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PITTSBURGH (93.7 Fans) – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he has spoken to the most players (in person, Zoom, phone) in his career leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. He believes it just provides a wider net for the team.
Here are some notes from the Steelers’ pre-draft press conference on Monday, including how GMs Omar Kahn and Tomlin will use draft information going forward.
Hiring schedule
Recruitment is the reason many professional coaches don’t coach in college. Basically, recruiting is what these coaches do from the end of the season, from the head coach to all the assistants. If we include acquiring a player as an undrafted free agent, we may continue that process until training camp.
For general managers, that process takes place year-round. GMs and staff are always present at college games and practices, but are more enthusiastic at this time. Khan gave us a little glimpse of his recent schedule.
Start interviewing ‘several players’ at the Hula Bowl
· He and Tomlin officially interviewed 40-50 players (low guests) at the Senior Bowl and another 20-30 informally.
NFL Combine, 45 official visits, about 1 unofficial visit
· Attended what he called the university’s Pro Day circuit for several weeks and watched hundreds of players
Participated in 30 face-to-face assigned leagues in Pittsburgh
· Interviewed several local players in town.They don’t count against his 30 in-person visits
・ After that, a number of Zoom calls that continue until Thursday
“We used every opportunity at our disposal to beat the bush and engage with these guys,” Tomlin said. I think that’s why we feel that there is still some work ahead of us that needs continued discussion and that will continue.But the work that we have done, the work that we have It is our current position in terms of the information we have.”
Change of defensive position
When asked how draft players have changed in terms of looking for more specific skills, especially defensive players, Tomlin said:
“I think it’s more specialized,” Tomlin said Monday. “Positions that were not necessarily identified as positions many years ago have very specific roles. nickel, the inside corner is the position in today’s game.of dimeline backer or Passing status For example, linebacker is a very specific position in today’s game.there is interior rusherThose guys often play on the edge in rundowns. “
“Today is a highly specialized game.”
Draft information that will be used years later
Think about the time you get into the NFL Draft. Consider all resources, financial and other, so that in a normal year he selects only seven players. Then think about how many of them will stick with him a year later, how many of them will stick with him five years later, and how many of them will be a differentiator.
For example, of last year’s seven-man draft class, two were consistent starters, two more were role players, one didn’t play until the end of the season, and one missed the year through injury. Combined, the Steelers’ 2018 and 2019 drafts leave three players on the current roster (Dionte Johnson, Zach Gentry, and Chukuma Okorafor).
Tomlin said his efforts and information weren’t wasted on all the other players he researched but didn’t or couldn’t choose. When he acquired Allen Robinson in a trade to the Rams on Monday, he recalled spending a lot of time with Robinson and his family before the draft a decade ago.
“We held him in high esteem,” said Tomlin. “We loved his football character, his talent, his strengths. Yes, and that’s the framing of the people we normally do free agency business with.
“The same goes for Elandon Roberts. I remember being in Houston when I attended his pro day. , spoke with him and his parents.”
“That’s how we do free agency. We build teams primarily through drafts because we do a lot of research and work on these guys in draft prep. So our Professional interest is usually its continuation.”
pretty obvious
Khan wasn’t going to deny him the opportunity now by starting quarterback on a rookie deal. The team was able to sign 15 players in free agency, trading three times for 1,000-yard receivers.
“You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand it,” Kahn said. “When you have a rookie quarterback starting, you are given a choice.
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