The Pittsburgh Steelers are out in full force at Michigan’s pro day on Friday. Not only are head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan in attendance, but offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will be in attendance along with them, too. In other words, it is a full court press at the event, where there are multiple high level prospects for the Steelers to look at in the class.
The top players at the event for the Steelers to watch are wide receiver Roman Wilson, cornerback Mike Sainristil, linebacker Junior Colson, and defensive lineman Kris Jenkins. While there are others on day three such as guard Zak Zinter and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson who fit the bill of Steelers targets.
Wilson and Sainristil, in particular, seem like obvious targets. At the Senior Bowl, Wilson got a challenge from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin pulled Wilson and Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell aside, two of the most dominant players from day one of the Senior Bowl, and told them to go against each other throughout practice. They did just that, creating a highlight reel play for Wilson.
Sainristil is only 5-foot-10, 182 pounds. Being like Jordan was never going to be in the cards. But he did set out to be like another Mike: Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton.
Hilton was even smaller than Sainristil when he went through the draft process and came out unselected in 2016, checking in at 5-foot-9 and 178 pounds. But he found a way to turn that size into a big impact, becoming a huge part of the Pittsburgh defense in his four seasons in black and gold.
Regardless, there is a high chance that the Steelers walk away from the class with at least one Michigan Wolverine. There are too many guys that naturally fit their needs.