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Steelers Next Pitt Target Brings Aaron Donald Comparisons

The Pittsburgh Steelers could go next door again with their first pick.

Noah Strackbein

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INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pittsburgh Steelers never had the chance to even think about drafting Aaron Donald, but this year, everyone wants to compare a new Pitt draft star to the former, and maybe the Steelers will have their opportunity this time around. 

If you haven't seen, Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is dominating the NFL Combine. After an impressive interview session, Kancey measured in an inch taller than he did during his college career, and during the drills, ran a 4.67 40-yard dash - the fasted by a defensive tackle since 2003. 

But where is Kancey going to be drafted? Many mock drafts have him nearing the top 10, and the legal complications of Jalen Carter certainly leave some questions to which defensive linemen be first off the board. 

The Donald comparisons will help Kancey's draft stock, but falling to 17 isn't out of the question. An undersized DT, standing 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, will have questions about his potential. Teams will pass on him because he doesn't look the part compared to Carter, but enough to leave him available for the Steelers? We don't know yet. 

Here's what we do know about the Steelers and Kancey. 

So far, Pittsburgh has not met with the Pitt defensive tackle at the NFL Combine. Now, they kept their admiration for Kenny Pickett under the table last season because they didn't need meetings to learn about him. 

Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff will be at Pitt's Pro Day, where they can spend time with Kancey without making a big deal about it. Even if they don't necessarily need to create a smoke screen, it's the NFL, and teams are always keeping things under the radar. 

It's difficult to say the Steelers have their eyes on Kancey in the NFL Draft. It's not difficult to say they're likely impressed by him and have him on their radar to some degree. 

And if he's there at 17, you have to imagine they will highly consider going back-to-back Pitt stars.  

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.

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