Imagine stepping into the intense atmosphere of the NFL Combine, where every move is scrutinized by professional teams scouting top talent. Well, Byron Murphy II was ready for it. But what he didn’t anticipate was a weird drill during his meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a recent podcast appearance, he opened up about it.

With a chuckle, he recalled on the ‘Real Hawk Talk by Hawk Blogger Podcast’, “When I was meeting with Pittsburgh, man, they made me like, you know, face a wall, you know, made me put my, uh, do something with my hands, you know, and then squat, squat all the way down, you know? Uh, and then, you know, then they made me do it again.”

Murphy’s bewilderment was palpable as he replayed the strange moment, questioning, “I guess they were just trying to see how flexible I was. But like, I was like, like, man, what, like, what is this?”

While unorthodox drills may seem bizarre on the surface, they offer teams a unique window into a prospect’s physical capabilities and mental fortitude. The Steelers, ever strategic in their draft approach, likely had a method to their madness. As reported by Steeler Nation, such drills are a standard practice during potential first-round picks. Perhaps they were evaluating Murphy’s hip mobility, core strength, or ability to follow instructions under pressure.

What was the aftermath of this? Well, Russell Wilson’s Steelers picked Iowa defensive tackle Logan Lee in the sixth round, whereas Murphy went 16th overall to the Seattle Seahawks. However, this isn’t the only weird story from the 2024 NFL Combine. A few teams asked players some really hilarious questions. For example: Tip Reiman (Tight End, Illinois) was asked, ‘Are pigeons real?’ His answer was equally ridiculous. “Have you ever seen a baby pigeon? How do we know that power lines aren’t pigeon-recharging stations?” he stated.

Similarly, Tyler Owens (Safety, Texas Tech) was asked ‘Something you don’t believe in?’
His answer? “I don’t believe in space…I don’t believe there are ‘other planets’ or stuff like that.”

Steelers’ bold moves and strategic picks in the 2024 NFL Draft

With clear needs on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as at wide receiver, the Steelers executed a masterful plan that has garnered widespread praise from analysts and fans alike. Their first-round selection of Troy Fautanu, an athletic offensive tackle from Washington, addressed a critical need for protection upfront. Fautanu’s impressive combine numbers include a 90th percentile broad jump and vertical jump alongside a 5.01 40-yard dash with a 1.71 10-yard split.

In the later rounds, the Steelers continued to bolster their trenches, nabbing centers, guards, and defensive linemen with a keen eye for athletic upside. Players like Mason McCormick, who led all offensive linemen with a 9’9″ broad jump, and Payton Wilson, who clocked a blistering 4.43 40-yard dash, personify the Steelers’ commitment to building a physical, imposing team.

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On the offensive side of the ball, the addition of speedy wideout Roman Wilson (4.39 40-yard dash) provides quarterback Russell Wilson with a legitimate deep threat, complementing the team’s ground-and-pound approach.

So while Byron Murphy II may have been momentarily stumped by the Steelers’ unorthodox methods, the team’s draft haul speaks volumes about their ability to separate the signal from the noise, identifying the players who will propel them toward gridiron glory.