Whenever the Steelers get kicked out of contention each year, the start of offseason coverage begins. The fun speculation about which free agents and NFL Draft prospects could become Steelers runs rampant. The pre-draft process kicks off with a bang with back-to-back All-Star events which happened this past weekend.
The East-West Shrine game was on Friday and that normally highlights prospects that will likely be day three prospects. The biggest event by far is the Senior Bowl, which took place this past Saturday. It was a game that saw the offenses struggle and the defenses get acknowledged. There were a lot of disappointing offensive performances, but a couple of the players did put on a show.
Keep an eye on some of these players that make the list here as the Steelers and other NFL teams took notice. Not every prospect will make sense for Pittsburgh to take in the upcoming draft, but they could be too good of a value to pass on. The Steelers were active during the Senior Bowl and these players stood out on offense enough to stick on their radar.
Dylan Laube had a great week at the Senior Bowl to raise his stock
It seems like every year there are a couple of players that emerge out of nowhere. Many of these players that emerge seem to come from smaller programs in the college ranks. This year it was none other than Dylan Laube. The New Hampshire running back had a tremendous week of practices at the Senior Bowl and capped it off with a strong performance in the game.
Many have started to compare Laube to Danny Woodhead. Smaller backs that are able to do plenty of things like catch and run the ball. Laube had his draft stock rise this week and was one of the best running backs there. The Steelers probably don't need to draft a running back this year, but Laube would upgrade their third spot on the depth chart.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is on top of the Steelers Draft focus
Perhaps the best outing by anyone at the Senior Bowl was none other than Jackson Powers-Johnson. The center coming out of Oregon had a great showing throughout the week even though he got dinged up in practices. He was an anchor in the middle of the trenches on the offensive side of the ball. He had his stock rise, and the Steelers took notice.
Mike Tomlin remained active and close to the prospects on the field all week. He met with and watched many players up close throughout the event. Even Omar Khan kept his eyes peeled. Powers-Johnson was one of the players that got interest from Pittsburgh. They need an upgrade at a couple of positions across the offensive line with center being one of them.
Mason Cole is a player that might lose his job this offseason. His cap hit doesn't make too much sense to bring back for another year. Nate Herbig is the backup behind him and he almost cost as much as Cole in terms of cap numbers. It would make sense for the black and gold to invest in the center spot come draft time as they look to save money on young contracts.
Powers-Johnson might be an option for the Steelers in round one of the upcoming NFL Draft. He has all the tools every team looks for in a long-term option at the anchor of the offensive line. There were a couple of other center options present that could interest Pittsburgh, but neither participated. Powers-Johnson might have had his draft stock rise the most out of anyone participating this past week.
Mike Tomlin has a lot of interest in Roman Wilson for the NFL Draft
One of the standouts at receiver was Roman Wilson out of Michigan. He has been one of the better receivers in that program, but some of his qualities have been hampered by Michigan's run-first approach to their offense. That might have put his draft stock down heading into the pre-draft process, but he has plenty of time to improve those observations.
Wilson might not have had a 1,000-yard receiving season ever in college, but he totaled 12 receiving touchdowns this past season. A run-first offense normally sinks a receiver's stats, and Wilson had some of his numbers skewed because of that. Senior Bowl week was big for him since he needed to show scouts that his lack of yardage at Michigan was a fluke.
One of the best matchups of the week was Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo going up against Wilson. Both of them has tremendous showings at the event. They seemed to bounce their winning reps off one another. Both seem to be locked in for day two of the draft and could flirt with the first round if they can build off their performances from this past week.
Many might not like the idea of the Steelers adding another receiver in the draft, but they need a future option other than George Pickens. Diontae Johnson's contract will be running out soon, so drafting someone like Wilson could be an option. Mike Tomlin wanted the Wilson-Mitchell matchup last week and seemed to be watching both of them closely.
The long-term answer at Right tackle for the Steelers might be Tyler Guyton
Tackle is a strong area of this draft class. There could be plenty selected on night one and a barrage more on day two of the event later this spring. Plenty of quality tackles were at the Senior Bowl trying to impress the scouts in attendance. The Steelers kept a close eye on the offensive line, but right tackle is another pressing need they have to fill this offseason.
Chuks Okorafor will either be traded or cut this offseason since Tomlin openly benched him for questioning his decisions. That should save Pittsburgh in cap savings and allow for Broderick Jones to become a full-time starter. The issue is that Jones is more comfortable on the left side, but they can't accommodate that until they find a reasonable starter at right tackle.
Getting an upgrade at the draft seems to be the most logical choice. It's possible the Steelers could find one on day two of the draft, but the position could be in play in round one. That would be back-to-back first-round picks at tackle. No fan would dare complain about it as they have seen enough poor offensive line play over the past handful of years.
Tyler Guyton is a guy that could be worthy of that first-round selection. He brings great size and would fit what Arthur Smith will try and bring to the Steeler's new offense. Guyton had a dominant week at the Senior Bowl and showed his toughness in different reps. He should remind many of Jones coming out of the draft last year, but Guyton is solely a right tackle option.
Spencer Rattler stood out amongst a disappointing Quarterback group
One of the early points of interest for many who closely monitor the draft process has been the disappointments of the quarterback play. Many have tabbed this group of quarterback prospects as one of the best and deepest in recent memory. That simply has not been the case early into the pre-draft process and the Senior Bowl has only reinforced that.
Many thought the "headline" quarterbacks in attendance like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. would separate themselves as the fourth or third best quarterback in the class. That did not happen and it seems like their draft stock took a hit from this event. One quarterback that many haven't mentioned that had a good week was Spencer Rattler.
The Steelers don't desperately need a quarterback right now, but it seems like almost a guarantee that they will revamp that position group. Kenny Pickett will be the starter but will have to earn it out of training camp. Mason Rudolph will try to be brought back or a veteran will be brought in. Mitch Trubisky will likely not return and that could mean the Steelers draft a quarterback in the mid to late rounds of the draft.
Rattler started off his career strong in college, but it tapered off after his magical start. He is someone who might have been limited by those around him as he does possess quality attributes for a quarterback. He won the offensive MVP for the Senior Bowl and has seen his draft stock rise. If he finishes his pre-draft process off strong, then he could easily be a day-two selection. He would be a nice flyer on day three for the Steelers, but a second or third-round pick on Rattler might be too rich.