Senior Bowl: Who's trending for Steelers as NFL Draft class takes shape

MOBILE, Ala. -- Practices in advance of Saturday's Senior Bowl game have concluded here in Mobile, and it's time to check on who helped their stock and who potentially hurt theirs with their three days of performances inside of Hancock Whitney Stadium.

The Steelers have a few easily identifiable needs to address this offseason, and Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and the rest of the Steelers brass in attendance didn't waste any motion in their three days here.

This week's sessions kicked off with a thunderous showcase by Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, who was moving people with his broad, burly frame and showed incredible recovery on the few reps it looked like he was about to lose. Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton and Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga stood out within their reps, as well. Tomlin paid close attention to the offensive line on Day 1, and those three are firmly on the radar among he top of their class.

Day 2 was all about the showdown between Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson and All-American Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in a matchup that was completely desired and designed by Tomlin. He spent more time roving around and looking at skill positions, giving the Steelers an upper-hand at scouting more than just the trenches.

As they say here, the draft starts in Mobile. The next step is the NFL Combine at the end of February where many more draft eligibles will join up with this group.

Here are five players within the Steelers' positions of interest in this offseason that rose, and five who potentially fell along the draft board this week in Mobile.

FIVE TRENDING UP

GEORGIA WR
LADD McCONKEY

Among a strong group of wide receivers who showcased this week, McConkey was the one who consistently got open and rarely made a mistake.

Just roll back the tape:

It was exactly like this all week.

McConkey's ability to release and separate was on full display on all three days in Mobile. He won't be among the first off the board in this deep wide receiver class, but he certainly appears as an option for the Steelers in the second round if he's still there. He would be the perfect slot threat to go alongside George Pickens and Diontae Johnson.

"Any team that gives me a shot, I know I'm going to make the most of it," McConkey said at Wednesday's media day. "I've got some Bulldogs over there with George and Darnell (Washington) and (Broderick Jones), so that would be pretty sweet."

DUKE DT 
DeWAYNE CARTER

I was high on Carter going into the week, and he did not disappoint. His burst and get-off were as fast as any interior defender, and he was able to use his leverage to quickly dispatch many guards who opposed him. 

For a guy that's only 308 pounds, he displayed some excellent strength against guards who typically had a few pounds on him. He was a wrecker in the running game, as well. The second-team All-ACC selection from last year might have played his way into Day 2 of the draft here, and that home could be Pittsburgh given how closely Tomlin was watching linemen between Tuesday and Wednesday.

"You'v got to win in every single phase," Carter said. "Stance, alignment, knowing your guy. Little things. You've got to win ahead of time so when you go to execute the rep it's a lot easier for you."

TEXAS NT 
T'VONDRE SWEAT

He looks the part of a nose tackle at 6-foot-4 and 362 pounds, and he acted the part this week. The unanimous first-team All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year showed tremendous power, shed double teams on passing situations, and was able to get into the backfield forcefully to stop the run throughout team periods.

After Thursday's practice, Sweat gave an ear-to-ear grin as he told me Tomlin is "my dawg" while confirming he has met with the Steelers. Sweat has big-time potential for the Steelers at pick No. 52 in the second round.

"That was awesome," Sweat said of meeting with Tomlin. "Real person, great person that I felt that I built a relationship with. Hopefully I could see him soon."

NOTRE DAME ILB 
MARIST LIUFAU

While N.C. State inside linebacker Payton Wilson was at the top of my list, Liufau made a strong impression in the practice sessions in Mobile. Liufau is a solid coverage linebacker, which is something the Steelers sorely missed in 2023 once Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander went out for the season with their injuries.

And, he showed off his closing speed, as evidenced by this chase-down of Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. in a team period:

"I think just being able to be a vocal leader and be a dominant, physical presence on the field, and just having the offense have to recognize me and have a plan for me when they play me. Just being a force on the field," Liufau said of his strengths.

Liufau confirmed to me he met with the Steelers this week in Mobile. He was a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award in 2023, which is given annually to the best linebacker in college football.

SOUTH CAROLINA QB 
SPENCER RATTLER

I am operating under the notion that the Steelers are not going to draft a quarterback until, minimally, Day 3, if at all. That puts them outside of the conversation for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and other top signal callers that are on the board.

My top Day 3 quarterback prospect has been Tulane's Michael Pratt, but Rattler played up this week and might have taken that spot over with his week here.

Here's a small sample of why. Here he hits Louisville receiver Jamari Thrash on this ball in a 7-on-7 period Thursday:

I won't be the only one writing generally positive reviews on Rattler, either. He had that kind of week. More on the quarterbacks in general shortly.

FIVE TRENDING DOWN

PENN STATE CB 
KALEN KING

It can be hard to diagnose players who "fell down the draft board" with a few days of practice, so we will approach this with a mindset of performance versus expectation.

I expected to see more out of King this week, but he faded. There were times when King was one full step behind receivers and allowed big plays. He had a couple of strong plays, but did not put out the week that was expected from someone who's a fringe first-round pick in some circles.

Here is North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker getting the best of King in a one-on-one drill:

Overall, the week was a miss for King.

OREGON QB
BO NIX

The week was also a miss for many of the top quarterbacks here, and Nix was inconsistent throughout Tuesday and Wednesday's practices before turning things up Thursday. 

There were some plays where Nix looked like the best quarterback in Mobile, but overall he did not stand out as the best when all three practices were taken into totality. Nix, Penix, and Sam Hartman all had inconsistent weeks that somewhat water down a class that's perceived as strong. I wouldn't expect the Steelers to draft a quarterback in the first round, anyway, and that is where Nix could end up going on draft day. I wasn't blown away by any of these guys, but I expected better out of Nix this week.

SOUTH CAROLINA WR
XAVIER LEGETTE

Legette, a projected first- or second-round pick, left Thursday's practice early as he experienced ankle soreness. He had some impressive reps on Wednesday, but he got off to a slow start Tuesday and couldn't finish Thursday.

Here is a rep of Legette's from Tuesday:

At 6-3, 227 pounds, Legette is a desirable target in the second round for the Steelers if they're looking at receiver that early, but he would have to put together a strong Combine to bounce back from an up-and-down week in Mobile.

NORTH CAROLINA WR 
DEVONTEZ WALKER

I like Walker a lot, and including him here might be a tad of a reach. That said, though, I thought this could have been a week where Walker began to separate himself as a top receiver in this class.

The above clip of King allowing the touchdown was to Walker, and that is an example of his ability to gain separation. But, here is an example of a downside Walker experienced this week:

Walker still has some work to do in a loaded receiver class.

WISCONSIN IOL 
TANOR BORTOLINI

Bortolini somewhat fell victim to getting guard reps this week, though he is a natural center. He was clearly more comfortable at center and excelled in spots when in that role.

But when he moved to guard, he was oftentimes a half-step behind. Versatility is obviously desired for interior offensive linemen, but Bortolini's bread and butter will come at center in the NFL. He confirmed he has met with the Steelers in Mobile. He would be a target in Day 3 of the draft if the Steelers don't address the position on Day 1 or Day 2.

• Notes from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's practices in Mobile can be found in our Steelers Feed.