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Shoes
03-21-2016, 11:05 AM
BY ALEX KOZORA (http://www.steelersdepot.com/author/alex-kozora/) MARCH 21, 2016 AT 10:00 AM
It should come as little surprise but Kevin Colbert confirmed two Pitt Panthers have taken official visits with the team. He didn’t specifically say who, referring to them as “the two Pitt kids” in his interview with Missi Matthews, (http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/1-on-1-with-Kevin-Colbert/5f7526e2-edcf-4e14-ae4e-738adb30c52c) but you can reasonably assume they are wide receiver Tyler Boyd and tight end J.P. Holtz, the only two Panthers with a chance to get drafted.
Boyd is a Day 2 pick and though he is just an average athlete, has some of the surest hands of the draft. He caught 91 passes this season but averaged just 10.6 yards per catch.
Holtz figures to be in an H-Back role. He caught 24 passes for 350 yards last season and made the practice squad in my mock offseason I did earlier this month.
Bringing in players from local schools don’t count against the official 30 visits every team gets so it’s a no-brainer to invite both in for their “official” workout, even though the teams share the same facility.
Though the Steelers have bigger – maybe not need, but want – at receiver in the post-Martavis Bryant era, Boyd could be in the mix in for them in Round 2, but it would be a surprise.
Holtz could be a fun H-Back pick with one of the team’s seventh rounders, though he could also be a sought after priority free agent.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/steelers-bring-two-pitt-panthers-visits/

Born2Steel
03-21-2016, 12:27 PM
Don't want to let another 'Fitz' get away?

steelerkitty
03-21-2016, 04:10 PM
I love it. But sadly, Boyd will likely not be there in round 2. His current stock has him at worst a bottom of round 1 guy, or maybe no worse then 35-40.

hawaiiansteeler
03-21-2016, 04:43 PM
the ex Pittsburgh Panther I have always wished we had picked is Andy Lee in the 6th round of the 2004 draft.

we would have saved ourselves a lot of punting issues ever since from the likes of Chris Gardocki, Dan Sepulveda, Mitch Berger, Jeremy Kapinos, Drew Butler, Mat McBriar, Zoltan Mesko, Brad Wing and now Jodan Berry.

hawaiiansteeler
03-23-2016, 12:31 AM
CB Ryan Smith Has Pre-Draft Visit Scheduled With Steelers

BY ALEX KOZORA MARCH 22, 2016

We now know another player the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to bring in for their pre-draft visits. Cornerback Ryan Smith is expected to make a trip to Heinz Field, according to Aaron Wilson over at National Football Post.

Wilson also notes Smith has visits scheduled with Oakland, Minnesota, and Miami.

Smith is a small-school corner from North Carolina Central but stuck out enough to earn a Combine invite. He performed well, running a 4.47, jumping 36 inches in the vert, and 10’2″ in the broad. Only arm length kept Smith off my study in the types of cornerbacks Pittsburgh drafts. Athletically, he hits every mark.

He was a four year starter for the Eagles with 42 in all. In his career, he’s picked off seven passes and broke the school record by averaging 28.1 yards per kick return.

Pittsburgh does not often take FCS level players. They’ve only drafted four since 2000, Kevin Colbert’s first year. But this visit shows obvious interest and yes, one of those four was Cortez Allen, who attended The Citadel.

Smith is the second cornerback and third defensive back to have a scheduled visit. Corner Tavon Young and safety Jayron Kearse are the other two.

There is no specific date for when Smith will be brought in. Every team gets 30 visits, not including local players. As of today, the Steelers sit at four, with OT Jerald Hawkins the other.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/cb-ryan-smith-predraftvisit-scheduled-steelers/

hawaiiansteeler
03-23-2016, 05:37 PM
Auburn CB Jonathan Jones To Visit Steelers

BY ALEX KOZORA MARCH 23, 2016

In the last two days, we’ve learned of two corners who will be making a trip to Pittsburgh. Yesterday, it was the small school Ryan Smith. We’re on the opposite end of the spectrum today with Auburn’s Jonathan Jones. The news was first reported by Aaron Wilson.

Jones is undersized, weighing in at 5’9/1 186, but ran one of Indianapolis’ fastest 40s with a 4.33. He also showed off his athleticism with a 36 inch vertical, 10’3″ broad, and 4.25 in the short shuttle.

We’ve talked about Jones a ton on here. He drew rave reviews at the Senior Bowl. He’s battle tested against SEC competition and showed his ballhawking skills in 2014, picking off six passes before teams shied away from him last season.

Obviously, Pittsburgh has had little issue drafting and playing small cornerbacks. Senquez Golson was the team’s second round pick, Antwon Blake started for most of the year, and Brandon Boykin was traded for in camp to replace Golson. All three stood under 5’10.

If the team can grab Jones in the third round, they’ll get fantastic value. He is now the third cornerback the team has reportedly decided to bring in for a visit – Smith and Tavon Young are the other two.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/auburn-cb-jonathan-jones-visit-steelers/

hawaiiansteeler
03-24-2016, 12:50 AM
the Steelers brought him in as one of their official 30 visits:

Pittsburgh Steelers meet with CB Tavon Young at Temple Pro Day

By Jeff.Hartman on Mar 23, 201

https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mlMLW7ye-bSDl9YfyodYLCYRrPY=/0x51:1530x1071/709x473/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49140533/usa-today-8846520.0.jpg

The Steelers are looking hard at cornerbacks in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and they visited with a talented cornerback who could be available in the later rounds of the Draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have publicly stated they are "tracking" the big named cornerbacks in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, and rightfully so. After all, the team needs to solidify one of the weakest positions within the team's lineup. However, don't think they are just taking a look at players like Kendall Fuller, Eli Apple and Mackensie Alexander. No, they are looking at options in the mid-to-late rounds as well.

This is one of the reasons the team sent scouts to watch cornerback Tavon Young at his Temple Pro Day.

Young is a tremendous athlete with great coverage and ball skills. In his time at Temple, where he saw significant playing time since he was a freshman on campus, Young has been a key cog in the Owls' defensive backfield. However, that doesn't mean there aren't reservations with Young being a draft choice for a NFL franchise.

Just as the Steelers second round pick in 2015, Senquez Golson, Young falls South of the cornerback Mendoza height line by standing at 5-feet 9-inches and 183-pounds. Unlike Golson, Young doesn't have the speed, agility and vertical to make up for his lack of height.

Nonetheless, just because Young isn't above 6-feet tall doesn't mean he couldn't be a late round pick for a team desperate for cornerbacks who can play in both man and zone coverage schemes. Young is able to play both coverage schemes, bump coverage and is more than capable in run support. Young is described as "feisty" by NFL scouts, as well as a great leader.

Most project Young to be drafted near the 5th round, and this could be the perfect type of player for the Steelers to double-dip on when it comes to getting a second cornerback in the upcoming draft.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2016-nfl-mock-drafts-profiles-video-clips-highlights-steelers-analysis-breakdowns-news/2016/3/23/11272932/pittsburgh-steelers-meet-with-cb-tavon-young-at-temple-pro-day

hawaiiansteeler
03-24-2016, 04:01 PM
UPDATED: 3/23/16

Reportedly Scheduled Or Visited

WR Tyler Boyd – Pittsburgh – Speculated (LOCAL VISIT) – March 16th
TE J.P. Holtz – Speculated (LOCAL VISIT) – March 16th
T Jerald Hawkins – LSU – Scheduled for March 31st
S Jayron Kearse – Clemson – Scheduled for unknown date
CB Tavon Young – Temple – Scheduled for unknown date
CB Ryan Smith – North Carolina Central – Scheduled for unknown date
CB Jonathan Jones – Auburn –Scheduled for unknown date

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/steelers-2016-pre-draft-visit-tracker/

hawaiiansteeler
03-24-2016, 10:04 PM
Prospects associated with the Steelers:

» Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson: Tomlin chats with corner at Clemson's pro day
» Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas: Steelers QB coach attends pro day
» Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan: Steelers OL coach attends at pro day
» Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech: Steelers OL coach attends Texas Tech's pro day
» William Jackson III, CB, Houston: Steelers GM and coach have dinner with Jackson
» Cory James, LB, Colorado State: Joey Porter works out James at pro day
» Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson: Kearse to meet with Steelers
» Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: Lawson met with Steelers at combine
» Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State: Steelers get quality time with Prescott

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000644055/article/afc-north-draft-winds-rumors-connecting-players-nfl-teams

steelerdude15
03-27-2016, 05:36 PM
There isn't any reason to draft them, but it doesn't hurt to bring them in for interviews.