If the Steelers want to make good on having three selections inside the Top 50 in April's NFL Draft, then Tuscaloosa, Ala., is probably the best place to start looking for prospective players.
The organization did not just send Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan on the business-as-usual trip for Alabama's pro day. This was, easily, as hands-on as an organization can get when it comes to attending these showcase events.
Joining Tomlin and Khan for the scouting trip were Director of Player Scouting Mark Sadowski, Vice President of Player Personnel Dan Rooney Jr., offensive line coach Pat Meyer and secondary coach Grady Brown. The six-man brass was there to watch the 13 Crimson Tide players test out with the draft set to begin in five weeks.
Participating in Alabama's pro day were quarterback Bryce Young, edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., safeties Brian Branch, Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, cornerback Eli Ricks, defensive linemen Byron Young and DJ Dale, offensive linemen Tyler Steen and Emil Ekiyor Jr., linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, and tight end Cameron Latu. Pro Football Focus' Big Board has Young, Anderson, and Branch inside its big board's top 50 prospects at Nos. 1, 3, and 14, respectively, with Gibbs checking in at No. 51.
The Steelers hold picks No. 17, 32, and 49 in the draft, and the likeliest Alabama player which could be in play at 17 is the safety Branch, who met with the Steelers at the NFL Scouting Combine at the beginning of the month. With Terrell Edmunds leaving the Steelers, as dictated by his farewell post on social media Thursday, that only piques speculation further as to whether Branch is meriting higher consideration with that 17th overall pick. Branch is a versatile defensive back that could find a similar role to what Edmunds did in the Steelers' defense over the past two seasons.
Also in play for the Steelers, potentially, could be the cornerback Ricks, who could be primed at pick No. 49 or at No. 80 in the third round, should he slide that far.
Six Alabama players met with the Steelers at the Senior Bowl (as every players "meets" with every team at said event): Hellams, Dale, Byron Young, Ekiyor, Steen, and Latu.
