The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft class has been praised as one of the strongest in the league, especially because of the organization’s efforts to fortify the offensive line in front of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Former NFL Executive Marc Ross believes put together a list of the 10 draft picks most likely to make an immediate impact around the league, and Pittsburgh’s second-round selection, former West Virginia center Zach Frazier makes the cut. “The Steelers clearly entered the draft with one thing top of mind: bolstering the offensive line,” Ross writes for NFL Media. “After selecting offensive tackle Troy…
Author: Matt Lombardo
Matt Lombardo
Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league. In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks." Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show." A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020. During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more. In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made overhauling the offense and adding playmakers a top priority this offseason. Whether by a complete quarterback-room makeover by signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields, or selecting three offensive linemen to keep their quarterbacks upright in new coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme, it’s a new era for the Steelers’ offense. However, for as dynamic as George Pickens is at stretching the field, the receiver corps could still use an upgrade. Deebo Samuel has been a subject of consistent trade rumors throughout the offseason and could be an ideal fit for the Steelers. Could Pittsburgh Steelers…
The Buffalo Bills added some explosiveness to Josh Allens’ arsenal during the 2024 NFL Draft, but could still continue upgrading the receiving corps ahead of the 2024 regular season, in the wake of trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. General manager Brandon Beane and the Bills traded back during the first-round, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to pluck University of Texas speedster Xavier Worthy, but then rounded back to select former Florida State star Keon Coleman at the top of the second round. But, with work still to do when it comes to overhauling the wide receiver room, Beane…
The Tennessee Titans continued to overhaul the wide receiver position, by swinging for the fences and signing former Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tyler Boyd. Boyd, 29, arrives in Nashville after catching 67 passes for 667 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the 2023 season despite wildly inconsistent quarterback play in Joe Burrow’s absence for much of the season. Signing Boyd continues the Titans’ offseason-long investment in bolstering the talent around second-year quarterback Will Levis. How Signing Tyler Boyd Impacts Tennessee Titans Depth Chart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f5THBAiyGY Boyd isn’t the only marquee addition the Titans have made at receiver this offseason.…
The New York Giants’ selection of Malik Nabers could have a transformative impact on the offense, but, it’s one of the franchise’s selections on defense who could prove a diamond in the rough. Former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips slid to the third round but could get on the field quickly given the inconsistent play the Giants have gotten out of the secondary in recent seasons. Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker put together a list of the late-round selections in the 2024 NFL Draft who have the best chance to make an ‘instant impact,’ with Phillips leading the list. “The Giants…
Everything about the Cincinnati Bengals’ Super Bowl hopes over the next three seasons hinges on building around Joe Burrow and the wunderkind quarterback staying healthy. During this year’s NFL Draft class, the Bengals have been widely viewed among the biggest winners. In a division where Cincinnati is suddenly looking up at the Baltimore Ravens, and even the Pittsburgh Steelers improved some of their biggest weaknesses this offseason, this year’s Bengals’ draft class could prove pivotal to the franchise’s future. How Cincinnati Bengals ‘Won’ The 2024 NFL Draft Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman put together a list of the biggest picture…
The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2024 campaign aiming for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl championship, and could face a familiar roadblock in the AFC, in the Baltimore Ravens. It took Patrick Mahomes’ heroics in a knockdown, drag out AFC Championship Game that saw the Chiefs win 17-10, despite Kansas City being shutout after halftime. Can Baltimore Ravens Knock Off Kansas City Chiefs? In CBS Sports’ latest NFL power rankings, the Ravens sit firmly at No. 2, behind only the Chiefs. “I do think we should be paying attention to Baltimore losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald,” Tyler Sullivan writes…
The Denver Broncos’ selection of Bo Nix was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL Draft, so too, was the Falcons’ shocking decision to select Michael Penix Jr. just one month after investing nine figures in quarterback Kirk Cousins. At least one coach believes head coach Sean Payton and Co. made the right call. “Both those guys were talented enough to be in that conversation, particularly with the arm talent that Penix has and how competitive and how football-savvy Nix is,” a Pac-12 defensive coordinator told ESPN. “Nix is going to a head coach [Sean Payton] that really…
The Kansas City Chiefs have few remaining needs across the roster, but have yet to fill the hole created by trading All-Pro L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason. That could be about to change as free agency drags on and the price for accomplished veterans begins to come down. After not selecting a cornerback until the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chiefs could be an ideal landing spot for one of the most accomplished corners still available on the open market. Kansas City Chiefs Urged to Sign Stephon Gilmore Following a strong season with…
Aidan Hutchinson has emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant pass-rushers, but the Detroit Lions must continue to bolster the pass rush if the franchise is going to continue to take steps toward competing for a Super Bowl. Last season, Hutchinson posted 11.5 sacks in his second NFL season as the Lions barnstormed to the NFC Championship Game before coming up short against the San Francisco 49ers. While the Lions have added Marcus Davenport, last season — and Detroit’s second-half collapse in San Francisco underscored the notion that a contender can’t have enough pass rushers. As free agency continues,…
