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

[xlm34]

Ok, we are closing in on the Steelers 4th round pick in the HFBoards NFL Mock Draft. Here are players that could be available, we are currently at pick 120 in the draft.

It's obvious how deep the RB and DL classes are at this point. Though we did go like 1.5 rounds without a RB being picked, but maybe this is the sweet spot for them.

Still some good DL left. Though they are very much in the smallish-quick effort bracket (West, Peebles, Pegues) and the NT bracket (Phillips. Caldwell). Caldwell being the Hampton type at 6-1, 340.

OL is very meh. QBs are meh, I like Shough but not in the 4th. WR is very meh. This is also a sweet spot for Edge as well, but the Steelers don't need one at this point. TE is meh, maybe one later.

Potential at Pick 123:

QB: Tyler Shough (59-0-0-91), Quinn Ewers (0-0-142-0), Riley Leonard (0-0-121-0), Dillon Gabriel (0-0-131-122), Kyle McCord (0-0-0-137)

RB: Jordan James (62-0-0-0), RJ Harvey (95-0-85-0-3), DJ Giddens (0-0-86-131), Devin Neal (0-0-96-110), Damien Martinez (0-0-101-0), Brayshul Tuten (0-0-132-76), Jayden Blue (0-0-126-142), Kalel Mullings (0-0-150-0), Ollie Gordon II (0-0-0-126)

TE: Mitchell Evans (0-0-143-136), Benjamin Yurosek (0-0-147-0), Jackson Hawes (0-0-0-116), Jalin Conyers (0-0-0-146), Moliki Matavao (0-0-0-148)

WR: Tai Felton (0-0-0-99), Tory Horton (0-0-135-124)

OT: Chase Lundt (0-0-138-85), Jalen Rivers (0-0-123-130), Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (0-0-127-0), Ajani Cornelius (0-0-146-0), Carson Vinson (0-0-0-112), Jalen Travis (0-0-0-120), Emery Jones (0-0-0-125)

G: Miles Frazier (0-0-0-100), Jonah Monheim (0-0-0-127)

DL: CJ West (0-0-69-0), Jordan Phillips (73-0-80-104), Jamaree Caldwell (0-0-118-73), Vernon Broughton (0-0-78-0), Aeneas Peebles (0-0-115-0), JJ Pegues (0-0-124-138), Rylie Mills (0-0-140-0), Sai'vion Jones (0-0-141-0)

Edge: Elijah Roberts (0-0-82-111), Kaimon Rucker (0-0-107-0), Quandarrius Robinson (0-0-119-0), Barryn Sorrell (0-0-122-102), Ahmed Hassanein (0-0-133-0), Antwaun Powell-Ryland (0-0-136-0), Tyler Batty (0-0-145-0), Jah Joyner (0-0-0-140)

CB: Quincy Riley (77-0-0-123), Mello Dotson (0-0-120-144)

S: Billy Bowman Jr (0-0-149-95), Sebastian Castro (0-0-102-0), Maxen Hook, (0-0-0-121), Malachi Moore (0-0-0-129), Kitan Crawford (0-0-0-149)

The Number beside each name:

• Dane Brugler’s Big Board 100 (Feb 11th) – no update since combine
• Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 (Mar 6th)
• PFF Big Board Top 150 (Mar 21st)
• 33rd Team Top 150 (Mar 6th)

I’d probably go Tuten at this point, although I’d be tempted to risk passing on RB until round 5 and double dip on the DL with West.

 

[Peat]

You're set for 2025, but the question is if you trust Pickens enough to give him an extension. If not, it makes some sense to trade him so you can get something for him now.

Kind of torn on it myself. As you said, it's a good draft for DL which they desperately need and I'm a firm believer in building inside-out. However, I don't trust Pickens long term. I dunno. Maybe the answer is a compromise. Trade Pickens, still use the 1st on a DL, and the 2nd/3rd you get for Pickens on a WR?

The obvious compromise is keep Pickens for one last year without an extension and ignore WR in the first few rounds of this draft. Which I think was probably the accepted way forward in most places until we heard rumours of the Steelers loving Egbuka and unless they absolutely love the guy in a run to the podium, the rest don't know how good he really is way, it still seems to be the best way forward.

 

[pistolpete11]

The obvious compromise is keep Pickens for one last year without an extension and ignore WR in the first few rounds of this draft. Which I think was probably the accepted way forward in most places until we heard rumours of the Steelers loving Egbuka and unless they absolutely love the guy in a run to the podium, the rest don't know how good he really is way, it still seems to be the best way forward.

If he's not in your long term plans, you should get something for him, especially since they are not serious contenders for 2025. They could tag and trade, but I'd imagine teams are more willing to take a chance on him when he's making only $4M than the $20M+ or whatever he'd be making on a franchise tag.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Intersting take on the whole Rogers situation and a potential reason why the delay:

“We keep asking, what the hell is going on with Aaron Rodgers? Why is this taking so long? The Pittsburgh Steelers also have a comp-pick situation that will be affected the second they sign Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers have comp picks in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. They have four comp picks sitting on the table…These are all picks that are potentially impacted the second you sign Aaron Rodgers prior to the Monday after the NFL Draft.”

Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson on why the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t signed Aaron Rodge

NFL reporter explains why Pittsburgh Steelers haven't signed Aaron Rodgers yet

NFL news: Why haven't the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers? A top reporter sheds light on the Pittsburgh Steelers' situation with Aaron Rodgers.

sportsnaut.com

The article goes on to explain that "Pittsburgh could certainly go out and sign Rodgers to a one-year contract tomorrow, but the salary he’d likely want would be factored into the compensatory pick formula for the 2026 NFL Draft."

By waiting a few weeks, the Steelers would end up with better comp picks. That assumes that Rogers does eventually sign with Pittsburgh. It also begs the question if such gaming of the comp system skirts the rules or not. If not, it is a pretty large loophole that invites collusion.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

They don't.

TJ is a player that retires with one franchise. He will be enshrined as a Steeler and will be basically right there with Troy as best ever.

If Watt wants to stick around, he will be in very real danger of becoming an all time great with zero playoff wins.

Cortez Kennedy and Dick Butkus are the only legendary defensive players I can think of that made the HOF and had zero playoff wins.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Intersting take on the whole Rogers situation and a potential reason why the delay:

NFL reporter explains why Pittsburgh Steelers haven't signed Aaron Rodgers yet

NFL news: Why haven't the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers? A top reporter sheds light on the Pittsburgh Steelers' situation with Aaron Rodgers.

sportsnaut.com

The article goes on to explain that "Pittsburgh could certainly go out and sign Rodgers to a one-year contract tomorrow, but the salary he’d likely want would be factored into the compensatory pick formula for the 2026 NFL Draft."

By waiting a few weeks, the Steelers would end up with better comp picks. That assumes that Rogers does eventually sign with Pittsburgh. It also begs the question if such gaming of the comp system skirts the rules or not. If not, it is a pretty large loophole that invites collusion.

Rodgers was released so he won't factor into the comp pick formula.

 

[Captain Hook]

Rodgers was released. Released players don't factor into the comp formula at all.

 

[pistolpete11]

Intersting take on the whole Rogers situation and a potential reason why the delay:

NFL reporter explains why Pittsburgh Steelers haven't signed Aaron Rodgers yet

NFL news: Why haven't the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers? A top reporter sheds light on the Pittsburgh Steelers' situation with Aaron Rodgers.

sportsnaut.com

The article goes on to explain that "Pittsburgh could certainly go out and sign Rodgers to a one-year contract tomorrow, but the salary he’d likely want would be factored into the compensatory pick formula for the 2026 NFL Draft."

By waiting a few weeks, the Steelers would end up with better comp picks. That assumes that Rogers does eventually sign with Pittsburgh. It also begs the question if such gaming of the comp system skirts the rules or not. If not, it is a pretty large loophole that invites collusion.

I'm fairly certain that since Rodgers was technically released, he doesn't count towards the comp pick formula. Same reason Slay doesn't factor in.

If he would, then yes, no brainer to wait until after the draft.

 

[pistolpete11]

Rodgers was released so he won't factor into the comp pick formula.

Rodgers was released. Released players don't factor into the comp formula at all.

I'm fairly certain that since Rodgers was technically released, he doesn't count towards the comp pick formula. Same reason Slay doesn't factor in.

If he would, then yes, no brainer to wait until after the draft.

Kinda wild that us dummies on a hockey message board know the rules better than a professional sports writer, but hey

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kinda wild that us dummies on a hockey message board know the rules better than a professional sports writer, but hey

To be fair, I learned that from here so I can't take credit for it

 

[Peat]

If he's not in your long term plans, you should get something for him, especially since they are not serious contenders for 2025. They could tag and trade, but I'd imagine teams are more willing to take a chance on him when he's making only $4M than the $20M+ or whatever he'd be making on a franchise tag.

I'm not going to be opposed if they go that route and trade him either. That's what I initially wanted before they indicated they'd keep him one last year.

But if they go ahead with keeping him, because they don't like the trade offers and think they'll be much the same next year on a tag/comp pick, and/or they haven't quite counted him out and want to take one last swing on getting him to grow up, that's livable with as a compromise.

Intersting take on the whole Rogers situation and a potential reason why the delay:

NFL reporter explains why Pittsburgh Steelers haven't signed Aaron Rodgers yet

NFL news: Why haven't the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers? A top reporter sheds light on the Pittsburgh Steelers' situation with Aaron Rodgers.

sportsnaut.com

The article goes on to explain that "Pittsburgh could certainly go out and sign Rodgers to a one-year contract tomorrow, but the salary he’d likely want would be factored into the compensatory pick formula for the 2026 NFL Draft."

By waiting a few weeks, the Steelers would end up with better comp picks. That assumes that Rogers does eventually sign with Pittsburgh. It also begs the question if such gaming of the comp system skirts the rules or not. If not, it is a pretty large loophole that invites collusion.

Iirc, players who are cut do not count for the compensatory pick formula. Hence why Darius Slay doesn't impact the Steelers' picks at all.

Pretty sure you see teams announce signings before a guy can be officially signed all the time too.

Oh, I see I'm being real slow replying here... but still going to include it!

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Ok, we are closing in on the Steelers 4th round pick in the HFBoards NFL Mock Draft. Here are players that could be available, we are currently at pick 120 in the draft.

It's obvious how deep the RB and DL classes are at this point. Though we did go like 1.5 rounds without a RB being picked, but maybe this is the sweet spot for them.

Still some good DL left. Though they are very much in the smallish-quick effort bracket (West, Peebles, Pegues) and the NT bracket (Phillips. Caldwell). Caldwell being the Hampton type at 6-1, 340.

OL is very meh. QBs are meh, I like Shough but not in the 4th. WR is very meh. This is also a sweet spot for Edge as well, but the Steelers don't need one at this point. TE is meh, maybe one later.

Potential at Pick 123:

QB: Tyler Shough (59-0-0-91), Quinn Ewers (0-0-142-0), Riley Leonard (0-0-121-0), Dillon Gabriel (0-0-131-122), Kyle McCord (0-0-0-137)

RB: Jordan James (62-0-0-0), RJ Harvey (95-0-85-0-3), DJ Giddens (0-0-86-131), Devin Neal (0-0-96-110), Damien Martinez (0-0-101-0), Brayshul Tuten (0-0-132-76), Jayden Blue (0-0-126-142), Kalel Mullings (0-0-150-0), Ollie Gordon II (0-0-0-126)

TE: Mitchell Evans (0-0-143-136), Benjamin Yurosek (0-0-147-0), Jackson Hawes (0-0-0-116), Jalin Conyers (0-0-0-146), Moliki Matavao (0-0-0-148)

WR: Tai Felton (0-0-0-99), Tory Horton (0-0-135-124)

OT: Chase Lundt (0-0-138-85), Jalen Rivers (0-0-123-130), Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (0-0-127-0), Ajani Cornelius (0-0-146-0), Carson Vinson (0-0-0-112), Jalen Travis (0-0-0-120), Emery Jones (0-0-0-125)

G: Miles Frazier (0-0-0-100), Jonah Monheim (0-0-0-127)

DL: CJ West (0-0-69-0), Jordan Phillips (73-0-80-104), Jamaree Caldwell (0-0-118-73), Vernon Broughton (0-0-78-0), Aeneas Peebles (0-0-115-0), JJ Pegues (0-0-124-138), Rylie Mills (0-0-140-0), Sai'vion Jones (0-0-141-0)

Edge: Elijah Roberts (0-0-82-111), Kaimon Rucker (0-0-107-0), Quandarrius Robinson (0-0-119-0), Barryn Sorrell (0-0-122-102), Ahmed Hassanein (0-0-133-0), Antwaun Powell-Ryland (0-0-136-0), Tyler Batty (0-0-145-0), Jah Joyner (0-0-0-140)

CB: Quincy Riley (77-0-0-123), Mello Dotson (0-0-120-144)

S: Billy Bowman Jr (0-0-149-95), Sebastian Castro (0-0-102-0), Maxen Hook, (0-0-0-121), Malachi Moore (0-0-0-129), Kitan Crawford (0-0-0-149)

The Number beside each name:

• Dane Brugler’s Big Board 100 (Feb 11th) – no update since combine
• Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 (Mar 6th)
• PFF Big Board Top 150 (Mar 21st)
• 33rd Team Top 150 (Mar 6th)

Pretty sure I would go James or Neal.

 

[Empoleon8771]

One last thought regarding Pickens, I think the argument to trade him now is that you have too many holes you will need to fill in the 2026 draft to also have to worry about getting a Pickens replacement for when they most likely don't re-sign him. QB is the obvious need for next year, but I'd also pretty easily argue CB, LT and LG are all pretty significant needs (or potential significant needs) that you'd need to use either a day 1 or 2 pick on. If you keep Pickens for this year and then let him walk, you're now also adding another WR that you need to get in addition to a QB, CB, LT and LG. It's just adding up to be a lot of holes that you need to fill in the draft next year.

That's a big reason why I was frustrated with the Slay addition in UFA, they had to get a younger guy that could fill the CB2 role for multiple years. They're just going to have to replace Slay next year and be in the same spot.

 

[JTG]

THey could also have Pickens play out this year and then franchise him to trade him. It'd basically tank his value, but he'd still fetch probably another 3rd round pick.

 

[pistolpete11]

To be fair, I learned that from here so I can't take credit for it

Important part is that you know it and even more importantly didn't write about it professionally without doing the bare minimum amount of research.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

I’d probably go Tuten at this point, although I’d be tempted to risk passing on RB until round 5 and double dip on the DL with West.

I don't feel like West fits the Steelers scheme. He is a 4-3 DT that a team would rotate-in on obvious passing downs. I could see him going to Philly as a Milton Williams replacement.

Looking at the running backs. The Steelers have met with or a plan to have a onsite pre-draft visit with Tuten, Giddens, Blue and Gordon II.

Tuten and Blue have speed to burn. Giddens has good speed and is more of a prototypical feature back. Giddens is like Le'Veon type. Tuten has experience being a returner but also has fumbling problems

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Rodgers was released so he won't factor into the comp pick formula.

But it was in an article on the internet.

It has to be true.

 

[Peat]

One last thought regarding Pickens, I think the argument to trade him now is that you have too many holes you will need to fill in the 2026 draft to also have to worry about getting a Pickens replacement for when they most likely don't re-sign him. QB is the obvious need for next year, but I'd also pretty easily argue CB, LT and LG are all pretty significant needs (or potential significant needs) that you'd need to use either a day 1 or 2 pick on. If you keep Pickens for this year and then let him walk, you're now also adding another WR that you need to get in addition to a QB, CB, LT and LG. It's just adding up to be a lot of holes that you need to fill in the draft next year.

That's a big reason why I was frustrated with the Slay addition in UFA, they had to get a younger guy that could fill the CB2 role for multiple years. They're just going to have to replace Slay next year and be in the same spot.

They're currently estimated to have the third most cap space for 2026. Even allowing for a Watt signing knocking that way down, this won't be a team that needs to draft its roster needs, particularly if they don't sign Pickens.

Although I guess the counter on that is don't bank on getting a comp pick for him if it comes to it.

CB, G, and WR are all positions where with a bit of luck they could promote from within with Trice, Anderson, and Wilson. You probably only get one somewhat unsatisfying hit from that, but even that's enough to lighten the load.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

That's a big reason why I was frustrated with the Slay addition in UFA, they had to get a younger guy that could fill the CB2 role for multiple years. They're just going to have to replace Slay next year and be in the same spot.

Signing Slay does not preclude them from drafting a guy like Parrish or Riley or Alexander or Porter in the 3rd round.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Signing Slay does not preclude them from drafting a guy like Parrish or Riley or Alexander or Porter in the 3rd round.

Their CB room is too crowded for me to think that they're going to draft a CB this year.

Porter, Slay, Echols, Bishop and Trice seem like their CB1-5 and I'm not sure I see a position for a 3rd rounder here above CB5.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

THey could also have Pickens play out this year and then franchise him to trade him. It'd basically tank his value, but he'd still fetch probably another 3rd round pick.

Well that depends on what GP you get this season.
If he matches what he did his previous years, a 3rd seems to be fair.

If he goes off the rails, the Steelers may end up releasing him.

So there's risk there.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Well that depends on what GP you get this season.
If he matches what he did his previous years, a 3rd seems to be fair.

If he goes off the rails, the Steelers may end up releasing him.

So there's risk there.

When AR throws Pickens under the bus, things gonna get funny AF.

And the funniest shit won’t even be what they say, it will be Pickens’ dad rage tweeting about the Steelers incompetence at finding a QB.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

Ok, we are closing in on the Steelers 4th round pick in the HFBoards NFL Mock Draft. Here are players that could be available, we are currently at pick 120 in the draft.

It's obvious how deep the RB and DL classes are at this point. Though we did go like 1.5 rounds without a RB being picked, but maybe this is the sweet spot for them.

Still some good DL left. Though they are very much in the smallish-quick effort bracket (West, Peebles, Pegues) and the NT bracket (Phillips. Caldwell). Caldwell being the Hampton type at 6-1, 340.

OL is very meh. QBs are meh, I like Shough but not in the 4th. WR is very meh. This is also a sweet spot for Edge as well, but the Steelers don't need one at this point. TE is meh, maybe one later.

Potential at Pick 123:

QB: Tyler Shough (59-0-0-91), Quinn Ewers (0-0-142-0), Riley Leonard (0-0-121-0), Dillon Gabriel (0-0-131-122), Kyle McCord (0-0-0-137)

RB: Jordan James (62-0-0-0), RJ Harvey (95-0-85-0-3), DJ Giddens (0-0-86-131), Devin Neal (0-0-96-110), Damien Martinez (0-0-101-0), Brayshul Tuten (0-0-132-76), Jayden Blue (0-0-126-142), Kalel Mullings (0-0-150-0), Ollie Gordon II (0-0-0-126)

TE: Mitchell Evans (0-0-143-136), Benjamin Yurosek (0-0-147-0), Jackson Hawes (0-0-0-116), Jalin Conyers (0-0-0-146), Moliki Matavao (0-0-0-148)

WR: Tai Felton (0-0-0-99), Tory Horton (0-0-135-124)

OT: Chase Lundt (0-0-138-85), Jalen Rivers (0-0-123-130), Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (0-0-127-0), Ajani Cornelius (0-0-146-0), Carson Vinson (0-0-0-112), Jalen Travis (0-0-0-120), Emery Jones (0-0-0-125)

G: Miles Frazier (0-0-0-100), Jonah Monheim (0-0-0-127)

DL: CJ West (0-0-69-0), Jordan Phillips (73-0-80-104), Jamaree Caldwell (0-0-118-73), Vernon Broughton (0-0-78-0), Aeneas Peebles (0-0-115-0), JJ Pegues (0-0-124-138), Rylie Mills (0-0-140-0), Sai'vion Jones (0-0-141-0)

Edge: Elijah Roberts (0-0-82-111), Kaimon Rucker (0-0-107-0), Quandarrius Robinson (0-0-119-0), Barryn Sorrell (0-0-122-102), Ahmed Hassanein (0-0-133-0), Antwaun Powell-Ryland (0-0-136-0), Tyler Batty (0-0-145-0), Jah Joyner (0-0-0-140)

CB: Quincy Riley (77-0-0-123), Mello Dotson (0-0-120-144)

S: Billy Bowman Jr (0-0-149-95), Sebastian Castro (0-0-102-0), Maxen Hook, (0-0-0-121), Malachi Moore (0-0-0-129), Kitan Crawford (0-0-0-149)

The Number beside each name:

• Dane Brugler’s Big Board 100 (Feb 11th) – no update since combine
• Daniel Jeremiah Top 50 (Mar 6th)
• PFF Big Board Top 150 (Mar 21st)
• 33rd Team Top 150 (Mar 6th)

RB here unless you think one of those guys drops to the next pick. Maybe Shough.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Aaron Rodgers rumors: QB hosts throwing session with Steelers' DK Metcalf

Could a move to Pittsburgh be around the corner?

www.cbssports.com

Aaron Rodgers rumors: QB hosts throwing session with Steelers' DK Metcalf​

 

[pistolpete11]

One last thought regarding Pickens, I think the argument to trade him now is that you have too many holes you will need to fill in the 2026 draft to also have to worry about getting a Pickens replacement for when they most likely don't re-sign him. QB is the obvious need for next year, but I'd also pretty easily argue CB, LT and LG are all pretty significant needs (or potential significant needs) that you'd need to use either a day 1 or 2 pick on. If you keep Pickens for this year and then let him walk, you're now also adding another WR that you need to get in addition to a QB, CB, LT and LG. It's just adding up to be a lot of holes that you need to fill in the draft next year.

That's a big reason why I was frustrated with the Slay addition in UFA, they had to get a younger guy that could fill the CB2 role for multiple years. They're just going to have to replace Slay next year and be in the same spot.

If Jones can't hack it at LT, that's going to be a real kick in the dick.