Pittsburgh Steelers hosting Josh Boyce

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting two notable skill position prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft today in UCLA Bruins running back Jonathan Franklin and TCU Horned Frogs star wide receiver Josh Boyce. With Emmanuel Sanders a restricted free agent who has drawn significant interest from the New England Patriots and Mike Wallace departed, the Steelers could draft a guy like Boyce to bolster their wide receiver corps. Franklin could give the Steelers a true feature back and has drawn comparisons to Frank Gore, but I think Boyce is an underrated prospect who deserves some more press.

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The news of these workouts taking place today comes to us from Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola via Twitter.

Boyce is one of my favorite players in this draft class, because he is somebody who fights for every yard and shows the kind of toughness that scouts love. A vertical threat who could feasibly replace some of what Wallace provided for the Steelers running downfield routes, Boyce participated in the 2013 NFL Combine despite a broken toe and even ran a sub-4.4 forty. Yeah, with a broken toe.

He seems to be somebody who suffers from little college production or hype, and analysts point to TCU’s inconsistent quarterback play as a main reason why Boyce deserves to get more press. A likely third or fourth round draft choice, Boyce had an excellent 2012 season when you look at what he did relative to the throws coming at him, and I think he would be a great pick for the Steelers in that draft range. If the Patriots sign Sanders, then the Steelers will get a third-rounder. I think they would end up using it on Boyce.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.