A closer look at Steelers' visitors
April 1st, 2010
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The Steelers are almost halfway to the 30 visits by out of area prospects allowed by the NFL in advance of the draft after hosting South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and Wake Forest defensive back Brandon Ghee Thursday.

The visits are just part of the evaluation process and not too much should be read into them. Last year, for example, the Steelers drafted just two players they hosted before the draft: cornerback Joe Burnett and running back Frank Summers, both in the fifth round.

The Steelers didn’t bring defensive end Ziggy Hood to Pittsburgh prior to the 2009 draft because they were already sold on the player that became their first-round pick.

Thus, the fact that the Steelers have hosted cornerbacks Kyle Wilson of Boise State and Kareem Jackson of Alabama does not necessarily mean they are looking at those players more than others in regard to their first-round pick (No. 18 overall).

With the Steelers done with visits until early next week, here is the list of the players they met with this week. Keep in mind, too, that the team plans to bring in Oregon running back LaGerrette Blount for a visit before the draft.

Player/Position Ht/Wt College Skinny

Navorro Bowman, LB 6-0, 242 Penn State Could be an option for Steelers in the second round

Mike Neal, DT 6-3, 294 Purdue Projects as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense

Chris DeGeare, G 6-4, 325 Wake Forest Has the physical tools to play at next level but may need time to develop

Darrell Stuckey, S 5-11. 205 Kansas Productive in college but speed may be an issue

Rodger Saffold, OT 6-4, 316 Projected high-round pick could play tackle or guard in the NFL

Jacques McClendon, G 6-3 324 Steelers get closer look at player that did not get invite to the NFL Combine

Kyle Wilson, CB 5-10, 194 Boise State Won’t get to the Steelers in the second round if they really like him

Kareem Jackson, CB 5-10, 196 Alabama Another likely first-round pick, Jackson excels in coverage

Nolan Carroll, CB 5-11, 204 Maryland Good size and speed but missed most of his senior season because of a broken leg

Joe Webb, WR 6-3, 223 Alabama-Birmingham A quarterback in college, his size and speed make him an intriguing prospect

Albert McClellan, LB 6-1, 247 Marshall Defensive end in college projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense

Eric Norwood, LB 6-1, 245 South Carolina Gamecocks’ all-time sacks leader (29) could go as early as the second round

Brandon Ghee, CB 6-0, 192 Wake Forest Turned in fastest 40-yard dash time (4.45 seconds) among cornerbacks at NFL Combine
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