Steelers' Spencer Anderson Detailed How Hanging Up On Andy Reid Might've Sent Him To Pittsburgh In The 7th Round

The Pittsburgh Steelers landed versatile offensive lineman, Spencer Anderson from the University of Maryland in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft to round out a class that has earned high praise from analysts. The rookie had several different teams calling him on day three of the draft. A couple of teams he remembered that showed some interest were the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, but the Kansas City Chiefs had told him they had a plan to draft him. 

Anderson joined hosts Kaleb Everhart and former Steelers lineman and fellow Maryland alumnus Dee Gray on the Three Point Stance podcast presented by SteelerNation.com. He broke down his memory of the unfolding of events on draft day. The Chiefs held the 250th overall pick, one in front of Pittsburgh's second pick of the seventh round.  

"I was on the phone with Kansas City, and they told me they were going with me or a defensive back," he said. "I was on the phone with Andy Reid and he was just like sit tight."

The Chiefs were certainly not willing to disclose to Anderson which defensive back they were interested in. However, when three were chosen at picks 245, 246, and 247, he started contemplating the possibility of joining the reigning Super Bowl champions. He still had Coach Reid telling him he was a heck of a player and all the stuff a coach says when they're trying to butter up a prospect, so he had no reason to think the team was about to change their minds. 

Then sometime before the Chiefs were set to be on the clock, Anderson had a call from a 412 number, and he hung up on Reid. On the other end of the line was Steelers General Manager Omar Khan calling to let him know the team planned to select him with their next pick in the draft. Then he remembered talking to Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who touted his versatility.

Then pick 250 rolled around and the Chiefs went with cornerback Nic Jones from Ball State. 

"I remember watching it on the big board," he said of watching the Kansas City pick. "Well, I guess they took him because I hung up. But I had already heard from Omar like three picks before that saying they were going to select me with their next pick." 

Steelers Seventh-Rounder Spencer Anderson Ready To Put In The Work

Despite the fact he was pretty certain that a team was going to draft him in April, the fact it happened was still an exceptional moment for Anderson. He said it was reassuring to actually hear his name called and get his name etched into the history books. 

"You always feel like you could've gone higher, you could always be this, or that," he said. "Right or wrong, now I'm here." 

Even though he had no idea he was even on the radar of the Steelers until that call a few picks before, he's excited to get to training camp after the hard work he's put in since the start of the offseason in rookie minicamp and Organized Team Activities. 

"The work still has to be put in whether you're a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent," he said. "Nothing is ever handed out to you. I'm blessed for the experience and it's been cool here in Pittsburgh."      

The Steelers offensive line is expected to take a step forward in 2023 with some of the improvements made to the unit. Pittsburgh had the closest thing to a fully healthy line you can have in 2022 with four members playing in 100% of the offensive snaps (Chukwuma Okorafor 99.91%), with center Mason Cole missing a few and playing in 96.03% according to Pro Football Reference. It would be naïve to think that will continue. 

In addition to adding some players that are going to be starters for sure, the team has added some useful depth pieces and a pair of rookies in Anderson and Broderick Jones. Jones' future on the team is certain, but it will be interesting to see how Anderson fits in.   

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