First Call: 1 team may have stoked the price on Chuks Okorafor; Steelers attend another quarterback's pro day

Thursday’s “First Call” tells us which quarterback prospect lured top members of the Pittsburgh Steelers to his pro day. We find out what team may have primed the bidding on Steelers tackle Chuks Okorafor. One report suggests the Steelers are keeping an eye on the safety market in free agency.

And we find out when Marc-Andre Fleury is supposed to get his first start with his new team.

Path of priorities

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was at the University of Mississippi pro day on Wednesday. He was joined by general manager Kevin Colbert, pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt, offensive coordinator Matt Canada and player personnel coordinator Dan Rooney Jr.

That’s because Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was working out for pro scouts. He is one of several quarterback candidates that could go in the first round of the draft. Corral got hurt in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor this year, injuring an ankle. That limited his offseason participation at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound junior also didn’t participate in the Senior Bowl. As a result, his workout drew lots of attention.

Matt Corral (6’1 1/2, 215 pounds) will to throw at pro day in an hour.

Panthers (Scott Fitterer, Matt Rhule), Falcons (Terry Fontenot, Arthur Smith) Steelers (Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert) among QB-needy teams deep here. Titans OC Todd Downing, Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy also here. https://t.co/kJW63bmmR7

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 23, 2022

Attending the workout in Oxford meant that top members of the Steelers brass were not on hand in Columbus for Ohio State’s pro day. That’s usually a target-rich environment for draft decision makers.

A reported 100 NFL representatives were there to see 11 prospects participate. Two of them were receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. They may be of interest to whatever Steelers scouts showed up.

Colbert and Tomlin have been staples at that event in years past.

Bear market?

Many have wondered if the Steelers were essentially bidding against themselves for Chuks Okorafor.

The organization decided to retain their starting right tackle for three years and $29.25 million. That price seemed surprisingly hefty since there weren’t many names linked to Okorafor in the bidding process.

Now one has emerged. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the Chicago Bears wanted Okorafor. But not at that price tag.

“Overall, Chicago took a prudent approach to Ryan Poles’ first free agency as the Bears’ GM,” Fowler said Wednesday. “The team identified several players as great fits but not worth a bidding war. One example was right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. He could have been a Bear, but not at three years and $29.25 million, which Pittsburgh was willing to pay to re-sign him.”

Okorafor’s cap number of $4.33 million is the largest of any offensive lineman on the team.

Being Badgered

Fowler also noted that the Steelers are in the market for a safety.

Many have linked the franchise to former Pro Bowler Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu. But Fowler downplayed that angle. Instead, he pointed to the prospect of a potential return of Terrell Edmunds who hit free agency this season after four years starting with the team.

Another name to keep in mind is Dallas’ Damontae Kazee. “He is known as a ball hawk who can play multiple spots. The Steelers have him on their radar,” Fowler said.

Getting another potential starting safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick would be nice so the Steelers can pay attention to other areas of need in the draft such as wide receiver, tackle, defensive line, inside linebacker and cornerback.

That’s if they decide to wait a year on quarterback and see how recently signed Mitch Trubisky does at the position.

Related:

• Tim Benz: What the Tyreek Hill trade means for him, the Dolphins, Chiefs and even the Steelers
• U mad, bro?: Steelers fans get feisty about Mitch Trubisky, Tom Brady, and the idea of tanking a season

Flower’s first game

The Minnesota Wild play on Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks. But former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury isn’t supposed to start.

Recently acquired by the Wild from the Chicago Blackhawks, Fleury isn’t expected to make his debut with his new team until Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

That’s according to coach Dean Evason via Sarah McLellan with the Star-Tribune.

#mnwild coach Dean Evason said Fleury flew back home and the team told him to get settled and be back for the game on Thursday vs. Vancouver. Talbot will start against #Canucks, and Evason said Fleury will most likely play on Saturday.

— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) March 23, 2022

Cam Talbot is slated to get the start against the Canucks. He just threw a 3-0 shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.