The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed some depth needs with their six picks in the NFL Draft over the weekend.
Their first selection was Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool taken in the second round. He is a big, fast receiver – standing 6-foot 4-inches and weighing in at 238-pounds. He averaged a touchdown per game last year for the Fighting Irish.
Their second pick Friday was outside linebacker from Charlotte Alex Highsmith in the third round.
The remaining picks taken Saturday: Maryland running back Anthony McFarland, Jr., offensive guard from Louisiana-Lafayette Kevin Dotson, Maryland safety Antoine Brooks, Jr., who can also play linebacker, and defensive tackle Carlos Davis from Nebraska.
Five of the six draft picks had been seniors in college.
The draft was held virtually for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic, averaged a record 8.4 million viewers over its three days from Thursday to Saturday, according to the NFL and Nielsen. The previous high was 6.2 million viewers last year. Each day had record audiences, with 15.6 million for the first round on Thursday, 8.2 million on Friday for the second and third rounds, and 4.2 million on Saturday for the final four rounds.
Following the draft – the Houston Texans signed former Slippery Rock University tight end Dylan Stapleton – who transferred to James Madison after two seasons at The Rock. He is an Indiana (Pa.) native.
Stapleton’s teammate – quarterback Ben DiNucci – was drafted in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys. DiNucci is a Pine-Richland graduate – who originally attended Pitt.
Former SRU quarterback Roland Rivers, III – the reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner – was not drafted, and has not been signed as an undrafted free agent.