The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing on their pre-draft scouting trail. One day after having all hands on deck in Athens for Georgia's Pro Day to watch players like OT Amarius Mims, WR Ladd McConkey, and CB Kamari Lassiter, Pittsburgh's brass has made the trip to South Carolina for Clemson's Pro Day.
When it comes to Pro Day's, the biggest thing we look for is attendance from the Steelers' top personnel. Historically, this is a great indicator that Pittsburgh could have an interest in taking a prospect from this school in the first round.
On March 14th, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were spotted talking to head coach Dabo Swinney at Clemson's Pro Day.
Dabo Swinney (purple) hanging out with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin (left) pic.twitter.com/N6CNWQDjS1
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) March 14, 2024
#Clemson HC Dabo Swinney shows #Steelers HC Mike Tomlin around the facility at Pro Day:
— Luke Winstel (@lukewinstel) March 14, 2024
Tomlin is here this morning with Steelers GM Omar Khan. pic.twitter.com/gG3wBTcKVq
There are several reasons Pittsburgh's brass could have been on hand at Clemson's Pro Day. After visiting Georgia yesterday, they could have made a simple trek north to scope out the talent one day later at Clemson.
This is also a Pro Day that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers GM historically have not liked to miss. What this tells us is that Pittsburgh could be interested in taking a Clemson player as early as the first round.
Steelers could be eying CB Nate Wiggins
Clemson has a handful of players who are going to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Defensive standouts like DT Ruke Orhorhoro and LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are among the most notable participants. However, it's cornerback Nate Wiggins who may catch the eye of Tomlin and Khan at Clemson's Pro Day.
The Steelers had a severe need at cornerback that likely wasn't satisfied after swapping WR Diontae Johnson to the Panthers for veteran CB Donte Jackson. Wiggins is a press-man cornerback who can jam and mirror receivers on the boundary.
Wiggins' play style would fit well alongside Joey Porter Jr. and would allow Pittsburgh to run more man coverage. While Wiggins' measurements were a bit underwhelming at the NFL Combine (173 pounds with 30 1/2'' arms), the speedster blazed with a 4.28 40-yard dash.
Wiggins is also expected to be drafted in the back half of the first round. After pulling up lame on his first 40-yard dash attempt at the Combine, Wiggins was unable to work out, so the Steelers want to see him in action at his Pro Day.
Right now, Pittsburgh is lacking depth and upside at cornerback outside of Porter, as Donte Jackson and former seventh-round pick Cory Trice Jr. (who is coming off an ACL injury) are the only notable cornerbacks on the roster.
The Steelers have no shortage of needs to address, but cornerback could still be one of them. After seeing that Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were on hand at Clemson's Pro Day, Nate Wiggins is firmly on their radar in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.