Five potential Steelers draft picks I’ll be following closely in Indianapolis

I’m packing my bags this week and heading to Indianapolis to cover the NFL Scouting Combine for the Fans First Sports Network. While my duties will include an array of responsibilities, you can bet I’ll have my eye on some of the prospects the Steelers may be tuned into. Here are five players to whom I’ll pay close attention, based upon mock drafts and reports suggesting they could be of interest to Omar Khan and Company.

Note: I will miss the first day of on-field workouts, which includes linebackers and defensive linemen, so no players from those groups are included here.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Steelers are firmly in play to select a wide receiver with the number 21 pick. Several names have emerged as possible candidates: Luther Burden III of Missouri, who is a natural playmaker; Matthew Golden of Texas, whose versatility allows him to play all three receiver spots; and Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona, who is a long-shot to last until the Steelers pick at 21, but should he fall, would be considered a steal.

While each of these players could excel in the NFL, they all come with questions the Steelers must consider. McMillan has the highest ceiling, but his skill set is similar to George Pickens, and he hasn’t yet developed the ability to work in the middle of the field, something Pittsburgh sorely needs. Burden is an elite athlete but has been dogged by reports that he takes plays off and isn’t great when the ball is not in his hands. Golden’s versatility makes him attractive, but the track record for Texas receivers in the NFL isn’t great.

For these reasons, the player I’m most interested in is Ebuka. He’s Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver, which speaks volumes considering the receivers OSU has produced. He’s a true senior who has played in the biggest games on the biggest stage at the college level. He has elite speed (4.30 in the 40) and is the best pure route-runner in this draft. He made a killing working the middle of the field at OSU. He blocks, which should be attractive to the Steelers. Ebuka was coached at Ohio State by Brian Hartline, who is arguably the best receivers coach in the nation at the collegiate level. He is pro-ready and could step into Pittsburgh’s lineup as an opening-day starter.

Egbuka will probably attract a throng of onlookers for his workouts and interviews in Indianapolis. Count me among them.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

No matter what the Steelers do at the quarterback position in free agency — and they’re bound to do something, considering the only currently-signed QB on their roster is Skylar Thompson — they are likely to draft one at some point. Barring something completely unexpected from the Khan Man, a Round 1 QB is unlikely. Round 2, though? I wouldn’t be shocked.

A name that is being increasingly linked to Pittsburgh is Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart is the consensus #3 quarterback in this draft, behind Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. The practicality of Dart falling to the Steelers in Round 2 — whether at their slotted pick at #52 or in a trade-up scenario — depends on multiple variables: how well he works out over the next month, how much other teams like him, and whether a run on quarterbacks escalates his value. But Dart has good size (6’2-226), is mobile, can extend plays with his athleticism, and has excellent touch and accuracy. He would be a nice fit for an Arthur Smith offense that should highlight Dart’s strengths.

Dart is by no means a finished product and would benefit from some time on the sidelines to develop. Pittsburgh would draft him as such a player.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

My interest in Henderson is two-fold. One, I like running backs. Of all the position groups I’ll see, the running backs have me most excited. I’m being selfish in that regard. But Henderson is made for Smith’s zone-heavy run scheme. He excelled at Ohio State as a zone runner because he is patient in allowing holes to develop and explosive once they do. Henderson would give the Steelers a home-run hitter who can turn small seams into chunk plays. Pittsburgh hasn’t had a big-play back of Henderson’s potential since perhaps Willie Parker.

Henderson was excellent in OSU’s run to the national championship, where he put his full skill package on display. He ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon in the quarterfinals; he took a screen pass for a game-changing 75-yard touchdown against Texas in the semi-finals; and he threw a key block on a blitz pickup that bought quarterback Will Howard time to hit Jeremiah Smith on a game-clinching deep ball against Notre Dame in the championship. A one-two punch of Jaylen Warren and Henderson would be exciting.

Henderson is projected to go somewhere in Round 2, and recent mock drafts have targeted him to Pittsburgh.

LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse

If the Steelers wait until Day Three to select a running back, Allen, who is projected to go in rounds four or five, could be their man.

I have a personal connection to Allen, although it’s not a particularly fond one. In 2021, our Ocean City squad was 11-0 heading into the state sectional playoff final. There, we met Millville High School, alma mater of Mike Trout, and a New Jersey sports powerhouse. Allen was their best player, and he proved it. He rushed for 144 yards and a couple of touchdowns, had 11 tackles on defense, and even played quarterback for a series when their starter got hurt. Millville defeated us to win the championship, and Allen’s versatility was the key.

That same versatility was on display at Syracuse. Over the past two seasons, Allen totaled over 2,000 rushing yards, 731 receiving yards, and had 102 catches. He’s not huge (6’0-200) but he runs hard, blocks well, and is an excellent receiver. Allen is a potential 3rd-down back for the Steelers, and could make a solid compliment to Warren.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

I’m not sure the Steelers will spend a 1st Round pick on a corner, but if they fill some other needs in free agency (wide receiver, defensive line), they may turn in this direction.

Barron was the best defender on the top-ranked pass defense in college football last season. He was a three-year starter who logged over 2,400 collegiate snaps while earning All-America honors as a senior. His versatility will be attractive to the Steelers. He played boundary as well as nickel corner, and because he’s a strong tackler, took reps in the box as well. Barron isn’t huge (5’11-200) but he’s solidly-built and tough. He also showed good ball-hawking skills, recording five interceptions last season, including two against Georgia.

Barron is not the fastest corner in this draft, but he makes up for it with his strength, technique and tenacity. He feels like a Steeler, which makes him an intriguing prospect to follow.

If you have prospects you’d like me to report on this week, hit me up on Twitter @KTSmithFFSN and I’ll do my best to send an update!