The Steelers have held a pre-draft visit with Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, continuing their homework on this year's class of signal callers. They also hosted Texas running back Jaydon Blue and Minnesota cornerback Justin Walley.
McCord's the true definition of a gunslinger. He can make some huge plays because of it, but he can make some boneheaded plays, too. That's why, according to Pro Football Focus, he led Power Four conferences in both big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays. If McCord had a special arm, he'd draw comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger. However, he just doesn't have the same type of arm. When drafting a gunslinger, you've gotta make sure they have enough firepower.
Some in Pittsburgh might have preconceived feelings about McCord based on his performance in Pitt's 41-13 shellacking of Syracuse at Acrisure Stadium last season. In that game, McCord had a dreadful performance, throwing five interceptions -- three of which were returned for touchdowns -- and was sacked four times.
However, prospects shouldn't be judged based off one performance. They should be judged on traits that can translate to the NFL, whether they are already polished or can be developed. McCord has enough traits that are attractive, but given the nature of his gunslinger mentality, he comes with significant risk.
Blue is one of the most athletic running backs in a deep class. He's got phenomenal speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and short-area quickness. He's on the smaller side at 5-9 and 196 pounds, but he can add some muscle to his frame. He profiles as a guy who can share a backfield right now, primarily as a receiving option. He has to clean up his ball security issues and improve in pass protection to become a legitimate third-down back.
Walley isn't a standout cornerback in an underwhelming class, but he brings four years of experience with decent size, 4.40 speed and ball production (seven interceptions, 27 passes defensed). His lack of length could make him a more ideal candidate for the slot at the NFL level. Right now, Walley projects as a later Day 3 pick.
The full list of 30 pre-draft visits, both completed and scheduled (27/30):
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss • Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse • Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado • Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville • Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas • D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State • Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina • Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State • Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa • Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee • Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech • Matthew Golden, WR, Texas • Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State • Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State • Savion Williams, WR, TCU • *Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh • *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia • Yahya Black, DT, Iowa • Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon • Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State • Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon • Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, SMU • J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss • Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU • Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M • Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss • Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State • Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota • Nick Emmamwori, S, Iowa State • *Donovan McMillon, S, Pittsburgh • *Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:42 pm - 04.14.2025DowntownMcCord among three pre-draft visits
The Steelers have held a pre-draft visit with Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, continuing their homework on this year's class of signal callers. They also hosted Texas running back Jaydon Blue and Minnesota cornerback Justin Walley.
McCord's the true definition of a gunslinger. He can make some huge plays because of it, but he can make some boneheaded plays, too. That's why, according to Pro Football Focus, he led Power Four conferences in both big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays. If McCord had a special arm, he'd draw comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger. However, he just doesn't have the same type of arm. When drafting a gunslinger, you've gotta make sure they have enough firepower.
Some in Pittsburgh might have preconceived feelings about McCord based on his performance in Pitt's 41-13 shellacking of Syracuse at Acrisure Stadium last season. In that game, McCord had a dreadful performance, throwing five interceptions -- three of which were returned for touchdowns -- and was sacked four times.
However, prospects shouldn't be judged based off one performance. They should be judged on traits that can translate to the NFL, whether they are already polished or can be developed. McCord has enough traits that are attractive, but given the nature of his gunslinger mentality, he comes with significant risk.
Blue is one of the most athletic running backs in a deep class. He's got phenomenal speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and short-area quickness. He's on the smaller side at 5-9 and 196 pounds, but he can add some muscle to his frame. He profiles as a guy who can share a backfield right now, primarily as a receiving option. He has to clean up his ball security issues and improve in pass protection to become a legitimate third-down back.
Walley isn't a standout cornerback in an underwhelming class, but he brings four years of experience with decent size, 4.40 speed and ball production (seven interceptions, 27 passes defensed). His lack of length could make him a more ideal candidate for the slot at the NFL level. Right now, Walley projects as a later Day 3 pick.
The full list of 30 pre-draft visits, both completed and scheduled (27/30):
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
• Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
• Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
• Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
• D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State
• Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
• Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
• Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
• Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
• Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
• Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
• Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
• Savion Williams, WR, TCU
• *Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh
• *Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia
• Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
• Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
• Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
• Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
• Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, SMU
• J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
• Elijah Roberts, DT, SMU
• Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
• Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
• Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
• Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
• Nick Emmamwori, S, Iowa State
• *Donovan McMillon, S, Pittsburgh
• *Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
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