Colbert said he and Coach Tomlin have done about 125 player interviews between the Senior Bowl, Combine, and virtual meetings (37 on FaceTime). #SteelersDraft
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) April 20, 2020
In a pre-draft Zoom press conference on Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert discussed various points of the 2020 NFL Draft, including players they’ve met with virtually.
Among players the Steelers have conducted virtual meetings with are Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans, Cal linebacker Evan Weaver, and Oklahoma State University cornerback A.J. Green.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projects Green as a fourth- to fifth-round prospect and grades him as a backup/special teamer.
Zierlein compares Evans to Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones. He’s projected to be a fourth-round selection and grades as a backup who could become a starter. Evans ran a 4.41 40 at the NFL Combine; second among RBs and tied for 11th overall.
Weaver is a late-round prospect with a backup grade. His 182 tackles (13 starts) earned him AP All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 after leading the country in tackles (103 solo).
There’s no doubt the Steelers are looking for depth at both the LB and CB positions, and Weaver and Green seem to fit that bill.
Should the Steelers wait until the later rounds to draft an RB, Evans is a solid prospect. Not only is he an excellent blocker in the passing game but, as a runner, displays breakaway speed and can protect the ball — in 482 carries, he’s only lost one fumble. Evans also has skills as a returner — he has returned three kicks for TDs, including one for 100 yards.
[vertical-gallery id=462177]
[lawrence-related id=462698]