NFL Draft
2019 NFL Draft Day News, Notes and Rumors: April 25
2019 NFL Draft Day is finally here. What will the Steelers do in the first round? Will they move up or down in the first round? Which other teams will make Draft Day moves? We’ll keep you updated on the deals and rumors here in this page. Check back often for anything you might have missed.
UPDATE (6:11 PM)-
Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph Possible Trade Target For Patriots? https://t.co/nmtZQb9245 pic.twitter.com/E4uhQt9FqD
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (5:42 PM)-
Steelers do not believe a trade up for Devin Bush is viable. Would be very surprised to see that materialize. They could have their pick of any CB at 20. My hunch is they'd go Deandre Baker in that circumstance
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (5:23 PM)-
**Where would the Steelers have to trade up to in order to have a shot at Michigan LB Devin Bush?
LB Devin Bush entering draft with belief he won’t get past Bengals at 11, per source. Anything different would be at least mild surprise. Steelers and others who might entertain moving up for him will need to make a big jump.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (4:04 PM)-
**Could their be movement in the Top 5 of the draft?
GMs Expect Jets To Trade Down From No. 3 Overall https://t.co/QeeubXsa0c pic.twitter.com/uWD2ZDeOiS
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (2:25 PM)-
This one might catch some people by surprise: @LRiddickESPN says the best player in this year’s #NFLDraft is Devin Bush from @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/FLFn7lTKKl
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 22, 2019
Per @AdamSchefter on ESPN just now, the Steelers are actively trying to trade up into the top 10.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (2:01 PM)-
If the #AZCardinals have made a decision on No. 1, they are keeping it quiet. Source said GM Steve Keim reached out to at least one player — #Bama DT Quinnen Willliams — to let him know he’s still a possibility to go first overall.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2019
The name teams keep asking me about today is N’Keal Harry. Can see someone trading BACK into the first round to draft the Arizona State WR in final few picks of the first round.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (1:49 PM)-
5 Patriots who could be traded during the draft https://t.co/uBQhecPnPT
— The Patriots Wire (@Patriots_Wire) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (12:48 PM)-
My final 2019 NFL Mock Draft includes a couple of trades (will be far more than that), 4 QBs inside the top-20 picks, just 1 WR & 1 RB, and 8 offensive linemen:https://t.co/Hgk22uJ54l
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (12:13 PM)-
NFL Draft has averaged six first-round trades over the past three years – seven last year, six the year before, five the year before. Likely to be right in that range again tonight.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (12:08 PM)-
**An interesting name mentioned by a writer from Yahoo Sports in their final Mock Draft.
Final mock for 2019 NFL draft
Six mocks! cc: @mockdraftdb https://t.co/rejjdpu74x
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (10:49 AM)-
**Day 1 of the NFL Draft means rumors, rumors, rumors. Here’s what Rob Rang is hearing-
Top 5 #NFLDraft rumors from league sources late last night 🏈
1. #Cardinals like QW, take KM
2. #Raiders like Haskins
3. #Redskins trade up to 4 (ahead of #Giants) for Haskins
4. Montez Sweat could slip out of 1st. Did not in my mock.
5. DK Metcalf could too. Did in my mock.— Rob Rang (@RobRang) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (9:35 AM)-
My 2019 mock draft. Wilkins, Lindstrom, Savage amd JoeJuan Williams among those who are red hot. 4 QBs. At least 1 trade. https://t.co/fB4LQTJsui
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (9:29 AM)-
**As is usually the case, expect to see a lot of movement in the 1st Round, here’s the latest concerning that courtesy Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network.
Teams I’m told have shown the most interest in trading down: #Jets (3), #Lions (8), #Dolphins (13), #Seahawks (21/29), #Rams (31).
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (9:20 AM)-
Final Top 100 Players for the 2019 NFL Draft (Big Board).https://t.co/A8q3zkdYQr
— NFL Draft Blitz (@NFLDraftBlitz) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (9:10 AM)-
**Devin Bush is a player that Steeler fans want to see the team draft. Problem with that is, the Steelers aren’t the only team that would like to add a fast, athletic linebacker. In order to have a chance at him, Kevin Colbert would have to surrender some draft picks in order to move up in the first round.
If Michigan LB Devin Bush were to slide, there are teams anxious to go up and get him.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 25, 2019
Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is one logical #Falcons target, but I’ve spoken to NFL people who are convinced it’s for Michigan LB Devin Bush. They’d likely have to get past #Broncos at 10. https://t.co/GY4YTh0rS2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (8:58 AM)-
Two teams that have shown a willingness to trade into the top 10, doing their homework on what it would cost: The #Falcons and the #Redskins. For Washington, it would likely be for a QB. For Atlanta, the options are varied.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (8:52 AM)-
**At some point early in the draft, former Thomas Jefferson and Michigan DE Chase Winovich will hear his name called. He’ll become the latest player to go from the WPIAL to the NFL.
Ever since I was 7 years old I've worked my whole life to hear my name called in the NFL Draft. No matter what these next few days bring, I can't wait to get back to work doing what I love! pic.twitter.com/RfccY5fYbF
— Chase Winovich (@Wino) April 25, 2019
UPDATE (7:30 AM)-
As the #Raiders ponder where to go with their fourth overall pick, worth noting: Oakland brass moved QB Dwayne Haskins up their board late this week, source said. He impressed them in his workout, and could be a consideration at No. 4 🤔🤔.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2019
Instead of trading for a proven running back like Leonard Fournette, the Steelers simply drafted a rookie with their 4th round pick. That rookie is Anthony McFarland out of the University of Maryland. To fully explain what McFarland brings to the table, Mike Asti was joined by Adam Zielonka, who is a sports reporter for the Washington Times. Zielonka also touched Antoine Brooks, the other Maryland product drafted by the Steelers.
Click here to also watch Mike and others discuss if the Steelers should have instead traded for Leonard Fournette on Pittsburgh Sports Live.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is offering an explanation as to why he wanted three rounds added to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Speaking with NBC Sport’s Mike Florio on the PFT PM podcast Tuesday, Colbert took the opportunity to clarify his suggestion.
“The reasoning was, part of it was selfish,” Colbert said. “You wanted to have a safety net because we’re dealing with less information, and the more picks you have, maybe you’ll have a little bit of a safety net again.”
With the league’s self-implemented travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, clubs were unable to conduct their normal scouting activities prior to the Draft. This included Pro Days, private workouts and in-person interviews.
Less opportunities to watch and speak with prospects results in a larger margin for error.
Colbert went on to say that it also would have benefited some of the fringe prospects in the Draft that never had the chance to showcase themselves at a Pro Day or other setting.
“The other thing was it would give the marginal player that didn’t get his opportunity to go to a Pro Day and to perform. Maybe there will be more players drafted and then those players will then again have the chance they might not get.”
Now without rookie minicamps, the challenges are mounting for clubs and NFL hopefuls.
“Every year a team might stumble upon a tryout player,” Colbert said. “Maybe if we ever get on the field, we can think of a way to help those because there’s a big group of players that aren’t getting opportunities because of the situation.”
Colbert reminded Florio that the Steelers discovered Devlin “Duck” Hodges as a tryout in camp last year.
It is unclear when teams will be allowed to return to the practice field for their offseason programs, with clubs currently conducting theirs entirely from home.
It was eat, sleep, draft coverage, repeat for Mike Asti and the Steelers Now crew this past week. And now that the draft is over, Mike Asti evaluates each pick and gives his thoughts on some moves he says the Steelers should have made.