Steelers pre-draft visits: LB Demarcus Lawrence and RB Jerick McKinnon in Pittsburgh for team meetings

The Steelers are very close to reaching their limit of 30 players visits from draft prospects that must be completed before this Sunday 28th April.

According to Scott Brown who covers the AFC North for ESPN there are two more names in Pittsburgh today for a meeting with the Steelers

Boise State LB Demarcus Lawrence and Georgia Southern RB Jerick McKinnon visiting Steelers today.

— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_ESPN) April 24, 2014

Demarcus Lawrence a linebacker from Boise State was rumored to have a visit planned last week but Jerick McKinnon a running back from Georgia Southern is a new name to be associated with the Steelers.

Something of a pass rush specialist Lawrence played predominantly defensive end in college but at 6-foot-3 and 245 he lacks the size to play that position at the pro level and would look to convert to linebacker in the NFL. He has very little experience in coverage but certainly knows how to rush the passer and has played both in a three point stance as well as standing up and a switch to outside linebacker could well be within his grasp.

Jerick McKinnon was something of a Combine phenom after posting one of the faster 40 times at the position this year and managing an impressive 32 reps on the weight bench. Physically McKinnon has the look of a prototype NFL running back but lacks the traditional experiences of one in college. Most of his carries came out of a read option or outside pitch and his ability to run between the tackles is in question given he has little on tape to show in this regard.

Lawrence projects as a second to third round pick on my pundits boards whereas McKinnon is more likely to available until the fourth or fifth round.