Today I wanted to look at running back prospects in the upcoming draft, a deep position that will be interesting to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers spend a draft pick on. The graph below uses their 2022 PFF Grade and their current rank on PFF’s Big Board that updates through the draft process:
The top overall player on PFF’s current board at the position is Bijan Robinson of Texas at number 27, who had increased opportunities each of the last three years (558, 512, 251). Last season, he had the highest 95.3 overall grade, along with 90+ rushing and gap grades, a great mid 80 zone grade, fantastic 169.1 elusive rating, and great 4.17 yards after contact. Robinson had 145 zone attempts (T-21st), a great 1,071 yards after contact (fifth), 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), no drops as a receiver, 112 gap attempts (T-26th), a whopping 104 missed tackles that was the most in college football, and 1.52 yards per route run (T-21st). His production largely increased with his opportunities, including attempts (257, 195, 87), yards (1,575, 1,127, 705), touchdowns (18,11, four), and receiving yards (314, 293, 196), with the exceptions being yards per attempt (6.1, 5.8, 8.1), receptions (19, 26, 15), and targets (29, 31, 17). Robinson was a combine invite with strong testing as well.
The first player that would start day two of the draft on PFF’s current board is Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs, who’s snaps increased each of the last three seasons (434, 415, 249) and has experience as a kick returner as well. In 2022, he had a low 80 overall and rushing grades, a mid 80 zone grade, a 99.1 elusive rating, an above average 3.39 yards after contact, but a 68.6 gap grade. Gibbs had 101 zone attempts (T-83rd), 512 yards after contact (115th), 15 carries of 15+ yards (T-60th), one drop as a receiver, just 47 gap attempts, 38 missed tackles forced (T-106th), and a great 1.83 yards per route run (sixth). His production largely improved each year, including attempts (151, 143, 89), yards (926, 746, 467), yards per attempt (6.1, 5.2, 5.2), touchdowns (seven, four, four), receptions (44, 36, 23), targets (52, 43, 28), with the exception being receiving yards (444, 470, 301). Gibbs was a combine invite, showcasing speed but smaller statured (5091, 199).
UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet got his most opportunity the last two years (525, 523, 103) and played on special teams in 2020. Last season, he had 90+ overall, rushing, and gap grades, a mid 80 zone grade, a good 122.3 elusive rating, and great 4.15 yards after contact. Charbonnet had 103 zone attempts (T-79th), a good 806 yards after contact (24th), a strong 24 carries of 15+ yards (T-ninth), but two drops as a receiver, 91 gap attempts (T-59th), 53 missed tackles forced (T-51st), and 1.31 yards per route run (36th). He was more productive on similar snaps last season, with 194 attempts for 1,358 yards in 2022, compared to 204 attempts for 1,153 yards the previous year, provided an impressive yards per attempt jump (7, 5.7, 6.5), and improved in touchdowns (14, 13, one), receptions (37, 23, six), targets (44, 25, seven), and receiving yards (320, 181, 41). Charbonnet declined his invite to the Senior Bowl, then worked out at the combine with good overall numbers.
Texas A&M’s Devon Achane saw noticeable snap increases the last three years (613, 317, 72) and has special teams experience, including returns particularly the last two seasons. In 2022, he had low 80 overall and good zone grades, high 80 rushing and gap grades, a good 3.6 yards after contact, and above average 93 elusive rating. Achane had 117 zone attempts (T-53rd), 705 yards after contact (T-47th), 18 carries of 15+ yards (T-36th), but three drops as a receiver, 79 gap attempts (T-86th), 53 missed tackles forced (T-51st), and 0.66 yards per route run (T-178th). His production increased in attempts (196, 130, 43), yards (1,100, 885, 364), receptions (36, 24, five), targets (44, 29, five), but decreases in yards per attempt (5.6, 6.8, 8.5), touchdowns (eight, nine, four), and receiving yards (196, 261, 97). Achane was a combine invite and showcased his track speed, but size a concern (5084, 188).
UAB’s DeWayne McBride played more each season (405, 332, 60) along with a bit of special teams experience in 2020. Last year, he had 90+ overall, rushing, and zone grades, a good mid 80 gap grade, a great 150.8 elusive rating, and excellent 4.6 yards after contact. McBride had a high 155 zone attempts (17th), great 1,072 yards after contact (fourth), strong 25 carries of 15+ yards (T-seventh), no drops as a seldomly used receiver, 77 gap attempts (T-94th), great 76 missed tackles forced (T-11th), and 0.14 yards per route run (292nd). His rushing production improved the last two years when he had substantial snaps: attempts (233, 204), yards (1,702, 1,366), yards per attempt (7.3, 6.7), and touchdowns (19, 13), and was a combine participant.
Auburn’s Tank Bigsby also saw increased opportunities (498, 454, 313) and returned kicks in 2020. Last season, he had a low 80 overall grade, 90+ rushing grade, mid 80 zone grade, average mid 70 gap grade, with a solid 139.9 elusive rating and 4.16 yards after contact. Bigsby had 112 zone attempts (T-63rd), good 740 yards after contact (34th), 16 carries of 15+ yards (T-51st), but three drops as a receiver, 60 gap attempts (T-160th), a good 61 missed tackles forced (T-35th), and 0.85 yards per route run (T-126th). In terms of production, he had less attempts last year (178, 224, 138) and yards (976, 1,104, 834), improved his yards per attempt (5.5, 4.9, six) with his touchdowns standing pat (ten, ten, five), with increased usage at receiver: receptions (30, 20, 11), targets (42, 28, 13), with 180 receiving yards each of the last two years and 84 in 2020. Bigsby was at the combine, tested well overall, and had an informal meeting with Pittsburgh.
TCU’s Kendre Miller had increased snaps each of the last three years (445, 210, 119). In 2022, he had mid 80 overall and good gap grades, an upper 80 rushing grade, above average low 80 zone grade, along with a good 119.9 elusive rating and 3.64 yards after contact. Miller had 119 zone attempts (T-48th), good 816 yards after contact (22nd), great 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), but two drops as a receiver, 101 gap attempts (38th), good 70 missed tackles forced (T-21st), and 0.61 yards per route run. His production largely increased with his opportunities, including attempts (224, 83, 54), yards (1,399, 623, 392), touchdowns (17, seven, two), receptions (16, 12, one), targets (22, 12, three), with exceptions being yards per attempt (6.2, 7.5, 7.3) and receiving yards slightly (116, 117, -4), and met with the Steelers informally at the combine.
Tulane’s Tyjae Spears saw an increased workload each season (503, 353, 89). In 2022, he had 90+ overall, rushing, and gap grades, but a below average low 70 zone grade, with a great 145 elusive rating and 4.55 yards after contact. Spears had 112 zone attempts (T-63rd), a great 1,052 yards after contact (sixth) and 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), but two drops as a receiver, good 117 gap attempts (T-22nd) and 63 missed tackles forced (34th), and 1.24 yards per route run (T-45th). His production largely improved each year, including attempts (231, 129, 37), yards (1,586, 863, 274), touchdowns (19, nine, two), receptions (22, 19, two), targets (28, 25, two), and receiving yards (251, 145, 30), and improved his yards per attempt the last two seasons as snaps increased (6.9, 6.7, 7.4). Spears was a Senior Bowl participant, but was quiet in my game notes with a few short catches and a short first down conversion, and was a combine invite that fits the smaller stature bill (5095, 201).
Now for players outside PFF’s top 100, starting with Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn, who also provided more snaps each year (664, 556, 362) including kick return experience in 2020. Last season, he had low 80 overall and gap grades, a mid 80 rushing grade, above average upper 70 zone grade, but a poor 43.6 elusive rating and only 2.35 yards after contact. Vaughn had 111 zone attempts (T-66th), 684 yards after contact (T-56th), a great 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), one drop as a receiver, led college football with 177 gap attempts, 57 missed tackles forced (T-41st), and 1.21 yards per route run (52nd). His attempts (291, 234, 121) and yards (1,561, 1,409, 642) increased each year, but had better numbers in 2021 including yards per attempt (5.4, 6, 5.3), touchdowns (nine, 18, seven), receptions (43, 49, 25), targets (58, 66, 36), and receiving yards (373, 468, 434). Vaughn was a combine participant that had an informal meeting with Pittsburgh, but measured in with very concerning size for the position (5050, 179).
Sean Tucker of Syracuse saw his most opportunities in 2021 (701 snaps) compared to 349 previously and 634 in 2022. He had upper 70 overall and gap grades, a mid 80 rushing grade, good lower 80 zone grade, but below average 55.6 elusive rating and 2.79 yards after contact. Tucker had 119 zone attempts (T-48th), 569 yards after contact (T-87th), 15 carries of 15+ yards (T-60th), a whopping five drops as a receiver, 80 gap attempts (85th), 46 missed tackles forced (T-70th), and 0.88 yards per route run. His rushing production was best in 2021 on more opportunity: attempts (204, 247, 137), yards (1,062, 1,515, 626), yards per attempt (5.2, 6.1, 4.6), and touchdowns (11, 12, four), and was utilized more last year as a receiver: receptions (37, 18, eight), targets (52, 24, 18), and receiving yards (262, 249, 113). He was a combine invite, only measuring (5092, 207).
Roschon Johnson shared the backfield with Robinson at Texas and had 200+ snaps each year (291, 230, 228), along with quite a bit of special teams experience (185, 149, 87) including kick returns. In 2022, he had a low 80 overall grade, 90 zone grade, upper 80 rushing grade, upper 70 gap grade, with a great 198 elusive rating and 4.28 yards after contact on his lower opportunities. This included 47 zone attempts, 402 yards after contact, nine carries of 15+ yards, but two drops as a receiver, 44 gap attempts, 46 missed tackles forced, and 1.16 yards per route run. His receiving production increased the most in the span: receptions (14, 11, eight), targets (21, 12, 11), and receiving yards (128, 83, 51), while his rushing attempts (94, 95, 80), yards (545, 569, 418), yards per attempt (5.8, 5.9, 5.2), and touchdowns (five, five, six) were largely better in 2021. Johnson was at the Senior Bowl but injured his hand during practice, keeping him from game action, was a combine invite that had a good workout, a player that provides the rare size Pittsburgh has drafted in the past (6003, 225) and earned an informal meeting with the team.
Zach Evans of Ole Miss increased his snaps by roughly 100 each season (306, 208, 119) along with a bit of special teams experience in 2020. Last year, he had a mid 70 overall grade, a good mid 80 gap grade, low 80 rushing grade, below average upper 60 zone grade, an above average 91.3 elusive rating and good 3.56 yards after contact. Evans had 77 zone attempts (T-175th) 513 yards after contact (114th), 17 carries of 15+ yards (T-45th), but two drops as a receiver, 67 gap attempts (T-131st), 36 missed tackles forced (T-119th), and 0.94 yards per route run (104th). His production largely increased with more opportunities, including attempts (144, 92, 54), yards (930, 648, 415), touchdowns (nine, five, four), receptions (12, 10, eight), with the exceptions being yards per attempt (6.5, seven, 7.7), targets (19, 12, 12), and receiving yards (119, 130, 76). Evans was a combine invite, but only measured (5111, 202).
Chase Brown of Illinois had much more opportunity that increased each of the last three years (719, 427, 325) along with a bit of special teams snaps in 2020, mostly on kick returns. In 2022, he had low 80 overall and rushing grades, an above average upper 70 zone grade, below average low 70 gap grade, an average 71 elusive rating and below average 2.84 yards after contact. Brown ranked second in college football with 205 zone attempts, had a solid 935 yards after contact (11th), the same rank in carries of 15+ yards with 23, one drop as a receiver, a good 114 gap attempts, a great 83 missed tackles forced (T-5th), and 1.03 yards per route run (T-86th). His production largely increased each season, including attempts (329, 170, 102), yards (1.632, 1,005, 538), touchdowns (10, five, three), receptions (27, 14, seven), targets (30, 19, 10), and receiving yards (240, 142, 64), with the one exception yards per attempt (five, 5.9, 5.3) that dipped last season on a big snap increase. Brown was a Senior Bowl participant and made my game notes littered with positivity, mostly as a rusher including a nice slithering run, a solid cutback on another, displaying good vision on a third down conversion, and spinning off a tackle as well. He was also at the combine and put up impressive athletic numbers, measured in at (5094, 209), and had an informal meeting with Pittsburgh.
East Carolina’s Keaton Mitchell saw more snaps each season (466, 433, 204) along with special teams experience (particularly in 2020) including kick returns especially in 2022. He had an upper 80 overall grade, 90+ rushing and zone grades, a low 80 gap grade, with a good 126.4 elusive rating and 3.6 yards after contact. Mitchell had a good 162 zone attempts (15th) 724 yards after contact (41st), led college football with a whopping 31 carries of 15+ yards, but had four drops as a receiver, just 34 gap attempts, a strong 75 missed tackles forced (T-13th), and 1.07 yards per route run (T-75th). His production mostly increased each year, including attempts (201, 174, 88), yards (1,452, 1,117, 440), yards per attempt (7.2, 6.4, five), touchdowns (14, nine, two, receptions (27, 23, 11), targets (34, 29, 11), and barely less receiving yards in 2022 (250, 254, 75). Mitchell was a combine participant, met with Pittsburgh informally, and was impressive athletically but very small statured (5007, 179).
Oklahoma’s Eric Gray had the most snaps last year (538), with 298 and 357 previously, when he also had nice special teams experience (56, 41) including punt returns especially in 2020. Last season, he had 90+ overall and rushing grades, upper 80 zone and gap grades, a good 96.2 elusive rating, and above average 3.43 yards after contact. Gray had 95 zone attempts (T-96th), 727 yards after contact (T-39th), a good 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), no drops as a receiver, nice 112 gap attempts (T-26th), 58 missed tackles forced (T-39th), and 1.03 yards per route run (T-86th). His production was largely best in 2022: attempts (212, 78, 156), yards (1,374, 412, 758), yards per attempt (6.5, 5.3, 4.9), touchdowns (11, two, four), receptions (34, 23, 31), targets (40, 29, 33), and had more receiving yards in 2020 (238, 229, 262). Gray was a Senior Bowl participant and made my game notes with a couple good plays including a catch with tough YAC, a wide-open catch and YAC for a first down, along with a couple strong runs including a forced missed tackle, but was also tackled for a loss as well, and was also at the combine.
Next, I would like to look at players that are day three options on PFF’s current big board that had above the mean grades. Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez had the most snaps the last three seasons in 2021 (463) compared to 232 previously and 306 in 2022 and some special teams experience, particularly in 2020. Last year, he had 90+ overall, rushing, and gap grades, an above average upper 70 zone grade, a great 145.1 elusive rating, and good 3.84 yards after contact. Rodriguez had 79 zone attempts (T-159th), 672 yards after contact (61st), 13 carries of 15+ yards (T-87th), one drop as a receiver, 88 gap attempts (T-68th), a good 64 missed tackles forced considering lower snaps than many peers (T-31st), but just 0.49 yards per route run (T-230th). His production was largely best on more opportunity in 2021, including attempts (175, 224, 119), yards (904, 1,377, 785), receptions (five, 13, one), targets (seven, 17, two), and receiving yards (41, 61, 12), with the exceptions yards per attempt declining each year (5.2, 6.1, 6.6) as well as touchdowns (six, nine, 11). Rodriguez was a Senior Bowl participant and made my game notes with several positives, most notably a couple of churning runs including a forced missed tackle and a nice toss run, but did have a fumble. He was a combine invite, meeting with the Steelers informally, and closer to the mold they have drafted in the past.
Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim had the most opportunity last year (493 snaps), compared to just 49 previously, and 370 in 2020. Last season, he had upper 80 overall and rushing grades, a good mid 80 zone grade, slightly above average upper 70 gap grade and 76.1 elusive rating, and above average 3.46 yards after contact. Ibrahim had a great 186 zone attempts (fifth), an impressive 1,106 yards after contact (third), good 21 carries of 15+ yards (T-18th), no drops as a receiver, good 134 gap attempts (16th) and 71 missed tackles forced (T-19th), but 0.42 yards per route run (T-251st). His rushing production largely improved with playing time, including attempts (320, 30, 202), yards (1,675, 163, 1,079), touchdowns (20, two, 15), with yards per attempt very consistent (5.2, 5.4, 5.3), and wasn’t used much as a receiver. Ibrahim was a Shrine Bowl invite, as well as a combine participant that only measured in, and is small statured (5076, 209).
Pittsburgh’s Israel Abanikanda saw his workload increase each of the last three seasons (497, 363, 70) along with special teams experience the last two years, primarily as a kick returner. In 2022, he had upper 80 overall and zone grades, 90+ rushing grade, above average low 80 gap grade, but below average 58.1 elusive rating and poor 2.67 yards after contact. Abanikanda had a high 171 zone attempts (tenth), 644 yards after contact (67th), good 19 carries of 15+ yards, (T-29th), two drops as a receiver, 68 gap attempts (T-126th), 46 missed tackles forced (T-70th), and 0.91 yards per route run (T-108th). His rushing production improved each year: attempts (241, 123, 28), yards (1,426, 651, 95), yards per attempt (5.9, 5.3, 3.4), and touchdowns (20, seven, one), and was more involved as a receiver in 2021: receptions (12, 24, two), targets (17, 30, three), and receiving yards (146, 197, 11). He was a combine invite, measuring close to the mold Pittsburgh has typically drafted, and posted impressive athletic numbers at his pro day that are intriguing.
Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh saw much more opportunity in 2022 (360 snaps), compared to 139 and 118 previously, and has special teams experience including kick returns. Last season, he had mid 80 overall and rushing grades, a good low 80 zone grade, slightly below average mid 70 gap grade, above average 96.1 elusive rating, and average 3.09 yards after contact. McIntosh had 88 zone attempts (T-123rd), 467 yards after contact (T-137th), eight carries of 15+ yards (T-172nd, no drops as a receiver, 58 gap attempts (T-170th), 45 missed tackles forced (T-76th), and a healthy 2.21 yards per route run (third) aided by more slot and out wide snaps than many peers. His production was expectedly best in 2022, with 151 attempts, 824 yards, 5.5 yards per attempt (slightly lower than 2021’s 5.7 number), ten touchdowns, along with good receiving numbers that grew each year: receptions (42, 22, 10), targets (49, 26, 14), and receiving yards (509, 242, 111). McIntosh was a Senior Bowl participant, noting two nice cuts with the ball as a runner and receiver, but had a backward YAC play and a drop, and his combine workout lacked the athleticism many other prospects offer.
Utah’s Tavion Thomas had similar snaps the last two seasons (253, 245) and didn’t play in 2020, and had a touch of special teams experience last season. He had mid 80 overall and rushing grades, above average low 80 zone and gap grades, but below average 59.8 elusive rating and 2.95 yards after contact. Thomas had 90 zone attempts (T-115th), 419 yards after contact (T-177th), eight carries of 15+ yards (T-172nd), no drops as a seldomly used receiver, 52 gap attempts (T-197th), 29 missed tackles forced (T-174th), and 0.54 yards per route run (T-218th). His production was much better in 2021 on similar snaps, with 204 attempts, 1,106 yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, and 21 touchdowns, compared to 142 attempts, 676 yards, 4.8 yards per attempt, and seven touchdowns in 2022. Thomas was a late addition to the Shrine Bowl and had a good game highlighted by an explosive 29-yard run displaying good vision and tough churning running style that was fun to watch, and was also at the combine with great size (6003, 237) that likely intrigues Pittsburgh.
Appalachian State’s Camerun Peoples saw a decrease in snaps each year (223, 302, 319). In 2022, he had mid 80 overall, rushing, and gap grades, an above average upper 70 zone grade, with a great 131.7 elusive rating and 4.46 yards after contact. Peoples had 61 zone attempts (T-252nd), 446 yards after contact (T-151st), six carries of 15+ yards (T-220th), one drop as a seldomly used receiver, 38 gap attempts, 29 missed tackles forced (T-174th), and 0.52 yards per route run (T-222nd). His attempts (100, 166, 168) and yards (592, 925, 1,124) followed his opportunities, with a mixed bag in yards per attempt (5.9, 5.6, 6.7), and touchdowns (five, 14, 12). Peoples was a Senior Bowl participant, starting off rough with two bad drops and a run for loss, then made a couple short catches, and most positively had a tough run forcing two missed tackles. He was also at the combine, with a good workout and size compared to many other prospects, and had an informal meeting with Pittsburgh.
Fresno State’s Jordan Mims had big snap increases each season (610, 335, 111) along with 40 at kick returner in 2021. Last year, he had a mid 80 overall grade, 90+ rushing grade, great upper 80 zone grade, above average low 80 gap grade, but poor 39.4 elusive rating and 2.35 yards after contact. Mims had a high 179 zone attempts (eighth), 612 yards after contact (T-71st), good 18 carries of 15+ yards, no drops as a receiver, 74 gap attempts (T-106th), 42 missed tackles forced (T-84th), but 0.41 yards per route run (T-254th). His rushing production largely increased each year with his opportunities, including attempts (260, 127, 27), yards (1,371, 712, 148), and touchdowns (18, six, one), along with similar yards per attempt (5.3, 5.6, 5.5), and had better receiving production in 2021: receptions (21, 25, 10), targets (27, 30, 12), and receiving yards (132, 324, 92). Mims was a Shrine Bowl participant, and had a great game highlighted by a 30-yard explosive run, 21-yard explosive catch, and a nice kick return, and the only negative getting stuffed on a run.
Now for some more late round prospects on PFF’s current big board with below average grades, and I will discuss some of them. USC’s Travis Dye had the most opportunity the last two years (451, 496) and 109 snaps in 2020, along with some special teams experience, particularly in 2020, most notably as a punt returner. In 2022, he had an upper 70 overall grade, good mid 80 gap grade, above average low 80 rushing grade, below average low 70 zone grade, below average 59.2 elusive rating, and slightly above average 3.19 yards after contact. Dye had 68 zone attempts (T-213th), 466 yards after contact (T-139th), 15 carries of 15+ yards (T-60th), but two drops as a receiver, 76 gap attempts (T-100th), 29 missed tackles forced (T-174th), and 1.12 yards per route run (67th). His production was largely best in 2021 on his most opportunity, including attempts (146, 210, 64), yards (889, 1,263, 443), touchdowns (nine, 16, one), receptions (21, 47, nine), targets (26, 55, 12), and receiving yards (202, 398, 239), with the exception being yards per attempt (6.1, six, 6.9). Dye was a Shrine Bowl participant and had a long run, but it was on third and long with the defense playing the pass, and was a combine invite that met with Pittsburgh, but tested very poorly.
Northwestern’s Evan Hull saw the most snaps the last two seasons (604, 519, 53) and got 52 special teams snaps in 2020, and 68 as a kick returner in 2022. He had low 70 overall and zone grades, a poor mid 70 rushing grade and upper 60 gap grade, slightly below average 62.9 elusive rating, and below average 2.74 yards after contact. Hull had 83 zone attempts (T-144th), 602 yards after contact (T-75th), 14 carries of 15+ yards (T-72nd), but three drops, a high 137 gap attempts (T-13th), 51 missed tackles forced (T-55th), and great 1.85 yards per route run (fifth) aided by aligning in the slot and out wide at a high rate. His rushing production was largely better in 2021 on less attempts (220, 196, 25), including yards (914, 1,009, 209), and touchdowns (five, seven, two), with yards per attempt decreasing with more snaps (4.2, 5.1, 8.4), and receiving stats improving every year: receptions (54, 33, six), targets (66, 42, seven), and receiving yards (536, 264, 41). Hull was a Senior Bowl participant and had a good game, with several positive runs including a nice spin to force a missed tackle, one a good effort/churning effort, another showing good vision, and was used as a receiver on a screen and swing pass, and was a combine invite that fits what Pittsburgh has drafted athletically.
Tulsa’s Deneric Prince had a snap increase each year (343, 205, 181) and had a bit of kick return experience in 2020 and special teams snaps in 2022. He had low 70 overall and gap grades, below average mid 70 rushing grade, poor upper 60 zone grade, with above average 76.8 elusive rating and 3.37 yards after contact. Prince had just 55 zone attempts (T-300th), 428 yards after contact (T-166th), 14 carries of 15+ yards (T-72nd), no drops as a seldomly used receiver, 70 gap attempts (T-122nd), 30 missed tackles forced (T-168th), and 0.81 yards per route run (T-137th). His production slightly improved each season, including attempts (127, 99, 87), yards (734, 523, 467), improved his yards per attempt last year (5.8, 5.3, 5.4), though touchdowns stood pat (five, five, four). Prince was a Shrine Bowl participant, starting his action rough with a false start penalty, but followed this with a few good runs, a tough one to the sideline, getting the edge on another, and another tough one for a first down in the red zone. He was also at the combine and posted a solid workout and is close to the mold Pittsburgh has drafted in the past.
Central Michigan’s Lew Nichols had the most opportunity in 2021 (687 snaps) compared to 198 previously and 533 in 2022. He had the lowest overall grade by far (62.5), poor upper 60 rushing and gap grades, poor mid 60 gap grade, along with poor 31.7 elusive rating and 2.39 yards after contact. Nichols had 95 zone attempts (T-96th), 418 yards after contact (T-179th), six carries of 15+ yards, a whopping five drops as a receiver, 77 gap attempts (T-94th), 23 missed tackles forced (t-234th), and 0.65 yards per route run (T-180th). His production was much better overall in 2021 on his most snaps, including attempts (175, 340, 78), yards (616, 1,846, 502), touchdowns (six, 16, four), receptions (21, 39, 10), targets (31, 49, 11), and receiving yards (128, 320, 109), with the exception yards per attempt (3.5, 5.4, 6.4). He was not a combine invite, but is close to the mold Pittsburgh has looked for at the position in the draft.
The final player at the position on PFF’s current big board is Texas Tech’s SaRodorick Thompson who had the most snaps last year (441, 285, 350) along with 41 special teams snaps in 2020. Last season, he had an upper 70 overall grade, good mid 80 zone grade, above average low 80 rushing grade, below average mid 70 gap grade, above average 86.3 elusive rating, and average 3.09 yards after contact. Thompson had 70 zone attempts (208th), 426 yards after contact (T-170th), 11 carries of 15+ yards (T-121st), one drop as a receiver, 67 gap attempts (T-131st), 42 missed tackles forced (T-84th), and 0.55 yards per route run (T-212th). His production was best last season in attempts (138, 109, 109), yards (682, 504, 612), receptions (23, five, 21), improving his catch rate from 2020 when he had more targets (25, seven, 31) and receiving yards (119, 107, 124), along with his best yards per attempt (4.9, 4.6, 5.6). Thompson was a late addition to the Senior Bowl, taking advantage of the opportunity with an 18-yard run with a nice cut along with a couple first down runs, one to the edge and the other good vision finding the hole, but was tackled for a loss on another. He was also a combine invite, and tested below average compared to many prospects.
There were a few names that did not make PFF’s board I’d like to mention. UCLA’s Kaz Allen could be an undrafted tool for Pittsburgh, and idea our own Melanie Friedlander discussed, noting his speed, return, and slot ability. In the Shrine Bowl game, he was the starting punt returner, but didn’t make much noise in that regard, but had a couple good runs, and had a nice reverse, but important to note a poor pro day workout though. Arizona State’s Xazavian Valladay was also at the Shrine Bowl and though he started the game with a drop, provided several successful yards on the ground with three of 10+ yards, and also enjoyed one with good vision then breaking a tackle. Cincinnati’s Charles McClelland was another Shrine Bowl participant, and in the game had a long 15-yard run, good run for a conversion, a nice gain on a screen, but couldn’t come down with a catch opportunity.
It will be interesting to see how the position room unfolds for the Steelers, and if any additions are made in the 2023 NFL draft. While the ranks on PFF’s board will certainly change, and surely some names missing from this list, I hope you enjoyed and learned something from the grade data and notes from the all-star games.
What are your thoughts on this year’s prospects and the data? Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
