Though the rush of free agency has faded into quiet nothingness, things are starting to heat back up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This week, a number of meetings were scheduled and names were added to their pre-draft visit list as possible selections in April's NFL Draft.
As the team prepares for the biggest event of the offseason, they are doing their best to make sure all of their bases are covered prior to draft day. The latest Steelers news includes a potential reunion with a former first-round pick and a pre-draft visit with a fan-favorite prospect.
Steelers news:
On Thursday, Bud Dupree became a trending topic in Steelers media as he posted a picture of himself in Pittsburgh on Instagram. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic later confirmed that Dupree was indeed visiting the Steelers.
Bud Dupree officially visiting Steelers today. Not many players visit and leave without a contract. We shall see in this case.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 30, 2023
This is something many of us saw coming a mile away. At 30 years old and with an extensive injury history, there may not be a big market for a pass rusher who has been very underwhelming over his past two seasons in Tennessee. Assuming the Steelers clear him medically, Dupree could be leaving Pittsburgh with a new contract extension.
More Steelers news:
In other Steelers news, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had a pre-draft visit with Pittsburgh on Thursday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms. This was not unexpected, as Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were not able to attend his recent pro day with the NFL owners' meeting taking place.
Penn State corner Joey Porter, Jr. is visiting the Steelers today. His visit does not count against the 30 the Steelers are allowed because he played locally.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) March 30, 2023
Porter Jr. is a player who has been linked to the Steelers more often than any other player in the first round, according to NFL Mock Draft Database. It's not hard to see why. In addition to having a major need at the cornerback position, Porter fits what Pittsburgh is looking for and has strong family ties to the organization. Consider him a strong candidate if he happens to fall to pick 17 in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL news:
With mock draft season in full force, NFL draft experts at CBS Sports have been busy comprising their three-round mock drafts. Recently it was Josh Edwards who published his mock. Edwards has four quarterbacks being taken inside the top six picks in the draft with a run on defenders in the top 14 picks.
For the Steelers, Edwards slots Georgia OT Broderick Jones to Pittsburgh with the 17th overall pick. Interestingly, he has Omar Khan trading back up into the first round with the Vikings for the 23rd overall pick, in which he has the Steelers taking Maryland CB Deonte Banks. With their original second round pick (pick 49 overall), Edwards has Pittsburgh taking Northwestern EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore.