Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Scouting Guide for the 2015 Senior Bowl
The entirety of the NFL world has descended on Mobile, Alabama, this week for the biggest college football All-Star game of the offseason. The Senior Bowl is the premier showcase for the top upperclassmen vying for a coveted high draft pick.
This is no different for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who should have a full contingent of scouts and coaches on hand to oversee these potential pros.
These prospects will spend the week under the microscope, and the Steelers will be among those that put these athletes through their paces.
Let’s preview some of the players the Steelers should keep a close eye on this week.
Outside Linebacker
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If you don’t think cornerback is the primary need in this upcoming draft, then you probably believe adding a pass-rushing outside linebacker is the top priority. Fortunately, the Senior Bowl has an excellent crop of hybrid pass-rushers in all shapes and sizes.
Deion Barnes, Penn State
Many Steelers fans are geographically nostalgic, so look for Penn State’s Deion Barnes to be a fan favorite. Fortunately, he has all the makings of a good pass-rushing outside linebacker. Barnes weighs in at 255 pounds with room to grow, and he plays with a nice mix of power and athletic ability. Unfortunately, he has never yielded tremendous production, so the Senior Bowl is a great showcase his potential.
Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington
Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson gets all the press, but it is his teammate, Hau’oli Kikaha who might be the better all-around linebacker. Kikaha isn’t an elite athlete, but he has tremendous technique and plays through the whistle on every snap. He is very much a Steelers-type of linebacker. I expect some big hits from Kikaha in practice and glowing reports from the league.
Zack Hodges, Harvard
For Harvard defensive end Zack Hodges, the Senior Bowl is a chance for the dynamic pass-rusher to show he can do what he’s done all season against NFL-caliber offensive linemen. Putting on the film, Hodges stands out as the most athletic player on the field. This week, however, Hodges is going to have to work harder than he ever has to show he is more than just the biggest fish in a small pond.
Nate Orchard, Utah
Moving on to Utah defensive end Nate Orchard, we have a player Pittsburgh could and should target early in this draft. Orchard had amazing college production, and he has an impressive package of speed and length. The Steelers need to decide if they think Orchard can do what he does with another 15 or 20 pounds of muscle on his frame. If so, he makes an easy choice.
Markus Golden, Missouri
Now we are getting to the beef of this group. Missouri’s Markus Golden already weighs 260 pounds, so should the Steelers move to a more strict hybrid front, his size would be a huge plus. This week, Golden needs to show consistent effort off the snap and better use of his hands to keep offensive linemen off of him.
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE UCLA
Like Golden, UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odigihizuwa is a near-ideal physical specimen for the type of player the Steelers are going to be looking for. The biggest thing Steelers coaches need to look at in evaluating Odigihizuwa this week is to figure out why all that athleticism didn't show itself in game production.
Lynden Trail, LB Norfolk State
If there is a sleeper in this group it is Norfolk State pass-rushing specialist Lynden Trail. The former top high school recruit and Florida Gator found a home at Norfolk State, and he was at peace playing out of the spotlight. Unfortunately, being out of the spotlight means there's very little to go on with the 260-pound Trail. He is another player who needs a great performance against the top offensive linemen here this week to prove he is more than just a great athlete playing football.
Cornerback
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For as deep as the pass-rushers are at the Senior Bowl, the cornerbacks might be just as deep. Many of these players won’t cost a first- or second-round pick, and many have the look of not only top cornerbacks but also safeties.
Josh Shaw, CB USC
There was a time when USC's Josh Shaw was being discussed as one of the better cornerbacks in the game. His season has been forgettable, but this week he has a chance to make much of it right. This means not only doing the right things on the field, but also saying the right thins to coaches and staff. The Steelers would do well to pay close attention to see if Shaw is back to full speed, because he could be a steal if so.
Quentin Rollins, CB Miami (OH)
I’m not sure there is a better athlete at the Senior Bowl than Miami (OH) cornerback Quentin Rollins. As a former college basketball player, Rollins has absurd hands and leaping ability. His technique is raw—he’ll lose deep on occasion—but his closing speed is so good you almost don’t care. Pittsburgh coaches are going to be wowed by Rollins' athleticism and should see enough in coverage to make him a priority.
Quandre Diggs, CB Texas
If we are talking about guys who look like they could move to free safety from cornerback, Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs has to be in the conversation. Diggs is strong and aggressive with a moving-forward mindset. While he struggles in man coverage, he is a closer when working toward the ball. Diggs has a wealth of experience against some explosive offenses and is very coachable.
Ladarius Gunter, CB/S Miami
Just like Diggs, Miami’s Ladarius Gunter might have a brighter future at safety than at cornerback. Gunter differs from Diggs in that he is smoother and more fluid but not as physical a presence. Gunter has better instincts and would make a great nickel corner/safety in the scheme the Steelers run. This is one guy the Steelers must keep a close eye on.
Free Safety
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Moving to safety, we have a more traditional group of players. This safety class isn't great, but there are a few guys on this list who the Steelers should check out closely in hopes of finding someone long term to pair up with safety Shamarko Thomas. This means free safeties. Guys who are rangy and can cover in a single-high role. There will be plenty of thumpers in the draft, but that’s not what this defense is after.
Kurtis Drummond, S Michigan State
Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond is an interesting case. His play is consistent, and his production is solid. Nevertheless, even at 6’1” and 200 pounds, he doesn’t always look like an elite athlete. The kind of speed he shows during practices this week will go along way toward him being a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick. The league wants a rangy free safety, so Drummond needs to showcase that range.
Jaquiski Tartt, S Samford
Like Hodges at Harvard, little-known safety Jaquiski Tartt of Samford must get all "carpe diem" during Senior Bowl practices. Tart was an absolute ball hawk in college, but that was against far lesser competition than he will face this week. He is a huge player at 6’1” and 218 pounds. If he can show elite closing speed and range, his draft stock will continue to rise.
Cody Prewitt, S Ole Miss
If we are talking about a real center fielder at free safety, Ole Miss safety Cody Prewitt might be exactly what the Steelers need on defense. He is a sound coverage player with great play recognition and ball skills. Prewitt is likely to be over drafted, especially if he has a big week of practices. He can make some spectacular players and probably will this week. However, when you put on the film, there are long lapses where you don't see him at all, which is troubling.
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Quarterback
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Why should the Steelers scout a quarterback? Well for one thing, the Steelers are about to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a big fat raise, which is likely his last of his career. This is a great opportunity for the Steelers to find a sleeper at the quarterback spot and finally put an end to the Landry Jones experiment.
Sean Mannion, Oregon State
There is a lot to like about Sean Mannion’s game. He’s a little like Jones in his physical build and style of play, but he appears to be more calm in the pocket and less prone to the panic that seems to accompany Jones' game. At the Senior Bowl, Mannion will work with all new wide receivers, so the Steelers coaches need to be aware of how he commands the respect of his teammates.
Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
There are times where Colorado State's Garrett Grayson looks like the third-best quarterback in this draft class. Unfortunately, there are times where his decision-making is in question and his arm underwhelms. However, players can get stronger arms, so Pittsburgh needs to study Grayson’s ability to go through reads and progressions if he is a potential option.
Bryce Petty, Baylor
Baylor’s Bryce Petty is a supremely talented quarterback whose game might be a complete facade. When you put on the film, you see an exciting and incredibly productive player. You also see a player who seems to make quick decisions and can find his way into tight windows. However, the novel offense that Baylor runs will always cast some doubt over how Petty’s game translates to the NFL. The week at the Senior Bowl will give Pittsburgh coaches a shot to see him play in a more traditional offense.
Wide Receiver
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The Steelers have three great wide receivers on the roster right now. Antonio Brown is among the elite in the league, and Martinis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are excellent complementary players. However, if the Steelers can find a great fourth wide receiver, it would allow Pittsburgh to cut ties with some veterans and further expand the offense.
Ty Montgomery, Stanford
The idea that Stanford’s Ty Montgomery is even on this list further illustrates the struggle that is running back Dri Archer’s development. Montgomery didn't perform at the level expected at the start of the season, but the talent is there. Pittsburgh loves speed, and Montgomery has speed to burn. Adding Montgomery would give the Steelers not only a viable receiving option but also an explosive return man as well.
Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
Similar to Montgomery, Lockett is a speedster with the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. The key differences being Lockett is more slight than Montgomery (think Archer), but he is one of the most reliable and exciting wide receivers in college football. At the Senior Bowl, the Steelers need to be mindful not only of Lockett’s routes, where he tends to let his speed overtake technique, but how he deals with bigger, stronger defensive backs.
Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
For Arkansas State wide receiver Dezmin Lewis, the Senior Bowl is a chance for a wide receiver from a small school to show he belongs. Lewis has an NFL-caliber frame and nice athleticism. Keys this week will be to see if he can play as physical as his body would indicate and run the complex routes the NFL demands.
Antwan Goodley, Baylor
If physical play is a concern, then look no further than Baylor’s Antwan Goodley for the cure. At 5’11” and 220 pounds, Goodley is more like a really good receiving running back than a traditional wide receiver. Nevertheless, when he gets the ball in space, defensive players do not want to tackle him. Goodley is so physical at the line you can’t jam him, and if you play off, he’ll run right past you.
Unless specified, all player data courtesy of Sports-Reference.com's college football section.
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