Steelers Dined with 4 Ohio State Prospects ahead of Pro Day

COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Pittsburgh Steelers got a jump start on scouting the Ohio State football prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft ahead of Wednesday’s pro day.

The Steelers brass was in Ames, Iowa for Iowa State’s pro day on Tuesday, and then flew straight to Columbus to take a number of the Buckeye prospects out to dinner on Tuesday night.

General manager Omar Khan, vice president of player personnel Dan Rooney Jr., head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin were all at Iowa State. They were joined for dinner on Tuesday night by a bunch of the top OSU prospects, including early-round offensive tackle options Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones, center Luke Wyler and outside linebacker Zach Harrison. Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network first reported the Steelers’ specific interest in those players.

Johnson is expected to be one of the top tackle prospects in the draft class, while Jones is in the second tier that seems centered around the Steelers’ second pick at No. 32 overall.

The Steelers’ interest in Will McDonald IV at Iowa State suggests that the team is at least considering using the draft to fill its need for edge rusher depth, and Harrison could fit that bill if the Steelers don’t get one in the first round.

Wypler seems like a less obvious option for Pittsburgh3 after they landed two interior linemen in free agency, 

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and safety Ronnie Hickman are the other top prospect from a Steelers standpoint working out in Columbus on Wednesday. Alan Saunders and Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now are the Woody Hayes Center and will have updates throughout the day.