Steelers host Texas LB Gary Johnson among group of four pre-draft visitors on Thursday

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to host prospects at team facilities this week, with another four players in town on Thursday for a pre-draft visit with the team. Focusing on the defensive side of the ball once again as they did on Wednesday, the group includes two players the Steelers were connected to after meeting them at their pro days this offseason.

Linebackers Gary Johnson of Texas and Ulysees Gilbert of Akron are the two prospects who have already met with someone from Pittsburgh recently, with GM Kevin Colbert among the names on hand to watch Johnson’s pro day last week. For West Virginia safety Dravon Askew-Henry and Central Michigan cornerback Sean Bunting, this is the first we have heard of the Steelers interest in the players.

With Askew-Henry counting as a local visitor coming from West Virginia, just as Penn State running back Miles Sanders and West Virginia linebacker David Long did earlier in the week, the Steelers have now officially used 15 of their 30 allocated visits so far this year, assuming some have not gone unreported prior to this week.

LB, Gary Johnson, Texas

Scouting report from Lance Zierline of NFL.com.

“Active inside linebacker with plenty of passion and aggression but a fundamental lack of NFL-caliber movement skills in space. Johnson is capable of handling downhill duties between the tackles but could struggle to match up with today’s space-oriented offensive attacks.”

Music that accompanies this highlight video is NSFW.

LB, Ulysees Gilbert, Akron

Scouting report from Pro Football Draft Zone.

“Positives: Outstanding productivity and range. Excels in pursuit. Very agile and athletic. Can often avoid and out-quick blockers in space. Good movement and change-of-direction skills. Able to run with backs in coverage. Closes quickly. Good skill set for special teams.”

“Negatives: Undersized. Struggles to take on and shed blockers at the point of attack. Gets bounced around and easily washed out at times. Tends to bite on play action, leaving passing lanes open behind him.”

“Summary: Weak-side linebacker prospect who needs to play off the ball and excel on special teams to make it.”

With limited highlight videos available for Gilbert, this was the best available. I strongly suggest muting the commentary. It is not vulgar, it is just bad.

S, Dravon Askew-Henry, West Virginia

Scouting report from Brad Kelly of The Draft Network.

“PROS: Can stick ball carrier with good physicality and short-area quickness. Good filler outside, scans the field well. Solid traits for coverage, hip mobility and sound technique. NFL-ready frame and the ability to cover a variety of receivers. Solid open field tackler. Good long speed necessary to play free safety or in the slot.”

“CONS: Takes poor angles far too often. Though he sees the field well, he will consistently overrun ball carrier and miss tackles as a result. Unsure at times of when he needs to attack the line of scrimmage and make tackles. Can catch tackles and not drive through the ball carrier. Poor angles get him in trouble to cover deep.”

With limited highlight videos also available for Askew-Henry, this was the best available. I strongly suggest muting the music which contains lyrics that are NSFW.

CB, Sean Bunting, Central Michigan

Scouting report from Lance Zierline of NFL.com.

“Long, lanky press corner who plays with good control, an ability to stay connected to routes and above-average ball skills. Bunting is a bail or trail corner who is more adept at shadowing the release than road-blocking it with physicality due to a leaner frame. He’s confident in coverage and doesn’t play with panic, but has to prove his top-end speed. He’s proven his worth on 50-50 balls, but may fall below NFL standards with closing twitch and instincts. He’s a solid Day 3 prospect with CB4 potential.”

I suggesting muting the music on this one too, but only because it is terrible.