Steelers/NFL
Steelers to host Offensive Linemen over the next two weeks
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entertaining Oklahoma tackle Phil Loadholt today. Loadholt, 6-8, 338 lbs played left tackle at Oklahoma but is projected to be a right tackle in the NFL. Loadholt is seen as a third round selection.
The Steelers will be busy next week as the team will workout Louisville center Eric Wood on Monday. The team will also host
Texas Tech guard Louis Vasquez on April 7th. Vasquez, 6-43/4, 335 lbs, has excellent size and bulk and is a very good run blocker. At the combine, the Texas Tech guard lifted the required 225 pounds 39 times, five more than BYU’s Travis Bright and Juan Garcia of Washington. It was the fifth most reps by an offensive lineman at the combine since 2000. His stock right now is seen as a 4th round selection but could rise to the late third round.
The concerns with Vasquez is his conditioning as he is not seen as a good athlete but is the kind of player with his size and stregth that is suited for a power running game.
Steelers looking to move up in the NFL Draft?
A well-respected NFL source tells TIOPS contributor Paul Ladewski based Chicago, there’s speculation that Steelers are looking to trade up in round one similar to what they did with Polamalu and Holmes in recent years with the intention of landing one of the top offensive lineman in the first round.
Sources indicate internal mock drafts have the Steelers landing cornerback Darius Butler if they stay at 32. With the way things are looking there is not a value pick for an offensive lineman at 32.
Internal mock drafts currently have Alex Mack off the board when the Steelers select at 32.
The Steelers top priorities in April’s draft are OL, CB/KR DL, WR/KR
Steelers entertaining kick returners
Central Florida’s and Arizona’s Mike Thomas have visited the Steelers over the past two days. Both are seen as late round picks, although Mike Thomas is a lot more intriguing. Thomas runs a 4.4 forty yard dash while Burnett ran a 4.57 forty at the combine. Both are small in the 5 foot 9 range.
Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams is a player of interest for the Steelers. Scout.com reports, the Steelers requested an interview with Williams during the scouting combine.
There has been no word if the Steelers will host Williams for a workout but the Steelers had three scouts at Penn State’s Pro day which was held in Mid-March
