First Call: Steelers interviewing top-notch offensive tackle before draft; huge night for Penguins' playoff hopes

Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at a high-profile offensive lineman on the Steelers’ draft board. A new Steelers defensive lineman discusses the reason why he chose Pittsburgh in free agency.

We also examine the Pirates’ early offensive prowess and how the Penguins’ playoff prospects could be impacted by many outcomes of NHL games Tuesday night.

How ’bout the Husky?

The Steelers are scheduled to have a pre-draft interview with one of the best offensive linemen available in the selection process: Troy Fautanu.

The Washington offensive tackle is slated to be in Pittsburgh soon. He’s visiting Jacksonville on Tuesday and also has Philadelphia on the list. The 6-foot-4, 317-pound prospect has already met with Baltimore and Cincinnati.

All of that is according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.

Troy Fautanu is en route to Jacksonville for a 30 visit with the #Jaguars tomorrow, per source.

He’s visited the #Ravens and #Bengals and has upcoming top 30s with the #Steelers and #Eagles. https://t.co/74QYCTSTHt

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 8, 2024

According to ESPN.com, Fautanu is the second-best offensive tackle on the board and the ninth-best player in the entire draft. Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer was also at Washington’s pro day last month, checking out Fautanu and fellow tackle Roger Rosengarten.

Why here?

New Steeler Dean Lowry has explained why he decided to sign in Pittsburgh as a free agent. The 29-year-old defensive lineman spoke with his hometown paper in Rockford, Ill., about why he decided to ink a two-year deal with the franchise last month.

“With young players, sometimes it’s more up-and-down with them. Meeting with Coach (Mike) Tomlin, he made it clear that there is a strong sense of urgency right now in the building and he wants guys who have been there and done that,” Lowry told the Rockford Register Star. “I fit that mold of what they are looking for in a defensive player this fall.”

Some of those young players who could be viewed as “up-and-down” along the defensive line for the Steelers last year were DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk. Expect Lowry to battle them for position on the depth chart.

After playing a lot of defensive end for the first seven years of his career in Green Bay, Lowry was moved inside with the Minnesota Vikings a year ago. He’s expected to bounce back outside with the Steelers this year.

“You see some similarities between Green Bay and Pittsburgh, with respect to being an iconic franchise and being in a community that really values football,” Lowry said via a post at SteelersNow.com.

At 6-6, 296 pounds, Lowry is entering his ninth NFL season. Last year he totaled 14 tackles in nine games with the Vikings.

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Scoreboard watching

It’s an important night throughout the Eastern Conference as the Penguins will watch in advance of their crucial Thursday night home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Following the point the Pens gained via their 3-2 overtime loss in Toronto last night, Sidney Crosby and company have 84 points. That’s tied with the Red Wings for the eighth and final playoff spot. But they have done so in one more game than the Wings.

On Tuesday night, Detroit hosts Washington. The Capitals have 83 points, just one behind the Penguins. They have lost six games in a row.

The New York Islanders have 85 points. That currently gives them the Metropolitan Division’s third automatic playoff slot. They host the Metro Division-leading Rangers.

The Philadelphia Flyers who, like the Caps, have 83 points, hope to break a seven-game losing streak in Montreal.

Offensive assault

The Pirates are continuing to impress with their offense. After a 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday, the Bucs are up to 9-2 on the season. That’s the best record in the National League.

Pittsburgh’s 66 runs trail only the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres atop the MLB rankings thus far. They have scored 73 and 69 times, respectively, in two additional games. The Pirates are also third when it comes to hits, behind the Dodgers’ 124 and San Diego’s 114.

The Pirates have 24 doubles. Only the Atlanta Braves with 30 have more. The Buccos lead MLB in walks with 54. The team’s .273 batting average is fifth. Its collective on-base percentage of .360 is third, and its .789 OPS is sixth.

Individually, Connor Joe is tied for third in MLB with 11 runs. Oneil Cruz is tied for 13th in the league with 14 hits.

The Pirates look to sweep the Tigers in a two-game series Tuesday afternoon. Then they head on the road for seven games — four in Philadelphia and three in New York to play the Mets.