Category: Visits

Steelers host Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher for predraft visit

The Steelers are hosting two offensive linemen, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Blake Fisher, for predraft visits.

In case you haven’t heard, the Pittsburgh Steelers need a center. They’ve needed one since Maurkice Pouncey retired in 2021, but Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin attempted to stop the bleeding with a bandaid, and it clearly got messy with Kendrick Green and Mason Cole.

2024 is their opportunity to fix that and the majority of mocks have them taking a center with their first overall pick. The draft class is deep, which offers teams who need to address the position some flexibility.

But if the Steelers have their eye specifically on Jackson Powers-Johnson, they won’t likely be able to wait.

According to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Powers-Johnson is meeting with the Steelers today. He’s the first of a few centers who are expected to come in for the predraft process.

Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher, projected as a mid-round pick, is doing the same.

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Pittsburgh Steelers host former XFL linebacker for visit

Scales was on the Steelers practice squad last preseason.

The linebacker visits continue for the Pittsburgh Steelers, per the NFL wire. This time, it’s outside linebacker Tegray Scales. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Scales was part of the Steelers 2019 training camp squad.

The Indiana Hoosier signed as an undrafted free agent out with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, only to be waived after training camp. He was briefly part of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad later that year.

The 6’0 linebacker signed a futures contract with Pittsburgh in January 2019 but was cut after the preseason. He was on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad this summer and released on Oct. 27.

Post-Steelers, Scales was with the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, where he had 31 tackles and a sack in five games.

Pittsburgh currently has one vacant spot on its practice squad. We’ll see if it goes to Scales.

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Pittsburgh Steelers host defensive tackle for visit

Injuries to Cam Heyward and Tyson Alualu leave the Steelers with a need at defensive tackle.

Per the NFL transaction report, the Steelers hosted defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas for a visit on Tuesday.

Christmas was a sixth-round draft selection by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He was placed on the PUP list during rookie training camp and never activated. The Seahawks released him in October after he failed to make the 53-man roster.

The 6’3, 302-pound Florida State product played in 51 games (38 starts). He contributed 105 tackles (10.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, 13 defended passes and two fumble recoveries.

Pittsburgh is in the market for run-stopping depth at defensive tackle after suffering two injuries on Sunday — after and during being gashed for 265 yards rushing. A visit is just a visit, but still, scouting reports are mixed about his abilities as a run defender and note weaknesses in pass pro.

Injuries to Cam Heyward (quad) and Tyson Alualu have been deemed not serious by head coach Mike Tomlin, but neither participated in practice on Wednesday.

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Steelers bring in punter, linebacker to bolster practice squad

According to the NFL transaction report, the Steelers are looking to address needs at both linebacker and punter.

Déjà vu! On Monday, per the NFL transaction report, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought former punter Jordan Berry in for a visit.

The Steelers also hosted converted safety, Ray Wilborn. A former Atlanta Falcons linebacker, he failed to make their 53-man roster and was cut on Sept. 5.

In Wilborn’s last two seasons at Ball State, he played at outside linebacker and safety and showed skill in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, in 2018 Wilborn allowed the lowest passer rating of any linebacker in the MAC (71.0).

For those who don’t know, the difference between a visit and a tryout is that visits have no workout involved; they’re more conversational in nature. Pittsburgh knows what Berry can do and must have scout info on Wilborn since he didn’t work out.

The linebacker visit is, obviously, not a surprise with Devin Bush out for the season with a torn ACL. As for the punter situation, head coach Mike Tomlin must not be pleased with Dennis Colquitt. Corliss Witman is also on the practice squad.

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Steelers visit with Kentucky DE Calvin Taylor on Wednesday

Calvin Taylor had a visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers today.

The Steelers had former Kentucky defensive end, Calvin Taylor, in for a visit on Wednesday. He was with Pittsburgh in training camp, but the team released him when they trimmed the roster from 80 to 53.

For those who don’t know, the difference between a visit and a tryout is that visits have no workout involved; they’re more conversational than anything. The Steelers are already aware of Taylor’s capabilities since they had him in training camp this summer.

Collegiately, Taylor recorded 85 tackles (16.5 for loss), 10.5 sacks, five pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

If signed, Taylor will team up with former Wildcat, linebacker Bud Dupree.

Henry Mondeaux is currently the only DE on the practice squad roster, and he was among the Steelers Week 3 practice squad protections.

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