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2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

April 25th, 2024 at 11:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), we will be keeping tabs here:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (OT, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers)
34. New England Patriots
35. Arizona Cardinals
36. Washington Commanders
37. Los Angeles Chargers
38. Tennessee Titans
39. Carolina Panthers (from Giants)
40. Washington Commanders (from Bears)
41. Green Bay Packers (from Jets)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings)
43. Atlanta Falcons
44. Las Vegas Raiders
45. New Orleans Saints (from Broncos)
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
49. Cincinnati Bengals
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers
52. Los Angeles Rams
53. Philadelphia Eagles
54. Cleveland Browns
55. Miami Dolphins
56. Dallas Cowboys
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
58. Green Bay Packers
59. Houston Texans
60. Buffalo Bills
61. Detroit Lions
62. Baltimore Ravens
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Kansas City Chiefs

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2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 25th, 2024 at 11:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Round 1, No. 4: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
  • Round 1, No. 27 (from Texans): Darius Robinson (EDGE, Missouri)
  • Round 2, No. 35:
  • Round 3, No. 66:
  • Round 3, No. 71 (from Titans):
  • Round 3, No. 90 (from Texans):
  • Round 4, No. 104:
  • Round 5, No. 138:
  • Round 5, No. 162 (from Texans):
  • Round 6, No. 186 (from Vikings):
  • Round 7, No. 226 (from Giants):

Atlanta Falcons

  • Round 1, No. 8: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
  • Round 2, No. 43:
  • Round 3, No. 74:
  • Round 3, No. 79 (from Jaguars):
  • Round 4, No. 109:
  • Round 5, No. 143:
  • Round 6, No. 187:
  • Round 6, 197 (from Browns):

Baltimore Ravens

  • Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
  • Round 2, No. 62:
  • Round 3, No. 93:
  • Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets):
  • Round 4, No. 130:
  • Round 5, No. 165:
  • Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 250:

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 2, No. 33 (from Panthers):
  • Round 2, No. 60:
  • Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs):
  • Round 4, No. 128:
  • Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers):
  • Round 5: No. 144 (from Bears):
  • Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers):
  • Round 5, No. 163:
  • Round 6, No. 204:
  • Round 7, No. 221 (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs):

Carolina Panthers

  • Round 1, No. 32 (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
  • Round 2, No. 39 (from Giants):
  • Round 3, No. 65:
  • Round 4, No. 101:
  • Round 5, No. 142 (from Titans):
  • Round 6: No. 200 (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills):
  • Round 7, No. 240 (from Steelers):

Chicago Bears

  • Round 1: No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
  • Round 1, No. 9: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
  • Round 3, No. 75:
  • Round 4, No. 122 (from Eagles):

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Round 1, No. 18: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
  • Round 2, No. 49:
  • Round 3, No. 80:
  • Round 3, No. 97:
  • Round 4, No. 115:
  • Round 5, No. 149:
  • Round 6, No. 194:
  • Round 6, No. 214:
  • Round 7, No. 224 (from Cardinals through Texans):
  • Round 7, No. 237:

Cleveland Browns

  • Round 2, No. 54:
  • Round 3, No. 85:
  • Round 5, No. 156 (from Eagles through Cardinals):
  • Round 6, No. 206 (from Ravens):
  • Round 7, No. 227 (from Titans):
  • Round 7, No. 243:

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 29 (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
  • Round 2, No. 56:
  • Round 3, No. 73 (from Vikings through Lions):
  • Round 3, No. 87:
  • Round 5, No. 174:
  • Round 6, No. 216:
  • Round 7, No. 233 (from Raiders):
  • Round 7, No. 244:

Denver Broncos

  • Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
  • Round 3, No. 76:
  • Round 4, No. 121 (from Dolphins):
  • Round 5, No. 136 (from Panthers through Browns):
  • Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets):
  • Round 5, No. 147:
  • Round 6, No. 207 (from 49ers):

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Steelers Add OL Troy Fautanu At No. 20

April 25th, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

As expected, O-linemen continue to be popular in the first round. Likewise, the Steelers’ top choice comes at an expected position. Pittsburgh used the No. 20 pick on Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu.

The Steelers had been linked to using their first-round pick on a blocker for a bit now. While a Thursday rumor mentioned Duke tackle/center Graham Barton as a target, this year’s deep tackle group presented an opportunity for Pittsburgh to add a higher-value player. This marks the second straight year the Steelers have gone O-line in Round 1; they chose Broderick Jones last year.

Fautanu spent the past two seasons as a full-time starter at Washington, including a 2023 campaign where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors while blocking for Michael Penix Jr.. That performance helped put the lineman in the first-round conversation for the 2024 draft. Fautanu has generally been lauded for his speed and athleticism, and the 6-foot-4, 317-pound lineman certainly has the physical attributes to compete as an NFL offensive tackle.

The Washington product was considered a first-round pick for much of the pre-draft process and was mentioned in the same breath as the five rookie linemen selected before him. However, Fautanu’s positional uncertainty may have led to him being the sixth OL off the board.

Some pundits projected the prospect as an interior lineman in the NFL, with some even declaring him the best draft option at that guard. However, considering the appeal of tackles, that sentiment may have ended up hurting the player’s draft stock. There was some growing optimism that Fautanu would be able to play tackle in the NFL, and it will be interesting to see how the Steelers proceed with their rookie lineman.

There shouldn’t be much in the way between Fautanu and a starting OT spot in 2024. With Jones rumored to be sliding from right to left tackle — his primary college position — this year, a Fautanu path to the lineup could include a competition with Dan Moore Jr. for RT work. But the Steelers have some additional flexibility — and a potential long-term solution — thanks to their latest O-line investment.

Steelers, Bills, Chiefs Aiming To Move Up In First Round?

April 25th, 2024 at 6:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

The final build-up to the 2024 draft has seen several reports link teams to a move up the first-round order. A new shortlist of suitors in that regard has emerged.

[RELATED: 49ers Eyeing Trade-Up Involving Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel]

The Steelers have made calls with respect to trading up from the No. 20 slot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes (video link). Pittsburgh is positioned to add an offensive lineman – either at tackle or along the interior – as things stand, given the depth of the O-line class. A move up the order could give the team access to a wider range of blockers, however, and/or highly rated prospects at other positions The Steelers will have competition, though.

As Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports, “multiple teams” are looking to move into the top half of the Day 1 order. Numerous suitors are already known (as this afternoon’s updates have demonstrated), and it would come as no surprise if teams currently in possession of selections in the teens made an incremental move. However, some of those in the back of the order will also be worth watching depending on how the board falls.

Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report names the Bills as a team which is “hoping” to trade up and land an offensive weapon in the process. Buffalo owns pick No. 28, but to little surprise its draft board does not have that many prospects with round one grades. In need of a starting-caliber wideout, the Bills were one of several teams recently linked to a trade-up maneuver which would see them add a rookie at the position.

Another of those was the Chiefs, a team which veteran NFL reporter James Palmer tweets have been “really working” to move up from the 32nd slot. Palmer adds Kansas City would look to get aggressive in the hopes of landing one of the class’ “speedy” wideouts, which could put the defending champions in line for a prospect like Xavier Worthy. The Texas product set a new Combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash time, and he could provide an immediate impact for a team which was already seen as being in need of a WR addition before reports of Rashee Rice facing a potential suspension.

With the first round less than one hour away, the efforts of teams interested in moving around the board will soon result in swaps being accepted or rejected. As the board takes shape throughout the night, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Kansas City will be worth monitoring closely.

Steelers High On OL Graham Barton, Eyeing Broderick Jones Shift To LT

April 25th, 2024 at 9:44am CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers have two starter-caliber tackles, having drafted one of them (Broderick Jones) in last year’s first round. But the team did not replace February cap casualty Mason Cole. Center sits as an obvious need for Pittsburgh.

Linked to wanting to come away from the draft with center and tackle additions, the Steelers brought 11 offensive linemen in on “30” visits. One of them is generating significant interest as the draft nears. Some in the building view Duke prospect Graham Barton as a “generational”-type player, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.

Although Barton spent the past three seasons as the Blue Devils’ starting left tackle, he played center as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 313-pound blocker is expected to return to center to start his pro career, and the Steelers appear a live candidate to select the former Duke mainstay at No. 20. This would be an interesting choice, with Barton having just five starts at center while in college. But he sits 22nd on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board; teams also have regularly converted tackles to inside players at the sport’s top level.

Cole started every Steelers game at center over the past two seasons, coming in after the team did not like former third-rounder Kendrick Green‘s progress. The Steelers could shift James Daniels back to center, where he spent some time in Chicago, but it does not appear that is the preferred option.

This draft is flooded with tackle prospects, with Jeremiah’s big board including seven in the top 25. With tackle a more valuable position, the Steelers passing on options at that spot to fill a need stands to generate a healthy debate in their war room — depending on which tackles the team likes and how the board looks at 20, barring a trade-up maneuver. The Cowboys, who sit at No. 24, are also interested in Barton.

Additionally, the Steelers do appear to be planning to switch Jones from right to left tackle. Earlier this offseason, Dulac predicted Jones — Georgia’s left tackle in 2022 — would move to the blindside post after spending most of his rookie year at RT. The veteran reporter adds the Steelers could prioritize a right tackle due to a desire to shift Jones to the left side. Dan Moore has operated as the Steelers’ LT starter for three seasons, but he is going into a contract year. Pro Football Focus has also continually given the former fourth-round pick low marks, though teams obviously do not use that as a surefire measuring tool.

Pittsburgh has Daniels, Jones and Isaac Seumalo entrenched as starters, and Moore has proven durable during his career. But two new blockers may be en route early in this draft. As Russell Wilson (or perhaps Justin Fields) prepares to take over, the Steelers’ line could certainly be upgraded from 2023.

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM)
  2. QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM)
  3. QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM)
  4. TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM)
  5. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): To be exercised
  7. T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
  8. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM)
  9. CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
  10. WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
  11. QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): To be declined
  12. DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
  13. T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM)
  14. OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM)
  15. QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM)
  16. LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM)
  17. T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
  18. LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): To be exercised
  19. LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
  20. WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM)
  21. DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM)
  22. CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM)
  23. T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM)
  24. RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Expected to be exercised
  25. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM)
  26. CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM)
  27. WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): Extended through 2026
  28. DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM)
  29. CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM)
  30. DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM)
  31. LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM)
  32. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM)

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

Steelers To Pass On Justin Fields’ Fifth-Year Option

April 24th, 2024 at 9:06am CST by Sam Robinson

We heard in March it was highly unlikely the Steelers would exercise the fifth-year option on Justin Fields‘ rookie contract. With the option deadline coming in just more than a week, Pittsburgh indeed appears to have no plans of committing to guaranteed Fields money in 2025.

The Steelers are expected to decline an option that would pay Fields $25.7MM fully guaranteed next year, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Teams have until May 2 to exercise or decline options; this has loomed as one of the more predictable option calls for a bit now.

Fields’ value around the league turned out to be far lower than many expected, as the Bears ended up settling for a conditional sixth-round pick for a player who has proven electric as a runner but inconsistent as a passer through three seasons. Still, the Steelers made it clear upon acquiring Fields, 25, they expect him to begin the season as a backup to Russell Wilson. Mike Tomlin has since pried the door open for competition, but as of now, the trade acquisition is on track to go from three-year Chicago starter to Pittsburgh backup.

Both Wilson and Fields, when the option is officially declined, will be going into contract years in 2024. The former signed for the veteran minimum, barely cutting into the record-setting dead money sum the Broncos face. Fields is under contract for $1.62MM this season. Because Fields never made a Pro Bowl but qualified as a full-time player under the option formula, his option number checked in on Tier 3 of the four-tiered structure that came about when the 2020 CBA ushered in fully guaranteed options.

While the Steelers have both Wilson and Fields in contract years, a March report suggested the team is considering keeping both players beyond 2024. This would be a highly unlikely scenario to pull off, given the starting histories each player brings. Neither would stand to be interested in being an assured backup in 2025. This makes a potential 2024 trade worth monitoring; the Steelers have Kyle Allen in place as their third-stringer presently.

With the team not planning to adjust a negotiating policy that mandates no in-season contract talks, Wilson and Fields will be set to play out their current deals. The Steelers are interested in revisiting Wilson’s pact, for now at least, in 2025. It will be interesting to see how Fields factors into this equation, seeing as he is 10 years younger than Wilson, who will turn 36 this season.

Teams Viewing Steelers As Most Likely To Trade For WR?

April 19th, 2024 at 10:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Known more for drafting and developing wide receivers — often from Day 2 — than trading for them, the Steelers have produced an impressive track record on this front. Over the past 15 years, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and George Pickens have enjoyed varying levels of success with the team despite coming off the board after Round 1.

It is arguable no team has strung together a run of homegrown WR talent like this in the modern game, but rumblings continue to emerge about the Steelers being ready to pull the trigger on a trade. A report earlier this week indicated the team had inquired about Brandon Aiyuk and was interested in trading for a wideout, and the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora submits another offering in this direction.

Rival execs view the Steelers as the team potentially the most motivated to acquire a receiver via trade. While a Tee Higgins move will not happen — unlikely to be moved, Higgins definitely would not be dealt within the division — teams certainly are monitoring the 49ers regarding an Aiyuk swap.

Although Sean Payton and Broncos GM George Paton said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) he has spoken with Courtland Sutton recently, the 6-foot-4 wideout showed by far the most chemistry with Russell Wilson last season. The team currently employing Wilson may be interested in reuniting the two, as Sutton is staying away from Broncos workouts in hopes of a new contract.

The Broncos nearly traded Sutton to the Ravens last year, and after their Jerry Jeudy asking price dropped drastically (from a first-rounder to accepting fifth- and sixth-rounders from the Browns), Sutton probably will not cost a second-round pick — Denver’s hope in 2023 — entering his age-29 season. Aiyuk will be more difficult to acquire, and it is worth wondering if the Steelers would pull the trigger, given the fifth-year wideout’s extension price and the AFC North franchise’s success finding receivers in the draft.

This draft is set to produce yet another deep receiver crop, which stands to lower prices in trades. But the Steelers may need more than one starter. Dealing Johnson to Carolina in a deal that brought back cornerback Donte Jackson, Pittsburgh has little surrounding Pickens presently. A slot player and a second boundary option would stand to be in play for the Steelers. The 6-foot-4 Sutton (signed through 2025 on a $15MM-per-year deal) made some of last season’s best catches, working as a deep threat and red zone target (10 2023 TDs) for Wilson. The 6-foot Aiyuk, who is tied to a fifth-year option worth $14.1MM, has displayed a bit more versatility in Kyle Shanahan‘s system.

If the Steelers are to execute a trade, they could devote more draft resources to other positions. Pittsburgh is targeting help at center and tackle, with The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly indicating a right tackle addition is on the team’s radar (subscription required). They hosted 11 O-linemen on “30” visits, including Georgia’s Amarius Mims, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga along with interior O-lineman Graham Barton (Duke), Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon) and Zach Frazier (West Virginia), Kaboly adds. They also met with Washington O-lineman Troy Fautanu. Daniel Jeremiah’s big board lists each of these players as top-30 talents; the Steelers pick at No. 20.

The Steelers, who cut two-year center starter Mason Cole, look to be considering moving 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones — their primary right tackle to close the season — to the left side, where he primarily played in college. That would leave three-year LT starter Dan Moore Jr. in limbo. Pro Football Focus has not been a Moore fan, but the former fourth-round pick — who is going into a contract year — has started 49 career games. After the team drafted Jones to step in for Chukwuma Okorafor, the latter is now with the Patriots. A tackle move — one that may be definitively in the Steelers’ Round 1 plans, as this is a deep class — would stand to give Jones a long-term bookend.

Pittsburgh’s Jackson trade aside, a cornerback will also be targeted — just likely not in Round 1 — according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. Jackson is in a contract year, while the team cut Patrick Peterson. Mike Tomlin said a Peterson reunion will be considered, but the likely Hall of Famer is going into his age-34 season.

Dulac adds the Steelers also like Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson, whom the Tigers used across the formation. Ranked 39th on Jeremiah’s big board, the 285-pound defender might not be available for Pittsburgh without a second-round trade-up. The Steelers hold the No. 51 overall pick. In fact, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes Robinson is expected to be off the board at some point late in the first round. The Steelers have Cameron Heyward under contract for one more season, his age-35 campaign.

Draft Rumors: 49ers, Corley, Commanders, Bears, Alt, Giants, Eagles, Seahawks, Steelers, Vikings, Lions

April 18th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

No Brandon Aiyuk trade request has emerged yet, separating this situation from the Deebo Samuel saga from 2022. Samuel receiving an extension later that year complicates matters for Aiyuk, who has needed to wait longer to enter extension territory due to being a former first-round pick. As this remains a storyline to monitor ahead of the draft, the 49ers scheduled a notable visit. Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley stopped through team headquarters, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, just before the deadline for “30” visits this week.

Playing a role in the Hilltoppers’ Bailey Zappe-led aerial fireworks in 2021, Corley enjoyed a more prominent position in the mid-major team’s passing attack over the past two years — each 11-touchdown campaigns. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein threw out Samuel as a comp for Corley, who is projected to be a second-round pick. Though, he will be unlikely to be available by the time San Francisco’s No. 63 slot arrives. With big-ticket expenses at three other skill-position spots (and Brock Purdy eligible for a re-up in 2025), the 49ers have a major decision to make with Aiyuk soon.

Here is the latest from the draft ranks:

  • The Giants‘ quarterback-or-wide receiver decision at No. 6 figures to be one of this draft’s most important, but the team did bring in some first-round prospects who do not play those positions. Tackle Joe Alt and edge rusher Dallas Turner visited the team recently, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. Highly unlikely to draft Turner due to the Brian Burns trade and Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s status, the Giants could conceivably consider Alt. The All-American Notre Dame left tackle would need to be moved to the right side, however, and Schwartz reaffirms a recent report that indicates the team has not given up on keeping 2022 No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal at tackle.
  • Now that Cooper DeJean went through a workout following a broken fibula suffered in November, a few teams brought him in for visits. The Iowa cornerback met with the Bills previously, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the Seahawks, Steelers and Eagles hosted the talented cover man on “30” visits before Wednesday’s deadline. Our Ely Allen recently examined the first-round-caliber CB’s prospect stock.
  • Staying at corner, both the Vikings and Lions brought in the well-traveled Terrion Arnold for pre-draft visits, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Alabama corner, who slots as the top player at the position (No. 9 overall) on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, also met with the Cardinals, Titans, Falcons and Jaguars during the draft run-up. The Lions, whose CB situation changed after the Cameron Sutton arrest/release, also brought in Arnold teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry recently.
  • Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson, he of a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, made two more visits before visit season ended. The Bears and Commanders brought in the intriguing DE prospect, Rapoport adds. In need of D-end help after trading Montez Sweat to the Bears, the Commanders hold the No. 40 pick as a result of that trade. Washington carries Nos. 36 and 40, while Chicago does not have a second-round pick this year. Linked to a potential WR-or-Brock Bowers call at No. 9, the Bears may not be in the value range for Robinson, whom Jeremiah slots as this draft’s No. 21 overall talent.
  • The Seahawks met with Bo Nix and have a clear connection to Michael Penix Jr., with new OC Ryan Grubb having coached the latter at Washington. With Geno Smith on a flexible contract that runs through 2025, Seattle brought in South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler for a pre-deadline visit, per Schultz. Slotted as the No. 7 QB on Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board, Rattler met with the Giants this week as well. The former Oklahoma recruit earned Senior Bowl MVP honors in January.

Steelers Still Looking For WR Help, Inquired About Brandon Aiyuk

April 17th, 2024 at 10:26pm CST by Ely Allen

Despite adding big names at quarterback like Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Steelers’ passing attack this year will still depend on their wide receiving corps. After trading away Diontae Johnson and watching Allen Robinson depart in free agency, Pittsburgh has been on a search for another veteran receiver to pair with budding star George Pickens, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It’s not like the Steelers haven’t addressed the position since Johnson and Robinson’s departures. The team has added experienced receivers like Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins, but despite strong sophomore campaigns from both players, neither has shown the ability to be a consistent, reliable supporting wide receiver. Perhaps Pittsburgh plans to return Cordarrelle Patterson to his wide receiver roots, but more likely, the team will continue looking to add an experienced veteran.

We’ve seen the Steelers kick the tires on plenty of such free agents so far this offseason. They brought in division-rival Tyler Boyd, who played at nearby Pitt in college, but are reportedly out of the running after making a disappointing offer. The team also brought in former Chargers veteran Mike Williams, who could’ve worked well alongside Pickens after spending years as WR2 behind Keenan Allen, but Williams ultimately landed with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

Now, Dulac reports that we can add Brandon Aiyuk to that list of veteran wideouts that have piqued the Steelers’ interest. Aiyuk is not a free agent, so this isn’t a situation in which Pittsburgh can host the 49ers receiver and evaluate him in person. Also, despite the two sides being far apart in extension negotiations, Aiyuk has not delivered a trade request to the 49ers. In fact, San Francisco is reportedly actively rebuffing trade inquiries from outside parties.

As much as the Steelers would like to lure Aiyuk to Pittsburgh, there’s only so much they can do without the 49ers deciding to relent and participate. Until then, Pittsburgh will have to continue taking swings elsewhere. Boyd remains available. As do free agents Hunter Renfrow, Odell Beckham Jr., Michael Gallup, and Michael Thomas. Several veteran names are sitting in free agency. The Steelers just need to determine if any are the right fit for their new-look offense.

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