Tag: Steelers draft picks

Steelers rookie OT Troy Fautanu reveals jersey number

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu will wear No. 76.

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu landed in Pittsburgh Friday morning and headed to the South Side for his introductory press conference. There he revealed he’ll be donning No. 76 in the Black and Gold.

Fautanu paid homage to his favorite player from his favorite team in Troy Polamalu, wearing No. 43 throughout his pre-college days until he switched from defensive to offensive line in high school. At Washington, Fautanu wore No. 55.

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Notre Dame in NFL: Chase Claypool turning heads in Steelers camp

It’s hardly a surprise to anyone who watched him since the middle of 2018, but Chase Claypool continues to impress in Steelers training camp

Anyone who watched Chase Claypool at Notre Dame saw a player that took some time to develop but for his final year and a half wearing blue and gold, was as impressive as any player on the team.

Last year saw Claypool record 66 receptions for 1037 yards and 13 touchdowns while taking home team MVP honors.  He was eventually selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and he’s been impressive so far in training camp.

Steelers tight end Eric Ebron took to Twitter to show praise to the rookie wide receiver.

NBC Sports analyst who you know from Notre Dame telecasts, Chris Simms, shared a comp for Claypool that had a fantastic NFL career, even if this guy wasn’t always the best teammate.

In nine seasons between 2007 and 2015, Brandon Marshall pulled in 1000 yards receiving all but once.  He also hauled in 77 touchdown receptions in that time.

I think it’s safe to say if Claypool turns out to have a career like Marshall, Steelers fans and Notre Dame fans will be thrilled.

Here’s to hoping if that’s the case that Claypool isn’t sitting here 13 years from now without every playing in an NFL postseason game like Marshall did.

2020 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers team preview

Previewing the Steelers 2020 NFL draft.

Everything Pittsburgh Steelers fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL draft.

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VITALS

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin

General Manager: Kevin Colbert

2019 Record: 8-8

2020 DRAFT PICKS

2 (49)

3 (102, compensatory)

4 (124)

4 (135)

6 (198)

7 (232)

TEAM NEEDS

Running back

Last season the Steelers had what might have been their worst rushing season of the modern era. Not all of this can fall on the running backs but at this point, we can safely say there is no dynamic threat in the backfield. James Conner has proven to be injury-prone and is in the final year of his rookie contract.

Wide receiver

The Steelers have some quality talent at wide receiver with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and James Washington. However, what this group lacks is speed. With Smith-Schuster coming off of a down season and in the final year of his contract, Pittsburgh needs to think about adding a player who can really stretch the field.

Offensive line

Pittsburgh has one of the oldest offensive lines in the league and it really showed last season. The young guys on the roster have some promise but guys like Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva are getting older. A replacement for one or both makes sense in this draft.

Edge rusher

The Steelers were able to hold onto Bud Dupree for one season on the franchise tag but it’s highly unlikely Pittsburgh can sign him to a longterm contract after this season. This class of edge rushers is deep who could give the Steelers a legitimate third option as a pass rusher.

TOP TARGETS

WR | Jalen Reagor | TCU

RB | Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin

OL | Jonah Jackson | Ohio State

EDGE | Josh Uche | Michigan

LB | Malik Harrison | Ohio State

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