Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan held a news conference yesterday to talk about the offseason and their expectations for this weekend’s NFL draft.
The team has been very active since last season ended with the disappointment of not making the playoffs. Yesterday, they introduced wide receiver Allen Robinson II, who they acquired last week from the Rams. They have retained defensive end Larry Ogunjobi, safety Damontae Kazee, and cornerback James Pierre, tight end Zach Gentry, and special teamer Miles Boykin; and added free agent defensive linemen Armon Watts and Breiden Fehoko, cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety Keanu Neal, offensive linemen Nate Herbig, Le’Raven Clark, and Isaac Seumalo, linebackers Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb, and special teamer Tanner Muse.
Tomlin says their work on the open market has enabled them to take a broader view of the draft.
Tomlin says the draft, which gets underway on Thursday, is going to offer the Steelers the opportunity to get someone good at pick number seventeen, or to move up or down in the order.
Tomlin says this year’s draft is uniquely different because of the pandemic.
Khan, who is conducting his first draft since taking over from retired GM Kevin Colbert, is excited about the depth of the draft.
Khan says he’s been fielding lots of call from teams asking about trading draft picks.
Barring a trade or two, the Steelers are scheduled to have seven picks in the draft. They’ll have the number seventeen overall selection in the first round, pick number 32 at the top of the second round along with pick number 49 in the second, then number 80 in the third round, 120 in the fourth, and numbers 241 and 251 in the seventh.
NFL
The Jets and Packers have finalized the trade of Aaron Rodgers to New York. The two teams will reportedly swap first round picks this year and Green Bay will also get a 2nd round pick and a 6th round pick this year. The Packers get the Jets’ second round pick next year, but it will become a first round pick if Rodgers plays 65 percent or more of the Jets offensive snaps this year. Along with the first round swap of picks, the Jets will get the Packers’ 5th round pick.
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