Steelers Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan continue scouting trail at Michigan Pro Day
By Tommy Jaggi
There hasn't been much of a break for Mike Tomlin or Omar Khan since the start of the week. The legal tampering period began on Monday, and Pittsburgh's brass was busy making some significant roster changes this week. All the while, they've had to balance a complicated Pro Day schedule.
After going south from Clemson's Pro Day to Georgia's Pro Day in back-to-back days, Pittsburgh's brass is prepping for the weekend with a visit to Michigan. According to Michigan sportswriter Dave Birkett, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have made the journey once again.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan were among those at Michigan pro day today. Regular stop on the tour for Tomlin, who seems to come to Ann Arbor every year.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 17, 2023
This is a school that Tomlin rarely skips over. Even last year as the Pittsburgh Steelers were busy trying to find their next franchise quarterback, they still made time for Michigan's Pro Day.
Last year, Michigan boasted some high-profile prospects like Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Daxton Hill. This year, their Pro Day doesn't quite include the same star-studded cast. Among their top prospects set to enter the 2023 NFL Draft are DT Mazi Smith, DL Mike Morris, CB DJ Turner, OT Ryan Hayes, and C Olusegun Oluwatimi.
Steelers could target DL help from Michigan
Making the trip to Michigan's Pro Day doesn't mean that the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft somebody from this school, but it definitely puts players on the map. Of this group, a pair of defensive linemen could prove to be on Pittsburgh's radar as we approach the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Steelers had a formal visit with Mike Morris at the NFL Combine. The big defensive end measured in at 6'5 1/4'' and 275 pounds. However, he did not test well in Indianapolis, and some teams could view him as a candidate to bulk up and kick inside on passing downs. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has a need at both edge defender and the interior defensive line, so this makes some sense.
The best overall prospect coming out of Michigan this year is Mazi Smith. The 323-pound defensive tackle is a space-eater and one of the better interior DL prospects in the draft. Unfortunately, he was sentenced to probation for misdemeanor gun charges, which could prove to hurt his draft stock.
Next. Traps the Steelers must avoid during the 2023 offseason. dark
The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken numerous players from schools in the state of Michigan in recent years but drafted a player from the University of Michigan since doubling up on Devin Bush and Zach Gentry back in 2019.