OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Off Season We dont need a QB Edition

[Coastal Kev]

KHAN is a disaster as a GM. Does anyone remember that fake GM search? I do

 

[Empoleon8771]

Really nice safety depth addition. There really aren't a ton of positions left to fill in the draft at this point.

I wonder if they'll be drafting a LT or LG in the draft this year. They'll almost definitely be taking a DL in round 1 and RB in round 3, but there aren't a ton of other positions left to use a draft pick on beyond that. I could see a 4th round LG making a lot of sense.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Really nice safety depth addition. There really aren't a ton of positions left to fill in the draft at this point.

I wonder if they'll be drafting a LT or LG in the draft this year. They'll almost definitely be taking a DL in round 1 and RB in round 3, but there aren't a ton of other positions left to use a draft pick on beyond that. I could see a 4th round LG making a lot of sense.

Depends on McCormick is he going be the long term LG. I expect a swing OT signed. I think 4th is a Qb. I really want to trade down and get more picks

 

[Empoleon8771]

Depends on McCormick is he going be the long term LG. I expect a swing OT signed. I think 4th is a Qb. I really want to trade down and get more picks

Why trade down to get more picks? They don't have that many holes on the roster at this point.

They need a QB, RB, LG and DE, that's about it. They should just plan on using a 1st for a DE, 3rd for RB, 4th for LG and a 5th on a QB. Anything beyond that will just be depth. And with Rudolph signed for next year as well, I'm not entirely sure that they need to bother drafting a QB late this year either.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Why trade down to get more picks? They don't have that many holes on the roster at this point.

They need a QB, RB, LG and DE, that's about it. They should just plan on using a 1st for a DE, 3rd for RB, 4th for LG and a 5th on a QB. Anything beyond that will just be depth. And with Rudolph signed for next year as well, I'm not entirely sure that they need to bother drafting a QB late this year either.

They still need cam replacement and a backup for Benton at DE. I expect an o lineman drafted still want a development cb to push trice. Rudolph is the only qb under contract. A day 3 Qb like Milroe Howard would be a lottery ticket.

 

[Empoleon8771]

They still need cam replacement and a backup for Benton at DE. I expect an o lineman drafted still want a development cb to push trice. Rudolph is the only qb under contract. A day 3 Qb like Milroe Howard would be a lottery ticket.

Cam’s replacement is going to be drafted in the 1st round, and I don’t see why they need to draft a backup for Benton when Benton is only 23. They also signed Ekuale in free agency.

They’ll draft a DE in round 1, RB in round 3, LG in round 4 and a QB in round 5. That leaves their 6th and 7th to fill any depth holes they feel they may have at a position like CB, safety or WR. I don’t see why they need more picks this year.

 

[xlm34]

Cam’s replacement is going to be drafted in the 1st round, and I don’t see why they need to draft a backup for Benton when Benton is only 23. They also signed Ekuale in free agency, who’s likely Benton’s backup as is.

They’ll draft a DE in round 1, RB in round 3, LG in round 4 and a QB in round 5. That leaves their 6th and 7th to fill any depth holes they feel they may have at a position like CB, safety or WR. I don’t see why they need more picks this year.

I think they still need two DL: one to eventually replace Heyward, and then a NT type to allow Benton to move into a Heyward type of role that I think he’s better suited for. So something like Harmon in round 1 and CJ West in round 4 I think would make sense.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think they still need two DL: one to eventually replace Heyward, and then a NT type to allow Benton to move into a Heyward type of role that I think he’s better suited for. So something like Harmon in round 1 and CJ West in round 4 I think would make sense.

I wouldn’t mind that strategy, but I would also support planning on using a higher round pick in 2026 to target that as well. Unless it’s easy to get good NTs in the 4th, I’d rather use a 2nd next year to make sure their DL is fully set up with Benton and their 2025 1st at DE and the other drafted guy at NT.

That said, CB also seems like a pretty major hole they’ll need to use a 2nd on next year as well. That’s part of the reason I was frustrated with Slay on a 1 year deal, they really should have targeted a multi-year deal for someone younger to fill the CB2 slot for longer.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Cam’s replacement is going to be drafted in the 1st round, and I don’t see why they need to draft a backup for Benton when Benton is only 23. They also signed Ekuale in free agency.

They’ll draft a DE in round 1, RB in round 3, LG in round 4 and a QB in round 5. That leaves their 6th and 7th to fill any depth holes they feel they may have at a position like CB, safety or WR. I don’t see why they need more picks this year.

Because right now they have Ekuale and Adams as NT Benton is sliding over taking Larry spot. Lowry Loudermilk just depth. Right now Anderson is the first IOl off the bench. They need a swing OT

 

[Empoleon8771]

Because right now they have Ekuale and Adams as NT Benton is sliding over taking Larry spot. Lowry Loudermilk just depth. Right now Anderson is the first IOl off the bench. They need a swing OT

Have they made any indications they will be moving Benton to NT? I also don’t see how it makes sense to move Benton to LE and then have to draft a NT rather than keeping Benton at NT until Heyward retires and then just move him at that point.

Ekuale is apparently more of a run stopper DE that will likely be competing with the round 1 pick for starts at Ogunjobi’s old spot. I don’t see anything that makes me think their DL won’t be Ekuale/round 1 pick at LE, Benton at NT and Heyward at RE.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Have they made any indications they will be moving Benton to NT? I also don’t see how it makes sense to move Benton to LE and then have to draft a NT rather than keeping Benton at NT until Heyward retires and then just move him at that point.

Ekuale is apparently more of a run stopper DE that will likely be competing with the round 1 pick for starts at Ogunjobi’s old spot. I don’t see anything that makes me think their DL won’t be Ekuale/round 1 pick at LE, Benton at NT and Heyward at RE.

Benton can’t beat double teams as a NT he is completely miscast as NT. They need him to develop into a tuitt.

Film Room: What The Steelers Are Getting In New DL Daniel Ekuale

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their first, though certainly not their last, offseason addition to improve their defensive line. A unit that ended 2024 as one of the team’s weaknesses, the Steelers signed veteran Daniel Ekuale Sunday night. Starting 16 games for the New England Patriots...

steelersdepot.com

 

[JTG]

Yeah, Benton is probably a better 5 than a 0. Kenneth Grant is really what I think they need the most. He has some warts though. But Grant right out of the both can stop the run and press the pocket. He seems like the most logical pick for our 1st pick.

 

[Pens x]

Yeah, Benton is probably a better 5 than a 0. Kenneth Grant is really what I think they need the most. He has some warts though. But Grant right out of the both can stop the run and press the pocket. He seems like the most logical pick for our 1st pick.

Steelers dont make “logical” decisions

 

[JTG]

Steelers dont make “logical” decisions

Dude...stop. I like where they are going with their drafting. There is reason to believe they have another good draft since Weidl and Khan have strung a few together now.

Both the Penguins and the Steelers need to tank for 26. Both ownership groups have totally screwed the pooch.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

The fundamentals of this game will never change - if you dominate the trenches, you will almost always dominate on the scoreboard.

Weidl and Khan understand that, which is why I think they go heavy on the D-line this draft.

Under Dan and Noll/Cowher, this was always understood.

Why this org has gotten so far away from their roots under Art/Tomlin, that the “Steelers Way” for 40 years is now being called the “Philly Way”, blows my mind.

Even though the Steelers Way is known as a dominant D and run game, both Noll and Cowher relaxed their ultra conservative roots to open up the passing game and it lead to four SB trips and three Lombardis (78, 79, 95 05).

That’s why this org was revered for so many decades - they symbolized old school ball that beat the shit out of their opponents, and adapted to a modern passing offense when needed.

Now they are nothing but a punchline.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Yeah, Benton is probably a better 5 than a 0. Kenneth Grant is really what I think they need the most. He has some warts though. But Grant right out of the both can stop the run and press the pocket. He seems like the most logical pick for our 1st pick.

I don't doubt that Benton is better as a DE than a NT, but the big thing I'm wondering is whether you want to use a 1st rounder on a NT rather than a DE that will eventually replace Heyward. If you move Benton to LE, you'll need to use that 1st on a NT to replace Benton, and will you be able to get a guy who can play NT now and slide to RE once Heyward retires?

Basically I'm wondering if you can get both a current NT and a Heyward DE successor with the same pick.

 

[JTG]

I don't doubt that Benton is better as a DE than a NT, but the big thing I'm wondering is whether you want to use a 1st rounder on a NT rather than a DE that will eventually replace Heyward. If you move Benton to LE, you'll need to use that 1st on a NT to replace Benton, and will you be able to get a guy who can play NT now and slide to RE once Heyward retires?

Basically I'm wondering if you can get both a current NT and a Heyward DE successor with the same pick.

They basically want to get a 3-technique. A 3 is like your O+ blood type - goes with basically anything. Grant's top out is a Ngata type player where he's 340 pounds but will chase down plays and shut down sides of the field as an end.

The difference between running a 3-4 today and when we were successful with it is that the NT has to play multiple positions. We don't just like up in a base 3-4 any longer. QBs are too fast and teams don't run enough.

And I say this, but a guy like Thor Griffith later in the draft would be a serviceable nose for us. I thought Tyleik Williams would have been a good one for us in the 2nd...

 

[pistolpete11]

I say just draft the best DL available and figure out who will play DE and who will play NT later. They are going to need both when Cam retires anyway.

I also haven't seen much on what they expect from Ekuale. Is he really a DE-only? Maybe he'd be serviceable enough at NT to allow Benton to move to DE now, regardless of the rookie. Granted he's not ideal, but neither is Benton. And if the plan is to eventually move Benton to DE, it would be better for his development to start that transition sooner rather than later.

Nothing needs to be written in stone either. Maybe Benton starts at NT and can kick out to DE in certain situations. You always need a rotation, but that's especially true when you have a rookie and a soon-to-be 36-year old as key parts of the rotation.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I say just draft the best DL available and figure out who will play DE and who will play NT later. They are going to need both when Cam retires anyway.

I also haven't seen much on what they expect from Ekuale. Is he really a DE-only? Maybe he'd be serviceable enough at NT to allow Benton to move to DE now, regardless of the rookie. Granted he's not ideal, but neither is Benton. And if the plan is to eventually move Benton to DE, it would be better for his development to start that transition sooner rather than later.

Nothing needs to be written in stone either. Maybe Benton starts at NT and can kick out to DE in certain situations. You always need a rotation, but that's especially true when you have a rookie and a soon-to-be 36-year old as key parts of the rotation.

At least from that Steelers depot article, it gave me the impression that he'd a run stopper DE that would probably fill in for Ogunjobi's spot. That said, he seems like a rotational guy/backup anyway, so you could probably rotate some sets with Benton at NT and Ekuale at LE and Benton at LE and a different guy at NT.

On the unofficial Steelers depth chart site, Ekuale is listed as Heyward's backup, which seems like most fitting role for Ekuale.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Yeah, Benton is probably a better 5 than a 0. Kenneth Grant is really what I think they need the most. He has some warts though. But Grant right out of the both can stop the run and press the pocket. He seems like the most logical pick for our 1st pick.

My only question with grant is do you believe he is capable of playing every down. The days of Hampton are over. I know Harmon is an every down DL. If you want a pure run stuffer you can get that on day 3. You can get Robinson from Nebraska Collins from texas. Ideally I would like a trade down picking up another 3rd and 5th and go cb and rb in round 3. Maybe trade down again in the 3rd and pick up another pick

 

[Empoleon8771]

My only question with grant is do you believe he is capable of playing every down. The days of Hampton are over. I know Harmon is an every down DL. If you want a pure run stuffer you can get that on day 3. You can get Robinson from Nebraska Collins from texas. Ideally I would like a trade down picking up another 3rd and 5th and go cb and rb in round 3. Maybe trade down again in the 3rd and pick up another pick

The Steelers CB depth is currently Porter, Slay, Echols, Bishop and Trice. I'm not seeing a need there to use a 3rd rounder on a CB. They need a future CB2, which will need to use a higher pick than a 3rd to get.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

At least from that Steelers depot article, it gave me the impression that he'd a run stopper DE that would probably fill in for Ogunjobi's spot. That said, he seems like a rotational guy/backup anyway, so you could probably rotate some sets with Benton at NT and Ekuale at LE and Benton at LE and a different guy at NT.

Yeah I think you can pencil in Ekuale as Benton back up DE. They brought back Louder to be a rotation DE. i believe Lee kicks Lowry off the roster. They only carry 6 DL so maybe they don’t do 4 Dl in 2 years like they did with the o line

 

[JTG]

My only question with grant is do you believe he is capable of playing every down. The days of Hampton are over. I know Harmon is an every down DL. If you want a pure run stuffer you can get that on day 3. You can get Robinson from Nebraska Collins from texas. Ideally I would like a trade down picking up another 3rd and 5th and go cb and rb in round 3. Maybe trade down again in the 3rd and pick up another pick

I do. He's a 3 down player. They will trim him up also. He doesn't have to be 340 pounds. The guys that would fit our situation best right now are Graham (will be gone), Harmon, Grant, Alexander, Williams, Turner, and Alfred Collins.

I don't think Robinson is big enough for us. I love him as a player though. I don't know what they are thinking of doing with picks. If they can flip Pickens for a 2nd and a 3rd, I'd do that.

 

[pistolpete11]

At least from that Steelers depot article, it gave me the impression that he'd a run stopper DE that would probably fill in for Ogunjobi's spot. That said, he seems like a rotational guy/backup anyway, so you could probably rotate some sets with Benton at NT and Ekuale at LE and Benton at LE and a different guy at NT.

On the unofficial Steelers depth chart site, Ekuale is listed as Heyward's backup, which seems like most fitting role for Ekuale.

I don't really care what's the best fit for Ekuale, though, nor do I really care about what's best for the 2025 Steelers. He definitely seems like just a guy, but if having just a guy at NT allows them to develop their 23-year-old future starting DE better, so be it.

Just because he's been a DE doesn't mean that's what he will be here, too. Pretty sure Alualu was a DE before coming to the Steelers and they moved him to NT. He wasn't an All Pro at NT or anything and in general is better than Ekuale, but he handled it well.

If he absolutely can't handle it, OK. You don't want him negatively affecting your evaluation and development of the rest of the defense either. But if he can be 'good enough', I'd rather go with him there and prioritize Benton's development at DE.