Jones could slide right into Hargrave’s role as a situational defensive lineman and help shut down the run.
The Steelers will have many options when day two of the NFL draft rolls around, and these five players could certainly be on their draft board. Keep a close eye on them this week during Senior Bowl practices. There’s a chance one of these players may be Pittsburgh’s pick early in the draft.