Making a series of multi-million dollar decisions as part of a multi-billion dollar industry, NFL teams leave no proverbial stone unturned when it comes to the identity of their annual draft picks.

Getting to know players personally can come by ways of various means — attendance at college “pro days,” meetings during the NFL Scouting Combine and hosting prospects at the team facility.

Each team is allotted 30 such official visits, which are therefore colloquially sometimes referred to as “top 30” visits. Exceptions are made, however, for additional visits from designated “local” prospective draft picks.

The Steelers began hosting prospects the week of March 2, and they will continue to do so up until about a week before the draft starts April 23 in Pittsburgh.

Here is a listing of confirmed visits:

Miami OT Markel Bell (March 6)

Even among other linemen, Bell has massive size at 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds. He played two seasons for the Hurricanes, starting five games as a junior before becoming the team’s full-time left tackle last fall. Miami finished the season as runner-up for the 2025 CFP national championship, and Bell earned third-team All-ACC honors.

Projected draft round: fourth

NFL official draft profile

Cincinnati WR Jeff Caldwell (March 16)

The 6-5, 215-pound Caldwell had 478 yards and six touchdowns on 32 receptions last season. He was Cincinnati’s second-leading receiver.

Projected draft round: fifth

NFL official draft profile

Kentucky WR Kendrick Law (March 16)

Law (5-11, 203) was Kentucky’s leading receiver with 53 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns.

Projected draft round: seventh

NFL official draft profile

Miami QB Carson Beck (March 17)

The 6-5, 223-pound Beck, a three-year starter, led Miami to the national championship game in January. He completed 72% of his throws and passed for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.

Projected draft round: fourth

NFL official draft profile

San Diego State CB Chris Johnson (March 17)

The 6-foot, 193-pound Johnson ranks among the better cornerback prospects in this year’s draft class.

Projected draft round: second

NFL official draft profile

Pitt LB Kyle Louis (March 19)

A 6-foot, 220-pound redshirt junior, Louis was named first-team All-ACC by the Associated Press this past season. He made 81 tackles, including 8½ tackles for loss and three sacks in 11 starts last season.

Trib feature on Louis from the NFL Combine

“If (a team) is looking for speed,” Louis said during a media availability at the Indiana Convention Center, “I’m right here.”

Projected draft round: third

NFL official draft profile

Note: As a former Pitt player, hosting Louis was exempt from counting against the Steelers’ limit.

Illinois DT James Thompson (March 19)

A 6-6, 310-pound defensive tackle, Thompson earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in his one season with the Illini. The sixth-year senior spent five seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to Illinois. He appeared in 54 career games.

Projected draft round: seventh

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez (March 20)

The 6-1, 231-pound linebacker was the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-American honors and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He won the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player and the Dick Butkus Award as the top linebacker.

Projected draft round: second

NFL official draft profile

North Dakota State QB Cole Payton (March 20)

A 6-3, 232-pound senior, Payton was named a second-team All-American at the FCS level as a first-year starter for North Dakota State. The left-handed quarterback passed for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 777 yards and 13 more scores.

Projected draft round: fifth

NFL official draft profile

Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge (March 20)

Rutledge (6-4, 316) started 26 games at right guard for Georgia Tech after beginning his college career with two seasons at Middle Tennessee. He earned third-team All-American honors from the Associated Press as a senior after playing 872 snaps without allowing a sack.

Projected draft round: third

NFL official draft profile

Washington CB Tacario Davis (March 20)

The 6-4, 194-pound Tacario is a tall cornerback with a wide wingspan. He played his first three college seasons at Arizona before transferring to Washington last year.

Projected draft round: fourth

NFL official draft profile

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