Four Possible Steelers Targets Leave Senior Bowl

Multiple key Senior Bowl players are opting out of the event before the start of practices on Tuesday. For the Steelers, key targets that opted out include Washington tackle Troy Fautanu, Kansas State IOL Cooper Beebee, Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristill, and center Sedrick Van Pran. In addition to that, TCU cornerback Josh Newton will not be participating.

The Senior Bowl will have three days of practice before playing the game on Saturday. There are multiple reasons for players to pull out, including minor injuries, a long, extended season like Michigan and Washington had, or feedback from their agent.

The Steelers will still have several too targets to watch there, including Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, West Virginia center Zach Frazier, Oregon State tackle Tailese Fuaga, and more.

Most of these players’ speed, explosiveness, and baseline physical traits jump out in a way they did not on film. It gives perspective on everyone’s NFL capabilities. There is athletic, and then there is NFL athletic. When guys stick out in a setting such as this one even from a firm perspective. All of that sticks out in environments like that, but many of these guys opt to train for their pro days and the NFL Combine instead of pushing it through the week.

But this week is an invaluable resource for the Steelers. In the past, they have selected Keeanu Benton, Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris, and others. Mike Tomlin consistently stands on the field and tries to get to know the prospects as they go through the drills. It’s a wholly unique experience. Meanwhile, Omar Khan or in the past, Kevin Colbert, make the trip, too. With the top scouting staff making the trip down to Mobile, you can circle many of the top prospects in this class as key targets in the 2024 NFL Draft.