• Tomlin on if there was a big emphasis on fixing the defensive front, given the three players drafted there:
"Yeah, I would certainly agree with that, but it goes beyond the defensive front. We wanted to retool physicality in all areas, including in that discussion is the use of the second-round pick to acquire DK Metcalf, although he's a receiver, I think he fits the bill in terms of physicality and size. That definitely was an agenda of ours this weekend."
• There's been a lot of talk over the last three days of guys having a Steeler DNA. What is that?
"I remember when I got this job, I talked about what it means to be a Steeler, and I could be up here for three days talking about it," Khan said. "I think when you're in this for as long as we are, you just sort of know, and that's why the process of getting out there and getting to know the guys is so important to us. We spend a lot of time on the road. We spend a lot of time meeting with guys at the Combine. It goes more than -- it's more than just about who they are as a player. It's who they are as a person, too. We get to know them on the road and bring them here and the combine is just -- you just sort of know when you're in this. You get a feel for those guys. There are times we leave these dinners or these meetings, we're like, not sure. But there's sometimes where you're like, that guy, he's one of us."
• Tomlin reinforced Will Howard's performance in the college football playoffs being a factor in what impressed them.
• Tomlin said Carson Bruener has a "worthy resume" and that his bloodline connection is just a bonus -- a "great story," but not the reason they drafted him.
• Tomlin, regarding Yahya Black, said, "There are F-150s, and he's an F-350."
• I asked Khan if they felt any pressure to move up to go get Kaleb Johnson, and he said the way the board was falling, they felt comfortable that he'd get to them.
• Tomlin called Johnson a "high-volume, capable runner."
End scene. That's a wrap. It's been hectic, but the draft is always a ton of fun to cover. Hope you enjoyed it.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
10:50 pm - 04.26.2025South SideKhan, Tomlin access: 'Retool physicality'
Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan addressing the media:
• First 66 seconds:
• Tomlin on if there was a big emphasis on fixing the defensive front, given the three players drafted there:
"Yeah, I would certainly agree with that, but it goes beyond the defensive front. We wanted to retool physicality in all areas, including in that discussion is the use of the second-round pick to acquire DK Metcalf, although he's a receiver, I think he fits the bill in terms of physicality and size. That definitely was an agenda of ours this weekend."
• There's been a lot of talk over the last three days of guys having a Steeler DNA. What is that?
"I remember when I got this job, I talked about what it means to be a Steeler, and I could be up here for three days talking about it," Khan said. "I think when you're in this for as long as we are, you just sort of know, and that's why the process of getting out there and getting to know the guys is so important to us. We spend a lot of time on the road. We spend a lot of time meeting with guys at the Combine. It goes more than -- it's more than just about who they are as a player. It's who they are as a person, too. We get to know them on the road and bring them here and the combine is just -- you just sort of know when you're in this. You get a feel for those guys. There are times we leave these dinners or these meetings, we're like, not sure. But there's sometimes where you're like, that guy, he's one of us."
• Tomlin reinforced Will Howard's performance in the college football playoffs being a factor in what impressed them.
• Tomlin said Carson Bruener has a "worthy resume" and that his bloodline connection is just a bonus -- a "great story," but not the reason they drafted him.
• Tomlin, regarding Yahya Black, said, "There are F-150s, and he's an F-350."
• I asked Khan if they felt any pressure to move up to go get Kaleb Johnson, and he said the way the board was falling, they felt comfortable that he'd get to them.
• Tomlin called Johnson a "high-volume, capable runner."
End scene. That's a wrap. It's been hectic, but the draft is always a ton of fun to cover. Hope you enjoyed it.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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