Steelers notes: ‘Top 30’ visits to facility just 1 part of Mike Tomlin’s draft evaluation process

After a fourth question about official pre-draft “top 30” visits the Pittsburgh Steelers host, coach Mike Tomlin had heard enough.

Referring to the over two dozen media representatives present at the press conference on Monday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Tomlin remarked, “I think you guys are probably making a little bit more out of these ’30’ visits with the line of questions that we’re getting.” It’s only one more step in creating a profile.

Tomlin compared the combine, college all-star games, on-campus college pro days, and hosting prospects to only a few aspects of the draft evaluation process.

Official visits can be significant in certain cases and just a box to be checked in others, according to Tomlin. During this procedure, we have multiple means to reach gamers.

Still, it takes only cursory knowledge of consensus draft prospect rankings and of the Steelers’ biggest needs to conclude that many of the centers, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, wide receivers and defensive lineman who have high-round grades were among those who were among the top 30s.

With the possible exception of the handful of players who have dinner with Tomlin on the evening before a pro day workout, the top 30 visit is the most comprehensive look a team can get at a prospective player.

“The more access you can get to getting to know these players (the better), and some players who might have medical issues or other questions,” general manager Omar Khan said. “And to have the opportunity to bring them in and sit down with the coaches and understand how they would fit for us and how we would fit for them if we do business with them, it’s extremely important.”

QB or not to QB

As is typical in such settings, Khan and Tomlin mostly spoke in broad generalities. There was not one prospect mentioned by name, and Khan repeatedly used a variation of the phrase, “If we have an opportunity to add to a position that makes sense, we will take it,” to answer most every query about any specific position.

But Khan offered one morsel of tangible strategy the Steelers might adhere to during the draft.

“I think it’s not realistic,” he said, “that we’ll be taking a quarterback in Round 1.”

The Steelers have added three quarterbacks since last season ended. With two projected starters on the current roster, it was obvious QB was not going to be a priority early in the draft. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed for the Steelers in regards to quarterback come late Friday or Saturday.

“There’s some good players (available), and I wouldn’t close the door on anything,” Khan said. “If there’s an opportunity to improve that room, obviously, we’ll look at it.

“We have three guys who are on one-year deals, and we have to be open to it.”

Optional answers

Khan again refused to tip his hand as to whether the Steelers intended to exercise their 2025 contract options on running back Najee Harris or quarterback Justin Fields. As 2021 first-round picks, each has a fifth-year team option that must be picked up by next week.

We have until May 2 to make that decision, as I’ve stated previously, according to Khan. We will thus concentrate on the draft this week, and I’m sure we’ll have some thoughtful discussions about it the following month.

The approximate cost of Harris’ option is $6.8 million. Fields’ estimated net worth is $25.7 million.

Holcomb’s latest

In a same vein, Khan avoided giving a thoughtful response when questioned about inside linebacker Cole Holcomb’s recovery. Holcomb sustained a severe knee injury in November, and it is unclear if he will be fully recovered by 2024.

Khan remarked, “I can tell you Cole’s working really hard to get back.”

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Michigan CB Mike Sainristil says he’d love to create ‘no-fly zone’ with Steelers

The Michigan star is one of the top cornerback prospects in the NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very young defensive backfield.

Currently, Pittsburgh has rising superstar Joey Porter Jr. and the recently-acquired Donte Jackson as their top two cornerbacks. Cory Trice and Darius Rush, both entering their second years in the NFL, are also on the roster. Outside of that, they don’t have a cornerback on the roster who suited up for them last season after Patrick Peterson was released and Levi Wallace wasn’t re-signed.

The Steelers will almost definitely select a cornerback in this year’s draft, and Michigan’s Mike Sainristil has been on fans’ radars for months.Sainristil stated he would want to be picked by the Steelers and establish a “no-fly zone” with Porter in a recent interview with Mitch Kaiser of PFF. Because the Patriots are his hometown team, the Massachusetts native also mentioned them as a team he could envision himself playing for.

Sainristil said that he bases his game on Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, a former player with the Steelers.

With the Wolverines in 2023, Sainristil has four touchdowns and six interceptions.