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5 Senior Bowl standouts who should be on Steelers radar

By Tommy Jaggi

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 28: Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs with the ball after catching a pass in the second quarter of the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 28, 2017 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 28: Brycen Hopkins #89 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs with the ball after catching a pass in the second quarter of the game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 28, 2017 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Peyton Hendershot #86 of the Indiana Hoosiers gives the stiff arm as Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines reaches for the tackle during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Peyton Hendershot #86 of the Indiana Hoosiers gives the stiff arm as Josh Uche #6 of the Michigan Wolverines reaches for the tackle during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Josh Jones

Offensive tackle, Houston

I know offensive tackle isn’t the biggest need for the Steelers, but Josh Jones is a guy who won nearly every rep at the Senior Bowl. Jones showed incredible footwork and rarely let his man get the best of him in one-on-ones – a drill that clearly favors the defensive player.

Jones’ arm length just barely meets the threshold most teams like to see in their offensive tackles (33 5/8”), but at 6’5” and 311 pounds, he has good size and carries his weight very well. The Steelers will have Alejandro Villanueva and Matt Feiler returning, and Chukwuma Okorafor backing them up. Zach Banner, who is a free agent this year, may also return. Though this seems like a luxury pick, it’s hard to pass up a player who has potential as a long-time starting left tackle. Josh Jones should be on Pittsburgh’s radar.

Josh Uche

Edge defender, Michigan

There are a lot of edge defenders who stood out at the Senior Bowl this year. But one that the Steelers should have a particular level of interest in is Michigan’s Josh Uche. Uche didn’t have insane college production, and doesn’t really play with a lot of power. However, the former Wolverine is incredibly quick and bendy off the edge.

Uche will be particularly enticing to 3-4 teams due to his tweener size (6’1” and 241 pounds). With his raw athleticism, it’s possible that he could even make a transition to an off-the-ball linebacker if need be (much like Lawrence Timmons coming out of Florida State in 2007). Uche is also one of the youngest players at the Senior Bowl, as he turned just 21 years old a few months back. He still has plenty of room to develop.

Next. 3 Senior Bowl tight ends that will be on Steelers radar in the 2020 NFL Draft. dark

It’s still unclear whether or not Mike Tomlin or Kevin Colbert will take a deep interest in any of the players mentioned above, but there is no doubt that these guys were catching the attention of NFL personnel at the Senior Bowl. Be on the lookout for the Steelers visiting some of these guys at their Pro Days later in the offseason.

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