5 under-the-radar Steelers targets to watch at the NFL Combine

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

Don't underestimate how much Mike Tomlin and the organization value strong family bloodlines. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is about to become a second-generation NFL player, and he's the son of former All-Pro Eagles linebacker, Jeremiah Trotter.

The Steelers value players who have grown up around football and who live and breathe the game. Trotter fits the bill. Trotter doesn't have the perfect size and his ability in coverage doesn't project well at the next level, but he's a box-checker in so many ways -- including being a young underclassman and coming from a great ACC program at Clemson.

Additionally, linebacker is a lowkey need for this team that isn't being talked about enough. Cole Holcomb is expected to be fully recovered from his ACL injury that he suffered in the middle of the 2023 season, but he has not shown the ability to stay healthy in his NFL career. Meanwhile, Elandon Roberts shouldn't be a full-time player, and Kwon Alexander is no longer under contract (and is rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles).

Taking a player like Trotter on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft might feel like a bit of a luxury, but it almost feels like a lock that there is going to be interest on the part of the Steelers. Keep an eye on his performance at the NFL Combine, as it could dictate where he could go in the draft.