Feb 21, 2017 5 min read

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This time next week, the NFL Scouting Combine will be kicking off with players being poked, prodded and questioned about everything under the sun.

And there’s a good chance that three or four, if not more, future Pittsburgh Steelers will be in attendance, as well.

The later round guys? So much of that depends on how the draft falls. But even picking at 30 in the first round, we can narrow down the potential selection a little before the combine.

Here’s a look at some guys to keep an eye on next week:

Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA – The 6-2, 258-pound edge rusher had 61 tackles, 10 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss last season playing in defensive coordinator Tom Bradley’s defense. It was his only huge season, which might scare some teams off and he’s a little shorter than some teams like. Both of those issues could cause him to fall down to the Steelers. Don’t underestimate the Bradley connection. His brother is one of the Steelers’ team doctors and they’ll have plenty of inside information about McKinley, who has outstanding athleticism.

Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama – Williams is well-known to most college football fans. He was basically a situational pass rusher for Alabama, but he got home as often as anyone, recording 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Because he was basically a pass-rush specialist, he recorded just 59 collegiate tackles. But had he been anywhere but Alabama, he would have been a full-time starter. Still, you can’t overlook his relative rawness. He also was arrested in the offseason of 2016 for carrying an unlicensed handgun. The arrest came after police officers checked a vehicle he was in after smelling marijuana, which also was found in the vehicle. There are some questions, to be sure, but Williams can get after the passer.

Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State – Look for this young man to rise up “expert” draft boards after his combine. I noticed him while watching YSU in its playoff games while keeping an eye out for former Washington High School inside linebacker Jaylin Kelly, who I coached in football, basketball and baseball as a kid. Rivers (6-4, 250) is a high-effort pass rusher, Rivers had 59 tackles, 14 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss last season for the Penguins, who advanced to the FCS Championship game largely on the efforts of their two edge rushers, Rivers and Avery Moss. He should test well and if he’s as big as advertised, he could be tempting at the end of the first round.

Haasan Reddick, LB, Temple – Reddick has drawn comparisons to Ryan Shazier. But at 6-1, 237 pounds, Reddick is closer in size to Lawrence Timmons when he came out of Florida State than he is Shazier. Reddick also lined up at defensive end in both a two- and three-point stance at Temple, unlike Shazier. He had five sacks and 13 tackles for a loss as a junior before improving those numbers to 10 and 22.5 last season. Like Rivers, he’s a high-effort guy and he also stood out at the Senior Bowl. Is he an inside linebacker or an outside backer? Perhaps his size will help determine that. One thing for sure, he can run. He did get arrested for an off-campus fight in 2015, but charges of aggravated assault later were dropped.

Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU – I am assuming three or four of the other corners – Marshon Lattimore, Teez Tabor, Marlon Humphrey and Sidney Jones – will be gone when the Steelers make their pick at 30. Maybe I’m wrong – we’re a long way out from the draft – and if I am, any of those players could certainly be tempting. At 5-11, 191 pounds, White has decent size. He had four interceptions in the past two seasons, which isn’t great, but he broke up 15 of 41 passes thrown his way last season, which is. White is a little reluctant to tackle in the run game, which could cause the Steelers to shy away, but that was the knock on Artie Burns, as well, and he improved on that in his rookie season.

Desmond King, CB, Iowa – King might not run well at the combine, which could mean he could be forced to move to safety. But at 5-11, 200 pounds, he’s got the size to do it. He’s also a willing tackler, which would make that a natural move. But if he shows solid change of direction skills, he could be an ideal slot corner. He certainly can catch, as his 14 interceptions in the past three seasons, including eight two years ago, would suggest. King also returns punts and kicks, though he’s not particularly special on kickoffs.

Budda Baker, DB, Washington – At 5-10, 190 pounds, Baker is pretty small – and that’s assuming he comes in at that height and weight. But he’s a football player and was a state champion sprinter in high school. He should run well. Washington used him as a deep safety and in the slot as a coverage man. He’s also reportedly a high-character guy. His size might keep him from going earlier, but he had over 200 tackles along with 24 pass defenses and five interceptions the past three seasons.

Obviously there are some other players to keep an eye on, but this should give you a running start.