The Pittsburgh Steelers had a set order of business on the Pro Day scouting trail over the years. For as long as fans can remember, former head coach Mike Tomlin would hit the road with former GM Kevin Colbert. When Colbert stepped down, it was Tomlin and new GM Omar Khan who would hit the scouting trail together from 2023 to 2025.
But with Tomlin gone and Mike McCarthy in, we didn't know if or where to expect to see Khan and McCarthy together on the scouting trail. This week, we got our first sighting.
Khan and McCarthy were spotted at Georgia's Pro Day on Wednesday. Interestingly, Georgia has two first-round prospects this year: offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and linebacker CJ Allen.
Seeing Tomlin and the team's GM at Georgia Pro Day was expected, so it's hard to know exactly what it means that McCarthy and Khan were scouting the talent together. In the past, any sign of the HC/GM would put a first-round prospect firmly on Pittsburgh's radar (like Najee Harris in 2021, Kenny Pickett in 2022, or Broderick Jones in 2023).
If we follow the same rules, Freeling and Allen can't be ruled out as potential first-round picks by the Steelers this April.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could have OT Monroe Freeling and LB CJ Allen on their first-round radar
Showing up at a team's Pro Day hardly guarantees that the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in one particular player. However, this is one of several signs we look for on the trail of breadcrumbs to figure out who the team is eyeing in the first round.
While Freeling and Allen were quickly thrust into the spotlight on the Steelers' draft radar, it's a stretch to believe either will be the selection at pick No. 21.
Freeling would make a ton of sense. Pittsburgh could prepare for the end of Broderick Jones' disappointing tenure by replacing him with an even longer, more athletic Georgia offensive tackle. Freeling has excellent feet on tape, and the traits pop.
But there's a problem: Freeling is expected to be long off the board before Pittsburgh is on the clock. The Cleveland Browns at pick No. 6 in the 2026 NFL Draft have been a rumored destination. And considering he's the best true left tackle prospect in the class, Freeling should be snatched up quickly.
Meanwhile, Allen would be an upgrade over the Steelers' current linebackers, but this would feel like a luxury pick. While the physical linebacker could fall within the team's drafting range in Round 1, Pittsburgh still has a pricey Patrick Queen on the roster with 2024 third-round pick Payton Wilson. With an array of needs, it might not be wise to take an off-ball linebacker with this selection.
The reality is that McCarthy and Khan were likely at Georgia's Pro Day to get a look at the scope of the talent on hand. After all, the Bulldogs routinely produce NFL talent as well as any college football program out there.
Still, if history repeats itself, we at least have to consider Monroe Freeling and CJ Allen as potential first-round selections for the Pittsburgh Steelers this year. Just don't take it to the bank.