Senior Bowl Takeaways: Steelers Focused on One Group
MOBILE — The Pittsburgh Steelers began their week down in Mobile, Alabama, marking their first stop on the scouting trail this NFL Draft season.
The sound of pads clashing against each other, the scribbles of notes down into the notebooks of ongoing eyes and the scorching heat of the sun baring down onto those in the stadium; Yeah, the Senior Bowl has returned and for its 75th year, with the event growing more in magnitude and spectacle each passing year.
Let's look back on the first day of practice:
Mike Tomlin Never Changes
While the Senior Bowl has gone through its fair share of changes, including having underclassmen at the event, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin continues to be standing right in the middle of the one-on-one events of offensive linemen and defensive linemen going at it. A particular underclassman he seemed to be very interested in was Oregons' Jackson Powers-Johnson, who many deem to be the top center in the class.
Powers-Johnson had an absolutely terrific day showcasing the power necessary to reset the own line of scrimmage in the run game while also being rock solid in pass protection. There are few flaws, if any, to pick apart in his game and the more time goes on, the more that connection grows.
He wasn't the only one to catch the keen eye of Tomlin, though, with mammoth offensive tackle out of Oklahoma, Tyler Guyton, who was making his presence known with authority. Tomlin really liked what he saw and pulled him aside afterward to compliment his finishing capabilities.
Guyton showcased some real power, being able to finish with consistency while being able to explode out of his stance. Technical refinements are still things he can work on, with him being too wide with his hands and often electing to punch with both. Scouts definitely want to see some improvement in technique, but for someone who mostly played in the defensive trenches before eventually moving to tight end at TCU, these are some promising traits that are worth cultivating.
Wide Receivers Steal the Show
This is a ridiculously talented class, and it made sure to let itself be known in a hurry down here in Mobile. Ricky Pearsall showcased his ability to track and contort to snag in misplaced passes, while also being able to seamlessly transition into a runner. Javon Baker was showcasing some terrific footwork and ball tracking in one-on-ones, while Ladd McConkey was absolutely unstoppable in every facet, with his fluidity and efficient footwork making him a nightmare to guard.
Jamari Thrash put on a display the importance of late separation, as well as being able to flash late hands so the cornerback is not able to read the receiver's movements late into the route. Roman Wilson showed why he ran an obscene number of over-routes in the Michigan offense, with nobody being able to take him vertically or horizontally.
Cornerback Class Asserts Itself
There probably was not a single person who had a better first day than Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell was someone with a first-round buzz coming into the week, and he seemed to cement that hype. Whether it was carrying vertically with ease, being able to mirror and stay patient from the press, or just exploding from his click and close, Mitchell looked the part of a first-round cornerback.
Khyree Jackson is listed at 6"3 203 pounds, but you wouldn't know it just watching his movements. Jackson showed great patience from his press alignment, but also terrific hand placement with his initial jam and showed a strong base. Jackson was able to carry guys like Devontez Walker vertically with ease during the one-on-ones, and his momentum could continue to grow as the week progresses.
Quarterbacks Underwhelm Early
Day one is always so tricky for quarterbacks, as they have a ton of learning and feeling out to do with the new players around them, but for a group billed to be pretty solid, it didn't exactly get off to a great start. Michael Penix's accuracy/placement concerns continued to rear their ugly head as throws weren't in the ideal spot.
Bo Nix has had quite the pickup in draft hype in the past few weeks, but his negatives as a passer were also apparent from the jump. Nix seemed to be moving off progressions early, not managing the pocket well and skipping some balls into the turf whenever his feet were unsettled.
If there was one quarterback who showed a little bit, it was probably Michael Pratt, who seemed to show an aggressive mindset being able to deliver into tighter windows in seven on sevens. He also gave his receivers a chance in the one on ones on a vertical plane, showing solid ball placement. Have to see if he can continue to build on a decent day one, but he made a solid first impression.
Conclusion
If you came for the quarterbacks, you were probably disappointed with the outcome of today's practice, but the games are won and lost in the trenches. The offensive lines of both teams really showed some promise, with some guys potentially pushing themselves into the first round. The wide receivers brought spectacle in the one-on-ones, but the corners who held up left a true, lasting impression for many.
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