Potential Prospects For Steelers To Evaluate

Offensive tackle, free and strong safety positions are clear needs for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are a team that loves to build its team through the draft, and this draft is loaded with prospects and talent at the offensive tackle and both safety positions.

T.J. Clemmings: 6’5″, 305 SR  (Pittsburgh)

Pros: Clemmings possess excellent size strength and technique. He does lack experience after playing defensive tackle his first two years in college.  Clemmings has done an excellent job in line protection adjustments and has proven he can block multiple players on running plays whether it be on sweeps or between-the-tackle plays.

Cons: Clemmings needs become more consistent after finishing his blocks with more aggressiveness.  With limited experience, Clemmings needs strong coaching in the off-season.  Clemmings needs to keep his head up on pass plays.

Andrus Peat: 6’7″, 312 JR (Stanford)

Pros: Peat has the ability to play both right and left tackle. Extremely agile, he excels against speed rushers, which will come in handle against a pass rusher in the NFL such as Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs, etc.  Has the NFL frame and plenty of experience being a 3-year starter. Peat will excel in the NFL on getting to the next level of the defense.

Cons: Peats tends to get a bit lazy in pass protection at times, coming out of his stance to high. Mostly pick nicking  But Peat must become more consistent in sustaining his blocks at the second level.

La’el Collins 6’5″, 315 SR (LSU)

Pros: Collins returning for his senior season benefited him greatly. Has the body frame of a guard, but has great quickness, long arms and a mean streak. Plenty of big game experience playing in the south eastern conference (sec). Collins is extremely aggressive in run blocking, and always gets his hands on defenders quickly in pass protection.

Cons: Collins struggles at times with his balance. Improvement is needed in recognition of side defenders on complicated blitz plays. With all his aggressiveness Collins must keep a level head.

Safeties

Derron Smith: 5’11,197 SR (Fresno State)

Pros: Smith is great in single high , and slot coverage.  Understands how to position himself against bigger wide receivers.  Has above average speed and is willing to play in the box. Knows where to run when he catches a interception, or force a fumble. Smith would be asset on special teams

Cons: Smith is undersized and may have some trouble against tight ends. At times he overpurses on his tackles. Must improve on jump ball plays in the red zone, and has short arms.

Jaquiski Tartt:  6’1″, 218 SR (Samford)
Pros: Small school product with great size and potential.  Physical against the run, and consistently takes good angles. Excels playing in the box, and has potential as a blitzer. Disrupts recievers at the line of scrimmage with strength, and has the speed to keep up with them down field.

Cons: Tartt did not play against elite competition.  Tartt has the tendency to be caught looking into the backfield on pass plays. Struggles at times to get back in position on pump fakes.

Victor Harris 6’1″, 190 SR (Virgina Tech)
Pros: Very instinctive and understands what the offense is doing quickly.  Productive tacklers as has shown he has pass rush moves as a blitzer.  Excellent ball skills with 26 passes defended and 10 interceptions. Can be out of position and recover quickly to make the plays.  Plays under control the entire game.

Pros: Harris must improve shedding blocks against wide receivers.  Harris lacks aggressiveness in deep pass coverage.  Plays a bit upright sometimes. Not physically imposing to say the least.