Pitt OT Adds Two More Pre-Draft Visits

The Pitt Panthers NFL Draft hopeful is gaining steam along the scouting trail.

Sep 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Shayne Simon (32) and / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have an offensive tackle that recently took pre-draft visits to two NFL teams recently.

Matt Goncalves made visits to two NFC teams in the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys, according to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network. He spent the past five seasons at Pitt from 2019-23, playing 39 games over the past four seasons with 21 starts, including all 13 games in 2022.

He suffered a toe injury in the loss to rival West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl in mid-September, ending his season early. He then chose to forfeit his sixth year of collegiate eligibilty, to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Goncalves spent time in Pensacola, Fla., recovering from his injury, building back strength, and readying himself for Pitt Pro Day. He also decided to miss the NFL Combine to have more rest and time to get ready for NFL Scouts to watch him perform.

He performed dilligently at Pitt Pro Day back on March 28, showing the skills and athleticism that earned him plaudits even through injury. He finished with 19 reps on the bench press (225 pounds), a 30 1/2 inch vertical jump and unofficial times of 5.06/5.11 seconds on the 40-yard dash.

If an NFL team drafts Goncalves, with mock drafts placing him somewhere on the third day in the later rounds, it would make it back-to-back years a Pitt offensive tackle earned a draft selection. The New York Jets drafted Carter Warren last year in the Fourth Round.

Two other Pitt offensive tackles have earned draft selections since Pat Narduzzi took over as head coach in 2015. This includes Adam Bisnowaty, who the New York Giants drafted in the Sixth Round in 2017, and Brian O'Neil, who the Minnesota Vikings drafted in the Second Round in 2018 and made a Pro Bowl in 2021.

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