Weekend rookie minicamp a chance at 1st impression for Steelers’ draft picks

In the immediate aftermath of what had to have been a satisfying first draft with him as general manager, Omar Khan’s first public thoughts two weeks ago were about how the Pittsburgh Steelers had gotten better with the addition of this rookie class.

The second thought he expressed?

“Can’t wait,” Khan said, “until we get to rookie minicamp.”

If Khan can’t wait, his top lieutenant later showed the eager anticipation of a young child.

“A lot of times,” Andy Weidl said of rookie minicamp, “they say it’s like Christmas morning.”

For Steelers management, their coaching staff and even fans via the media on hand, rookie minicamp is the first chance to open up the newly wrapped gifts given to them in the form of fresh talent acquired mostly from the college ranks.

This year’s rookie minicamp is set for Friday through Sunday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex headquarters. The Steelers’ seven draft picks and the seven undrafted free agents they signed immediately after the draft will be joined by about two dozen others invited on a tryout basis to take part in 75-minute, walkthrough-style practices over the three-day span.

Aside from a handful of veterans — some of whom played in the XFL, some who did not make a roster as a rookie last year — most of the players present this weekend will be taking their first on-field steps as a professional football player.

“I’m ready to get here and get started on my new journey,” first-round pick Broderick Jones said, “and see what the future holds.”

For Jones, the burly offensive tackle from Georgia, that future — at bare minimum — will afford him every opportunity to be a longtime starter for the Steelers. But aside from him, second-round draft picks Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton, third-rounder Darnell Washington and fourth-round selection Nick Herbig, none of the others taking part in this weekend’s workouts are guaranteed a roster spot come the fall.

Most, in fact, won’t be seen again at the Steelers’ facility after they leave Sunday. The Steelers typically will add a few tryouts to their 90-man camp roster, and they have four available roster spots to make such additions this year.

Seven draft picks will draw the headlines when the #Steelers rookie minicamp opens Friday, and for good reason. @C_AdamskiTribhttps://t.co/eAaBj3GHwy

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) May 10, 2023

The heavy favorites to earn three of those spots, however, are wide receiver Hakeem Butler, offensive tackle Chidi Okeke and center Mike Panasiuk. Each played in the XFL and by rule cannot officially sign an NFL contract until Monday.

History suggests some rookie tryouts will join the 90-man roster that day, too. Not counting the covid-affected 2020 and 2021 springs, the Steelers have signed 14 rookie tryouts out of the past six rookie minicamps.

The most notable of that group was quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last season, four rookies were signed. That group included kicker Nick Sciba, who ended up playing for the Steelers in their Oct. 30 game at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Khan used his seven selections over three days to make the Steelers a bigger team in the trenches and a taller one on the perimeter. https://t.co/imyIHN9CDY

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) April 30, 2023

But while the tryouts might make for the best stories, most attention will be on the higher-profile rookies. After all, the organization spent countless man hours and resources scouting who to take with their precious draft picks.

“You get the new players, the new Steelers (at rookie minicamp), and we’ll see them on the field together and see them run around,” said Weidl, who’s almost a year into his tenure as Steelers assistant general manager. “It’s exciting. … There’s so much that goes into this.”

It won’t become apparent if Jones will open up as the first-team left tackle. Or if Porter Jr. is taking reps with the starters at outside cornerback. Or where Benton lines up along the defensive line, if Washington is the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end or if Herbig can be a reliable backup for T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in 2023.

But that doesn’t mean the very first hints regarding the longterm prospects for 2023 Steelers rookie class won’t be gleaned this weekend.

“It takes a village, and it’s all going to come together,” Weidl said of roster-building. “We’ll see them (Friday) on the field for the first time, and they’ll begin their journey.”

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