4 players the Steelers may not have interest in drafting

The Steelers will attempt to bolster their roster this April, but here are five players Pittsburgh may ignore in the NFL Draft.

This is the time of year when hardcore NFL fans start getting excited for the next chapter of football. The NFL Combine starts this week and 32 teams already have their scouts, coaches, and general managers on hand. The Steelers have a few glaring needs to address this offseason, and most are predicting them to target the offensive side of the ball early in the draft.

While Pittsburgh could use a tight end, wide receiver, running back, or even a defensive tackle to help replace Javon Hargrave, there are several players they might not have interest in drafting. Here are five NFL Draft prospects who may not have what the Steelers are looking for:

TE Brycen Hopkins

Brycen Hopkins impressed at the Senior Bowl with his ability to create space and win at the top of his routes. He was a productive pass-catcher at Purdue and he shows the ability to get vertical and stretch the seams.

However, Hopkins is a redshirt senior who turns 23 years old before the draft. The Steelers typically look for youth early in the draft. While Heath Miller was an older prospect coming out, that was before Mike Tomlin was around.

WR K.J. Hamler

K.J. Hamler possesses numerous traits that the Steelers covet. He is young, fast, and homegrown. However, Hamler is bite-sized. After weighing in at the NFL Combine, Hamler checked in at just 5’8 5/8” and 178 pounds.

The last time the Steelers drafted a skill player that small was Dri Archer in 2014. Archer was a gadget player who lasted just a year and a half on the roster before being cut. Hamler is a much better player, but Pittsburgh doesn’t have a history of drafting receivers as small as he is.

DT Neville Gallimore

Neville Gallimore wasn’t the most productive defensive tackle in college football, but I love his tape. He is a violent, physical defender with good burst and excellent hand usage. His playstyle resembles Hargrave’s and he would probably be a solid option to replace him.

However, at 23 years old, Gallimore is one of the oldest players in the draft. The last time the Steelers took a 23-year old in the first two rounds was Jarvis Jones in 2013 – and we all know how that turned out. They just don’t draft players this old.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Like Hamler, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a young, athletic player from a big school. However, the Steelers may drop him on their draft board for the same reasons. Projected as a potential feature back at the next level, Edwards-Helaire measured in at just over 5’7” and 207 pounds.

The Steelers have certain thresholds they like their running backs to meet. Although I think Edwards-Helaire is a very good player, he doesn’t fit the bill of the big-bodied backs they look for to carry the load in Pittsburgh.

There is a small chance the Steelers could have an interest in some of the names I mentioned. But if drafting needs are any indication, these are some players Pittsburgh is likely to steer clear of in the NFL Draft this April.