The Pittsburgh Steelers have their eyes set not only on many different players, but many different positions during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Last offseason, it was clear, find the future franchise quarterback in the first round and they did just that by selecting Kenny Pickett. This year is quite different with seemingly having so many holes on both sides of the line of scrimmage. It is nearly impossible to predict where the Steelers will go with their first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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Devin Bush and Roger Goodell pose for a photo after he's selected by the Steelers. Bush, a 2019 first-round pick, was the last defensive player taken in the first round by the Steelers.
The NFL Combine provides scouts, general managers, and head coaches firsthand interactions with some of the top prospects in this year's draft. Not only do they get to see their athletic abilities up close and in person, but they also take the time to interview them and get to know the prospect on a more personal level. The linebackers, defensive linemen, and edge rushers hit the field on Thursday, and here are some of the potential Steelers players we saw have their stock rise on the first day of workouts of the 2023 NFL Combine.
Which Possible Targets for the Steelers Saw Their Stock Rise So Far In The Combine?
Nolan Smith
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Nolan Smith Celebrates during the 2023 College Football Playoff.
Edge rusher Nolan Smith, from the University of Georgia has not been talked about much when it comes to ending up on the Steelers, but with his performance so far during the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump, they may need to take a closer look at adding depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. Claiming Smith had a breakout combine would be an understatement. He posted a 4.39 40-yard dash and 41.50" vertical, both of which were top among defensive linemen.
Over the last few seasons, the Bulldogs have become an absolute factory when it comes to producing top-tier NFL talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Steelers are in no way in dire need of an edge rusher, but with Smith starting to creep his way into the later stages of the first round, the Steelers may be able to claim him with the 32nd pick.
Calijah Kancey
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Pitt’s Calijah Kancey posted impressive numbers during his 40-yard dash and verticle jump at the NFL Combine. The Steelers must consider him to be an option when looking at possible replacements for Cam Heyward.
The answer to the Steelers' defensive line could be right next door, literally. Pitt Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey posted a 4.67 40-yard dash, which is the fastest time a defensive tackle has had since 2006. Weighing in at 238 pounds, he is the second-heaviest player to run a sub-4.4 40 and record a 40-plus inch vertical jump at the combine since 2006.
The numbers Kancey posted were better than most expected and now should have the Steelers considering keeping Kancey in Pittsburgh for his professional career. The Steelers have a dire need to fill the gaps in the defensive line, and more importantly, fill the shoes of Cam Heyward once he decides to hang up his cleats, and Kancey could very well be the answer they've been looking for.
Jalen Redmond
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One performer that many Steelers fans may not have heard of is Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman, Jalen Redmond. Redmond has been projected to be a late-round pick in many pre-combine mock drafts, but on Day 1 of workouts, he saw his draft stock rise significantly. Redmond posted a 4.81 40-yard dash which put him second amongst defensive linemen, but where he really shined was in the broad jumps where he has at the top of the board in both categories for defensive linemen.
Of the three positions that worked out on Thursday, the defensive line is at the top of the list when it comes to priorities for the Steelers. I don't, however, see them selecting a defensive lineman with their first three selections so Redmond would be an ideal pick on Day 3 of the draft if he is in fact still available.
The combine is not something you can put all of your stock into, but it does show NFL scouts firsthand some of these prospects' biggest strengths and strongest weaknesses and I believe the Steelers need to take a close look at all three of these prospects moving forward.
Do you think these three players saw their stock rise on Day 1? Would you want to see any of these players on the Steelers in 2023? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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