Pittsburgh became the center of the football world over the past several days as an estimated 320,000 fans packed the North Shore and surrounding areas, turning the NFL Draft into a weekend of football dreams, high city energy and Steelers selections across the first two nights.
A total of 224 NFL players heard their name called as their dreams became a reality, and dozens more would experience the same thing as Saturday’s final day of the draft unfolded.
“It’s a select brotherhood,” Cowboys new cornerback Caleb Downs said. “Not everybody makes it. There’s a small percentage of high school kids that make it to college, and a smaller percentage of college kids that make it to the NFL. I’m just giving all the glory for this. The Lord has blessed our family and blessed everybody that’s been around me, and I thank everybody that’s poured into me.”
The 17 on-site prospects got to walk across the stage in front of a record-setting crowd that was, numbers wise, three-fourths the size of the crowd at Woodstock — the majority sporting the black and gold. All the work and dedication paid off.
“God allowed me to be put in this situation, and I’m here to glorify him and thank him,” Downs said. “Shaking the commissioner’s hand is something legendary you see as a kid, so to be in this position now, it’s honestly a great feeling.”
The Washington Commanders selected Mansoor Delane sixth overall out of LSU and he said the entire day was surreal.
“It was just a great feeling,” he said of walking across the stage. “I think it hit me a little earlier than me walking on the stage. When I first got the call, I was crying and couldn’t control my emotions, but I got it together quickly for TV. Just being able to shake Mr. Goodell’s hand — it was a blessing, man.”
Although the players were focused on family and their future in football, there was a much bigger picture to be seen outside that lens.
How was the draft experience navigating the crowds in Pittsburgh?
Whether a fan parked on the Northside, at Point State Park or took the Gateway Clipper over to the venue, all fans were directed toward the intersection of Sproat Way and Casino Drive, which then took them on a pathway near the entrance right near the Landing Hotel.
Draft-goers entered multiple rows of gates as they filtered guests quickly. Police Tactical Units and local law enforcement surrounded the entrance.
After fans made their way through, they did not scan in their passes until they reached the entrance of the Draft Theater or the stadium viewing. Fans who arrived after the Draft Theater was filled then packed the lower bowl for draft viewing inside the stadium.
Media members went to the club level, which was filled with hundreds of journalists. Those who wanted to attend the press conference walked from the west side of the stadium around the club level to the East UPMC Club. Sixty to 80 media members took over the press conference area, awaiting the prospects after their selections.
For those seated in the Draft Theater, draft-goers had to walk around the entire stadium from the east side around the open-sided part and then to the Draft Theater.
Despite room to walk when first entering, getting around the stadium and closer to the Draft Theater was crammed. Yet again, 300,000-plus people leads to that. Although most thought it would be a mad house, the chaos was organized. The road closures near the stadium allowed the walking room to be seamless.
Those who watched in the stadium avoided the long walk around Acrisure as they entered Gate C right near the T-Station drop off on the east side of the stadium.
Overall, there was plenty of room to walk after entering, as the area had festivities including a Pepsi Station, an Am Ex stage that allowed fans to compete in video games, a concert stage, and a 13,000-square-foot NFL shop. There were food stands and drink vendors too.
All 32 teams had large helmets fans could take their picture next to.
As for the Steelers draft selections, the team settled on Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick in the first round and Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard with the 47th pick in the second round.
The Steelers’ third round draft picks were Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who went 76th overall; Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette, who went 85th overall; and Iowa guard Gennings Dunker, the 96th overall selection. The club’s top selection on Day 3 was Kaden Wetjen, a return specialist and wide receiver from Iowa, who was taken 21st in the fourth round and 121st overall.
Pittsburgh’s first-round selection, Iheanachor did not allow a single sack last season at Arizona State. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound tackle began playing football five years ago as he developed quickly.
After the Eagles swiped Makai Lemon from the Steelers’ grasp in the first round, Pittsburgh traded up in the second round to take Bernard, who tallied 862 receiving yards last season. He’s one of many wide receivers in a widely considered deep wide receiver class.
The Steelers then drafted Allar, Penn State’s quarterback for the past three seasons who helped get the team to the semifinal of the College Football playoff two seasons ago. Allar sustained a season-ending ankle injury against Northwestern, which led to the firing of James Franklin.
The draft pick drew a mixed reaction, with some fans clapping and others booing. Some Steeler fans want Aaron Rodgers back. Some want to see Will Howard get his chance. For Allar, he’s a lifelong Browns fan, so some joked he might be reluctant to wear the black and gold.
However, after last season, Allar will be grateful to have an opportunity to compete.
Rodgers could still reunite with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy. Regardless if he’s back or not, Howard and Allar will battle for a spot regardless. This season, the Steelers quarterback room will have new linemen in front of them and a wide receiver room that includes DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Bernard.
At the end of the day, the draft selections and media reactions aren’t the main thing for the prospects. Carnell Tate sees how important this is for his family.
“It’s a great feeling,” Tate said. “I’m forever in debt to my family. They’ve been through my journey here. They’ve only continued to show their love and support for me, and I’ve worked all my life to be here. So I’m very thankful.”
Photos by Antonio Rossetti
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