One of our final installments of the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers “what they look for” studies. Using history to try to predict the prospects the Steelers will target in this year’s draft. Today, we’re looking at interior offensive linemen: centers and guards. Below is our caveat of one adjustment we’re doing this year to the data collection.
“There’s one other change too. In past years, I focused largely on Combine workout numbers, only using Pro Days for objective testing, things like vertical and broad jump in which two scouts wouldn’t have two different numbers like they could with a 40 time or three-cone. But given the rise in players simply opting out of Combine testing, especially the cones (short shuttle and three-cone), I am including those numbers in our criteria. I’m still only looking at prospects invited to the Combine but if they didn’t test at Indy, I will consider their Pro Day figures. It isn’t ideal, there’s more gray area here, but it’s the smart thing to do.”
Knowing that, the team’s selections at the position groups since 2007.
2021: KENDRICK GREEN
Height: 6017
Weight: 305
Arm Length: 32 1/4″
Hand Size: 10 1/8″
40 Time: 4.89
Ten Split: 1.69
Bench: 25
Vert: 35.5″
Broad: 9’11”
Short Shuttle: 4.67
Three-Cone: 7.79
2020: KEVIN DOTSON
Height: 6040
Weight: 310
Arm Length: 33″
Hand Size: N/A
40 Time: 4.80
Ten Split: 1.78
Bench: 33
Vert: N/A
Broad: N/A
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
2019: DERWIN GRAY
Height: 6044
Weight: 320
Arm Length: 34 3/8″
Hand Size: 9 5/8″
40 Time: 5.26
Ten Split: 1.89
Bench: 26
Vert: N/A
Broad: 7’6″
Short Shuttle: N/A
Three-Cone: N/A
2014: WESLEY JOHNSON
Height: 6053
Weight: 298
Arm Length: 32 1/2″
Hand Size: 10 1/8″
40 Time: 5.11
Ten Split: 1.73
Bench: 26
Vert: 29″
Broad: 9’3″
Short Shuttle: 4.64
Three-Cone: 7.40
2012: DAVID DECASTRO
Height: 6047
Weight: 316
Arm Length: 32 3/4″
Hand Size: 10″
40 Time: 5.43
Ten Split: 1.84
Bench: 34
Vert: 29.5″
Broad: 8’2″
Short Shuttle: 4.56
Three-Cone: 7.30
2011: KEITH WILLIAMS
Height: 6042
Weight: 318
Arm Length: 32 3/8″
Hand Size: 10″
40 Time: 5.36
Ten Split: 1.89
Bench: 23
Vert: 24.5″
Broad: 7’9″
Short Shuttle: 5.03
Three-Cone: 8.42
2010: MAURKICE POUNCEY
Height: 6044
Weight: 304
Arm Length: 32 1/2″
Hand Size: 10″
40 Time: 5.29
Ten Split: 1.83
Bench: 25
Vert: 27″
Broad: 7’11”
Short Shuttle: 4.92
Three-Cone: 7.74
2010: CHRIS SCOTT
Height: 6045
Weight: 319
Arm Length: 34 1/8″
Hand Size: 10 3/8″
40 Time: 5.55
Ten Split: 1.93
Bench: 19
Vert: 22.5″
Broad: 7’6″
Short Shuttle: 5.03
Three-Cone: 8.24
2009: A.Q. SHIPLEY
Height: 6011
Weight: 304
Arm Length: 29 3/4″
Hand Size: 8 1/2″
40 Time: 5.26
Ten Split: 1.85
Bench: 33
Vert: 31″
Broad: 8’4″
Short Shuttle: 4.40
Three-Cone: 7.46
2007: CAMERON STEPHENSON
Height: 6032
Weight: 306
Arm Length: N/A
Hand Size: N/A
40 Time: 5.45
Ten Split: 1.88
Bench: 34
Vert: 28.5″
Broad: 8’5″
Short Shuttle: 4.81
Three-Cone: 7.72
No interior lineman was drafted last year so our criteria remains the same. It is:
Height: 6’3″+ (8 of 10)
Weight: 300+ (9 of 10)
Arm Length: 32″+ (8 of 9)
Hand Size: 9 1/2″ (7 of 8)
40 Time: 5.45 (9 of 10)
Ten Split: 1.90 (9 of 10)
Bench: 25 (8 of 10)
Vert: 24″ (7 of 8)
Broad: 7’5” (9 of 9)
SS: 4.95 (6 of 8)
3C: 7.8 (6 of 8)
Three players checked all the boxes.
| Name/School | Height | Weight | Arm Length | Hand Size | 40 Time/10 Split | Bench | Vert | Broad | SS | 3 Cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Mauch/NDSU | 6050 | 302 | 32 3/8 | 9 3/4 | 5.08/1.73 | 29 | 29 | 9’0″ | 4.46 | 7.12 |
| Juice Scruggs/Penn State | 6032 | 305 | 33 1/4 | 10 1/4 | 5.22/1.76 | 29 | 32 | 8’6″ | 4.63 | 7.75 |
| Sidy Sow/E. Michigan | 6046 | 323 | 33 5/8 | 10 3/8 | 5.07/1.82 | 27 | 32 | 9’2″ | 4.69 | 7.62 |
Mauch was a college tackle who is likely to kick inside at the NFL level. Pittsburgh’s shown interest in him, bringing Mauch in for a pre-draft visit and he’s a good scheme fit. Scruggs lacks some experience and has medical concerns from a back injury but his tape is excellent. He could be a Day Three steal. Sow hasn’t been discussed much but is a strong scheme fit.
Several players missed in just one category. They are:
One Box Away
Jake Andrews/Troy: Height (6026)
Steve Avila/TCU: Three Cone (7.85)
McClendon Curtis/UT-Chattanooga: Short Shuttle (4.97)
Jon Gaines/UCLA: Bench (19)
Brett Laing/Minnesota-Duluth: Bench (24)
Olusegun Oluwatimi/Michigan: Height (6024)
Asim Richards/North Carolina: Bench (13)
John Michael Schmitz/Minnesota: Short Shuttle (DNP)
Peter Skoronski/Northwestern: Short Shuttle (DNP)
Tyler Steen/Alabama: 40/Ten Split (DNP)
Ricky Stromberg/Arkansas: Bench (DNP)
Luke Wypler/Ohio State: Length (31 5/8)
Kind of all over the map in terms of what was missed. Some height, some short shuttle, some bench. Andrews, Curtis, Laing, and Wypler were the closest three to hitting in every category. Gaines was a workout warrior but light on the bench while Michael Schmitz probably makes it had he run the short shuttle. He was also brought in for a visit. Stromberg also a good bet to pass had he benched.
