Steelers Daily Links: WR in 2024 Mock Draft, NFL RBs Organize

Pro Football Network has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at 13th overall in their 2024 mock draft.

“Pittsburgh did well to extend edge rusher Alex Highsmith, knocking out a potential area of need for next offseason. Instead of reaching for someone who might upgrade a less-important position, the Steelers can sit tight and add a premium playmaker. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka would be a perfect pairing with quarterback Kenny Pickett,” PFN’s Ian Valentino wrote.

“Pickett is at his best when throwing to playmakers who can make plays after the catch. Egbuka is a dynamic route runner who can play both inside and out, but his speed and spatial awareness would help take this passing game to the next level more than any other prospect on the board.”

All three of the Steelers’ top wide receivers are under contract for 2024, though the team can release veteran Allen Robinson II without penalty.

🏈 With the running back market not showing any improvement over the last several years, the top NFL running backs planned a Zoom call for Saturday night to discuss how they can fix this issue. Multiple sources told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler organized the meeting and distributed the Zoom link. All of the big-name running backs were invited, so Steelers running back Najee Harris was probably in the meeting. The running back’s previously organized a group text chain aimed at addressing the declining running back market.

RELATED: Saunders: How to Fix NFL’s Running Back Issues

🏈 The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line had the highest percentage of plays with their offensive line intact in 2022, just ahead of the two teams who met in last season’s Super Bowl — the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers’ offensive line combination of Chuks Okorafor, James Daniels, Mason Cole, Kevin Dotson and Dan Moore Jr. played 1,104 of the team’s total 1,320 snaps (combo snap percentage 83.6).

🎂 Happy Birthday to former Steelers defensive end Darryl Sims, born on July 23, 1961 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Sims was a first-round selection out of Wisconsin by the Steelers in 1985, but things didn’t pan out, and he only lasted two seasons. Sims recorded three sacks and made no starts during his two-year tenure with the Steelers. Sims joined the Cleveland Browns in 1987 and lasted only two seasons before calling it a career. Sims now works for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as the athletic director.

🎥 Dov Kleiman shared a clip of when former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward broke Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers’ jaw on a block in 2008.

Anyone remembers this block by #Steelers Hines Ward on #Bengals Keith Rivers?

Broke his jaw, it was a big story at the time in 2008. pic.twitter.com/sAHz29Pt8J

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 22, 2023

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Metro Division Power Rankings: Did the Penguins improve enough compared to the competition?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates hit four homers off Shohei Ohtani — two by Henry Davis — but still lost to the Angels.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Wide receiver Bub Means will need a redemption season to unlock the full potential of the 2023 Pitt offense.

West Virginia Sports Now: West Virginia alum Geno Smith is just outside the top 10 NFL quarterbacks, according to their Madden rating.

Nittany Sports Now: A Penn State wrestling commit won a title at Junior Nationals in Fargo.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Steel City FC advanced to the NPSL Midwest Regional Final on penalty kicks and earned a 2024 U.S. Open Cup berth.