The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their pre-draft process on Thursday, using four more of its 30 visits. It seems they continue to do their due diligence on interior offensive linemen, despite the signings of Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo. After meeting with interior prospects John Michael Schmitz and O'Cyrus Torrence already, TCU guard Steve Avila was one of the four guys they will meet with on Thursday according to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Photo Credit: The Draft Network
Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz remains an option for the Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
South Carolina cornerback Darius Rush and Georgia Tech edge rusher Keion White are two more players that they met with in the lead up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Rush seems like an option for the middle rounds, which could happen if they don’t select a corner in the first round or two. The team needs some depth at the edge position, and they continue to meet with guys of that position.
Steelers pre-draft official visits today:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) April 6, 2023
TCU G Steve Avila
South Carolina CB Darius Rush
Ga Tech DE Keion White
Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
White began his career at Old Dominion before transferring to Georgia Tech. In 2022, the edge rusher broke out in his final year in the ACC. His 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss both ranked sixth in the ACC for the year. Bud Dupree met with the team last week, but remains unsigned for the moment. Alex Highsmith’s situation is one to watch, as he’s set to enter free agency next season.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Alex Highsmith showed off what he can do in the NFL without TJ Watt opposite for most of the year.
As for the fourth and final guy that the Steelers brass met with on Thursday, that would be talented Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez. It’s unlikely that he falls to the Steelers at 17, as he’s unanimously regarded as the best corner in this class. If the front office likes him enough, they could certainly trade up for him. They have an excess of draft capital, particularly in the first few rounds, to possibly trade up for an elite talent.
Could Steelers pursue EDGE and IOL?
Gonzalez would be classified as just that. It’s no secret that they will be selecting a cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft, as they met with Kelee Ringo earlier in the week, along with having a private dinner with him. At this point, it seems like the team is most interested in Ringo and Joey Porter Jr., but that is likely because the Steelers don't pick until 17.
What would you give up to trade up and select Gonzalez? Which of the other three prospects intrigues you the most? Will the front office surprise us and select an interior offensive lineman? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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