As the days tick down the the NFL Draft on April 28, each team is permitted to bring in 30 prospects for interviews, workouts, and to get a better perspective of the player’s personality. In the past, the players the Steelers brought in weren’t a great indicator of their draft strategy. Two years ago, the Steelers picked Ziggy Hood in the first round and he was not one of the 30 players that visited. If you really want to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with the draft, check out some of our favorite sites: Draft Breakdown, ScarDraft, Mocking The Draft, and Optimum Scouting
Jarriel King (OT-South Carolina)
6’5″ 310 lbs
Draft Breakdown: unranked
ScarDraft: #250 overall, #23 OT
Mocking The Draft: #199 overall, #17 OT
Optimum Scouting: #148 overall, #7 OG
King’s draft stock has been falling due to an irregular heart beat that caused him to miss time during his college career. The Steelers probably brought him in to have his health assessed by their team doctors. If he gets drafted, King will likely be a late round pick. He has a big frame and is strong off the ball but has a slow first step and can get smoked by speed rushers on the outside, leading some to think his future might be on the inside at guard rather than on the outside at tackle.
James Carpenter (OT-Alabama)
6’5″ 300 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #92 overall, #6 OT
ScarDraft: #82 overall, #11 OT
Mocking The Draft: #152 overall, #13 OT
Optimum Scouting: #63 overall, #4 OG
Carpenter is a mid-round prospect that has the potential to develop into a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. He isn’t starter-ready just yet, but he is an athletic lineman that can handle speed rushers off the outside. He has the athleticism to get to the second level in run blocking but he needs to add some strength to handle NFL defensive linemen at the point of attack. Considering that the Steelers went through 7 different tackles last year, adding depth to the position is a must. We wouldn’t be surprised to see them go after offensive linemen in multiple rounds of the draft.
Marcus Gilbert (OT-Florida)
6’6″ 318 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #14 OT
ScarDraft: #98 overall, #12 OT
Mocking The Draft: #190 overall, #16 OT
Optimum Scouting: #173 overall, #12 OT
Gilbert is another mid-round tackle prospect. Coming out of Florida’s spread offense, he doesn’t have much experience with being a mauler in run blocking but he handles speed rushers well off the outside. He will need to add some bulk to his frame to mash it up in the trenches in the NFL, but his 6’6″ frame and long arms are something that can’t be taught. He has good lateral quickness and could provide good depth to the team in his first year while being groomed as a tackle of the future.
Curtis Marsh (CB-Utah State)
6’0″ 197 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #97 overall, #9 CB
ScarDraft: #102 overall, #13 CB
Mocking The Draft: #103 overall, #13 CB
Marsh is likely a mid-to-late round pick at corner. Scouts have commented that his hip movements seem tight and he struggles to turn and run with receivers. He has long arms and is better in press coverage close to the line rather than in off-man or zone coverage (which are more the types of defenses the Steelers employ). Corner prospects are hit-and-miss, particularly in Dick LeBeau’s defense. Assuming the Steelers are able to bring back Ike Taylor, the biggest hole in the secondary will be at the nickel and dime back positions, which could be easier for a rookie to pick up.
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