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Steelers select 'stud specimen' in latest mock draft
The Steelers have been very active in free agency this offseason, but they still need another wide receiver after sending Diontae Johnson to the Panthers.
With the available options on the open market not ideal, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso believes Pittsburgh could turn to the 2024 NFL Draft to address the position.
In Trapasso's latest mock draft, he has the Steelers selecting LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with pick No. 20.
"The Steelers are rumored to be interested in trading for Brandon Aiyuk," Trapasso writes. "If that mega-trade doesn't happen, they very well could be in the receiver market early in this draft, and Thomas is a stud specimen."
A stud is exactly what Thomas Jr. is after leading the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023 and posting 68 receptions for 1,177 yards.
The massive 6-foot-4, 205-pound player currently ranks as the fourth-best wide receiver and No. 27 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board, which puts Pittsburgh in a great opportunity to land him if it so chooses.
Pairing Thomas Jr. with George Pickens in the Steelers offense could create one of the best wide receiver duos in the league while also helping whoever is throwing them the football — whether that be 35-year-old Russell Wilson or 25-year-old Justin Fields.
Both quarterbacks are looking to revive their careers in Pittsburgh and could use all the help they can get.
Wilson seems to have the inside track to start this coming season, but it would be no surprise if Fields saw the field as a starter or in specific offensive packages at some point as well.
There is an argument that the Steelers won't go wide receiver in the first round as they have been arguably the best team in the league at drafting wide receivers outside of the first round. Pittsburgh must also address its offensive line with needs at center and right tackle.
However, if the Steelers want to forego their great track record and add a legitimate playmaker in the first round, Thomas Jr. is an intriguing option.
More must-reads:
- Five best deals made by Steelers GM Omar Khan
- Why Steelers should, shouldn't trade for WR Brandon Aiyuk
- The 'Starting QBs from Week 3 of the 2004 NFL season' quiz
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Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
Why Lions' Defense Could Be Drastically Better Without Aaron Glenn
The Detroit Lions' defense could take a drastic step forward under the leadership of new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Defensive backs Amik Robertson and Terrion Arnold both expressed following practice on Saturday that Sheppard is quite relatable as a leader and could actually still be playing in the league, based on his knowledge and physical stature. Former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was quite energetic, but Sheppard could even be more passionate than the new Jets head coach. “We should be playing at a high level. And for me to say anything else is unacceptable, and my players know that, it’s a standard here," said Sheppard. "It’s been set before, and we’re raising that bar. We want to play at a high level on defense. I told the room my first kind of speech to them, I’m not setting any goals, expectations, or any of that stuff." Through the first week of camp, the defense has been flying to the football and plays fast and aggressively. "I know the makeup of the room, and I truly believe if we attack every day and if we improve – but you got to be in a race to improve, you can’t just be cliché and coach speak – a race to improve every day, I think we can turn into a dominate unit," said Sheppard. "But it’s a lot of things in between now and when you get to that September point that we have to progress. It’s development, it’s learning curves, and everybody’s on a different arc of the curve." Detroit's defense is led by Aidan Hutchinson, but also features several young, developmental prospects. "You have guys like Aidan Hutchinson who’s been at this thing, and I told him. He’s trying to put himself in a position to have an all-pro year. Then you have a guy like Ahmed (Hassanein), who I’m extremely excited about, but he’s just trying to figure out what’s the A, B, and C gap," Sheppard said. "So, it’s different guys on the curve, and us as coaches, it’s our job to meet those guys exactly where they’re at and make sure everybody’s at that bar where the Aidan’s, where the Brian Branch’s and all these guys are expected to be.”
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