NFL Draft
Steelers Meet With Versatile Michigan OLB Josh Uche

The Steelers could be dipping into the pool of an edge class that Kevin Colbert described as ‘deep’, and one guy they could look at is outside linebacker Josh Uche.
The standout Michigan pass rusher said that he had an informal meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Combine. And the Michigan ties were an integral part of their conversation.
“We talked about Devin Bush a little bit. Just his style of play, what they look for out of their linebackers,” Uche said.
Uche was asked about Mel Kiper’s comment that he ‘looks like a Steeler’ and raved about his respect for the Steelers organization.
“Who wouldn’t want to play for such an amazing organization like them and get to be with my boy, D. Bush and wreak some havoc? That would be awesome,” Uche exclaimed.
Uche had a standout week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl back in January, where he was able to show off his hybrid nature. And with playing both off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, Uche has polished up his games by watching multiple guys.
“I’ve been watching them (Lorenzo Alexander and Devon Kennard) for three years. I’ve been watching Von Miller since I can remember,” Uche said. “Just seeing the way they play the game, the way they bend, their counter moves and all of that, and trying to implement it into my game.”
As a true 3-4 outside linebacker, Uche is known for having great bend on his tape. He is able to run that tight arc around offensive tackles to get sacks. In that hybrid role, Uche was able to pick up 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
“I’ve always liked running the hoop. I’ve been doing that since I was little,” Uche noted. And I’ve been tweaking it, perfecting it, and making the angle more aggressive.”
NFL Draft
NFL Releases Pro Day Schedules

The 2021 NFL Combine should be kicking off this week in Indianapolis, but like so many other things in the past year, it has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NFL has decided not to risk bringing together prospects, scouts and media from around the country and will instead be relying on the schools’ individual pro days to evaluate prospects.
With that in mind, the league has taken a greater measure of control over the process, and on Wednesday, released a preliminary schedule for each team’s pro day.
March 5: Kansas
March 9: Kansas State, Northwestern, Wisconsin-Whitewater
March 10: Arkansas, Marshall, Maryland, Wisconsin
March 11: Clemson, Nevada, Texas
March 12: Arkansas State, North Dakota State, Oklahoma
March 15: Army, Kent State, Middle Tennessee St., Vanderbilt
March 16: Georgia Tech, Temple
March 17: Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Pitt, San Jose St.
March 18: Auburn, Buffalo, Central Arkansas, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe,
Stanford, Troy, West Virginia
March 19: Memphis, Ohio, TCU
March 22: Air Force, Bowling Green, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida State, Iowa, Missouri, Toledo
March 23: Alabama, Central Michigan, Iowa State, Nebraska, Purdue
March 24: Michigan State, Mississippi State, South Carolina, USC, Virginia
March 25: Georgia Southern, UMass, Ole Miss, North Texas, Penn State, San Diego St., SMU, Tennessee, Western Michigan
March 26: Boston College, BYU, Michigan, South Dakota State, Virginia Tech
March 29: Arizona State, Duke, Louisiana-Lafayette, Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), North Carolina
March 30: Alabama, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Louisville, NC State, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Tulane, Washington
March 31: Boise State, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Notre Dame, Wake Forest
April 1: UCF, Minnesota, Charlotte, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, USF, Western Kentucky
April 2: Oregon, Tulsa
April 7: Texas Tech
April 9: UAB, Ball State, Houston
2021 NFL Draft
Should Steelers Use First Round Pick on a Center?

Does the news of Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement mean the Steelers should now draft a center in the first round? Pouncey’s absence obviously creates a need at an important position, but is center now a big enough hole that it becomes the top priority?

NFL Draft
NFL Releases Further Details of Altered Draft Process

After cancelling the in-person NFL Scouting Combine last week due to COVID-19 concerns, the league released further details of the significantly altered draft process in a memo to clubs Friday.
Teams are prohibited from timing, testing, interviewing or examining draft prospects at any location other than all-star games or the respective player’s pro day.
Clubs are also banned from hosting draft prospects for facilities visits, dinners, film sessions and private workouts. Violations of these rules would be subject to punishment in line with the NFL’s anti-tampering policy.
Further muddying the process, clubs will only be allowed to have a maximum of three individuals attend pro days. However, all times and measurements are said to be made available league-wide.
Lastly, the league also released further details and restrictions on the pre-draft interview process. While in-person interviews and visits will be prohibited, they can be conducted virtually or via telephone.
Clubs can schedule up to five video conferences or phone calls with a prospect, with each conversation limited to one hour. Virtual psychological tests will not count against the five interview limit.
Teams can begin conducting interviews with draft eligible underclassmen on Monday, Jan. 25.
Interviews with seniors can begin on Monday, Feb. 1.