With NFL Pro Days in the books and the most Top 30 pre-draft visits in place, it's the calm before the storm in the National Football League. In just a few weeks, the offseason is going to ramp up with its biggest event until the regular season. Until then, things could be pretty quiet surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At this point, we now have a detailed visit tracker of all the stops Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan have made along the way as well as the players they have brought in for a pre-draft visit. Early this week, the Top 30 visit list got a bit longer, and mock drafts are all the buzz. Here's the latest Steelers news.
Steelers will hold pre-draft visit with Joey Porter Jr.'s cousin
On April 8th, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report and The Draft Network reported that the Steelers are scheduled to meet with Ferris State defensive back, Shon Stephens.
A name to know: Ferris State DB Shon Stephens has a visit scheduled with the Pittsburgh Steelers, source said.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 8, 2024
Stephens is also scheduled to meet with the Philadelphia Eagles in the coming weeks, and has recently spent extended time with the 49ers.
16 INTs in ‘22/‘23, hand… pic.twitter.com/za7qA4fGAE
Fowler reports that Stephens is the cousin of Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. During his Pro Day workout, Stephens was clocked running in the 4.3s on his 40-yard dash. The small-school DB recorded 16 interceptions over the course of his college career.
Stephens has an undrafted grade or is unranked by many draft experts, so it's interesting that the Steelers would use a pre-draft visit to meet with him. However, we know how much Mike Tomlin values family bloodlines. The specific date of his pre-draft visit with the Steelers has not been confirmed at this time.
Steelers land talented OT in latest PFF mock draft
In the latest mock draft from Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus, the Pittsburgh Steelers select offensive tackle JC Latham with the 20th overall pick. Here's what Chadwick had to say about the selection:
"The Steelers here spend their first-round pick on an offensive tackle for the second straight year and finally fortify a position at which they’ve struggled to build a foundation for the past few seasons.Max Chadwick, via Pro Football Focus
Latham has excellent tools for the position and would allow Pittsburgh to flip Broderick Jones over to left tackle while he mans the right side."
Latham is a player who warranted top-10 pick consideration at points during the pre-draft process. The 21-year-old offensive tackle out of Alabama fits the profile Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are looking for in a right tackle, and his ability as a zone run blocker would be an asset.
In this PFF mock draft, Chadwick has the Steelers passing on Georgia OT Amarius Mims to take Latham in the first round. Pittsburgh has expressed interest in each player throughout the pre-draft process.
Pat Freiermuth works out with Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson didn't waste any time getting acclimated to one of his new weapons in the passing game. According to Around the 412 Podcast, Freiermuth explains that he has been working out with Wilson in San Diego.
"I was just down there in San Diego with him working out and throwing routes. He's been great at talking to guys and starting to build that connection. He's a great guy. You can tell the drive and determination that he has to win and come to Pittsburgh and win some playoff games for us. I think he is going to fit our culture and locker room very well."Pat Freiermuth, via Around the 412
There has been speculation as to what the plan will be at tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing veteran MyCole Pruitt (who spent the past two seasons with Arthur Smith in Atlanta and was with Smith in Tennessee).
Freiermuth is entering a contract year, and some fans wonder whether the former second-round pick will be part of the team's future plans. The fact that he is spending time building chemistry with his new quarterback is a good sign.