Post-draft news & notes, what Omar & McCarthy discussed

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A good section of the questions in the time allotted dealt with quarterbacks and Drew Allar during the Steelers post-draft news conference. There were several other topics discussed by general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike McCarthy.

Feeling good about new players

“I think the execution went pretty good,” Khan said. “Really happy with the players that we acquired. We went into it, as I mentioned to you guys, I didn't know if we were going to end up with 10 or 14 picks. We were open to anything. There were some good players in this draft; there really was. We got 10 good ones. I'd like to tell you that, hey, we're going to end up with 10 or 9 or 8 and 4 first rounders, but you sort of have to let it come to you, and you trust your process.”

Sour moment

Khan asked about the viral clip that was shown on NFL Network numerous times of the moment when Khan called USC receiver Makai Lemon a pick before it’s the Steelers turn. As Khan was talking with Lemon, the Eagles had traded up with Dallas and picked Lemon.

This is what Khan said about it.

“When the Draft happens, there's a lot of excitement that goes on,” Khan said. “There was no ill intent; made the call. As I mentioned, when you have a good process and you trust your board, but the Draft throws curveballs at you in every round. Trust me, it happens throughout the Draft, some public, some not. Things just sort of take care of themselves.”

Flowing

Immediately a fan favorite as he made the rounds at various draft locations downtown, what did the Steelers head coach think of guard Gennings Dunker

“We love his hair,” McCarthy said. “I'm sure the marketing department likes it even more. He's impressive. I'm sure James Campen and the whole offensive line is ecstatic. I think it's anything, when you watch him, whether on Zoom or meet him in person, you go through the process, the first time you may meet him is at the Combine, but when he walked through the door, he's a very, very impressive young man.”

Fullback

In the fifth round the Steelers drafted a tight end from the Indiana Hoosiers, but quickly when talking to coaches it became clear Riley Nowakowski would be a fullback.

“I love the two-back offense,” McCarthy said. “There's a lot of things that you start in this league in the '90s where two-back offense was a primary component with normal down and distance. Now to be able to bring something like that back, it's something I did a little in Dallas down there in '23-'24. To be able to have that.”

“Nobody's happier than Danny Crossman. He's a special teamer. He'll have a chance to be a leader captain-type on special teams. I thought that was an excellent pick there by Omar.”

Come back

“Awesome weekend, it truly was,” Khan said. I just want to congratulate the city and the people in this city for the Draft here and how it turned out. I can't tell you guys how awesome the feedback has been from the people that I talked to and all the excitement down there. From politicians, the people, obviously, I can't tell you guys what Art Rooney and Dan Rooney did for this. It's been great to see.”

“Everybody from the League office, the Commissioner and his staff, I can't tell you how again, I keep using that word "awesome." It was awesome. It truly has been. To conclude with that excitement with Eli [Heidenreich], I wasn't expecting to see that on TV. You can't help but get emotional when you saw that at the end.

“Truly, truly, truly a tremendous weekend for the city of Pittsburgh, for the Steelers, and I think for the NFL. Hopefully, we get it back here again. Enjoyed every minute of it.”