Pre Draft Visit and Pro Day Tracker

[Pabst]

Sounds like Arthur Smith is at Duke pro day

Thanks!

Looks like he made his way over to UNC as well.

[Gonzo]

Drafting JJ McCarthy should be a firable offense.

well let’s hope tomlin does it then

[DP39]

Sounds like Arthur Smith is at Duke pro day

Thanks!

Looks like he made his way over to UNC as well.

His alma mater...where he played a little O line.

[bradshaw2ben]

Dallas is where the action is next couple of days

[tbsteel]

Penix scheduled to visit next week.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/398 ... ed-pro-day

[jebrick]

Penix scheduled to visit next week.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/398 ... ed-pro-day

Khan and Tomlin met with Penix at his pro day.

[jebrick]

Sounds like Arthur Smith is at Duke pro day

Thanks!

Looks like he made his way over to UNC as well.

Curry was also at UNC and Duke with Smith

[Mick]

Penix scheduled to visit next week.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/398 ... ed-pro-day

Khan and Tomlin met with Penix at his pro day.

No they didn’t? Neither went to washington pro day.

[Pabst]

OK, I believe everything is updated.

One update not mentioned in the thread - Pat Meyer was at Washington's pro day

[bradshaw2ben]

Penix scheduled to visit next week.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/398 ... ed-pro-day

Khan and Tomlin met with Penix at his pro day.

Jeesus that does not bode well.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I suspect Penix might be feigned interest to make a trade happen

[jebrick]

Penix scheduled to visit next week.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/398 ... ed-pro-day

Khan and Tomlin met with Penix at his pro day.

Jeesus that does not bode well.

I was wrong. I saw a report that had them there but another said they were not there

[Mick]

To be fair, them bringing Penix in for a visit is a bigger signal than Khanlin meeting with hin at his pro day would have been. If they went to his pro day, could be interepreted as Odunze being the target. Bringing Penix in for a visit means Penix is of interest full stop.

[cop1211]

Id rather take McCarthy than Penix, Penix will be in the hot tub more than on the field, he’s a walking band aid. For clarification I don’t want either.

[jebrick]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

[tbsteel]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

I wouldn't be shocked if they were targeting JT Jr. He checks a lot of boxes... younger prospect, NFL bloodlines, big time high-school prospect.

Roberts is on the last year of his deal and they probably prefer him more in the 3rd LB/rotational role to begin with. Despite the flashes, it seems like they just really don't think much of Mark Robinson. Probably doesn't have it upstairs would be my guess. And I think there have to be serious concerns about Holcomb's NFL future.

I can see one of their third rounders going to that spot.

[jebrick]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

I wouldn't be shocked if they were targeting JT Jr. He checks a lot of boxes... younger prospect, NFL bloodlines, big time high-school prospect.

Roberts is on the last year of his deal and they probably prefer him more in the 3rd LB/rotational role to begin with. Despite the flashes, it seems like they just really don't think much of Mark Robinson. Probably doesn't have it upstairs would be my guess. And I think there have to be serious concerns about Holcomb's NFL future.

I can see one of their third rounders going to that spot.

They need a sideline-to-sideline LB. they have a lot of "run stoppers". Problem is that there are not that many in this draft.

[bradshaw2ben]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

ONLY a coverage backer is worth considering, and ONLY if Holcomb isn't coming back this year. Just GTFO if they're wasting a pick on a downhill backer or a QB spy like Cooper.

Eye on the prize:
OT
C
NCB
Outside WR

After you get starters there in the top 100, you can do whatever the hell you want.

[bradshaw2ben]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

I wouldn't be shocked if they were targeting JT Jr. He checks a lot of boxes... younger prospect, NFL bloodlines, big time high-school prospect.

Roberts is on the last year of his deal and they probably prefer him more in the 3rd LB/rotational role to begin with. Despite the flashes, it seems like they just really don't think much of Mark Robinson. Probably doesn't have it upstairs would be my guess. And I think there have to be serious concerns about Holcomb's NFL future.

I can see one of their third rounders going to that spot.

They need a sideline-to-sideline LB. they have a lot of "run stoppers". Problem is that there are not that many in this draft.

There really isn't a sideline-to-sideline alpha LB in this draft. The LBs I've seen are all pretty compartmentalized/have defined roles. QB spy/blitzers, run stuffers, cover RBs in the flats, etc. A couple of coverage-oriented guys who aren't exactly MLB types.

[bradshaw2ben]

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/03/the-s ... heres-why/


Interesting. I agree that ILB is on the table, just not for the 1st round.

I wouldn't be shocked if they were targeting JT Jr. He checks a lot of boxes... younger prospect, NFL bloodlines, big time high-school prospect.

Roberts is on the last year of his deal and they probably prefer him more in the 3rd LB/rotational role to begin with. Despite the flashes, it seems like they just really don't think much of Mark Robinson. Probably doesn't have it upstairs would be my guess. And I think there have to be serious concerns about Holcomb's NFL future.

I can see one of their third rounders going to that spot.

They need a sideline-to-sideline LB. they have a lot of "run stoppers". Problem is that there are not that many in this draft.

This is what Queen is, or is at least purported to be. Elandon Roberts played great last year. If the injury to Holcomb is career-threatening/going to cause him to miss the year, then they need someone who can cover TEs and the deep middle. There's like two of those guys in this draft.

Of course, there might be one guy total who's what I would call a stud LB.

[Pabst]

Some updates.....

Malachi Corely posted some pictures from Pittsburgh on his instagram the other day, so I think it's safe to assume his visit is confirmed.
Tahj Washington will be coming to town for a visit.
Matt Goncalves is being reported by bleacher report, but no one else. He's a local visit anyway, so might as well just toss his name in there.

[Pabst]

Turns out I could have just waited 5 minutes:

Ray Fittipaldo
@rayfitt1
Steelers predraft visitors for today: Florida State DT Braden Fiske, Kentucky CB Andru Phillips, Penn State CB Daqueon Hardy and Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley.

Hardy is the only new name on this list. Looks like he's from Penn Hills, so he'd count as a local visit.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Tomlin took Terrion and Kool Aide to dinner

[Steelperch]

Maason Smith DT LSU is coming in. Seems like the Steelers have been connected to him several times this off-season.

A year ago he was a player I was projecting as a potential 1st round pick by the Steelers. Then after watching him closely this year I’m not sure I’d spend a 7th on him.

He’s a rare athlete at 6’5 305 with long arms and good speed, but he played with terrible technique very low effort. He got pushed all over the field and played with poor pad level with no leverage at all. Very few splash plays. Maybe you can coach pad level and leverage, but not to a guy who showed he was lazy and often injured. A year ago I thought he was Stephon Tuitt, now I think he Shawn Oakman.

/ end disappointed Maason Smith rant.

[bradshaw2ben]

Maason Smith DT LSU is coming in. Seems like the Steelers have been connected to him several times this off-season.

A year ago he was a player I was projecting as a potential 1st round pick by the Steelers. Then after watching him closely this year I’m not sure I’d spend a 7th on him.

He’s a rare athlete at 6’5 305 with long arms and good speed, but he played with terrible technique very low effort. He got pushed all over the field and played with poor pad level with no leverage at all. Very few splash plays. Maybe you can coach pad level and leverage, but not to a guy who showed he was lazy and often injured. A year ago I thought he was Stephon Tuitt, now I think he Shawn Oakman.

/ end disappointed Maason Smith rant.

I think Maason is not quite as good as his entrance into the room would seem... and probably not as bad as you made it out to be, either. First off, he's young and raw as hell. I'll bet it's frustrating to have all the athelticism/size/length in the world but to not be succeeding with it. Could be that a tumble down to round 4 and a change of scenery gives him a shot.

[Steeldrama]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... ps-coaches

Not a Pre-Draft visit nor a Pro Day Tracker

Just a dot connector to a late rd/UDFA

Davius Richard QB NC Central = 9.73 RAS

[Pabst]

Will add Maason Smith to the unconfirmed list (for now).

Looks like he shared a photo on instagram where he was flying into Pittsburgh.

[Jobu]

Much like Keanu Benton a year ago…Maason Smith is a guy I’m fully expecting to become a Steeler.

[tbsteel]

Maason Smith DT LSU is coming in. Seems like the Steelers have been connected to him several times this off-season.

A year ago he was a player I was projecting as a potential 1st round pick by the Steelers. Then after watching him closely this year I’m not sure I’d spend a 7th on him.

He’s a rare athlete at 6’5 305 with long arms and good speed, but he played with terrible technique very low effort. He got pushed all over the field and played with poor pad level with no leverage at all. Very few splash plays. Maybe you can coach pad level and leverage, but not to a guy who showed he was lazy and often injured. A year ago I thought he was Stephon Tuitt, now I think he Shawn Oakman.

/ end disappointed Maason Smith rant.

I think Maason is not quite as good as his entrance into the room would seem... and probably not as bad as you made it out to be, either. First off, he's young and raw as hell. I'll bet it's frustrating to have all the athelticism/size/length in the world but to not be succeeding with it. Could be that a tumble down to round 4 and a change of scenery gives him a shot.

To be fair to Smith, last year he was coming back from that torn ACL. I know guys recover for that pretty quick now, but I’ve always thought it takes two years to get all the way past it. Can see that affecting a guy in the trenches in terms of anchoring and fighting thru double teams.

[Pabst]

Brian Batko
@BrianBatko
Two pre-draft 30 visits and two local visits today for the Steelers:

- LSU DL Maason Smith
- USC WR Tahj Washington
- Pitt OL Matt Goncalves
- Pitt CB MJ Devonshire (Aliquippa too)