Steelers/NFL category, Page 323
First Call: A team that may draft Najee Harris before Steelers pick; Alex Ovechkin sidelined; Josh Bell struggles
Wednesday’s “First Call” clues us in on a team that may steal Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft before the Pittsburgh Steelers get a chance to pick him. Steelers Hall of Famer Alan Faneca throws his support behind a potential top-5 draft choice for a very...
Tim Benz: Surfing through NFL Draft medical info may be even more important for Steelers than many other teams
In advance of the NFL Draft, Alabama center Landon Dickerson has been called “almost the perfect Steeler.” Anyone who has tracked the draft knows what that “almost” surrounding him is. It’s not his talent. Or athleticism. Or pedigree. Or attitude. Or leadership. Or the obvious fit he’d be at pick...
U mad, bro?: Some readers are mad about Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; others are angry at criticism of it
Thursday will feature Penguins/Capitals and Round 1 of the NFL Draft. So we’re posting “U mad, bro?” a day early. Also, coming off a vacation week when Mike Tomlin got a contract extension on the heels of another late-season collapse, we’ve got … hmm … a few comments stored up....
Joe Rutter’s mock draft: Steelers will play it by the book, take RB, center early
Mock drafts can humble a football writer faster than T.J. Watt rushing the edge. One year you’re riding high, patting yourself on the back for predicting four of the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted players correctly (Devin Bush, Benny Snell, Diontae Johnson and Isaiah Buggs). The next year you’re whiffing more frequently...
Steelers exercise 5th-year option for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for $10.6 million in 2022
With the deadline approaching for NFL teams to tender fifth-year options to 2018 first-round picks, the Steelers got a jump on the process by exercising it for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The move locks in Fitzpatrick’s salary for the 2022 season at a guaranteed $10.612 million. NFL Network first reported the...
Alan Faneca chooses former Steelers teammate Hines Ward to present him for the Hall of Fame
Add another beloved Pittsburgh Steeler to this summer’s Hall of Fame ceremonies. Alan Faneca chose longtime former Steelers teammate Hines Ward to serve as his presenter for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in August. Before he became a six-time All Pro guard, Faneca and Ward were part of...
Deep cornerback class gives chance for Steelers to buck recent draft history
Hearing the names of cornerbacks taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft over the past decade is enough to send shivers up the spine of any fan. It sounds like a roll call from a George Romero horror movie. There was Artie Burns...
First Call: Even if Devin Bush gets healthy, Steelers still may look to draft another Ryan Shazier; appreciating Tyson Alualu’s return
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we go heavy on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL Draft. Monday marked a happy anniversary in that regard. We look at why inside linebacker continues to make sense as a potential first-round option for the club and how Tyson Alualu bailed out the team by...
Tim Benz: Best case yet for Kevin Colbert to draft a RB in 1st round … from Colbert himself
In most years, it’s a futile effort to attempt reading the tea leaves during the Pittsburgh Steelers pre-draft press conference with general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin. I’m not conspiratorial enough to think those two use that opportunity to intentionally float out misinformation. OK, maybe on occasion....
Former Steelers RT Marcus Gilbert retires after 10 NFL seasons
Another long-time member of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line decided to retire. Marcus Gilbert, who spent his first eight seasons playing right tackle for the Steelers, announced his decision Monday on social media. Thank you for all of the support over the years. I can’t wait to share my next...
Kevin Colbert says NFL Draft is ‘wide open’ for Steelers in 1st round
Factoring in the changes along the offensive line, a left tackle or center could be a priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Given that the Steelers finished last in rushing in 2020, a workhorse running back could get the nod with the 24th...
Steelers could find depth in safety draft class lacking high-end talent
For the first time since 2011, no safeties were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft last spring. Are you ready for an encore? A position group low on impact players awaits NFL teams when the draft commences Thursday night. Prospects hoping to get taken in the first...
First Call: Was ESPN analyst’s shot at Steelers offensive line fair? Alex Ovechkin injury update; Pirates host hot Royals
In our first “First Call” back from vacation, we look at a slap across the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. We have an injury update on Alexander Ovechkin as a date against the Penguins looms. Alejandro Villanueva may have competition for that potential new job he’s supposed to...
Tim Benz: On Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; Justin Layne’s arrest; solid play from Pirates, Penguins
The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins certainly don’t give you time for a break, do they? After a rare week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there’s a lot to catch up on as we get ready for the upcoming Steelers draft week. Hopefully, you enjoyed our NFL Draft preview series while...
Penn State’s Micah Parsons represents head of inside linebacker draft class
When the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, it could evoke memories from two years ago in terms of the inside linebacker class. In 2019, Devin White and Devin Bush were the clear top two players at the position heading into the draft, and the process played out in predictable...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers’ need to improve transcends NFL Draft
The NFL Draft begins Thursday. Good. It’s so tiresome to discuss. Get it over with. “Experts” pretend the draft is an exact science. But it’s a crapshoot. The Steelers have the 24th pick in the first round. If the Steelers want to help their team now, take a running back....
Outside linebacker class carries plenty of question marks heading into NFL Draft
Given that their biggest free agent loss was at outside linebacker, it’s not a matter of if the Pittsburgh Steelers will select a pass rusher in the NFL Draft. It’s how soon and, possibly, how many. As the draft approaches, outside linebacker arguably is the least fortified position on the...
Steelers cornerback Justin Layne charged with traffic, firearm violations in Ohio
Police in Ohio arrested Steelers cornerback Justin Layne on Friday morning for alleged traffic and firearms violations, court records show. Ohio court records show Layne, 23, was charged Friday by Willoughby police with driving with a suspended license, speeding, and transporting a loaded firearm, which is a fourth-degree felony. Records...
Given depth at defensive line, Steelers have little need to address position in NFL Draft
Thanks to Tyson Alualu changing his mind and re-signing a two-year contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their entire line returning from last year’s third-ranked defense. Good thing for the Steelers they are deep in the defensive trench because this year’s draft class for tackle and interior prospects is considered...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: With depth thinned, cornerback again among needs for Steelers
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” has spent this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts previewing next weekend’s event. We have broken down the franchise’s needs into five sections. Former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL...
Pittsburgh Steelers 1st-round draft pick history
Editor’s Note: This story was updated April 23, 2025. In the 86 years of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have just as many first-round picks from Duquesne (one) as they do from Penn State and West Virginia. The Steelers selected Duquesne running back Mike Basrak with the fifth overall...
Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement makes center a priority for Steelers in NFL Draft
Based on numerous factors — age, declining skills and statistics, and a late-season fade among them — changes were expected along the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in the offseason. Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement put his position front and, well, center. When Pouncey hung up his cleats in February after 11 seasons,...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Depth of talent at inside or outside linebacker could tempt Steelers
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”)...
Pittsburgh Steelers compensatory draft pick history
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded 36 compensatory draft picks in the 29 years that the NFL has been handing them out. The team’s picks range from players who never saw NFL action (quarterback Spence Fischer and defensive tackle Ryan Olson, to name two) to players just on the cusp...
NFL eliminates preseason OTs, defeats onside kick proposal
NFL owners approved eliminating overtime in preseason games and expanded selection of jersey numbers for receivers, running backs and defensive backs. The league also will allow on-field officials to get certain “objective information” from the replay official and designated members of the officiating department “when clear and obvious video evidence...
