Daily Links: Should Steelers Trade Up?; Diontae Johnson Top 5 WR?

🏈 ESPN: Robert Weintraub of Football Outsiders thinks that the Steelers should use one of their three day two picks to try to move up in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and secure a higher-rated prospect than the team is usually able to land with head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers are scheduled to pick 17th, which is already their highest spot since 2014. The only time they drafted higher than 15th under Tomlin was in 2019, when they traded up to get Devin Bush at No. 10. That trade didn’t work out, but perhaps a move up for one of this draft’s three top tackle prospects this time around would go better.

“So long as Tomlin is around, the chance at truly elite, can’t-miss talent will be rare,” Weintraub wrote. “The Steelers should use this opportunity to move up and grab a top prospect.”

🏈 The Volume: Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay included Diontae Johnson in the top five of the best cornerbacks he faced this season. Slay ranked Johnson fourth, calling him a “quiet assassin” and saying that he reminds him of Antonio Brown.

.@bigplay24slay names the top 5 WRs he played against this season pic.twitter.com/9Ce8JSdOaJ

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 2, 2023

Slay also was critical of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster trolling of teammate James Bradberry, calling it “uncalled for.”

🏈Some NFL players will be participating in an after-football career development program this offseason run by the NFL. Current Steelers cornerback Madre Harper will be attending a two-day career tour of Fifth Season and Hidden Empire film studios. Former Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum will also be with that group.

“As athletes — and by extension entertainers — it’s important for us to understand the business of entertainment and the layered work that goes into building revenue, compelling storytelling and consumer connection,” Beachum, now with the Arizona Cardinals, said. “I’m grateful to the NFL for providing the experience to learn and understand the industry at every level to inspire more well-rounded career development.”

STEELERS DRAFT DIGEST

Steelers Draft Digest: Pickett Touts Jordan Addison, Bears to Trade No. 1

AROUND THE NETWORK

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Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Grading a busy trade deadline for Penguins GM Ron Hextall.

West Virginia Sports Now: WVU WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton Feels Like He’s Still Being Slept On

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