The long week of Pro Day’s continue for the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. After attending Alabama’s on Thursday, there are several members of the organization at Penn State’s Pro Day on Friday. Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan, who have been everywhere the past few weeks, are not present. Instead, assistant general manager Andy Weidl and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are the main members present in Happy Valley.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Secondary coach Grady Brown and tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts are in attendance as well to watch potential draft prospects according to Nick Farabaugh of Pittsburgh Sports Now. Joey Porter Jr. is the most popular name from the big day in Pennsylvania, as he’s an option with the 17th overall pick. Brown and Austin are the ones paying the most attention to one of the best cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft class. The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder provided a snapshot of PSU’s performers on Friday:
Penn State's pro day is Friday. The participants: Barney Amor, Ji’Ayir Brown, Sean Clifford, PJ Mustipher, Jake Pinegar, Joey Porter Jr., Juice Scruggs, Chris Stoll, Brenton Strange, Jonathan Sutherland, Nick Tarburton, Mitchell Tinsley, Parker Washington
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) March 23, 2023
For Roberts, PSU tight end Brenton Strange is participating as tweeted by Snyder. While Connor Heyward seems primed to take over the No. 2 tight end role in 2023, the team may need a third TE, as Zach Gentry remains a free agent for now. If the team drafted Strange, it would be the second Penn State tight end on the roster, of course behind starter Pat Freiermuth.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
With Zach Gentry potentially gone this offseason, the Steelers could be looking for a third tight end.
Beyond Porter, safety Ji’Ayir Brown is an interesting one to watch, particularly after the departure of Terrell Edmunds in free agency. He had quite the season in 2022, making plays all over the place. Brown unofficially ran a 4.57 40-yard dash time on Friday morning, which won’t exactly help or hurt him too much. Thankfully for him, it's a weak safety class, so it shouldn't hurt him much at all.
Which PSU player makes sense for the Steelers?
Wide receiver depth remains a need for the Steelers, as George Pickens and Diontae Johnson are the only established guys in the room. The team expects big things out of 2022 fourth-rounder Calvin Austin III, but he’s yet to see an NFL field. The team could sign a veteran wideout between now and the draft, like Odell Beckham Jr. as former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky suggested. But if not, look for them to draft one in April.
Parker Washington would fit that billing in the middle rounds, as he developed into a solid WR in his time in college. In three seasons with the Nittany Lions, Washington had 146 catches for 1,920 yards and 12 touchdowns. His counterpart, Mitchell Tinsley, is present on Friday as well, as he could be another option in the later rounds. After starting his career at Western Kentucky, Tinsley transferred to PSU for his senior year where he caught 51 passes for 577 yards and five TD's.
Photo Credit: Penn State University Athletics/gopsusports.com
Penn State WR Parker Washington (#3) could be a middle round option for the Steelers.
Lastly, the Steelers need defensive linemen. Tyson Alualu won’t return, as he’s still likely to retire. Chris Wormley remains a free agent as he comes off a major knee injury. With Cam Heyward also getting older, the defensive line is a need ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Juice Scruggs and PJ Mustipher are two PSU defensive linemen that will hear their names called in April, and the black and gold could be interested.
Which PSU player would you want to see the Steelers draft? Do you think Porter Jr. would be a reach with the 17th overall pick? What are the team's biggest needs in your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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