The Steelers are hosting three players for pre-draft visits today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex: Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. and Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Jaden Dugger.
Dugger counts as a local visit since he played his high school football at Penn Hills.
As a potential first-round pick, Boston is the most intriguing of these three visitors. He's built like a prototypical 'X' receiver at 6-4, 212 pounds with borderline elite ball skills and an ability to win contested passes, though there could be speed concerns as he opted to not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine or his pro day. Even so, given his size, ball skills and competitive toughness, he's a legitimate option for the Steelers at 21st overall.
Jackson has impressive size (6-6, 315 pounds) and length (34 3/4-inch arms), both traits highly coveted by NFL teams. When he's flashed his true potential, he looks like a game-wrecker. However, there's a lot to clean up with his technique, making him a projected third-round pick. But, if the Steelers are looking for a potential project that could be a Day 2 steal if he's coached up well, he could be the guy.
Dugger profiles as a late Day 3 pick or could potentially go undrafted. He's 6-4, 242 pounds and recorded a 4.61 40-yard dash at his pro day. According to Pro Football Focus, Dugger in 2025 recorded 125 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and two forced incompletions. He also recorded an 11.3% missed tackle rate and 99.8 NFL passer rating against in coverage.
PRE-DRAFT VISITS (13 of 30 allotted slots used)
• Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (March 6) • Ephesians Prysock, DB, Washington (March 5) • Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati (March 16) • Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky (March 16) • Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL) (March 17) • Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (March 17) • James Thompson, DT, Illinois (March 19) • Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State (March 20) • Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (March 20) • Tacario Davis, CB, Washington (March 20) • Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech (March 20) • Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (April 7) • Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State (April 7)
LOCAL PRE-DRAFT VISITS (Do not count toward 30 pre-draft visits)
THE ASYLUM
Boston highlights pre-draft visits
The Steelers are hosting three players for pre-draft visits today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex: Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. and Louisiana-Lafayette linebacker Jaden Dugger.
Dugger counts as a local visit since he played his high school football at Penn Hills.
As a potential first-round pick, Boston is the most intriguing of these three visitors. He's built like a prototypical 'X' receiver at 6-4, 212 pounds with borderline elite ball skills and an ability to win contested passes, though there could be speed concerns as he opted to not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine or his pro day. Even so, given his size, ball skills and competitive toughness, he's a legitimate option for the Steelers at 21st overall.
Jackson has impressive size (6-6, 315 pounds) and length (34 3/4-inch arms), both traits highly coveted by NFL teams. When he's flashed his true potential, he looks like a game-wrecker. However, there's a lot to clean up with his technique, making him a projected third-round pick. But, if the Steelers are looking for a potential project that could be a Day 2 steal if he's coached up well, he could be the guy.
Dugger profiles as a late Day 3 pick or could potentially go undrafted. He's 6-4, 242 pounds and recorded a 4.61 40-yard dash at his pro day. According to Pro Football Focus, Dugger in 2025 recorded 125 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and two forced incompletions. He also recorded an 11.3% missed tackle rate and 99.8 NFL passer rating against in coverage.
PRE-DRAFT VISITS
(13 of 30 allotted slots used)
• Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (March 6)
• Ephesians Prysock, DB, Washington (March 5)
• Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati (March 16)
• Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky (March 16)
• Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL) (March 17)
• Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (March 17)
• James Thompson, DT, Illinois (March 19)
• Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State (March 20)
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (March 20)
• Tacario Davis, CB, Washington (March 20)
• Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech (March 20)
• Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (April 7)
• Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State (April 7)
LOCAL PRE-DRAFT VISITS
(Do not count toward 30 pre-draft visits)
• Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State (March 5)
• Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh (March 19)
• Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana-Lafayette (April 7)
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