The Steelers are now in full offseason mode, and here are four draft sleepers the team should be scouting at the Senior Bowl.
The Steelers missing the postseason means they get to have a head start at getting ready for the offseason. While in-house moves are already underway, the team is also preparing for the annual Senior Bowl. As a fan, this game is a big one for the team. Typically, at least two players drafted played at the Senior Bowl, and those picks are usually day three picks.
While scouting the top names is an obvious must, the team could be looking to fill out their final few picks with Senior Bowl talent. That means finding those lesser-known names will be key. The Steelers need to hit on their draft picks and finding capable players from the Senior Bowl will go a long way. Here are four sleepers the Steelers must keep an eye on at the Senior Bowl.
Steelers should be watching McClendon Curtis
While offensive line should, in theory, be a high priority on the Steelers draft list, double-dipping at the position isn’t out of the question either. The current line isn’t deep, so finding a key reserve late in the draft would be a big help. A name they should circle is McClendon Curtis out of Tennessee Chattanooga.
His size and path to the NFL are reminiscent of Ramon Foster, as he is a mountain of a man that lacks the most desirable athletic traits. In terms of technique, he is a mess, but he plays with a lot of fire and power. He has experience at tackle but will likely be a guard at the next level. He will need a lot of work, but if he can refine some of his traits, he could be a viable swing lineman down the road.
Steelers should be watching Trey Palmer
The Steelers enter the season with a legitimate need at receiver, something that they haven’t had to deal with for a few years. The Chase Claypool trade turned the slot position into a sore spot, and this group needs some more talent woven into it. While many are clamoring for another early receiver, the team could wait until later in the draft and land a name like Trey Palmer.
Palmer transferred from LSU, where he was mostly buried on the depth chart, and found a home in Nebraska. While not a physically imposing layer, Palmer wins with extreme speed and savvy route running. His primary issue is his hands, as he has been known to drop passes from time to time. That said, he has experience playing out of every primary receiver spot.
That kind of versatility would be welcomed to this depth chart. As well, the team lacks a receiver with elite deep speed, so having that threat again would be big. Palmer doesn’t stick out as a potential elite receiver, but he has the versatility to be a rotational player on a depth chart. He should be squarely on the team’s radar at the Senior Bowl.
Steelers should be watching Ivan Pace
A name I am quickly growing fond of in this upcoming draft class is Ivan Pace. Transferring from Miami of Ohio, Pace quickly established himself as an impact player for this Bearcats defense. He racked up 136 tackles along with nine sacks, showcasing his ability to shoot gaps and disrupt offenses. While coverage isn’t his strength, he can handle zones pretty well and use his athleticism to disrupt plays there.
The issue with Pace isn’t his play, it’s his size. While undersized linebackers can succeed in the NFL, he has struggled to get off blocks at the college level. Professional linemen only get bigger and stronger, so Pace will have to work on finding ways to shed. If he can’t, he won’t be a realistic defender.
That said, he plays like his hair is on fire and should, at worst, be a special team’s contributor. His play reminds me so much of Vince Williams, except that Williams could shed (Pace is better in coverage though). If he can show some improvements in his ability to get off blocks at the Senior Bowl, he would be a great draft target for the Steelers.
Steelers should be watching Clayton Tune
I don’t think the Steelers should overlook taking another quarterback in this draft. No, this isn’t to challenge for Pickett’s spot, but the rest of the roster is set to be gone in this offseason, and the team will need some capable backups to sit behind him. While a veteran free agent should be the number two, a rookie may be the number three.
Clayton Tune sticks out as a name that would make a lot of sense on the third day of the draft. Playing in Houston, Tune has gotten better every season and has led the Cougars to a lot of success. He has a good frame to go along with decent athleticism (he can extend plays in the pocket), and he has been a very consistent quarterback.
His limitations will keep him as a later-round pick but Tune screams good backup with the potential to be a spot starter. Is landing a good backup a top need this season? Arguably no, but the Steelers want to keep that position secure. Tune stands out as a low-ceiling quarterback whose floor should keep him around in the NFL for a while.
The Steelers focus has now shifted to the offseason, and that means free agency and the draft are now squarely on this team’s radar. With the Senior Bowl right around the corner, there is a lot of talent worthy of keeping an eye on. These four sleepers though could be great fits for the Steelers, and they need to be on their radar.