Steelers post-NFL Combine stock report: Biggest risers and fallers

Following a busy week at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, it's back to the drawing board for all 32 teams. In the days leading up to what promises to be an eventful free agency period, teams will review their notes from Indianapolis and make adjustments to their draft boards. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams... and they know how important it is to get this draft right.

The 2023 NFL Draft was a great start for new GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl. Unfortunately, there's still plenty of work to do when it comes to roster-building, and it's hard to argue that the Steelers are suddenly in a position to compete for a Super Bowl.

The good news is another strong draft class could help them become contenders in the near future. That's where the NFL Combine comes in.

Teams use data from the Combine to make informed decisions to minimize risk and maximize potential. This is a form of analytics. Though Combine testing numbers certainly don't mean everything, they can serve as a means of separating elite athletes from those who don't project well at the next level.

We gained a lot of helpful information throughout the NFL Combine, and there were plenty of risers and fallers at every position. Here are the Steelers' biggest risers and fallers in the NFL draft following the Combine.

Steelers post-Combine risers:

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

There are very few players in the NFL who possess a similar frame to that of Amarius Mims. It's even rarer to find an exceptional athlete in a player his size. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl value length, strength, and athletic traits at the offensive tackle position, and Mims was one of the biggest winners of the NFL Combine thanks to great measurables and impressive testing numbers at 6'7 3/4'', and 340 pounds.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Steelers hardly ever take non-Power Five school players in the first round, but Quinyon Mitchell could have been an exception. Unfortunately for them, Mitchell was so impressive at the NFL Combine with 4.33 speed and outstanding movement skills in on-field drills that he is unlikely to be available when the 20th overall pick rolls around.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

You might not view wide receiver as a big position of need for this team, but that didn't stop the Pittsburgh Steelers from using a formal NFL Combine visit with LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. At nearly 6'3'' with 4.33 speed and elite explosion, Thomas has exceptional traits and WR1 upside in the NFL. If Diontae Johnson isn't part of the long-term plan, Pittsburgh could consider him at pick 20.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

Adonai Mitchell is another receiver the Steelers met with formally at the NFL Combine. While there were some questions about how well he interviewed, Mitchell dropped jaws after running a 4.34 40-yard dash and posting an outrageous 11'4'' broad jump. Oh, and he did all of this at 6'2'' and 205 pounds. The Steelers like this young man, and he greatly boosted his draft stock in Indianapolis.

Steelers post-Combine fallers:

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

It's never good when you show up to the Combine and can't participate because of medical reasons. Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry wasn't able to practice due to a Jones fracture in his right foot. This could have been a big opportunity to solidify himself as a first-round candidate, but the injury setback won't help his cause.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

As natural as many of the top receivers looked at the NFL Combine, Troy Franklin was just the opposite. The speedy Oregon wide-out routinely double-caught the football and he weaved all over the place during the gauntlet drill. There were questions about how natural he is as a receiver, and there are major concerns about this after his performance in Indianapolis.

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

There's no question that the Steelers would love to have a cornerback with elite speed playing opposite of Joey Porter Jr., but this team typically doesn't mess with players who have injury concerns. After weighing in at a lean 173 pounds at the Combine, cornerback Nate Wiggins pulled up lame at the end of his 40-yard dash. Wiggins' 4.29 speed isn't going to mean much to Mike Tomlin if he can't stay on the field, and Wiggins missed roughly half of his 2023 season at Clemson due to injuries. Wiggins wasn't able to participate in any on-field drills during the Combine.

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

At 6'7 1/2'' and 322 pounds, Tyler Guyton looks the part, but his performance at the NFL Combine left plenty to be desired. Guyton didn't test as the amazing athlete that many NFL Draft experts thought he would. This isn't what we wanted to see from a raw prospect who graded out poorly in 2023 and who turns 23 years old shortly after the draft. Guyton could be one of the biggest boom-or-bust players in this year's draft.

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

If there is any hope of the Steelers throwing a dart at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft this year, that might have dwindled. Pittsburgh did not express interest in meeting with the QBs on hand at the Combine. Spencer Rattler was viewed as a mid-round prospect they could target, but after testing as a poor athlete at the NFL Combine, Rattler might not be a player they are interested in drafting this April.