Steelers looked at Florida State's "other" prospects

All eyes were on Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston on Tuesday at the Seminoles pro day. The NFL Network and ESPN did live broadcasts from Tallahassee and made the projected No. 1 overall pick the the focal point of their midday programming.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were there, but they were present to watch Florida State’s “other” prospects. The Steelers need cornerbacks and the Seminoles have two corners expected to go in the first couple of rounds in P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby.

The Steelers also need a receiver in the middle rounds, and Rashad Greene is projected as a second- or third-round pick. Greene was a productive player who led the Seminoles in receiving in four consecutive seasons.

It might be an overlooked aspect of their draft needs, but the Steelers must fill out their receivers group with a quality player through the draft after Lance Moore was released last month. They are set with their top three in Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant. Darrius Heyward-Bey was signed to a one-year contract last week for the veteran’s minimum, but he was added for depth and special teams.

If there is an injury to any of the top three the Steelers need someone who is capable of stepping in. The Steelers have found success drafting receivers in the middle rounds the past few years.

Bryant was selected in the fourth round last year and Wheaton in the third round in 2013. Before them, Emmanuel Sanders was a third-round pick in 2010 and Mike Wallace was a third-round pick in 2009. And, of course, Brown was taken in the sixth round in 2010.

If the Steelers are able to land their coveted cornerback and outside linebacker in the first two rounds it’s quite possible a receiver could be on their radar anywhere from the third round on. Because they got their desired big (and big-play) threat in Bryant last year and have Heyward-Bey as another deep threat the Steelers are likely to concentrate their efforts on a player who can fit in the slot and learn behind Wheaton.

In addition to Greene here are some other receivers that can play in the slot who projected as middle round picks:

*Tyler Lockett (5-11, 175) of Kansas State is projected as a late second- or third-round pick.

*Phillip Dorsett (5-10, 185) of Miami is projected as a third-round pick

*Justin Hardy (5-10, 192) of East Carolina is projected as a third-round pick.

*Jamison Crowder (5-8, 185) of Duke is projected as a fourth-round pick.

*Josh Harper (6-1, 185) of Fresno State is projected as a fifth-round pick.