Category: Steelers

Steelers Offseason Recap Pre-Draft

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. The NFL Draft is only five days away. At this point you probably have mock draft burnout, and you’re struggling with who you think will be the pick at 17 or do they trade up or down.

General Manager Omar Khan and his staff has set this team up all off season to go best player available at each pick. All the moves he’s made with the reserve future signings, free agency, and trades.

Let’s take a look at the recap of the offseason up to this point.

Reserve Future Signings

  • Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR
  • Tae Crowder, LB
  • Duke Dawson, CB
  • William Dunkle, G
  • Emeke Egblue, OLB
  • Dez Fitzpatrick, WR
  • Madre Harper, CB
  • Jason Huntley, RB
  • Ryan McCollum, G/C
  • Anthony McFarland Jr, RB
  • Scott Nelson, SS
  • Chappelle Russell, OLB
  • Kenny Robinson, SS
  • Quincy Roche, OLB
  • Master Teague, RB
  • Cody White, WR
  • Rodney Williams, TE
  • Renell Wren, DT

Free Agent Re-Signings

  • Zach Gentry, TE 1-Year Contract
  • Damonte Kazee, S 2-Year Contract
  • Anthony Miller, WR 1-Year Contract
  • Larry Ogunjobi, DE 3-Year Contract
  • James Pierre, CB 1-Year Contract
  • Elijah Riley, S 1-Year Contract
  • Christian Kuntz, LS 1-Year Contract

Free Agent Losses

  • Devin Bush, LB (Seahawks)
  • Malik Reed, OLB (Dolphins)
  • Robert Spillane, LB (Raiders)
  • Cameron Sutton, CB (Lions)
  • JC Hassenauer, C (Giants)
  • Steven Sims, WR (Texans)
  • Terrell Edmunds, S (Eagles)

Free Agent Signings

  • Nate Herbig, G 2-Year Contract
  • Patrick Peterson, CB 2-Year Contract
  • Cole Holcomb, LB 3-Year Contract
  • Elandon Roberts, LB 2-Year Contract
  • Isaac Seumalo, G 3-Year Contract
  • Tanner Muse, LB 1-Year Contract
  • Keanu Neal, S 2-Year Contract
  • Le’Raven Clark, OT 1-Year Contract
  • Breiden Fehoko, DE 1-Year Contract
  • Armon Watts, DE 1-Year Contract

Claimed off of waivers

  • Braden Mann, P (Jets)

Trades
Received WR Allan Robinson and the 251st from the Rams for the 234th pick.

Pro Day Dinners

  • Trenton Simpson, LB Clemson
  • Myles Murphy, Edge Clemson
  • Mazi Smith, DL Michigan
  • Will McDonald IV, Edge Iowa State
  • Dawand Jones, OT Ohio State
  • Parris Johnson Jr, OT Ohio State
  • Luke Wypler, C Ohio State
  • Zach Harrison, DE Ohio State
  • Riley Moss, CB Iowa

Pre-Draft Visits Offense

  • Clayton Tune, QB Houston
  • Jaran Hall, QB BYU
  • Jonathan Mingo, WR Ole Miss
  • Charlie Jones, WR Purdue
  • Jayden Reed, WR Michigan State
  • Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR West Virginia (Local)
  • Cedric Tillman, WR Tennessee
  • Darnell Washington, TE Georgia
  • Darnell Wright, OT Tennessee
  • Broderick Jones, OT Georgia
  • Anton Harrison, OT Oklahoma
  • O’Cyrus Torrence, G Florida
  • Steve Availa, G TCU
  • Chadler Zavala, G NC State
  • John Michael-Schmitz, C Minnesota
  • Cody Mauch, OL North Dakota State

Pre-Draft Visits Defense

  • Siaki Ika, DL Baylor
  • Keion White, DL Georgia Tech
  • Keeanu Neal, DL Wisconsin
  • Karl Brooks, DL Bowling Green
  • Bryan Bresee, DL Clemson
  • Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge USC
  • Robert Beal, Edge Georgia
  • Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge Kansas State
  • Tyrique Stevenson, CB Miami (FL)
  • Julius Brents, CB Kansas State
  • Deonte Banks, CB Maryland
  • Joey Porter Jr, CB Penn State (Local)
  • Darius Rush, CB South Carolina
  • Christian Gonzalez, CB Oregon
  • Daniel Scott, S California
  • Tanner Ingle, S NC State

I know I can’t wait the see what the Khan artist is going to pull off during the draft. Let me know who you think will be the pick at 17.

Steelers 2023 Combine Interviews

by James Layton

Each year we kind of get a clue of what position the Steelers are leaning to and what players they would like to draft based on the interviews at the combine.

Here is the list of the players they interviewed them this year:

Quarterbacks
Clayton Tune, Houston (informal)

Running Backs (all informal)
Chase Brown, Illinois
Travis Dye, USC
Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Keeton Mitchell, East Carolina
Cam Peoples, Appalachian State
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
Kendre Miller, TCU
Chris Rodriquez, Kentucky
Roschon Johnson, Texas

Wide Receivers
Jaxon Smith-Ngiba, Ohio State
Zay Flowers, Boston College (informal)
Jordan Addison, USC
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Parker Washington, Penn State

Tight Ends
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Sam Laporta, Iowa
Brenton Strange, Penn State (met with TE coach Alfredo Roberts)
Zach Kuntz, Old Dominion
Blake Whitehouse, Wake Forest

Offensive Line
Andrew Vorhees, USC (informal)
Dalton Wagner, Arkansas (informal)
Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (informal)
Tyler Steen, Alabama (informal)
Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Waya Morris, Oklahoma (informal)
Jordan McFadden, Clemson (informal)
Olu Oluwatimi, Michigan (informal)
Brett Laing, Minnesota-Duluth (informal)
Ricky Stormberg, Arkansas
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Paris Johnson, Ohio State
Henry Bainivalu, Washington (informal)
TJ Bass, Oregon (informal)
Ryan Hayes, Michigan (informal)
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma (informal)
Jake Andrews, Troy (informal)
Nick Broker, Ole Miss (informal)
John Oluhwu, Boise State (informal)
Blake Freeland, BYU (informal)

Defensive Line
Mike Morris, Michigan (informal)
Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Byron Young, Alabama
Gervon Dexter, Florida
Keondre Coburn, Texas
Cameron Young, Mississippi State

Edge Rushers
Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Lonnie Phelps, Kansas
Derick Hall, Auburn (informal)
Nolan Smith, Georgia
Dylan Horton, TCU (informal)
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Tyrus Wheaton, Mississippi State

Off-Ball Linebackers
Noah Sewell, Oregon
Shaka Heyward, Duke
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
Henry To’o-To’o, Alabama
Ivan Pace, Cincinnati
Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Cornerbacks
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Clark Phillips, Utah
Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State
Cam Smith, South Carolina
Eli Ricks, Alabama (informal)
Garrett Williams, Syracuse (informal)
Kalee Ringo, Georgia
Brian Branch, Alabama
Darius Rush, South Carolina (informal)
Deonte Banks, Maryland

Safeties
JL Skinner, Boise State (informal)
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M (informal)
Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Jordan Battle, Alabama
Jammie Robinson, Florida State
Troy Dean, Florida (informal)
Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame, (informal)


Steelers 2023 Free Agents

by James Layton

The steelers are entering the 2023 offseason with twenty-four free agents. Among them are Devin Bush, Damontae Kazee, Larry Ogunjobi, and Cameron Sutton.

Steelers free agent breakdown. 17 unrestricted free agents, 4 restricted free agents, and 3 exclusive rights free agents.

Let’s get into the free agents.

Unrestricted Free Agents

  1. Marcus Allen, LB
  2. Tyson Alualu, NT
  3. Miles Boykin, WR
  4. Devin Bush, LB
  5. Jessie Davis, G/T
  6. Zach Gentry, TE
  7. Karl Joseph, S
  8. Damontae Kazee, S
  9. Anthony Miller, WR (re-signed) 1-Year Contract
  10. Larry Ogunjobi, DE
  11. Malik Reed, OLB
  12. Mason Rudolph, QB
  13. Benny Snell, RB
  14. Robert Spillane, LB
  15. Cameron Sutton, CB
  16. Derek Watt, FB
  17. Chris Wormley, DE

Restricted Free Agents

  1. JC Hassenauer, C
  2. James Pierre, CB
  3. Steven Sims, WR
  4. Jeremy McNichols, RB

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

  1. Jamir Jones, OLB
  2. Elijah Riley, S
  3. Christian Kuntz, LS

Steelers 2023 Regular Season Opponents

by James Layton

Sadly, the Steelers season came to an end yesterday. It ended a whole lot better than what we thought after a 2-6 start, to a 9-8 record and a chance at the playoffs. And to cap it all off with four game win streak.

Even though the season ended yesterday, it’s never too early to start looking at next season. The 2023 season the Steelers have nine home games and eight away games.

Let’s get into the opponents.

Home

  • Ravens
  • Browns
  • Bengals
  • Jaguars
  • Titans
  • Cardinals
  • 49ers
  • Jets
  • Bears

Away

  • Ravens
  • Browns
  • Bengals
  • Texans
  • Colts
  • Rams
  • Raiders
  • Seahawks

Updated Steelers Practice Squad

by James Layton

The Steelers made three practice squad moves Wednesday. They signed RB Master Teague and WR Ja’Marcus Bradley to the squad and released DL Renell Wren.

Here is the updated unit.

  1. Anthony McFarland, RB
  2. Cody White, WR
  3. William Dunkle, G/T
  4. John Leglue, G/T
  5. Carlos Davis, NT
  6. Elijah Riley, S
  7. Chapelle Russell, OLB
  8. Rod Williams, TE
  9. Mark Gilbert, CB
  10. Ryan McCollum, C
  11. David Anenih, OLB
  12. Duke Dawson, CB
  13. Jason Huntley, RB
  14. Josh Malone, WR
  15. Master Teague, RB
  16. Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 11 vs Bengals

by James Layton

This is a big game for the Steelers. They already have a 1-0 lead on the Bengals for the Season. The Steelers need to start stacking wins if they want to turn their season around.

This is also going to be Rookie QB Kenny Pickett’s first start against a team in the division. Outside Linebacker Alex Highsmith looks to pick up where he left off after the week one matchup where he had three sacks.

Let’s get into the players to watch.

Offense
8 Kenny Pickett, QB
22 Najee Harris, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
83 Connor Heyward, TE
65 Dan Moore Jr, OT
78 James Daniels, G

Defense
99 Larry Ogunjobi, DE
97 Cam Heyward, DT
56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
51 Myles Jack, MLB
90 TJ Watt, OLB
29 Levi Wallace, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
23 Damontae Kazee, S

Special Teams
4 Matthew Wright, K
82 Steven Sims, RS
41 Robert Spillane, ST
13 Miles Boykin, ST

Steelers Injury Report: Week 11 vs Bengals

by James Layton

The Steelers are coming into this game seemingly as health as when the seasons started, with only one player that’s going to be out. The Bengals on the other hand are coming into this game pretty banged up. They are missing a big piece of their offense with WR Ja’Marr Chase still out with a Hip injury. They are also without rookie Safety Dax Hill.

Let’s get into the report.

Steelers
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Hamstring OUT

Bengals
Chris Evens, RB Knee Questionable
Tre Flowers, CB Hamstring Questionable
Ja’Marr Chase, WR Hip OUT
Josh Tupou, DT Calf OUT
Dax Hill, S Shoulder OUT

Steelers Injury Report: Week 10 vs Saints

by James Layton

The Steelers are finally getting healthy. It’s looking like we are getting the Saints at the right time. They are coming in so beat up.

Steelers finally get two players back on defense with TJ Watt and Damontae Kazee. Hopefully they can finally get the pass rush going again with the return of TJ “Sack” Watt.

Let’s get into the injury reports.

Steelers
Kevin Dotson, G Abdomen Questionable
Malik Reed, OLB Person Reasons Questionable
William Jackson, CB Back OUT
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Hamstring OUT

Saints
Marcus Davenport, DE Calf Questionable
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE Illness Questionable
Marcus Maye, S Abdomen Questionable
PJ Williams, S Illness Questionable
Mark Ingram, RB Knee OUT
Erik McCoy, C Calf OUT
Andrus Peat, G Tricep OUT
Pete Warner, OLB Ankle OUT
Marshon Lattimore, CB Abdomen OUT

Steelers Players to Watch: Week 10 vs Saints

by James Layton

The Steelers are getting a big piece of the defense back this week with the return of TJ Watt. The Steelers are hoping this is going to help turn the season around.

The Steelers are looking to get their offense on track following the bye week. Some of the players have said this week that they have corrected some of the issues they were having.

Let’s get into the players.

Offense
8 Kenny Pickett, QB
30 Jaylen Warren, RB
14 George Pickens, WR
82 Steven Sims, WR
88 Pat Freiermuth, TE
83 Conner Heyward, TE
61 Mason Cole, C
78 James Daniels, G

Defense
97 Cam Heyward, DT
99 Larry Ogunjobi, DE
90 TJ Watt, OLB
56 Alex Highsmith, OLB
23 Damontae Kazee, S
20 Cam Sutton, CB
29 Levi Wallace, CB
39 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S

Special Teams
4 Matthew Wright, K
6 Pressley Harvin III, P
28 Miles Killebrew, ST
44 Derek Watt, ST

NFL Transaction Report 11/8

By Barb Layton

Broncos
Placing C Lloyd Cushenberry on IR
Promoting S Anthony Harris
Signed WR Kaden Davis to the practice squad

Browns
Waived CB Herb Miller
Signed WR Cyril Grayson to the practice squad

Buccaneers
Sign OLB Charles Snowden to the practice squad
Released OLB JoJo Ozougwu

Dolphins
Released DE Big Kat Bryant
Signed FB Jake Bargas to the practice squad

Eagles
Promote S Andre Chachere
Sign OT Fred Johnson to the practice squad

Falcons
Place OL Matt Hennessy to the IR
Promoted DB Jovante Moffett from the practice squad
Released DB BoPete Keyes from the practice squad
Signed OLB Quinton Bell and OL Jonotthan Harrison

Giants
Sign DT Aaron Crawford to the practice squad
Release DB Olaijah Griffin

Packers
Released WR Kawaan Baker from the practice squad

Panthers
Designate S Jeremy Chinn to return from the IR

Raiders
Waiving S Jonathan Abrams

Rams
Waived S Terrell Burgess and TE Kendall Blanton

Ravens
Activate TE Charlie Kolar from the IR

Saints
Waived G Wyatt Davis
Released RB Jake Funk and QB Brett Hundley from the practice squad

Seahawks
Signed RB Godwin Igwebuike to the practice squad

Steelers
Cut LB Ryan Anderson and K Nick Sciba from the practice squad
Signed WR Josh Malone to the practice squad