Omar Khan comments on where Steelers 2023 draft class stands

The Pittsburgh Steelers added a slew of young talent in this year’s NFL Draft, some of whom could become key contributors down the stretch. As training camp rolls along, general manager Omar Khan sounds impressed with where the newcomers stand.

The Steelers added seven players from the draft, including four who were second-string at their respective positions on the initial depth chart. That’s provided some optimism through camp and into the preseason, and Khan said they’re all in the midst of competitions.

As a result, they’re pushing to get better every day to earn their roster spots.

“It’s still early, but we feel really great,” Khan said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Those guys are competing and battling. Our goal is to put the best 11 guys on offense, the best 11 guys on defense on the field. But every one of those guys is competing for an opportunity to play. So very encouraging and very positive so far.”

Pittsburgh drafted former Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones with its first-round pick to help bolster the offensive line. Then, with the pick they acquired from the Chicago Bears, the Steelers took former Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — a team legacy — with the No. 32 overall pick.

How Darnell Washington is fitting in with the Pittsburgh Steelers

One of the more intriguing picks was Darnell Washington, the big tight end out of Georgia who Pittsburgh took in the third round and has impressed through camp. As for how he feels about the offense, he said he’s settling in well.

“I would like to say so,” Washington said when asked if he had a good grasp on the offense. “It just comes with time and things like that, more time in the playbook. I’m not gonna say I mastered it or anything like that, but as in the install we put in so far, I feel comfortable.”

Washington is also developing a relationship with quarterback Kenny Pickett — the Steelers’ 2022 first-round pick who’s gearing up for his first full season as the starter. Pickett spoke highly of Washington through camp and said he wants to continue to build a connection.

“I’d probably say guys that I haven’t worked with like Darnell,” Pickett said. “He’s a guy that I haven’t had a lot of reps with, so continuing to build that with him. And we’ll get down in the red zone today and I think he will be huge. Building off of what we did in the spring. So, he’s a guy that I want to continue to work with.”