It was a heck of a 2023 NFL Draft weekend for the Pittsburgh Steelers. No one can predict the future, but given the specific players that were drafted by the black and gold, the organization absolutely had one of the better drafts out of all teams in the league. The early names included Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Darnell Washington. Without a doubt, Pittsburgh's haul in first two days was one of, if not, the best out of all franchises. General Manager, Omar Khan should have slept very comfortable on Friday evening.
Steelers General Manager, Omar Khan stands before a group of media members at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN. Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports
The late-round picks aren't anything to be upset with, either. The Steelers continued the trend of keeping it in the family as Porter Jr. isn't the only draftee who has ties to the organization. Khan and company selected linebacker, Nick Herbig in the fourth round. He is the brother of free agent addition, Nate Herbig.
New Steelers Player Has Fantastic Reaction To Being Drafted By Pittsburgh
One of the best parts about draft weekend is watching players around the country get the call from the organizations that are giving them the shot of a lifetime. The Steelers official Instagram page released a video of when Nick was informed that he would be joining his brother. It's awesome, to say the least.
The rookie is most likely speaking with Head Coach, Mike Tomlin. We can hear him thank whoever he is talking to and emphatically say something that gets his entire group of family and friends elated.
"Can't wait to be a Steeler. Let's go!"
The brothers from Hawaii will now get to play together as Nate enters his fifth NFL season out of the University of Stanford. Nick, coming from the University of Wisconsin, could eventually transition to inside linebacker, but should start out his career providing much needed depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith.
University of Wisconsin linebacker, Nick Herbig (#19) celebrates a huge play against Penn State with his teammate. | Photo Credit: Tom Lynn / uwbadgers.com
Nick had 36 total sacks in his career for the Badgers including 15.5 in his final year in 2022. The Steelers had a huge need for depth behind their two playmakers and not only did they bring in a guy with a ton of upside, but also displayed once again their love for a good story, putting two family members on the same squad once again.
This probably wasn't just a draft day coincidence. Pittsburgh can't control how the board goes, but right when they signed Nate back in March, it should have tipped on the entire fanbase that Nick would without a doubt be an option on day two or three of the draft. It's pretty incredible how it all worked out.
Nick will presumably sign a four-year rookie deal while Nate is under contract through the 2024 season. Barring anything unexpected happening, the duo should remain on the same team for at least two seasons. It'll be pretty cool if Nick plays on the inside from time to time in practice and shoots up through the middle of the offensive line to try and run over his older brother.
Former Philadelphia Eagles and new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, Nate Herbig. | Photo Credit: Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports
This was a home run of a draft for Khan and the organization as a whole. Nick won't enter a starting role in 2023, barring any injuries, but will see significant playing time off the edge. He will battle Quincy Roche to be the third guy on the depth chart. He seems up to the task, though, based on his fired up reaction after getting the draft day call.
Are you excited for the Steelers' fourth-round pick? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
