Tag: NFL

Steelers 2024 Draft Class

by James Layton

The Steelers 2024 draft class is in the books. They came away with so much talent. Even though they haven’t even played a down for the black n’ gold they are going to be game changers.

Omar Khan and Andy Wiedl have definitely become the draft duo we have needed to compete in the AFC North and to make a run for our seventh ring.

This draft class is reminding me of old school smash mouth Steelers football. Every Championship team we had was built in the trenches.

Let’s get into the draft class.

Draft Picks

Round 1
Pick 20: Troy Fautanu, OT Washington

Round 2
Pick 51: Zach Frazier, C West Virginia

Round 3
Pick 84: Roman Wilson, WR Michigan
Pick 98: Payton Wilson, LB NC State

Round 4
Pick 119: Mason McCormick, G South Dakota State

Round 6
Pick 178: Logan Lee, DT Iowa
Pick 195: Ryan Watts, CB Texas

Undrafted Free Agents

  • Beanie Bishop, CB West Virginia
  • Julius Welschof, OLB Charlotte
  • Jacoby Windmon, LB Michigan State
  • Daijun Edwards, RB Georgia
  • John Rhys Plumlee, QB Central Florida

2024 NFL Draft: Round One Recap

by James Layton

The first night of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. It was a very exciting and historical night.

This draft set and tied several records in the common draft era that started in 1967. It set the record for the most offensive players drafted in the first round. It tied the record for the most quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 1983. But it set the record for six quarterbacks drafted in the first twelve picks.

It also set the record for have the first defensive player being draft at the 15th spot by the Colts, which is the latest by far for a defensive player.

There were also five trades made during the first round. The Minnesota Vikings traded up twice in the first round and the Buffalo Bills traded down twice in the first round.

Let’s get to the recap.

  1. Bears: Caleb Williams, QB USC
  2. Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB LSU
  3. Patriots: Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
  4. Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio State
  5. Chargers: Joe Alt, OT Notre Dame
  6. Giants: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
  7. Titans: JC Latham, OT Alabama
  8. Falcons: Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
  9. Bears: Rome Odunze, WR Washington
  10. Vikings: JJ McCarthy, QB Michigan
  11. Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT Penn State
  12. Broncos: Bo Nix, QB Oregon
  13. Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia
  14. Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
  15. Colts: Laiatu Latu, DE UCLA
  16. Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DT Texas
  17. Vikings: Dallas Turner, DE Alabama
  18. Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
  19. Rams: Jared Verse, DE Florida State
  20. Steelers: Troy Fautanu, OT Washington
  21. Dolphins: Chop Robinson, DE Penn State
  22. Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB Toledo
  23. Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr, WR LSU
  24. Lions: Terrion Arnold, CB Alabama
  25. Packers: Jordan Morgan, OT Arizona
  26. Buccaneers: Graham Barton, C Duke
  27. Cardinals: Darius Robinson, DL Missouri
  28. Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR Texas
  29. Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
  30. Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
  31. 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR Florida
  32. Panthers: Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina

Steelers 2024 NFL Draft 7-Round Mock Draft

by James Layton

The Steelers have had a very busy couple of weeks rebuilding for the 2024 season. They have fixed a couple of positions of need adding Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Patrick Queen, Donte Jackson, DeShon Elliott, and Cameron Johnstone.

They still have a few needs like Center, Wide Receiver, and Defensive Line as of now. It’s not a deep class at the Center position, but there are a few you can find later in the draft that would be good players in the AFC North.

They still have time to add another Wide Receive either in free agency or a trade. There are still several Defensive Linemen they can add with free agency.

Let’s get into the Draft.

Round 1
Pick 26 (from Buccaneers): Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa

Round 2
Pick 51: Adisa Isaac, Edge Penn State

Round 3
Pick 89 (from Buccaneers): Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB Clemson
Pick 98: Blake Corum, RB Michigan

Round 4
Pick 102 (from Seahawks): Jaden Hicks, S Washington State
Pick 118 (from Seahawks): Tanor Bortolini, C Wisconsin
Pick 119: Tyler Davis, DL Clemson

Round 6
Pick 178: Carter Bradley, QB South Alabama
Pick 195: Ryan Flournoy, WR SE Missouri State
Pick 220 (from Buccaneers): Frank Crum, OT Wyoming

Steelers 2024 Pre-Draft Visit Tacker

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. Teams are busy going to Pro Days, signing free agents, and hosting prospects for pre-draft visits. The 2024 NFL Draft is only 33 days away.

The Steelers have been especially busy in free agency and the trade market. But they have been even more busy in the scouting department. They already have 9 players scheduled for a pre-draft visit. With some big-name prospects among them.

Let’s get into the visits.

Updated: 4/12/24

Pre-Draft Visits

Offense

  1. Michael Penix Jr, QB Washington
  2. Dillon Johnson, RB Washington
  3. Ricky Pearsall, WR Florida
  4. Malachi Corley, WR Western Kentucky
  5. Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina
  6. Tahj Washington, WR USC
  7. Luke McCaffrey, WR Rice
  8. Ladd McConkey, WR Georgia
  9. AD Mitchell, WR Texas
  10. Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
  11. Travis Glover, OT Georgia State
  12. Amarius Mims, OT Georgia
  13. Blake Fisher, OT Notre Dame
  14. Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
  15. Steven Jones, OL Oregon
  16. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon

Defense

  1. Braden Fiske, DL Florida State
  2. Kristian Boyd, DT Northern Iowa
  3. Darius Robinson, DL Missouri
  4. Maason Smith, DL LSU
  5. Logan Lee, DL Iowa
  6. Jaden Crumedy, DL Mississippi State
  7. Andru Phillips, CB Kentucky
  8. Nate Wiggins, CB Clemson
  9. Max Melton, CB Rutgers
  10. Shon Stephens, CB Ferris State
  11. Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa

Local Pre-Draft Visits

  1. Matt Goncalves, OT Pittsburgh
  2. Zach Frazier, C West Virginia
  3. MJ Devonshire, CB Pittsburgh
  4. Daequan Hardy, CB Penn State
  5. Beanie Bishop, CB WVU

Pro Day Dinners

Alabama

  • Dallas Turner, Edge
  • Terrion Arnold, CB
  • Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB

Clemson

  • Will Shipley, RB
  • Will Putnam, C
  • Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB
  • Nate Wiggins, CB

2024 NFL Draft Top Offensive Prospects: Pre-Combine

by Barb Layton

This is the best part of the NFL off-season. We have the combine, free agency, and pro-days leading up to the draft.

I always like to rank the positions before the combine. So, let’s see how I have them ranked.

Quarterbacks

Jaylen Daniels, LSU
  1. Drake Maye, North Carolina
  2. Caleb Williams, USC
  3. Jayden Daniels, LSU
  4. Bo Nix, Oregon
  5. JJ McCarthy, Michigan

Running Backs

Trey Benson, Florida State
  1. Jonathan Brooks, Texas
  2. Trey Benson, Florida State
  3. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
  4. MarShawn Lloyd, USC
  5. Blake Corum, Michigan

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
  1. Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State
  2. Malik Nabers, LSU
  3. Rome Odunze, Washington
  4. Adonai Mitchell, Texas
  5. Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Tight Ends

Erick All, Iowa
  1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
  2. Ja’tavion Sanders, Texas
  3. Cade Stover, Ohio State
  4. A.J. Barner, Michigan
  5. Erick All, Iowa

Offensive Tackles

JC Latham, Alabama
  1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
  2. JC Latham, Alabama
  3. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
  4. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
  5. a. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
    b. Amarius Mims, Georgia

Interior Offensive Line

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
  1. Graham Barton, C Duke
  2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
  3. Cooper Beebe, G Kansas State
  4. Hunter Nourzad, C Penn State
  5. Christian Haynes, G Connecticut

2024 NFL Draft Top Offensive Prospects: Pre-Combine

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. Where players are going to start to move up and down draft boards, based on their combine performance and interviews.

So, I thought it’s time to put my top offensive prospects out before the combine. I know it’s going to look a lot different in the coming weeks. A few players I now have ranked weren’t even in my previous top ten before.

Let’s get into the prospects.

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, LSU
  1. Drake Maye, North Carolina
  2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
  3. Caleb Williams, USC
  4. Bo Nix, Oregon
  5. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Running Backs

Trey Benson, Florida State University
  1. Jonathan Brooks, Texas
  2. Trey Benson, Florida State
  3. Marshawn Lloyd, USC
  4. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
  5. Blake Corum, Michigan

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
  1. Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
  2. Malik Nabers, LSU
  3. Rome Odunze, Washington
  4. Troy Franklin, Oregon
  5. a. Brian Thomas, LSU
    b. Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Tight Ends

Erick All, Iowa
  1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
  2. Erick All, Iowa
  3. Cade Stover, Ohio State
  4. A.J. Barner, Michigan
  5. Dallin Holker, Colorado State

Offensive Tackles

JC Latham, Alabama
  1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
  2. JC Latham, Alabama
  3. Olu Fashanu, Penn State
  4. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
  5. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Interior Offensive Linemen

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
  1. Graham Barton, C Duke
  2. Cooper Beebe, G Kansas State
  3. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
  4. Hunter Nourzad, C Penn State
  5. Christian Haynes, G Connecticut

2024 NFL Draft: Complete 1st Round Draft Order

by James Layton

The Kansas City Chiefs have won the Super Bowl in overtime. Now we finally have the complete draft order for the first round. As of right now, the Bears and Cardinals are the only two team to have two picks in the first round.

Let’s get into the first round.

  1. Bears (from Panthers)
  2. Commanders
  3. Patriots
  4. Cardinals
  5. Chargers
  6. Giants
  7. Titans
  8. Falcons
  9. Bears
  10. Jets
  11. Vikings
  12. Broncos
  13. Raiders
  14. Saints
  15. Colts
  16. Seahawks
  17. Jaguars
  18. Bengals
  19. Rams
  20. Steelers
  21. Dolphins
  22. Eagles
  23. Texans (from Browns)
  24. Cowboys
  25. Packers
  26. Buccaneers
  27. Cardinals (from Texans)
  28. Bills
  29. Lions
  30. Ravens
  31. 49ers
  32. Chiefs

Steelers Reserve Future Signings

by James Layton

The Steelers have been building their off-season roster with signing players to reserve future contracts.

Reserve future contracts are basically a camp invite that allows a player to compete for a spot during the offseason workouts and training camp.

There are a few names that have spent the whole season with the teams practice squad. A few of them even looked like they had a shot to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s get into the signings.

First Waive

  1. Luq Barcoo, CB
  2. Tyler Beach, OT
  3. Marquez Callaway, WR
  4. Jack Colletto, FB
  5. Kellen Diesch, OT
  6. Jalen Elliott, S
  7. Joey Fisher, G
  8. Dez Fitzpatrick, WR
  9. Devery Hamilton, OT
  10. Anderson Hardy, OT
  11. Keilahn Harris, WR
  12. Jonathan Marshall, DT
  13. Ryan McCollum, C
  14. Denzel Mims, WR
  15. Aaron Shampklin, RB
  16. Jacob Slade, DL
  17. Duece Watts, WR

Second Waive

  1. Kalen Barnes, CB
  2. Thomas Graham, CB
  3. Tyler Murray, LB
  4. David Perales, OLB
  5. Josiah Scott, CB

Steelers Reserve/Futures Signings

by James Layton

The Steelers announced Wednesday their first wave of Reserve/Future signings. They signed seventeen players. Among them are Luq Barcoo (CB), Joey Fisher (G), Marquez Callaway (WR), and Jonathan Marshall (DL).

Let’s get to the complete list.

  1. Luq Barcoo, CB
  2. Tyler Beach, OT
  3. Marquez Callaway, WR
  4. Jack Colletto, FB
  5. Kellen Diesch, OT
  6. Jalen Elliott, S
  7. Joey Fisher, G
  8. Dez Fitzpatrick, WR
  9. Devery Hamilton, OT
  10. Anderson Hardy, OT
  11. Keilahn Harris, WR
  12. Jonathan Marshall, DL
  13. Ryan McCollum, C
  14. Denzel Mims, WR
  15. Aaron Shampkin, RB
  16. Jacob Slade, DL
  17. Duece Watts, WR

2024 NFL Draft: Top Quarterback Prospects

by James Layton

It’s that time of the year again. When you start to look at the draft prospects for the 2024 NFL draft. This year’s class of quarterbacks are looking to be one the deeper classes in the past five years.

This is a deep class of top talent at the position. Leading this class is Drake Maye (North Carolina), Caleb Williams (USC), and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (LSU).

Let’s get into the prospects.

Top Ten

  1. Drake Maye, North Carolina
  2. Caleb Williams, USC
  3. Jayden Daniels, LSU
  4. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
  5. Bo Nix, Oregon
  6. Michael Pratt, Tulane
  7. Michael Penix Jr, Washington
  8. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
  9. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
  10. Joe Milton, Tennessee

Honorable Mentions

  • Jordan Travis, Florida State
  • Carter Bradley, South Alabama
  • Kedon Slovis, BYU
  • Devin Leary, Kentucky
  • Brennan Armstrong, North Carolina State