It's that time of the year again—the time when the finest college football players in the nation perform in the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed a high priority on improving their offensive line during the last two seasons. After all of the difficulties this side of the ball had last season, fans should expect general manager Omar Khan and team to continue building an offensive squad that could make them Super Bowl contenders.
Overall, this year's class is among the strongest in the last decade. So, the unanswered question is: Which players will the Steelers be watching at the Combine this year? Here are some names that fans should follow throughout the event week.
Tackle Tyler Guyton - Oklahoma
Tyler Guyton of Oklahoma had the most interactions with head coach Mike Tomlin during this year's Reese's Senior Bowl (Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. was a close second). To the surprise of the coaches in attendance, Guyton's performed exceptionally well in one-on-one drills during the practice week. During this year's Combine, fans can anticipate that Tomlin will be closely monitoring him and reconnect with him during interviews. Guyton should experience a significant increase in his draft stock and possibly pass the Steelers if he performs as predicted.
Other names: Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State), Amarius Mims (Georgia), and Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon)
Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell - Toledo
To say the least, Mitchell is one of the highest-rising prospects in this year's draft. His impressive showing during Senior Bowl week opened the eyes of all NFL teams, who currently have him high on their list. The Steelers were one of many teams to meet with him during that week and have him on their radar as a possible addition to their secondary. At a little over 6'0, Mitchell may not fit the mold of an "avatar corner," but there are few defensive prospects in this year's class who come close to having his superior skillset.
Other names: Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama), Kamren Kinchens (Miami), Kalen King (Penn State), and Josh Newton (TCU)
Quarterback Spencer Rattler - South Carolina
This year's Reese's Senior Bowl MVP has found new life this offseason. With much of the quarterback attention revolving around bigger names such as Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix, Rattler proved to be the top performer among all quarterbacks at this year's event. For Rattler, this year's NFL Combine should give him the opportunity to show the athletic skillset that once made him a Heisman Trophy favorite when he was with the Oklahoma Sooners. The Steelers will certainly be looking to add strong depth at quarterback to their roster. If Rattler can impress with his arm and athleticism, fans should not be surprised if general manager Omar Khan adds his name to their draft list.
Other names: Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Joe Milton III (Tennessee), and Jordan Travis (Florida State)
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