The NFL lockout may be in high gear, but the Steelers also shifted up with their preparations in advance of the 2011 NFL draft.

The Steelers entertained seven players from Pitt. “Visiting” the Steelers (as they Pitt is housed in the same complex on the South Side) were:

Jason Pinkson, offensive tackle
Jon Baldwin, wide receiver
Jabaal Sheard, defensive end
Greg Romeus, defensive end
Henry Hynoski, fullback
Dion Lewis, running back
Dom DiCicco, safety

Although the NFL limits the number of collegiate athletes that pro teams can bring in for pre draft visits, these players do not count as they are from a local school.

Henry Hynoski presence on the list is perhaps the most interesting, as Steelers offensive coordinator has resisted adding a pure fullback to his offense, although there is certainly no guarantee that the Steelers will pick one in the 2011 draft.

The Steelers have not taken a Pitt player in the NFL draft since picking cornerback Hank Poeat in with their second pick in the third round of the 2000 draft during Kevin Colbert’s first year as Director of Football operations.

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