NFL

Projected Depth Chart, Rosters, and Predictions

Published

11 months ago

May 23, 2023

darragh

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While the Pittsburgh Steelers failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019, they managed to win nine games, keeping Mike Tomlin’s lifetime streak of above .500 seasons intact. Now that Kenny Pickett has a year of NFL experience under his belt, can the Steelers head back to the postseason next year after upgrading at several positions?

Let’s take a look back at Pittsburgh’s offseason moves as we preview the Steelers’ 2023 campaign.

Everything You Need Ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Season

While the Steelers will bring back the core of their roster from last year, they’ve made significant additions at a few critical spots.

Pittsburgh Steelers Roster Changes

Players Signed
- T Le’Raven Clark
- G Nate Herbig
- G Isaac Seumalo
- DT Breiden Fehoko
- DT Larry Ogunjobi
- DL Armon Watts
- LB Cole Holcomb
- LB Elandon Roberts
- CB Patrick Peterson
- CB Chandon Sullivan
- S Damontae Kazee
Players Drafted
- OT Broderick Jones
- CB Joey Porter Jr.
- DT Keeanu Benton
- TE Darnell Washington
- EDGE Nick Herbig
- CB Cory Trice
- OL Spencer Anderson
Players Acquired Via Trade
- WR Allen Robinson
  - The Steelers acquired Robinson and a 2023 seventh-round pick (No. 251) from the Rams in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round pick (No. 234).

Players Lost
- QB Mason Rudolph
- EDGE Malik Reed (Dolphins)
- DT Tyson Alualu
- DT Chris Wormley
- LB Devin Bush (Seahawks)
- LB Myles Jack
- LB Robert Spillane (Raiders)
- CB Cameron Sutton (Lions)
- S Terrell Edmunds (Eagles)

Any discussion of Pittsburgh’s offseason has to start with the offensive line. Last year, the Steelers signed guard James Daniels and center Mason Cole to moderately-priced deals, but they still had work to do.

First, Pittsburgh landed former Eagles guard Isaac Seumalo for three years and $24 million, giving them a stabilizing presence on the interior. Then, they traded ahead of the tackle-needy Jets in the draft to find Broderick Jones, the best offensive tackle remaining on the board. Jones should be the Steelers’ Day 1 left tackle, allowing former starter Dan Moore Jr. to compete with Chukwuma Okorafor for right tackle duties.

MORE: FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator — With Trades!

The only other major offensive change for Pittsburgh will be at receiver, where Allen Robinson II now projects as the club’s WR3 behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. The Steelers gave up next to nothing to acquire Robinson from the Rams with the hope the 29-year-old can play like he did in 2020 (102-1,1250-6) while seeing time in the slot and outside.

On defense, Pittsburgh lost its best cornerback — Cam Sutton — to the Lions in free agency, but they’ve added replacements through multiple avenues. Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan came aboard as FA signings, while Steelers legacy player Joey Porter Jr. should be an immediate starter for his father’s old team.

Pittsburgh Steelers Coaching Staff in 2023

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Canada
- QB coach: Mike Sullivan
- RB coach: Eddie Faulkner
- WR coach: Frisman Jackson
- TE coach: Alfredo Roberts
- OL coach: Pat Meyer
Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- DL coach: Karl Dunbar
- ILB coach: Aaron Curry
- OLB coach: Denzel Martin
- Secondary coach: Grady Brown
Special Teams Coordinator: Danny Smith

Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart

Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Tanner Morgan
RB: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Anthony McFarland Jr., Jason Huntley
WR: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II, Calvin Austin III, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin
TE: Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
LT: Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr.
LG: Isaac Seumalo, Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green
C: Mason Cole, Spencer Anderson
RG: James Daniels, Nate Herbig
RT: Chukwuma Okorafor, Le’Raven Clark

Defensive Depth Chart

DT: Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams, Armon Watts
EDGE: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Quincy Roche
LB: Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Tanner Muse, Mark Robinson
CB: Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Ahkello Witherspoon, Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan
S: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, Tre Norwood, Miles Killebrew

Special Teams Depth Chart

K: Chris Boswell
P: Pressley Harvin III
LS: Christian Kuntz
KR: Gunner Olszewski
PR: Gunner Olszewski

2022 Results and Standings

The Steelers’ 2022 campaign was the tale of two seasons. Mitch Trubisky started the year as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, but Pickett replaced him at halftime of Week 4 against the Jets. The Steelers lost that game to fall to 1-3 and were 2-6 by the time their Week 9 bye approached.

But things started to turn around when Pittsburgh defeated the Saints in Week 10. The Steelers went 7-2 after the bye, getting back to .500 with a Week 17 win over the Ravens and planting themselves in the playoff conversation heading into Week 18.

MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL Schedule

Pittsburgh could have entered the dance had they gotten some help in the season’s final week. The Steelers ended up defeating the Browns in Week 18, but they needed both the Patriots and the Dolphins to lose to garner postseason spot. While New England did its part with a loss to Buffalo, Miami took down New York to claim the AFC’s seventh seed and leave the Steelers at home.

2023 Power Ranking and Season Outlook

The Steelers ranked 19th in Dalton Miller’s post-draft NFL Power Rankings, firmly planted in a tier with the NFL’s other fringe playoff contenders.

Pittsburgh has the pieces in place on both sides of the ball to compete for the postseason, but the quality of quarterbacks in the AFC — including Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Aaron Rodgers, among others — means Pickett will need to take a step forward in 2022 for the Steelers to enter the playoff fray.

The good news is that Pickett already showed signs of development last season. After ranking 24th among 26 qualifiers in expected points added per play from Weeks 4-8 (his first three starts plus a half-game against the Jets), Pickett finished 11th in EPA per play after the Steelers’ bye. Unsurprisingly, Pittsburgh’s offense also showed drastic improvement during that stretch, moving from 21st in DVOA before the bye to 10th afterward.

It wasn’t just the offensive side of the ball that corrected itself over the second half of the season. The Steelers’ defense also produced an uptick in production, finishing fourth in defensive DVOA post-bye after ranking 27th over the first nine weeks of the year. A defensive roster headlined by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Heyward will always boast an extremely high floor.

Pittsburgh’s win total for the 2023 campaign is set at 8.5, but the Steelers may have more of a ceiling than any AFC team with a win projection under 9. The AFC is a slaughterhouse, and the Steelers profile as the worst team in the AFC North. Nine wins feel right (given that we’ll never bet against Tomlin), but there’s room for a 10-win season and a playoff appearance in Pittsburgh.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.