The parade of college football players continued yesterday on the South Side as the Steelers focused on a need area that they have neglected in the 2013 NFL Draft for the past several seasons:  Safety.

With Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark aging into their 30’s, and Robert Golden and Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith both virtual novices and former undrafted rookie free agents, draftnicks are speculating that the Steelers could take a safety as high as the first round.

None of the prospects the Steelers worked out yesterday is considered a first rounder, but Shamarko Thomas, a true senior out of Syracuse is one defensive back who could go as early as round 2. The other defensive back worked out by the Steelers is Will Davis of Utah State considered to be a mid round prospect.

The Steelers also worked out their first offensive lineman, inviting offensive guard Nik Embernate. In the estimation of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Alan Robinson, Embernate is among the top quarter of the guards eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.