Steelers Get National Praise For Day 2 Draft Haul

The Pittsburgh Steelers were universally praised for their Day 2 draft haul by several prominent draft analysts. Like the Philadelphia Eagles did on Day 1, the Steelers stole the show on Day 2. NFL Network top draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said as much.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers are my winners of night 2. I love what they are putting together,” Jeremiah tweeted.

After getting Kenny Pickett a bonafide left tackle in Broderick Jones out of Georgia in the first round, Khan continued to work his magic on Day 2 by selecting Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (32nd overall), Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (49th overall) and Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, who could be an absolute steal at No. 93 overall. Khan has filled all of the Steelers’ top needs and has been aggressive and smart in the process. The Steelers traded up with the New England Patriots to get Jones at 14th overall, and then traded back 13 spots with the Carolina Panthers to get Washington, garnering a fourth-round pick (132 overall) on Day 3.

“Omar Khan is pretty darn good at this,” Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus tweeted.

The highest praise on the Steelers’ early draft moves came from executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl Jim Nagy, who’s deeply respected in the scouting community.

“Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan & AGM Andy Weidl are picking up where Kevin Colbert left off. And it never hurts when your HC takes pre-draft process as seriously as Mike Tomlin does. Tomlin could probably tell you what Keeanu Benton had for dinner each night at @seniorbowl,” Nagy said on Twitter.

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid thinks the Porter, Benton and Washington will all be key contributors in Year 1.

“Love what the #Steelers did tonight. Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Darnell Washington will all be key contributors in some capacity next season. Benton has some similar traits to Javon Hargrave when he was coming out of SC State. Not surprised that they liked him,” Reid tweeted.

Former Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams is also loving what Khan and Co. are doing. “I freaking love this draft so far. Really checking every single box,” Williams tweeted.

All four of the Steelers’ selections so far were ranked in the top 60 by Dane Brugler of The Athletic — Broderick Jones (15th), Joey Porter Jr. (16th), Darnell Washington (30th) and Keeanu Benton (56th). While there’s still a long way to go to see how things pan out. On paper, the Steelers got tremendous value in their picks. Khan is also making a big-time impression in his first draft as the Steelers’ general manager. The national media has certainly took notice.