Every year around this point of the offseason, colleges will host pro days for their NFL-hopeful athletes. Each one will go through different drills to display their physical attributes to every NFL scout and coach in attendance. The Steelers are always going on tour to different college campuses as they search for the next great player on their roster.
Normally, people hunting at pro days are not the final nail in the coffin when it comes to a certain team drafting another player. Tons of meetings and evaluations are already done before this, but Pittsburgh runs its ship a little differently than others. The black and gold normally like to be at different pro days of prospects that they covet highly before selecting them when the draft comes around.
A big presence at Michigan's pro day could show Steelers interest
Getting younger and adding some bigger presences across the defensive line is something that the Steelers have yet to accomplish. They re-signed Larry Ogunjobi, but the depth behind him and Cam Heyward is scarce. Trying to find reasonable depth at the position besides DeMarvin Leal needs to be a priority in the draft. Picking a player to take over a depth spot and the nose tackle role should be a priority.
Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were both at the Michigan pro day. There are a lot of NFL hopefuls working out with the amount of talent that Michigan produces as a program. Mazi Smith is the name to watch here as the defensive tackle has a big upside to his game. He is not a finished product, but he should be able to continue his growth at the NFL level.
Pittsburgh sent the house to Alabama with plenty of talent available
There are plenty of NFL talents that come out of the Alabama Crimson Tide program every year. The Steelers have refrained from the crimson pond of talent for a while until recent history changed that mindset. Plenty of interesting names could potentially get the black and gold to select them when draft time comes around.
Brian Branch is one of the big reasons why the Steelers sent plenty of personnel to the Alabama pro day. He is regarded as being one of the best safeties in his draft class, which has become a gaping need for Pittsburgh recently. Terrell Edmunds is gone, and the defense could use someone like Branch, but that might be too rich of a spot for him at pick 17.
Plenty of other interesting options could interest the Steelers in later rounds rather than just night one. Names like Eli Ricks, Jordan Battle, Henry To'oTo'o, Tyler Steen, and D.J. Dale could be some other options to consider. Do not be shocked if the black and gold use one of their picks after day one on a variety of these Alabama products. They know how to make NFL talent in that college program and Pittsburgh does not seem concerned about fishing in that pond anymore.
Iowa is not a normal pro day stop for the Steelers but linebacker is a need
It is hard to find a reason to go visit the state of Iowa at times, but the Steelers had many different reasons to show up. Both Iowa and Iowa State held their respective pro days and the personnel of the black and gold was present. There are some interesting names that could interest Pittsburgh, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Jack Campbell out of Iowa is one of the top middle linebackers in this draft class. It is possible that he could be available in the second round, which would be an enticing option for the Steelers if he was still selectable then. Another name to watch when it comes to the Iowa pro day is Lukas Van Ness, an outside linebacker that has a high pedigree in this draft class.
Iowa State is not as successful of a football program as Iowa in its storied history. They do have some interesting options coming out of the draft that could interest the black and gold. Will McDonald IV is an edge rusher that has had a few run-ins with the top brass of the Steelers. Xavier Hutchinson is a mid to late-round receiver that got a lot of one-on-one time with Tomlin during Iowa State's pro day. That should be circled leading up to the draft as taking a receiver in the mid to late rounds seems like a real possibility of happening.
A familiar name could make the Steelers bend some of their draft rules
Penn State is a normal stop on the radar for the Steelers when it comes to the different personnel going around the country to pro days. Tomlin and Khan were not present, which could hurt some of the chances for these top prospects. Normally, the first-round selection of the Steelers will always meet with Tomlin and the general manager around the time of their pro day. Other obligations kept those two away from State College.
Even though the head coach and general manager were not present, the rest of the top positions of the office were there to take in the festivities. Joey Porter Jr. just makes a lot of sense and seems like he will be the selection if he is still available. An offensive tackle could be the top choice no matter what, but the bloodlines are there, and Tomlin would love to bring in Porter.
Another name that could be an underlying option to replace Edmunds is Ji'Ayir Brown. He would be a solid selection in either the third or fourth round, but the team cannot overvalue him when the draft rolls around. The Steelers were there to see Porter, but do not be completely distracted from the fact that Brown could also be a major factor for this upcoming draft class as well.
Ohio State got a lot of interesting offensive lineman to pay close attention to
The offensive line tour continues for the black and gold as they try and solidify their front group heading into 2023. There has been a ton of upgrades made to both starting and depth rolls across the interior of the offensive line in free agency. Drafting a tackle seems like one of the top choices in the upcoming draft as long as one is available come pick 17.
Ohio State is no stranger to Pittsburgh's talent pool when they select players out of the draft. Both Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones had dinner with the top dogs at the Steelers facility before their pro day. Johnson will likely be gone before Pittsburgh selects on night one, but Jones could be a viable option. He is a massive human being that could be an immediate upgrade over Dan Moore Jr.
Another offensive lineman had dinner with the top brass that has not gotten much attention. That player was Luke Wypler. He logged a lot of snaps at center for Ohio State and could be a surprising upgrade at the position on day two of the draft. Zach Harrison also reportedly attended the dinner, and he is a solid edge rusher that could boost the third outside linebacker spot on this roster. All four of these prospects could be interesting options in the first four rounds of the upcoming draft for the Steelers.