First Call: Steelers eyeing corner and tackle draft prospects; Flyers lose again

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives Steelers fans some college prospects to keep in mind before the draft. The Philadelphia Flyers continue to struggle. And the Duquesne football team is making the most out of the short spring season.

Sounding the Horn

South Carolina had its pro day for NFL teams Tuesday. Via Steelers Now, cornerback Jaycee Horn said he met with the Steelers.

Horn is the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. He is projected as potentially a top 20 pick, so he’d have to slip a few slots to fall to the Steelers at No. 24. Pro Football Focus recently had a mock draft with him going at No. 11 to the New York Giants.

That need for a good young cornerback just shot up the priority list for the Steelers, though, given their release of Steven Nelson.

Is this heaven?

No. It’s (Northern) Iowa.

Pro Football Network draft expert Tony Pauline said that Steelers offensive line coach Adrian Klemm was one of those present for Spencer Brown’s workout at NIU.

Apparently, it went quite well. Pauline claimed it was “described as one of the best offensive line workouts they’ve witnessed in half a dozen years.

“Brown measured in at 6’8 1/2″ and 311 pounds. His arms reached 34 ¾ inches and he completed 33 reps on the bench, although scouts took four away for poor technique, officially crediting him with 29 reps.”

Pauline added that the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots were also among the teams in attendance, and that the Baltimore Ravens also have an interest.

Roll Tide

Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert and offensive coordinator Matt Canada were present at Alabama’s pro day. But some of the Crimson Tide’s stars didn’t participate, including some likely Steelers targets.

Running back Najee Harris didn’t work out. Neither did offensive lineman Landon Dickerson. Both have been discussed as potential Steelers prospects.

Quarterback Mac Jones did throw, however. And cornerback Patrick Surtain was said to have performed well.

.@AlabamaFTBL CB Patrick Surtain couldn’t have had a better pro-day. All the boxes ✅.

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 23, 2021

Wide receivers DeVonta Smith — the Heisman Trophy winner — and Jaylen Waddle also didn’t work out. A second ‘Bama pro day is scheduled for March 30.

Be-Deviled

At least the New Jersey Devils have decided to make life difficult on other teams in the East Division.

The suddenly spry Devils have now won four of five games, including two against the Penguins last week. But they also topped the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Tuesday night.

Travis Zajac scored the eventual game-winner late in the second period.

We are Zajac-ked up right now.

: Zajac
: Smith
: Sharangovich pic.twitter.com/UZbo7x20ap

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 24, 2021

The loss keeps the Flyers pinned in fifth place at 34 points. That’s two behind Boston for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division.

Good deal for the Dukes

The Duquesne football team wraps up the 2021 spring regular season with a game at Bryant on Sunday.

Duquesne earned multiple player of the week honors after beating Long Island 35-17 last weekend.

Wide receiver Cyrus Holder was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week after totaling seven receptions for a career-high 211 yards and two touchdowns in the victory for Duquesne.

Q1 :09 | Joe Mischler connects with Cyrus Holder for the 75-yd TD‼️

Dukes 7, LIU 7#GoDukes • #NECFootball pic.twitter.com/au1jeL7BrC

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) March 21, 2021

Cyrus Holder hauls in touchdown No. ️ on the day on a 60-yd. reception from Mischler!

Dukes 14, LIU 7#GoDukes • #NECFootball pic.twitter.com/abB4fQFYUC

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) March 21, 2021

He shared the honors with Sacred Heart running back Julius Chestnut who had 261 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in a 26-9 win over Merrimack.

Meanwhile, Dukes defensive back Leandro DeBrito was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with a career-high 10 tackles (eight solo) to go with his second career interception.

Leandro DeBrito with his first pick of the season!#GoDukes • #NECFootball pic.twitter.com/TocBHrYizr

— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) March 21, 2021

After winning its first three games of the spring football season, Duquesne will be in the NEC’s short-season championship game against an opponent to be determined after this week’s schedule. The winner will advance to the FCS playoffs which begin on April 24.