The Pittsburgh Steelers have met with several skill players at the NFL Combine. Here’s why they won’t get a chance to draft these three guys in April.
The NFL Combine is a chance for players to separate themselves from the pack. The Steelers have their brass on hand in Indianapolis and have met with a handful of players they may have interest in drafting.
Pittsburgh’s offense finished 30th in the league last season, and the Steelers are no doubt in the market for adding talent for Ben Roethlisberger to work with. Unfortunately, a few of the players they would have had an interest in likely won’t be available to them in the second round anymore.
Here are three players who performed too well at the NFL Combine to fall to the Steelers at pick 49:
Jonathan Taylor
There are only a few running backs this year who truly fit the bill of what Pittsburgh looks for at the position. They typically draft guys that are 5’10” or taller and more than 215 pounds who project as workhorse backs at the next level.
Jonathan Taylor was my number one running back prospect in the draft prior to the Combine. But after running a 4.39 40-yard dash at 226 pounds, he will no longer be an option for the Steelers in round two.
Justin Jefferson
Although he just turned 21 years old, Justin Jefferson is a pro-ready prospect who excels at the catch point. He’s a solid route runner and could have stepped into a role from day one for the Steelers.
However, the LSU product tested his way above Pittsburgh’s pick in the second round. Jefferson turned heads with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, a 37.5” vertical, and a 126” broad jump. He could wind up going as high as the back-half of the first round.
Denzel Mims
Here’s a player I thought stood a great chance to be available when the Steelers pick in the second round. That is until he blew up the NFL Combine. At 6’3” and 207 pounds, Denzel Mims shocked the nation with a 4.38 40-yard dash, 38.5” vertical, 131” broad jump, 6.66-second 3-cone drill.
Mims now has a chance to leapfrog some of the other receivers in this draft class. After proving to be a productive college player with terrific Senior Bowl tape, Mims essentially solidified himself as a top 40 pick in this draft.
There is a slight chance that one of these players could end up slipping in the NFL Draft. But after spectacular Combine performances, I would be surprised if any fell all the way to the Steelers at pick 49. Let’s hope there’s still a chance.