As Combine week begins with weigh-ins and bench press, the first actual testing day was Friday, and the Steelers will obviously meet with a myriad of prospects. The first few of which they have already met with.
Per sources, the Steelers have met with Wisconsin FB Alec Ingold, Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown, Brown’s Ole Miss teammate WR D.K. Metcalf, Georgia WR Riley Ridley, Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry, South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel and Oklahoma WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
Marquise Brown (Antonio’s cousin) said he has a formal interview scheduled with the Steelers today at the combine.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 1, 2019
GB Bay Port alum Alec Ingold said he's spoken with all 32 teams. On potentially playing for the #Packers:
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) February 28, 2019
"Being able to be home would be amazing. That’s the dream job. That’s how I envisioned it as a 4-year-old kid. That’s what it was. Having that come true would be huge."
AJ Brown has met with the Steelers!
— Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) March 1, 2019
Deebo Samuel, named from the Friday movie because he was a bully as a child, will no doubt learn all about that other Deebo tonight when he meets with Mike Tomlin. Samuel’s an exciting inside-outside receiver and return specialist.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) March 1, 2019
Much more tomorrow at SteelCityInsider.
Add DK Metcalfe to the list of top WRs meeting with the Steelers tonight for a formal interview. That means all 4 receivers in NFL Network’s Top 50 prospects will have formals with Steelers.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 1, 2019
Georgia WR Riley Ridley, another high-round candidate, already has had a formal interview with the Steelers.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) March 1, 2019
And you can officially add N'Keal Harry to the list of Steelers meetings at the combine. Per @tribjoerutter, the Steelers met with Harry Friday night, thus having met with five receivers on Friday and they will meet with Riley Ridley on Wednesday.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) March 2, 2019
A.J. Brown is certainly a welcome sight, as he led Ole Miss in receiving yards the past two years, including 1320 this season in addition to six touchdowns. Brown, who was Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist and SEC First-Team All-American, will certainly be a welcome sight to Steelers fans.
Brown would bolster the Steelers receiving corps that is hoping to absorb the likely loss of Antonio Brown. AJ Brown can play in the slot and outside, although he is much more comfortable in the slot.
If you are looking for a smart football player at receiver who can create a little bit after the catch, Brown is your guy.
AJ Brown isn’t just a slot guy. He should be used primarily from there, but his releases and ability to make combat catches on the sideline still allow him that versatility. Awesome play here. pic.twitter.com/mQJSFdfxOr
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 15, 2019
The Steelers also met with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from Oklahoma, who also happens to be Antonio Brown’s cousin. This would be an interesting choice on the part of the Steelers simply because throwing the guy into the middle of a brutal divorce between family seems rather immoral.
Regardless, Hollywood is a speed guy who is not just based on speed. Brown had back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray as his QBs and was a First-Team All-American both of those years.
Hollywood plays with precision and route running and an eye popping ability to make big plays after the catch. The caveat comes in with his 166 pound weigh-in, which is extremely light. The DeSean Jackson comparisons will keep coming, as he only weighed in at 169 at the combine.
Brown would be the perfect fit, but the relation to Antonio Brown seems off-putting.
If you don't want Hollywood on your team what are you doing? This guy is Desean Jackson all over again and his ability to turn anything into a big play is a dangerous weapon in today's offenses. Just crazy speed to get vertical and surprisingly very good contact balance for YAC. pic.twitter.com/U0OoBgtLDd
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 19, 2019
The Steelers, specifically Mike Tomlin, also met with South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel, who had an impressive Senior Bowl and was touted as being the best player in Mobile period. Samuel was a First-Team All-SEC selection just a year after returning from a gruesome ankle injury.
He is a versatile chess piece that can work inside and outside, and is most known for his sharp route running and fantastic YAC ability with Running Back-like Contact Balance. Samuel looks to be a slam dunk Top 64 pick, so the Steelers are certainly gunning for him early.
Deebo Samuel isn’t just a senior bowl wonder. Dude’s tape was always super impressive. Check this out
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 26, 2019
- No wasted movement in release
- Stutter releases inside to gain leverage and mess with CBs foot speed
- Sharp cut into the middle to get separation.
He’s good folks. pic.twitter.com/haUaqnkgl4
The consensus top WR in the draft, D.K. Metcalf, also met with the Steelers. He is likely best known to you as the guy who is absolutely shredded for being a WR, and he benched 27 reps yesterday.
Ole Miss WR, DK Metcalf, says it would be a blessing to be drafted by the Browns and he would love to catch passes from Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/GoQ5MSLWHn
— Sports Nation Ohio (@SN_Ohio) March 1, 2019
Metcalf was sidelined with a neck injury for the rest of the season after being on pace for well over 1,000 yards last season. He is best known for being a vertical threat that has enough polish on his routes to still be more than a factor in the intermediate game. He is expected to test out of this world today, and it is possible he slips out of the Steelers’ range.
D.K. Metcalf: Now, and always, WR1. Insane catch radius and deep threat ability is a big part of that. pic.twitter.com/EZC3gQ6NBn
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 15, 2019
Riley Ridley will be coming to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for a formal meeting with the Steelers. Ridley is the younger brother of Falcons WR Calvin Ridley, and while he is controversial due to low production, Ridley is best known for showing out in big games. He had great games against Greedy Williams, Joejuan Williams, and Alabama as well. His routes are polished and he has great agility.
Ridley is expected to be a Top 50 due to likely very good testing numbers, and the polished ability in his game.
Good at Football: A Riley Ridley Storypic.twitter.com/YPPAg7aSWk
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 30, 2019
The Steelers sat down with Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry as well on Friday. In terms of name recognition, Harry is likely the one guy most people will know. He’s a two-time All-PAC-12 selection and holds the receptions and receiving yards records at Arizona State.
Harry is known for being a bigger receiver and being a physical WR that can stretch the field even without burning speed. More importantly, he creates yards for himself after the catch more than anyone else in the draft. He fits the perfect prototype of a Z-receiver.
Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry deserves every bit of hype he gets. Look at how he dominates press here and then runs over guys for a huge YAC gain. This dude also has some of the craziest contested catch skills I’ve seen in a while. A whole beast. #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/B4qs7R1a8k
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) January 7, 2019
As for Wisconsin FB Alec Ingold, the meeting is a bit of a strange one. After all, Roosevelt Nix was just signed to a 4-year contract last season. Look a little deeper though, and it makes much more sense. Ingold met with not just the Steelers, but all 32 teams. This one, while strange, probably is nothing more than mere due diligence by the Steelers Front Office to get their information on everyone and anyone.
Ingold was a Senior Bowl standout and is known for being a throwback Fullback. His play style certainly is somewhat reminiscent of former Steelers FB Dan Kreider. Ingold is best known for being a nasty blocker and a guy who will drive his opponents into the turf, much like he did at the Senior Bowl.
FULLBACK HIGHLIGHT!!!!!!!!! Wisconsin FB Alec Ingold destroyed Stanford LB Bobby Okereke! SHEESH! pic.twitter.com/h74wVjC4GU
— #NobodyDied (@ftbeard_17) January 26, 2019
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers, their NFL Scouting Combine visits and more.