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The Steelers continue to amass accolades about their performance in the NFL Draft. One analyst ranked four of their picks amongst the 50 best.
Matt Miller, a draft analyst for ESPN, reranked the top 100 newest rookies who heard their names called during the seven rounds that spanned three days in Detroit. Miller placed Rome Odunze, who went No. 9 to the Bears, at the top of his 50. Odunze’s new teammate Caleb Williams ranked No. 2. In the draft, the former USC star was No. 1.
The Steelers used their second-round pick on West Virginia center Zach Frazier, who was branded as one of the toughest players in college football. Could he be the perfect player for the Steelers? Miller placed him sixth on his top 50.
Miller wrote: “When I was writing scouting notes on Frazier before the draft, I kept thinking he was a Pittsburgh-type player thanks to his toughness, agility and background as an elite high-school wrestler. Steelers GM Omar Khan apparently agreed. Frazier has the profile of a 10-year starter at center and can immediately step in to boost an offensive line that got a complete makeover during draft weekend.”
New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith talked up Frazier in a post-draft press availability. He reminded reporters about Frazier’s last college game with the Mountaineers. The center fractured his fibula and crawled off the field. He didn’t want the officials to tag his team with a 10-second runoff.
“That’s who he is and that’s who his resume is,” Smith told reporters. “It wasn’t trying to just do some dramatic shot for the camera. I mean that’s his history and his body of work. One of the tougher guys I’ve seen on film. It reminds me a lot of Ben Jones — a real toughness to ’em.”
Steelers OC Arthur Smith on this moment where Zach Frazier bear crawled/hopped off the field to avoid a 10 second run off after fracturing his fibula in his final college game:
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 27, 2024
"That's who he is and that's who his resume is. It wasn't trying to just do some dramatic shot for… https://t.co/xfpbC4fbOI
Pittsburgh likely picked top inside linebacker in NFL Draft
New Steelers inside linebacker Payton Wilson ranked 16th on Miller’s list. Pittsburgh selected Wilson, the in the third round.
“Were it not for injuries, Wilson would have been a first-round pick. That’s part of the calculus for every NFL team as they evaluate players and as we grade their picks, but keep this in mind: Wilson played every game the past two years at NC State and posted jaw-dropping production (130 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions last season). If he can match that going forward, the Steelers will have one of the steals of the draft.”
Wilson represented the Steelers first defensive draft pick. He was healthy enough last season to win the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. And he also won the Bednarik as college football’s top defender. Third round sounds pretty cheap for this former NC State standout.
The Steelers took Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th pick of the first round. Again, he fell some because of some injury issues. Miller placed him at No. 26 in his re-ranking.
Steelers possibly got a steal in Troy Fautanu
The Steelers took Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th pick of the first round. Again, he fell some because of some injury issues. Miller placed him at No. 26 in his re-ranking.
“Fautanu started at left tackle for the best offensive line in college football last season,” Miller wrote. “And showed at the combine that he has the length and footwork to excel on the blindside in the pros. Pittsburgh has the choice to move him to a new position and slide Broderick Jones in at left tackle, but the great thing about this pick is that the offense will have two really good options at tackle no matter what. Fautanu is tough, agile and the best finisher in the draft in the run game.
The final Steelers draft pick on Miller’s list is Roman Wilson. The former Michigan receiver was Pittsburgh’s first of two picks in the third round. He finished No. 33 on the ESPN list.
“When the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson this offseason, a hole appeared at slot receiver,” Miller noted. “In the third round, the front office drafted an excellent option there. Wilson will get tough yards and has enough juice with the ball in his hands to keep defenses honest. He’s also a reliable punt returner. Throw him into the starting lineup with George Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth, and the Steelers have a trio of pass-catchers to build an offense around.”
So Steelers fans, you have every right to start the countdown for next season. If you’d like to check out the rest of Miller’s list, click it here.
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