The East-West Shrine Bowl puts the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans back at the center of the NFL Draft buildup. It marks the start of the draft ramp-up, giving prospects a chance to change their draft stock. A strong week can help a player rise a few rounds, while a poor showing may cause them to slide. This bowl game provides a terrific opportunity for those in attendance.
Most NFL teams have some level of interest in this game, but the Steelers have found plenty of talent from this game in the past.
They discovered Mason McCormick in recent years to become a reliable starting guard. Don't be shocked if one of these prospects becomes a pick for Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft. There were some high-level performances during practices this week, leading up to the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers have several prospects to keep an eye on at East-West Shrine Bowl
Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut
One name who routinely stood out during practices at the East-West Shrine Bowl was Skyler Bell.
He is an explosive receiver who gained plenty of attention. The Steelers need a receiver or two this offseason, and the NFL Draft presents a great opportunity for them. Bell is coming off two strong seasons at Connecticut, but this past year saw him produce a whopping 101 receptions.
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
He was one of the bigger names at the festivities, and Harold Perkins Jr. put on a show. He will be a solid addition in the middle rounds of the upcoming draft. While the Steelers might not appear to need a middle linebacker, it's something they should consider. Perkins is a great athlete with a high ceiling. He was a multi-year starter at LSU, bringing a wealth of experience.
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Nolan Rucci, OT, Penn State
One of the top offensive linemen at the East-West Shrine Bowl was Nolan Rucci. He is a former five-star recruit. He has the ideal size and the ability to play offensive tackle at the next level. The Steelers have to decide what they will do with Broderick Jones's fifth-year option. Rucci is someone who can compete with Jones and boost the depth at offensive tackle for years to come.
Ahmaad Moses, S, SMU
Few at this event present a bigger potential for a diamond in the rough than Ahmaad Moses.
He is an undersized safety, but his production at SMU was off the charts. Pittsburgh could be in desperate need of the position with a shuffling secondary this offseason. Moses had a good week of practices and is an intriguing player. He produced an impressive eight interceptions over the past two seasons.
Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa
Aside from Bell, another standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl this week has been Kaden Wetjen. The Steelers might need more than one receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Wetjen could be a nice mid-round target. He didn't produce massive numbers, but Iowa's offense is rather boring. Another interesting part of Wetjen's game is his ability to be an effective returner on special teams.