Steelers take a liking to Pitt players
In honor of a typical southwestern Pennsylvania spring (30s for a low, high 80s for a high less than week later), I thought I would present a wide variety of topics for this week’s column. Hopefully, this will be less annoying than trying to plan what you are wearing for a day that features a 40-degree differential between high and low temperatures …
n Imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers getting the first pick in the recent NFL draft. That’s exactly what would be going on if the NFL utilized the NBA’s lottery model when it comes to the selection of amateur talent.
The Boston Celtics, who entered the Eastern Division playoffs as the top seed, but are heavy underdogs against the defending champions from Cleveland, won the lottery thanks to a trade with the New Jersey Nets. Way back in 2013, Boston cleverly dealt three past-their prime stars (Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce) and a throw-in player (D.J. White), for five players, none of which were in the Green and White’s future plans, and, most importantly, a boat load of picks.
The Celtics received first-round selections in 2014, 2016 and 2018, as well as the right to switch picks with the Nets in 2017, which clearly worked out for Bean Town. Boston deftly used those extra picks to help build a roster capable of putting together its division’s top record. And now, the storied franchise is getting its first-ever No. 1 overall selection.
So, who would the Steelers have taken with that top pick? For a team looking for an edge rusher, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett would likely still be the top pick. That lockdown corner would be a lot easier to find with that top spot, meaning Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore could enter training camp as the team’s No. 1 defensive back.
n Speaking of the Steelers, no team had a better opportunity to scout the Pitt Panthers. They apparently saw enough over the past four years to pick up a slew of them.
Running back James Conner, tight end Scott Orndoff, defensive back Terrish Webb and linebacker Matt Galambos all get to stay in Southwestern Pennsylvania after sharing Heinz Field with the Black and Gold. Former Pitt Panther and West Virginia Mountaineer Rushel Shell was also picked up by the Steelers and is now a part of the team’s rookie camp.
Outside of Conner, the team’s third-round pick, its unsure as to just how many of these home-grown athletes will start their NFL career on the North Shore. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, sentiment will play no role as the rosters are trimmed down before opening day on Sept. 10.
n Speaking of local talent looking to make it big, rumors are starting to gain momentum that the top pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft could be a former WPIAL star. Questions are circling around not only if the Minnesota Twins will take Blackhawk graduate and Louisville star Brendan McKay, but whether or not he will be developed as a hitter or a pitcher.
McKay is 8-3 as the Cardinals’ ace on the mound and sports a minuscule 1.80 ERA. At the plate, he boasts a .372 batting average with 15 home runs.
What doesn’t show up on most people’s radars is the fact that McKay, who is in his junior season, was drafted all the way down in the 34th round during his senior year at Blackhawk. The fact that he has worked his way all the way up to a possible top overall pick shows his dedication to improving himself as a ball player.
Also, if anyone out there is hoping the Pirates can take a run at the biggest hometown talent since Neil Walker, they don’t pick until 12th in the first round. With how poorly the team is performing this year, its best chance may be McKay choosing not to sign with whoever drafts him and the Buccos getting a shot at the uber-talent at a higher spot in 2018.