2:20pm: This interest has progressed to offers. The Steelers have received multiple offers to move down from 32, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Mike Tomlin‘s .500-or-better streak has restricted the Steelers from the kind of access they have tonight. During Tomlin’s tenure, the team has never made a second-round pick higher than 46th. The team will need to weigh the offers against this rare Day 2 real estate.
Pittsburgh has done well despite mid- to late-Round 2 draft windows during Tomlin’s tenure. George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Stephon Tuitt, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Le’Veon Bell, Marcus Gilbert and LaMarr Woodley have gone to Pittsburgh in the second round since Tomlin’s 2007 arrival. Current GM Omar Khan was on Kevin Colbert‘s staff throughout, but this marks his first draft in the GM chair.
9:59am: As the No. 32 overall pick is part of this year’s second round, the Steelers will have a decision to make. Will Levis was steadily rumored to land in the top 10, but the Kentucky product’s Kansas City stay has not yet produced an NFL destination.
Levis remaining unattached Friday has generated interest, and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports the Steelers were fielding calls before Round 1 ended. Other teams holding picks near the bottom of the first round received interest for Levis-related trades, Pelissero adds (on Twitter). Four teams have contacted the Steelers about a trade, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. This sets up an interesting scenario to start Day 2.
The Colts passing on Levis at No. 4, after being consistently tied to the two-year Wildcats starter in the weeks leading up to the draft, began a tough night for the latest player to hover atop “best available” boards for an extended stretch. Teams with quarterback interest (or reported QB interest) went with value elsewhere. The Raiders, Seahawks, Falcons, Lions, Titans, Commanders and Buccaneers all chose position players, with running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs going in the top 12. But teams with long-term QB questions or those with shaky 2023 situations can circle back to Levis ahead of Round 2.
The Steelers obtained the 32nd pick by moving Chase Claypool to the Bears at the trade deadline. Pittsburgh reversed course on the 2020 second-round pick and chose Chicago’s offer over a Green Bay proposal, expecting the Bears’ record to produce a better draft slot. That bet paid off, as Chicago sank to 3-14. The Steelers have a chance to fill a key need, and a legacy option — Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — joins Levis as being unexpectedly available. Porter visited his father’s former team early in the pre-draft process. The Steelers filled a tackle need, trading up three spots for Broderick Jones, but met with a few corners ahead of the draft. The team losing Cameron Sutton and being set to experiment with Patrick Peterson at safety points to corner being a point of emphasis tonight.
Should the Steelers go with Porter or stay at 32 and select another player, the Cardinals would seemingly be prepared to deal down. They moved back from No. 3 to No. 12 on Thursday night, and while Monti Ossenfort‘s team was hit with a tampering penalty just before Round 1 began and climbed back to 6 for Paris Johnson, the rebuilding squad still holds No. 33 and acquired first- and third-rounders in 2024. Both the Lions and Seahawks passed on Levis twice; each team holds a pick early in Round 2 (Nos. 34 and 37, respectively). The Titans hold No. 41; the Falcons sit at 44, Commanders at 47 and Bucs at 50. The Vikings do not have a second-round pick.
Tennessee entered Round 1 as the team most closely connected to moving up for a quarterback and held pre-draft trade talks with Arizona about moving to No. 3. But the Texans, after weeks of reported QB skepticism, went with C.J. Stroud — a player the Titans were believed to be targeting. If the Steelers pass on a trade at 32, the Titans and Cardinals could resume trade talks. Tennessee hosted Levis on a pre-draft visit. Which team will ultimately end up with the freefalling QB tonight?
Just take Porter.
Suddenly I’m reading today that Branch is the better choice? Amazing how this is a lot like playing the lottery.
Branch was always the better choice
Yeah, I’m starting to wonder after last night’s comments from draft geniuses and what I’m reading today
Agreed for Steelers. Tennessee could sit tight. Levis’s slide has kept Hooker out there as well. They could keep him in Tennessee if he slides to them.
Just like the folks that wanted Porter at 17.
There’s 30 decent corners in this draft. There were 4 tackles.
Not really accurate on either point…..
If his name was Joey Smith he’d have been mocked at 30-40… ie where he’s gonna get picked.
Agree
Porter at 32 and then Benton if he’s still there at 49
If the Steelers get Jones, Porter and Benton with their first three picks and only sacrifice a 4th rounder to get it done then that’s a huge win. I expect Benton to be gone and kind of have a feeling Trenton Simpson is the guy at 49.
Or Trenton Simpson or Dawand Jones
Yeah I’d be okay with Simpson
I like Drew Sanders more than Trenton Simpson — particularly at #32.
Three names I’d love to hear called: Porter, Branch, Darnell Washington.
I’m sure the Steelers have a list of their own, possibly including Banks and others.
If you can slide back and still get a name on your list, do it.
you think the Steelers have a list of their own and aren’t going off your NFL trade rumors comments section list?
Ha ha.
Set myself up for that one.
Banks is already gone
My mistake.
clearly this was a case of teams who felt they have a playoff shot next year not using a 1st on a non-immediate impact QB
Sea, Det, Mini, TB, Ten all have a shot at a playoff spot with Washington and ATL having QBs they need to see more from.
I think Tennessee, Min, NE and TB are the teams to watch in round 2. also will be interested to see if we get a Hopkins trade tonight
TB only has a shot at the playoffs because of their division. I mean right now they have Baker Mayfield
I agree but the reality is one piece for today could put them back in the playoffs with that division so I can see why they may not have jumped at the prospect of using the 1st on a future QB.
The corner position has never been good in Pittsburgh. Look to see who the last one to make a pro bowl was.
The Steelers consistently rely on a strong front 7 to hide the deficiencies of the corners.
While they don’t miss on drafting WR they are just the opposite on CBs.
Steelers made their priority known last night by taking Jones over Gonzalez and any other CB.
Washington will have the first pick in next year’s draft, thus they need to sit out on Levis.
Seattle or Minnesota could take a shot though.
I respect your opinion but I think the Rams have a better chance at the #1 pick in the 2024 draft, very tough schedule this year and limited talent on the roster. They have studs at certain positions but no depth anywhere. After what they showed last year it may be another tough stretch in 2023 for Stafford and the boys. But they got that RING.
Washington has a tough schedule I will admit but very talented D-Line, good RB’s, good WR’s. They only have questions at the QB position. Honestly I like Jacoby Brissett as the RB2. If Howell proves he isn’t a guy by week lets say 6 to 8, then Jacoby steps in and grabs a few wins.
Just my opinion, anything could happen this upcoming season.
Levi’s or Hooker to the RAMS, they have no RB2 or RB3 on the current roster, and Stafford’s has health concerns. But he got that RING.
Last year everyone said wait till this year. Now I hear this class isn’t that good. There are guarantees. Two years ago Rattler was expected to be #1 pick last year.
The Steelers don’t have any picks in the 4th, 5th or 6th rounds right now. And while they could use a CB, they aren’t desperate for any position or set on one player most likely.
I can almost guarantee you that they’ll trade back, yet I feel pretty confident that if they do they’ll come out of things just fine. Khan and Weidl have had the golden touch so far.
The Steelers corner situation is pretty bad. Porter, in my opinion, is the last really good corner remaining. He’s their corner #1 the second he is selected. Don’t overthink it, take him and be really happy that you got a stud tackle and solid corner
I’m not going to lie, I’d be content if we took him at 32. I like him and think he could really help. But I also think that if they have any inkling that Porter might last a couple of more picks and they find the right trade partner and offer, they would prefer to drop down a couple of spots and at least recoup that 4th.
They can always trade back with pick 49 too. I’m not opposed to them moving back from 32 but wouldn’t want to move more than two or three spots back. Much harder to get an impact player the further down you go.
We can’t claim for them to have this ‘golden touch’ when in reality not a single player they’ve brought in has stepped on the field as a Steeler yet. Yes, the moves on paper look good, but so does 90% of the moves the Browns make every single offseason and look at where that lands them… Offseason champs 10 years and running – and missing the playoffs year after year..
Agreed and yet, why does it look like the Eagles are playing three dimensional chess while everyone else is playing checkers?
Levis is remaining b/c teams are playing a game of chicken. Who is going to commit draft capital this year to the 4th or 5th QB on the board?
Washington, Atlanta, Seattle, New Orleans, Lions, Tennessee, Tampa, and possibly the Rams.
Someone will take Levis and Hooker in round 2.
So it’s really down to who is ready to tank next year for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, etc… and you know every team that needs a QB already has a preliminary grade on the QBs for next year’s draft class and they’re weighing that against Levis and Hooker.
Not all of those teams will finish in the bottom 10 though.
Detroit, Seattle, and LA are my picks to tab the last 2 QBs.
I agree on DET and SEA — teams that feel they are playoff ready…and won’t likely have the opportunity to pick Williams/Maye next year.
PIT needs to play off “multiple teams calling” and see if they can get someone to overpay for #32. If they just can’t get sufficient overpayment…pick Porter/Branch and look forward to #49.
I think if LA gets him they are punting on competing. the Rams do need to think future after Stafford but also have many holes that need to be filled to compete again. To me them drafting a QB makes sense, just not sure they see it that way.
Detroit was chewed up yesterday with the Gibbs pick (clearly they wanted the CB and got thrown off when Seattle took him) so do they take a guy for the future or get a guy for now who can help then compete for a playoff spot. Same with Seattle.
Raiders however are interesting. I could see a Levis being an option there.
You can’t be too happy with the draft selections if you’re a Detroit fan. Gonzalez would have been my pick at 12. Gibbs would be there at 18.
The players aren’t bad, it’s just not great value to take a RB there or a traditional LB at 18 that isn’t a generational type of talent.
Robinson was supposed to be there at 18 and he went at 8. Gibbs is actually faster than Robinson and had 1 drop & 44 receptions last season. He fills multiple roles and isn’t a traditional RB. It was a good pick because they’ll do more than just run him between the tackles.
I agree that if Levis makes it the Lions they’ll likely pick him, unless Porter is still there. Levis would be a great value at that pick & they need a long term replacement for Goff when his contract is up. Porter fills a bigger long term need and would contribute sooner. All good either way.
Hey Omar,
Pick #32 to LV for #38, #109, #174
Pick #49 to SEA for #52 and #151
Pick #80 to LAC for #85, #156 and #239
Trade Moore to DET for #183
Still have #241 and #251
Branch would be a steal here. Or, perhaps a…STEEL???
if I was a Steelers fan it would be tempting to trade down with a team that’s trying to get will Levis or hendon hooker, but you have a chance to get Joey Porter Jr the son of Steeler great Joey Porter plus you do need a cornerback unless I got blown away with an offer I think I stay there and take Porter maybe Jalen Hyatt if you want to give can you pick it another weapon Michael Mayer is still available also
Khan drafted Jones. CAN draft Porter at 32. Colbert would’ve drafted Porter at 17 and who knows at 32.
If Khan was around last year we might’ve traded down and still got Pickett. Next QB went in 3rd round.
I love the hindsight 20/20 guys.
half of SN wanted JPJ at 17.. now he has cooties at 32.
same people who said tank for Kenny, then thought it was a reach at 20.
comparing Kenny and Ridder is hilarious. they have nothing to do with each other.
Yep, and I think football media is partly to blame, as well, at least where this draft is concerned. The same guys who spend the run up praising various prospects turn around on draft night and suddenly change their tunes
Porter is a good example. All of a sudden, he went from one of the top secondary guys to one who has problems with using hands too much and some difficulty coming out of back pedaling
Bresse is another. The pick was made and now, “he has a lot of work to do”
Strange business. Almost sounds like politics at times
Weaknesses
Noticeable delay in transitions from press.
Struggles to slide and match release quickness.
Not twitchy enough to match a complex route.
Too grabby at the top of the route.
Needs extra steps to plant and drive from top of his drop.
Lacking change-of-direction quickness as open-field tackler.
That comes from his draft profile — also have his NFL comp as Amani Oruwariye. Sorry, not using a 1st on Oruwariye.
Meanwhile…Drew Sanders comp is Tremaine Edmunds.
Listen…all this talk of Porter or whatever…
I’m focused on landing Bumper Pool in the later rounds.
The rest is just gravy if that happens.
I had to look up that name to see if it was a real name. Thought maybe you were gonna play some bumper pool tomorrow during the draft
7th round…needs to happen!!!
Porter would be my choice, but wouldn’t be upset if Tippman was selected. Addressing 2/5ths of the line for a still learning QB and talented group around him wouldn’t be a waste in my opinion. Porter and Peterson is a start, provided they hone in on replacing Peterson relatively soon.
Great spot to be in and all thanks to Chase Claypool and the Bears GM.
Sit tight, wait to be BLOWN AWAY (as in, the most ever surrendered for a second round pick in league history) or else take Porter and be happy he fell to you.
They’ll either win or win here.