During the week of Senior Bowl practices, several prospects impress scouts and fans alike with their week of workouts. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a full contingent of staffers there including head coach Mike Tomlin. With Pittsburgh absent a first-round NFL draft pick this year, hitting big on their second-round choice will be vital.
We can and will debate the team’s top need between now and the draft but simply based on the potential free agent and salary cap losses, offensive line and edge rusher are safe bets.
Here are two of each that impressed at the Senior Bowl for the Steelers to consider.
Josh Jones | offensive tackle | Houston
Jones was the starting left tackle at the University of Houston but should be able to play either side in the NFL. With Ramon Foster a real possibility to be released to save salary cap space, we could see Matt Feiler slide back inside and there be an option competition for the right tackle job. Jones is an exceptional pass protector and stronger than his film showed in the Houston offense.
Lloyd Cushenberry | interior offensive line | LSU
Looking at the Steelers offensive line need from the inside out, if Foster is released and the Steelers want to simply replace him leaving Feiler on the outside, Cushenberry fits the bill. He’s exactly what Pittsburgh likes in their interior offensive linemen. Powerful, technically sound and able to play guard and center.
Joshua Uche | EDGE | Michigan
Critics of Uche point to his size as less than ideal but his film pops. Michigan lined him up everywhere and he excelled. The Steelers had great luck drafting an undersized Michigan linebacker last year and could do the same again this time around.
Bradlee Anae | EDGE | Utah
In this entire draft class, there might not be an edge rusher with better technical gifts than Anae. He’s not going to wow anyone with his triangle numbers and ie’s going to blow everyone away at the combine. But if Bud Dupree leaves, Anae might be the best second-round prospect who can come in and play right away.
