The Pittsburgh Steelers have their eyes on as many prospects as possible, but many media members haven’t followed these prospects as much.
The Steelers have ramped up their draft coverage over the past week and some change. Free agency is slowing down, despite the team still looking to address some glaring needs. They decided to focus on traveling to different pro days for some top-tier names.
The history of this ball club has shown that they will visit and have dinner with some prospects that they wish to draft, especially in the earlier rounds. They have begun doing that and some things are starting to stand out. It seems like the team will be focusing on either a quarterback or defense early on.
They have sent their major contingent of Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and Brandon Hunt to some pro days that have some big names. Those visits included Liberty, Pitt, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, and Georgia just to name a few. There have been other scouts and coaches going across the county to look at other prospects as well.
Although there are some obvious players that the team has fallen in love with, those players will be long gone before the black and gold pick. They would need to trade up to acquire players like Jordan Davis, Malik Willis, or Kenny Pickett. All three of them are expected to go in the top 15 selections or higher.
Some names could still bring up some interest as the draft process moves along that are not getting much attention. Many look at Willis or Pickett as the only two options for Pittsburgh at quarterback from this class, but that is not the correct presumption. Those two are the best rated but other players could still be in conversations when pick 20 comes around, barring a trade.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jahan Dotson was one of the best receivers in college football that barely got any national notoriety. He has sticky hands and can create separation without issue. He was one of the best to ever play at Penn State for his position and he could be an interesting option for the Steelers in the draft.
Many have not spoken much about Dotson when you look at the positional group coming out of college in 2022. You will hear the names Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, etc. This player is not brought up much as many see him in the second tier below those names in this very deep class.
He could go in the later portions of the first round, but he could always go early on day two of the event. It is unsure right now how teams value him and where he could end up being selected. Perhaps one of the later picks on the first day could be possible, the Chiefs do have back-to-back first-rounders at the very end of the night.
This would be a great selection by the Steelers if they could get him with their second-round pick. That would be a long wait for Dotson, and it’s unlikely to happen, but it would be very beneficial for both parties. This player would get a chance to carve out a starting role on this offense with many weapons that could free him up more.
Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Daxton Hill has become an interesting option for the Steelers if quarterbacks get taken before their pick. He is a safety that can wear many hats for a defense. He has lined up in multiple spots during his time at Michigan and will provide options for whichever team selects him.
Pittsburgh is currently in need of a starting strong safety, which Hill has not had a ton of experience with. He is projected as a free safety prospect that can slide inside and play nickel. The defense for the black and gold doesn’t desperately need either of those two positions filled for their starting unit, but the team could always envision him elsewhere.
The brass for the Steel City went to Michigan’s pro day to watch a couple of different prospects work out. Hill was someone that got attention from the Steelers. He could always be an option if the team misses out on some free agents. The team would need to see him starting at the strong safety spot to take him in the first round.
As of now, this player is expected to go at some point between the late portion of the first round or sometime on day two. It all depends on if a club wants to get this player and not take a chance on him going in between their picks. He could be an option in the second round if he starts to slip.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean is one of the top inside linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft. This might not be the deepest group or the best linebackers coming out of college, but they bring some interesting players to the field. This player was awarded the best linebacker in college football for the 2021 season.
He is a little shorter in stature, but he plays with speed that overmatches most of his opposition. One thing this player does very well is blitz the quarterback between the tackles. He can shoot gaps and create opportunities for himself to tackle the offensive player behind the line of scrimmage.
This could be an actual option as we know Mike Tomlin and company were on hand during the Georgia pro day. There are many draftable NFL prospects there, so they got a chance to view a handful of potential options for them in the first round.
Dean might not seem like a potential option after signing Myles Jack in free agency, but he could still get a look. Devin Bush could be gone from the team soon if his contract isn’t extended further so the position would become a major factor. Jack has a question mark with him since his play has dipped in recent years. This former Bulldog would come in and bring youth and speed into the middle of this defense.
David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
David Ojabo was on the rise for most draft boards, but that was all put to a halt recently. He tore his Achilles during his pro day at Michigan with the Steelers higher-ups in attendance. He is still one of the best prospects in this draft and a top edge rusher.
If he didn’t suffer that injury during a drill, he would’ve been a top 20 pick in this draft. The injury is on track to be recovered from in about six months or so, depending on the healing and rehab process. That means that he could be on schedule to jump into football activities around August or September.
That would put him behind the eight ball in terms of getting on the field knowledge during the pre-season. That could be a negative, but this player has the smarts to learn a defense and can challenge Alex Highsmith for a starting spot. Edge rusher isn’t an immediate need for the Steelers because they already have their starters in the fold, but they need depth and options.
This Michigan product would provide for a disruptive trio on the edge for Pittsburgh. It would be adding to a bounty of wealth for this franchise, but if Ojabo is there in the first round or somehow falls to their second-round pick, he could get a serious look. Right now, many don’t think this injury will completely take him out of first-round conversations, but it will put his name into question.
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Georgia has been getting a lot of attention during this draft process and rightfully so. They will have a handful of prospects hearing their names called on the first night of the draft and plenty more throughout the seven rounds. Jordan Davis is the first name people think of when they hear about Georgia defensive line prospects and for good reason.
Davis might be the premiere player, but his teammate Devonte Wyatt has a very good shot at being a first-round option for a team. This player is a disrupter in the middle of the trenches and knows how to play the run well. He did nothing but dominate during his time starting for the Bulldogs, especially in their championship this past season.
The best thing about this player is the ability to use his speed and first step is fast. He can use this to quickly beat the offensive lineman in front of him. The biggest concern that this player will need to be coached on will be to not solely rely on his speed to win at the snap.
He needs to improve his pass-rushing moves and develop other ways to defeat the offensive lineman in the NFL. He had a solid week at the Senior Bowl, and he has proven that he can consistently be a disrupter against top talent. He will be an option for the Steelers at 20 if they want a defensive lineman.
Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
It is crazy what one year can do to NFL prospects, but Matt Corral was no different to this trend. Both he and Sam Howell were ranked the top two quarterbacks in this class before this past college season, that changed since then. Both had good seasons, especially Corral, but they dipped on draft boards since then.
Both Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett have risen draft boards a lot and many expect them to go in the top 12 picks of the draft. Corral isn’t guaranteed to go in the first round, but he has all the intangibles and athleticism that the Steelers are looking for in their next signal-caller. He should still be there at pick 20 and he could potentially be there in the second round, which would be a steal.
He is the third-best quarterback in this class, despite many saying that this group is weaker than years prior. Corral should be an option in the first round for Pittsburgh as they continue to show major interest in the position during the pre-draft process. Mike Tomlin was present during Mississippi’s pro day and chatted with this prospect on the sideline for a while.
Doing due diligence is very important, especially when you are looking for a replacement that takes over for a future hall of famer, Ben Roethlisberger. This player has the mobility and arm strength that the team is looking for in this offense. It might take some adjusting for this player to the pro-style offense, but with Mitch Trubisky in the fold, that isn’t a crazy ask for him to sit and learn for a little.
The Steelers have been attending pro days and they are starting to show where their priorities lie. These prospects could still be their top choice in the first round, despite the lack of media coverage.