Steelers/NFL category, Page 314
Steelers players react to 1st-round pick Najee Harris
General manager Kevin Colbert said he was “ecstatic” that running back Najee Harris was available when the Pittsburgh Steelers made him their first-round pick late Thursday night. Judging by some of their posts on social media, Harris’ new teammates had similar reactions to adding the national champion from Alabama. Starting...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Najee Harris
Najee Harris First-round pick, No. 24 overall Running back, Alabama 6-foot-1, 232 pounds Stats: 1,466 rushing yards (5.8 per carry), 43 catches for 425 yards, 30 TDs in 2020; 3,843 rushing yards, 57 TDs from scrimmage in career Hometown: Antioch, Ala. Tidbits: Reigning Doak Walker Award winner as college football’s...
Steelers take Alabama RB Najee Harris with No. 24 overall pick in NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers got the running back they waited all night — and arguably the past three months — to select when they took Alabama’s Najee Harris with the No. 24 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. “We were very excited he was there for us,” general manager...
Steelers extend QB Mason Rudolph’s contract for 1 more season
With only one quarterback on the roster signed potentially beyond this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers made Mason Rudolph the second. The Steelers announced Thursday less than hour before the start of the NFL Draft that they had signed Rudolph to a one-year extension. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted...
NFL Draft Guide 2021: Who Steelers might pick, position breakdowns, mock drafts
This year’s NFL Draft is taking steps to get back to normal but with plenty of precautions because of covid-19. The 2020 draft went entirely virtual because of the covid-19 pandemic that was just starting to gain traction in the U.S. But with more people receiving their vaccines, some fans...
First Call: Brian Burke says Evgeni Malkin ‘cleared medically’ for trip; oddsmakers have Najee Harris on board for Steelers
If you believe the NFL Network reports, most people around the NFL think the Pittsburgh Steelers will select Alabama running back Najee Harris in the first round of the NFL Draft. And the oddsmakers think he’ll still be on the board to make that happen. One report says the Steelers...
Tim Benz: Forget anti-running back bias, Steelers should take Najee Harris or Travis Etienne if they are available
Let’s not overthink the Pittsburgh Steelers draft situation. I know the NFL analytics world — and many draft analysts — frown on the notion of drafting a first-round running back. Almost as much as they turn their noses up at the prospect of paying top dollar for one in free...
Chris Adamski’s mock draft: After years of misses in mid rounds, Steelers go RB in 1st
Sure, the “modern” thing to do is to resist the allure of taking a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft. The analytics prove it, the anecdotal evidence seems to support it and the smartest guys in the room all swear by it. Problem is for the...
Restricted access, limited information all part of this year’s draft process for Steelers
Draft preparations for this year’s event began last May for the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means the entirety of the process was conducted during the coronavirus pandemic. Meetings were held virtually. Attendance on college campus was limited to game days. The NFL Combine was canceled. “It’s been a real different, challenging...
Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown rejoins Buccaneers on 1-year contract
A week after settling a civil lawsuit with his former personal trainer who had accused him of sexual assault, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has rejoined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract. Brown’s deal, which he agreed to Wednesday, is for a guaranteed $3.1 million, includes...
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...
