PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers General Manager Omar Khan joined the PM Team on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday. Khan discussed potentially trading Pick 32, a recent decision to release a defensive back, what he loves about Kenny Pickett and more.
Day 2 Trade
Khan told Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller they had some great trade offers for the first pick in the second round on April 28. He said if it were not for Penn State corner Joey Porter, Junior still being on the board, all likelihood they would have traded that pick, the 32nd overall, they received from the Bears in the Chase Claypool trade.
Corner release
It was a mutual decision. It made sense for both sides. It was a positive experience both for the Steelers and Arthur Maulet, but Khan said they made the decision on Wednesday to grant the 29-year-old his release.
Who fills that slot corner position this year?
“That will all shake out,” Khan told The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan. “We like the competition. I’m all about bringing competition regardless of the position. Chandon Sullivan played in that role in Minnesota and Green Bay. Duke Dawson was on our practice squad last year and will have the opportunity to compete there. We will see some of these young guys this weekend (rookie mini-camp) and see what it looks like. Confident they will find the right guys.”
Khan also said Patrick Peterson brings a lot of flexibility to the secondary.
Darnell the receiver
Mike Tomlin alluded to third-round pick, Georgia tight end Darnell Washington as a sixth offensive lineman. A guy who embraces that physical part of the game, but Khan told Fillipponi and Mueller he will get opportunity to catch the ball.
“He’s not only a blocker,” Khan said on 93.7 The Fan. “I’m confident in saying he will help with the pass game too. He’s going to be one of Najee’s best friends in the run game. I’m confident he will help in the pass game too.”
Washington caught 45 passes on 50 targets in college.
Kenny belief
While he gained experience as a rookie, the numbers weren’t huge for Kenny Pickett in his first year as the Steelers starter. Khan believes Pickett will improve and be a good leader because of how he approaches the position and responsibility.
“The one thing about Kenny is, he has such a desire to be great,” Khan told The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan. “I’m excited to see how things progress. Not only in the OTAs, but in training camp. He worked at it so much. His desire to be great is going to be a great thing for all of us.”
More QBs
Traditionally the Steelers have always kept three quarterbacks on the active roster. They currently have three with the addition of undrafted free agent Tanner Morgan from Minnesota. Khan said only if there is an opportunity to add someone else to the room and compete will they. The Steelers GM told Fillipponi and Mueller he feels good about Mitch Trubisky and that he has a great relationship with Pickett.
Self-evaluation
Days after the NFL Draft, Khan told 93.7 The Fan they are already self-evaluating how they performed on draft day. If they would change anything, but the initial thoughts were, it ran pretty smooth.
“We feel really good about the process, being it year one for me and this group together,” Khan told The PM Team on 93.7 The Fan. “Things weren’t much different, but we did tweak some things. We were conservative in our approach and thinking this year. Now that we are more comfortable, maybe we will tweak a few more things. Overall the process for us was pretty good. I have a great staff of people around me.”
Life-long practice
Khan told Andrew and Chris being the general manager of a team has been a life-long dream. When he was little growing up in New Orleans he would pretend to be an NFL GM on draft day.
“Since I was 8, I was practicing in my living room with my dad,” Khan explained on the PM Team on 93.7 The Fan. “I would take the back of my Monopoly and all my board games and do my own little draft board. I would pretend I’m on the clock and who am I picking. I had a great role model/mentor in Kevin (Colbert). It was awesome watching him in action.”
More Steelers stories coming on 93.7thefan.com with rookie mini-camp starting Friday morning.