Steelers notes: ‘Top 30’ visits to facility just 1 part of Mike Tomlin’s draft evaluation process

After a fourth question about official pre-draft “top 30” visits the Pittsburgh Steelers host, coach Mike Tomlin had heard enough.

“I think you guys,” Tomlin said, referring to the roughly two dozen media members at Monday’s news conference at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “are probably making a little bit more out of these ‘30’ visits with the line of questions that we’re getting. It’s just another component of building a profile.”

Tomlin said the hosting of prospects is just one part of the draft-evaluation process, along with the combine, on-campus college pro days and college all-star games.

“In some instances, (official visits) are significant,” Tomlin said, “and, in some instances, it’s a box check. We’ve got several ways to gain exposure to players during this process.”

Still, it takes only cursory knowledge of consensus draft prospect rankings and of the Steelers’ biggest needs to see why many of the centers, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, wide receivers and defensive lineman who have high-round grades were among those who were among the top 30s.

With the possible exception of the handful of players who have dinner with Tomlin on the evening before a pro day workout, the top 30 visit is the most comprehensive look a team can get at a player.

“The more access you can get to getting to know these players (the better), and some players who might have medical issues or other questions,” general manager Omar Khan said. “And to have the opportunity to bring them in and sit down with the coaches and understand how they would fit for us and how we would fit for them if we do business with them, it’s extremely important.”

QB or not to QB

As is typical in such settings, Khan and Tomlin mostly spoke in broad generalities. There was not one prospect mentioned by name, and Khan repeatedly used a variation of the phrase, “If we have an opportunity to add to a position that makes sense, we will take it,” to answer most every query about any specific position.

But Khan offered one morsel of tangible strategy the Steelers might adhere to during the draft.

“I think it’s not realistic,” he said, “that we’ll be taking a quarterback in Round 1.”

The Steelers have added three quarterbacks since last season ended. With two projected starters on the current roster, it was obvious QB was not going to be a priority early in the draft. But that doesn’t mean the door is closed for the Steelers in regards to quarterback come late Friday or Saturday.

“There’s some good players (available), and I wouldn’t close the door on anything,” Khan said. “If there’s an opportunity to improve that room, obviously, we’ll look at it.

“We have three guys who are on one-year deals, and we have to be open to it.”

Optional answers

Khan again refused to tip his hand as to whether the Steelers intended to exercise their 2025 contract options on running back Najee Harris or quarterback Justin Fields. As 2021 first-round picks, each has a fifth-year team option that must be picked up by next week.

“I’ve said this before: we have until May 2 to make that decision,” Khan said. “So we’ll focus on the draft this week, and I’m sure we’ll have some serious conversations about that next month.”

Harris’ option is approximately $6.8 million. Fields’ is set at about $25.7 million.

Holcomb update

Khan similarly sidestepped a substantive answer when asked about inside linebacker Cole Holcomb’s rehabilitation. Holcomb suffered a serious knee injury in November, and his status for a return to full health in 2024 is unknown.

“I can tell you Cole’s working extremely hard to get back,” Khan said.