Day two of the NFL Combine featured an impressive showing by this year's class of defensive backs and tight ends, and the Pittsburgh Steelers should take notice. With several potential open roster spots at both cornerback and safety, using multiple picks on DBs is not out of the question.
Tight end, meanwhile, should theoretically be in good shape. Mike McCarthy's hiring should breathe new life into Pat Freiermuth's career, and general manager Omar Khan recently praised the massive Darnell Washington as well. There is one glaring issue with the room, however.
Jonnu Smith was a complete disaster after being brought over from the Dolphins as part of the Jalen Ramsey-Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, and he should be a cap casualty this offseason if the Steelers are smart. They could choose to replace him with a cheap free agent to play the #3 tight end role, but one player who could offer a similar skill set just dominated in his Combine workout.
Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers showed off all of the traits that earned him the John Mackey award in 2025 as college football's top tight end, and he could be the perfect replacement for Smith in Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should cut Jonnu Smith and target Eli Stowers to replace him
If the Steelers still have an interest in utilizing a playmaker with Smith's skill set, Stowers could give them that at a much cheaper cost. Smith has excelled as a catch-and-run threat throughout his career, using his impressive combination of size and speed to make plays in open space.
Stowers was dynamic at Vanderbilt for the same reasons, averaging an impressive 6.5 yards after the catch per reception for his career.
Stowers showed off the athleticism that led to his strong final college season at the Combine, setting the record for tight ends with a 45.5" vertical leap and 11'3" broad jump. He also put up a blazing 4.51 40-yard dash at 6'4" and 239 pounds.
He will likely never be a full-time tight end in the traditional sense, but Smith never has been either. McCarthy loves utilizing his best playmakers in the slot, and that is where Stowers will be most effective at the next level. It would be better to view him as more of a big receiver than a true tight end, and Steelers fans know how badly this team needs more explosive pass catchers.
His workout may end up inflating his draft position a bit, but as long as they have an actual plan to use him, taking him with one of their third-round picks would be solid value.