COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Steelers traveled to Columbus, Ohio, with a strong contingent, including Pat Meyer, Mike Tomlin, and Omar Khan. As a result, they got to see plenty of elite prospects, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Dawand Jones, Paris Johnson, and others up close and personal.
Tomlin, as always, was front and center at the pro day. Meanwhile, Meyer watched on with a gleeful eye at potential prospects he could land. As their offense evolves, Pittsburgh could look to land one of the prospects watched on the pro day trail at these events, and they have already attended plenty of them.
Tomlin, Khan, and Dan Rooney Jr. dined with Jones, Johnson, Wypler, and Harrison on Tuesday night. That showcases a significant interest in a university that the Steelers love to go to every year for the pro day circuit. However, Jones did not work out at Ohio State pro day. He did not give a reason for his lack of participation but did attend the pro day and talked to multiple teams.
Jones was down at the Senior Bowl, while all three offensive linemen were at the NFL Combine. None of the linemen ran the 40-yard dash at Ohio State pro day, though they were never asked to do that after the NFL Combine.
Jones and Johnson project to be potential first-round picks, or in Jones’ case, a potential early second-round pick. Wypler should find his home on day two as well. Meyer kept a watchful eye on all the linemen as they went through their drills.
Meanwhile, 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.
