Welcome to our annual Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Profiles! Each of these articles will feature all of the positions in the game of football and more importantly, the top-rated players at these positions and those that the Steelers may be interested in! This one features the Tight Ends.
* = Met with Steelers.
Brock Bowers – Georgia 6’4″ 240lbs
California Kid who made an immediate impact in freshman campaign at Georgia… Tremendous play-making ability… Plays big in big games… Great hands… Blocking is solid but has all the hallmarks of getting better at the pro level… His speed is shocking for defensive backs and linebackers… Has a motor similar to EDGE rushers… Can he separate at pro level… Route running will need some tweaks…
Our Projection: First Round
Ja’Tavion Sanders – Texas 6’4″ 250lbs
Terrific hands… Was a nightmare for linebackers to cover… Great down-field blocker who stalks and finishes… High points the ball well… Should be utilized all over the formation… Can get deep in a hurry… When facing press man he punishes the defender with aggressive hands… In-line blocking is his biggest area of concern… Willingness is there, technique needs work and time… I wouldn’t trust him as a pass blocker right now.
Our Projection: Late Second – Mid- Third Round
Cade Stover – Ohio State 6’4″ 250lbs
Came to the Buckeyes as a linebacker before transitioning to tight end… Soft, yet powerful hands make him a reliable receiver… Sneaky fast getting deep… Proved himself to be a huge asset on third downs… Does not shy away from contact often seeking it out once he’s caught the ball… Route running will need improvement… Blocking will require serious attention mostly due to inexperience on that side of the ball/Willingness and toughness are there… Seems destined to be an above average ‘chain mover’ which isn’t a bad thing.
Our Projection: Late Third to Mid-Fourth
vs Notre Dame,
*Ben Sinnott – Kansas State 6’5″ 255lbs
Made consistent strides in his three seasons at K-State going from two receptions in his freshman campaign to 48 in his junior season… Looks the part of ‘traditional tight end’… Excellent ‘hands’ catcher… Plays with violence after the catch… Down-field blocking demon who will look to take out as many guys as he can… Good route runner on short and intermediate routes… Not going to scare anyone over the top… Decent speed but very average here… Very good in-line blocker.
NOTE: Was on most analysts’ lists of guys who helped themselves at the Combine displaying more athleticism that previously thought.
Our Projection: Has moved into Third-Fourth Round
*Jaheim Bell – Florida 6’1″ 245lbs
Originally played at South Carolina before heading to Florida State… Exceptional athletic ability… Immediate ‘yards after catch’ guy… Tracks the ball well and can make ‘in traffic’ catches… Agility and athletic prowess are way above the norm for tight ends… Size creates some limitations… Blocking issues are significant… Not sure he can be used as an in-line blocker any time soon… Could find success as a potential H-back or used in the slot.
Our Projection: Second or Third Round
vs Florida State, vs Boston College
*Theo Johnson – Penn State 6’6″ 250lbs
Saw only marginal improvement from first year to last year… Reliable pass catcher… Willing to make tough catches over the middle… Ideal tight end size… Very quick off the line… Not really a deep threat but shows YAC ability… Must improve his route running… Willingness as a blocker is there but technique needs work… Often plays too high… A team that brings him along slowly as a number two or three TE may have a starting-capable guy after development and added strength.
NOTE: Had a tremendous Combine hitting a RAS score of 9.99 which should push him up draft boards.
Our Projection: Fourth Round
vs Ohio State,
Dallin Holker – Colorado State 6’3″ 240lbs
Originally started out at BYU before hitting CSU… Finalist for the John Mackey Award… One of the better blockers in this class… Smart receiver who finds holes in zones… Classic ‘chain-moving’ tight end… Has some YAC ability but not overly athletic… Runs above average routes… Reliable and soft hands… There is some injury history that will be concerning for some… Doesn’t possess the speed of others in this draft class… Overall technique in terms of both blocking and receiving can be improved.
Our Projection: Fourth or Fifth Round
Erick All – Iowa 6’5″ 250lbs
Played at Michigan before transferring with QB Cade McNamara to the Hawkeyes… Had 38 receptions in his Junior season at Michigan… Just 21 in seven games in fifth-year at Iowa… Never reached potential that many thought he would… Can suffer from drops on easily catchable passes… Ideal build for an NFL tight end… Will make catches in traffic… Above average blocker both in line and downfield.
Our Projection: Fifth Round
*Brevyn Spann-Ford – Minnesota 6’6″ 265lbs
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten the last two seasons… Really good blocker who developed his skills in run heavy Gophers’ offense… Good, soft hands… Willing to make those combat catches over the middle… Strong runner with the ball/Will not go down easily… Not going to run away from anyone… His lean build may limit how much strength he can add.
Our Projection: Fifth-Sixth Round
vs Nebraska,
Other Guys We are Watching
A.J. Barner – Michigan
Potential Steelers’ Targets
The Steelers already have Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on the roster along with H-Back type Connor Heyward. I don’t believe this rules out taking a tight end however especially with Freiermuth’s up and down health issues. The Steelers spoke to several of these guys at the Combine including Johnson, Sinnott and Spann-Ford.
