Steelers Daily Links: Free Agent Tackle Target; Hula Bowl CB Meeting

The Pittsburgh Steelers met with the cornerback at the Hula Bowl over the weekend and a New England Patriots tackle could be a free agent target for Omar Khan.

🏈 Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus thinks the Steelers should go after New England Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn in free agency. “Pittsburgh’s young offensive line got better as the season went on, but it can never hurt to have quality depth at the tackle spots, especially as the Steelers bring along 2022 rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett,” Spielberger wrote. “The Steelers almost never spend in free agency, so a reclamation project on a former first-round pick who can provide depth at both tackle spots seems right up their alley. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has progressed nicely after being selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and Pittsburgh extended right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor last offseason, but Wynn is a nice insurance policy at both spots.”

🏈 The Dallas Cowboys routed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-14, on Monday night to advance to the divisional round, where they’ll meet the San Francisco 49ers. It was the Cowboys first road playoff win in 30 years — Jan. 17, 1993 – at Candlestick Park.

🏈 Dak Prescott became the fourth player in the Super Bowl era with 4+ passing touchdowns and 1+ rushing touchdown in a playoff game, joining Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. He is the first ever
Cowboys player with 5+ total touchdowns in a playoff game.

🏈 Dallas’ Brett Maher is the first kicker to miss four extra points in a regular or postseason game since the statistic was first tracked for individual players in 1932, per Elias Sports Bureau.

🏈 Tom Brady ended his press conference with a thank you to the media in what sounded like a goodbye: “I love this organization. It’s a great place to be,” Brady said. “Thank you everybody for welcoming me. Just very grateful for the respect and I hope I gave it back to you guys.” Brady mentioned that he’s going to take it “one day at a time” on whether he’ll return for a 24th NFL season.

🏈 The Eagles, Cowboys and Giants will all play in the NFC divisional round. This marks the first time since the NFL went to just four teams per division in 2002 that three teams from the same division have all made it to the divisional round.

STEELERS DRAFT DIGEST

🏈 Montana cornerback Justin Ford met with a long list of teams at the Hula Bowl including the Steelers, Eagles, Bills, and Bears, according to Ryan Fowler of the Draft Network. A transfer from Louisville, Ford led college football in interceptions in 2021 with nine and remains one of the top FCS defensive backs in the class.

🏈 Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday. Stroud is considered by many to be a top-5 pick.

🏈 Joe Broback of Pro Football Network has the Steelers selecting Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at 17th overall in his latest mock draft. “Pittsburgh has the luxury that is Minkah Fitzpatrick in their secondary, but the Pro Bowler would love getting some support. In this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, Mike Tomlin’s squad adds a big corner whose game continues improving,” Broback wrote. “Joey Porter Jr. boasts a 6’2″ frame, with ball skills that make him a first-round prospect. It doesn’t hurt to have the name recognition, either. However, Porter will make a name for himself on his dad’s old team.”

📅 On this date, Jan. 17, 1937, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Gilbert Leroy “Buddy” Dial was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The Steelers claimed Dial off waivers from the New York Giants in 1959,a nd immediately became a star receiver for quarterback Bobby Layne. He finished second in the NFL and set a Steelers record with 12 receiving touchdowns in 1961. Dial died in 2008. He was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2018.

📅 On this date, Jan. 17, 2008, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Ernie “Fats” Holmes died in an automobile accident in his native Texas at the age of 59. Holmes played six seasons with the Steelers from 1972 to 1977 and was part of the team’s first two Super Bowl-winning teams. He retired in 1978.

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STEELERS, NFL SCHEDULE

🏈 The Steelers are off.

AROUND THE NETWORK

 Pitt basketball is having to deal with something new this season — national attention.

 Bryan Rust tied the game late and Jake Guentzel won it for the Penguins in overtime.

 Former Steelers running back Chad Scott has been promoted to offensive coordinator at WVU.

 Penn State CB Marquis Wilson entered the transfer portal.

 Pirates 50’s star Frank Thomas has died at the age of 93.