Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers Big Board Series! Over the next few days I’ll be creating big boards for each round of the NFL Draft the Steelers have a pick in. I’ll then discuss these players, among other draft notes, on my podcast. You can find the Simon Shortt Podcast on Apple and Spotify. With that, let’s get to the Pittsburgh Steelers Big Board!
Similar to Rounds 2 and 3, we’ll be using breadcrumbs to try and find the Pittsburgh Steelers Big Board prospects for Round 4. While it is technically a Day 3 pick the fourth round still holds value, and the hope is that this player makes the team and is in the mix for playing time. We’ll use a combination of: who attended the Pro Days, if the prospects appeared in any All Star Games, Pre-Draft Interviews, and team need.
Below are the team personnel that were spotted at Pro Days by the Steelers Depot Team.
- VP of Football & Business Administration (also potential next GM) – Omar Khan
- Pro Scouting Coordinator (and potential next GM) – Brandon Hunt
- Defensive Asst/LBs Coach – Brian Flores
- Defensive Coordinator – Teryl Austin
- WRs Coach – Frisman Jackson
- ILB Coach – Jerry Olsavsky
- DBs Coach – Grady Brown
General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin appearing at a Pro Day will also be significant.
Below is the Pittsburgh Steelers Big Board – Round 4!
Round 4
Offense
- 1. Justyn Ross WR, Clemson – a big slot receiver, Ross is the kind of guy Pittsburgh wants inside on offense. He’s sure-handed and finds open spaces in the middle of the field. Early Day 2 talent falling to Day 3 because of health. Tomlin and Colbert at his Pro Day and WR Coach Frisman Jackson ran him though workouts
- 2. Danny Gray WR, SMU – another receiver worked out by Jackson, Gray brings the opposite on-field value to Ross. An outside speedster whose game is based on his explosiveness, he could add a downfield element to the Pittsburgh offense. Was at the Senior Bowl before a minor injury sent him home
- 3. Max Mitchell OT, Louisiana-Lafayette – a physical lineman from Louisiana Lafayette, Mitchell played tackle for a strong Louisiana rushing attack. With experience at left and right tackle, Mitchell would be a good backup swing tackle as we tries to develop into a starter. Mitchell was at the Senior Bowl
Defense
- 4. Damarri Mathis CB, Pitt – a physical corner with experience in press man coverage, Mathis is sure up to the task of competing at the next level. Displayed some abilities in the slot as a nickel defender at the Senior Bowl, and his physicality might translate well to that role. Coming from Pitt, the Steelers have familiarity. Plus Tomlin, Colbert, Khan, and DC Teryl Austin were at his Pro Day
- 5. Neil Farrell Jr. DL, LSU – a big defensive tackle out of LSU, Farrell has the ideal size for a Steelers Nose Tackle. With the strength and power to been a run stuffer, Farrell has even shown some movement abilities whether it is flowing down the line, or penetrating to the backfield. He will need coaching however to learn the best times and techniques for these skills. Was at the Senior Bowl and Tomlin, Colbert and Khan were at his Pro Day
- 6. Joshua Williams CB, Fayetteville State – Joshua Williams is a corner from Fayetteville State with all of the traits you look for at the position. Honestly a Day 2 talent flying under the radar because we was Division II. Williams started this process as a late Day 3 prospect but could now go in the third or fourth round. Was at the Senior Bowl and attended the N.C. State Pro Day where Colbert was at
- 7. Jesse Luketa LB, Penn State – another bruising, versatile linebacker. Luketa has the size and athleticism to be a BUCK LB in the middle or rush off of the EDGE. Played a variety of roles at Penn State which showed off his football IQ, athleticism and versatility. Has good downhill abilities taking on blocks to get behind the LOS or take on blocks. Was at the Senior Bowl and Flores and Olsavsky were at his Pro Day
- 8. DeAngelo Malone EDGE, Western Kentucky – edge rusher with a lot of traits and raw ability. Decent power for someone just 240 pounds, but has the motor and speed to win despite the “lack” of strength. Special teams experience so can serve in that role while working on his body and defensive abilities. Can win with speed and convert to power well in pursuit of the QB. Was at the Senior Bowl and Hunt was at his Pro Day
- 9. Mario Goodrich CB, Clemson – a physical corner who is strong against the run. His physicality and tackling could make him a strong nickel defender who can blitz a la Mike Hilton. But also has the size and experience to be a strong outsize corner. Very effective in press coverage because of his physicality, but not the elite athleticism to play off coverage. Was at the Senior Bowl and had Tomlin, Colbert and Flores at his Pro Day
10. Tariq Castro-Fields CB, Penn State – an experienced corner for a good Penn State Defense, TCF has a lot of physical traits you look for in the position. Due to a lack of physicality he could be a later Day 3 pick, but the experience for as big of a program he was at puts him on the board in the 4th. Was at the Senior Bowl and his Pro Day was attended by Flores and Brown.
Notables Left Off
There were a lot of cuts on this one of players I really liked. The Steelers still have as strong history of 4th round picks being seen by positional coaches at their Pro Days. Due to this fact I ruled out: Alonte Taylor, Romeo Doubs, Zach Carter, Tyquan Thorton, Akaleyb Evans and many others. Another notable name I left off was Josh Jobe of Alabama. Because Jobe he missed the Senior Bowl and didn’t have a specific interview or interaction with the team at his Pro Day to speak of, I left him off of the board.
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