NFL Draft: Rounding out Day 2 for the Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers found some gems in the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft. Here, we look at the players selected and offer some insight into how the Steelers stayed on-task in what is turning out to be a successful draft for the black and gold.
Zach Frazer
Shortly after being selected by the Steelers in the second round of the draft on Friday night, we did a piece dedicated to the center. Frazer has that nastiness to him that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith should be able to mold into an anchor on Pittsburgh’s young offensive line.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1784026590759805212?t=KdJKuWLBfmroEhXhY0Fpgw&s=19
Roman Wilson
In the third round, at pick No. 84 overall, the Steelers added to Roman Wilson to their wide receiver group. He would start the trend of Pittsburgh adding players that attended the NCAA’s Senior Bowl. The 5’11”, 185 pound receiver comes to the ‘Burgh off of the 2023 NCAA championship Michigan Wolverines squad.
At the Pro Football Scouting Combine, Wilson recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds and a 1.52 second 10-yard split.
Wilson was a second-team All-Big Ten Conference awardee, and Michigan’s co-Offensive Skill Player of the Year, who led the team with 48 receptions for 789 yards in 2023 and tied for ninth in the FBS with 12 receiving touchdowns. The receiver attacked the intermediate and deep portions of the field for Michigan.
OC Arthur Smith spoke to the media about WR Roman Wilson: pic.twitter.com/VPCLTgRh42
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 27, 2024
Payton Wilson
Also a third-round selection (No. 98 overall) for Pittsburgh, interior linebacker was addressed with the addition of North Carolina State’s Payton Wilson who was practically projected by SCU’s Joe Kuzma.
Wilson was also a Senior Bowl attendee. The 6’4″, 233 pound linebacker recorded a 4.43 second time in the 40-yard dash at the Pro Football Scouting Combine. His overall combine score ranked No. 1 among all linebackers.
A multi-sport high school athlete, Wilson finds his way into high tackle opportunities, has scheme recognition, and is known for being able to insert himself into passing lanes to create interceptions. He also has the burst needed to get into gaps and attack opposing quarterbacks.
Payton Wilson: Career best 90.4 coverage grade in 2023 (6th among LBs) ✋ pic.twitter.com/laobOIX8NQ
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) April 27, 2024
The Steelers needed some help in the interior of their defense and Wilson is a banger that could mature quickly into a solid playmaker in the mid-level, sideline-to-sideline spot in the linebackers group.
DC Teryl Austin spoke to the media about LB Payton Wilson: pic.twitter.com/edPcBg541n
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 27, 2024
