The Steelers addressed a need at defensive end in Round Two, taking Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt No. 46 overall on Friday evening.
Tuitt (6-5, 304) notched 21.5 sacks in three seasons with Notre Dame. He could compete for immediate reps at end for Pittsburgh, which saw Ziggy Hood depart in free agency. Moreover, Brett Keisel, a longtime starter at end, is an unrestricted free agent.
Tuitt is the second defensive player the Steelers have selected in as many picks in the 2014 draft. The club took Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier No. 15 overall on Thursday night. For the Steelers, their first two picks are a nod to the reality that they must get younger on defense, with their core of their Super Bowl-winning teams whittling away over the years.