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

[pistolpete11]

I think I’m going to be incredibly underwhelmed by their draft class this year unless something crazy happens. Even mocks I see that I would consider good outcomes are kind of meh.

With no 2nd (so far) and a possible QB with their 3rd...yeah. A lot rides on the 1st and unless they blow it out of the water and land another Heyward, it could be rough. And we probably won't even know if they land a Heyward for another few years.

 

[Peat]

I'm talking specifically about trading back in the first round - something the Steelers haven't done since like 2001 if my quick google search is correct. Khan always says the politically correct thing but I'll believe it when I see it. Trading back in the 1st for 2026 draft capital would be an additional signal they're going QB next year.

About the pro day thing, maybe... I bet they were planning on attending Michigan's for Grant but then the Rodgers visit happened. I could be totally wrong though and it was pre scheduled. When we went QB in 2022, it felt like there was honestly more buzz about Tomlin loving Malik Willis more than Kenny Pickett. Obvious smokescreen or just social media fake news about the individual player, but they telegraphed QB that year.

I'm a skeptic on Khan being a very different guy to Colbert and driving the bus in different ways but one thing where I think there is a difference is he seems a lot more open to, and a lot more persuasive, on these sorts of aggressive moves. I can see him doing it.

And iirc, it's been reported they would have indeed gone to Michigan without the Rodgers visit so right there. But it's still a little point of difference. I won't be surprised by DL. I just think it's not as heavily transparent as their interest in OL in 2023 or QB in 2022.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

With no 2nd (so far) and a possible QB with their 3rd...yeah. A lot rides on the 1st and unless they blow it out of the water and land another Heyward, it could be rough. And we probably won't even know if they land a Heyward for another few years.

I am not a believer in Milroe, so I'd rather go McCord or someone like that in the 4th (or even 5th!) than use the 3rd on a QB if that's where you can get Milroe. Still, a lot rides on the 1st.

 

[xlm34]

I am not a believer in Milroe, so I'd rather go McCord or someone like that in the 4th (or even 5th!) than use the 3rd on a QB if that's where you can get Milroe. Still, a lot rides on the 1st.

It is probably very dumb, but I cannot get McCord’s performance against Pitt out of my head. It was legitimately one of the worst games I’ve ever seen from a QB.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

It is probably very dumb, but I cannot get McCord’s performance against Pitt out of my head. It was legitimately one of the worst games I’ve ever seen from a QB.

Totally fair and everyone has their criteria.

Riley Leonard? Dillon Gabriel?

I'm not anyone-but-Milroe, I just don't like the idea of him in the third when, as it stands, we would have the 21OA and then Milroe.

 

[Snooki Stackhouse]

Totally fair and everyone has their criteria.

Riley Leonard? Dillon Gabriel?

I'm not anyone-but-Milroe, I just don't like the idea of him in the third when, as it stands, we would have the 21OA and then Milroe.

I'd only do it if they trade back and pick up more capital. He's got a high bust probability but he's the only QB in this draft that you can pick in the 2nd or later and has genuine elite physical traits. Guy needs to sit but he's the only dart throw that could get them competitive at that position if he develops.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I'd only do it if they trade back and pick up more capital. He's got a high bust probability but he's the only QB in this draft that you can pick in the 2nd or later and has genuine elite physical traits. Guy needs to sit but he's the only dart throw that could get them competitive at that position if he develops.

If they use added capital to pick up a RB, of which I believe there are a good number who will be good-to-really good NFL backs, I could go for that.

 

[Peat]

I am not a believer in Milroe, so I'd rather go McCord or someone like that in the 4th (or even 5th!) than use the 3rd on a QB if that's where you can get Milroe. Still, a lot rides on the 1st.

There's a fun puff piece on The Athletic in which Jordan Palmer is talking about how we should change QB evaluation and how Kyle McCord is doing all the things he thinks are good under the new way. Sold me on maybe taking a punt on him if he's there at the right moment.

 

[xlm34]

Totally fair and everyone has their criteria.

Riley Leonard? Dillon Gabriel?

I'm not anyone-but-Milroe, I just don't like the idea of him in the third when, as it stands, we would have the 21OA and then Milroe.

Honestly, I think I hate every QB prospect in this draft class not named Cam Ward. I agree on Milroe - I’d be fine with him on day 3 but the third round still seems like you’d be passing up some value for a dude who won’t be ready to play for years if he ever even is ready to play.

Guys like Leonard, Gabriel, and Howard to me are all gonna be held back by the lack of physical traits and seem like they’ll max out as backups. I’d be ok with them if they didn’t bring back Rudolph but I think we can pencil him in as backup for the foreseeable future.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I'm a skeptic on Khan being a very different guy to Colbert and driving the bus in different ways but one thing where I think there is a difference is he seems a lot more open to, and a lot more persuasive, on these sorts of aggressive moves. I can see him doing it.

And iirc, it's been reported they would have indeed gone to Michigan without the Rodgers visit so right there. But it's still a little point of difference. I won't be surprised by DL. I just think it's not as heavily transparent as their interest in OL in 2023 or QB in 2022.

Austin was at the Michigan pro day. As we know from last year only the o line coach was at Fantuna pro day and they took him. Khan is changing the way the do the 30 visits

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Honestly, I think I hate every QB prospect in this draft class not named Cam Ward. I agree on Milroe - I’d be fine with him on day 3 but the third round still seems like you’d be passing up some value for a dude who won’t be ready to play for years if he ever even is ready to play.

Guys like Leonard, Gabriel, and Howard to me are all gonna be held back by the lack of physical traits and seem like they’ll max out as backups. I’d be ok with them if they didn’t bring back Rudolph but I think we can pencil him in as backup for the foreseeable future.

If any of those guys develop to be backups they can move off of Mason next season.

 

[Peat]

Austin was at the Michigan pro day. As we know from last year only the o line coach was at Fantuna pro day and they took him. Khan is changing the way the do the 30 visits

One year is not proof of change, merely exigent circumstance. Hell, even two would be shaky.

 

[xlm34]

This team is showing a lot of interest in projected round one receivers. Dunno if they’ll actually do it, but a receiver in round one followed by a Pickens trade to grab a day two pick definitely seems like it’s on the table.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'm pretty sure Golden won't be there for when they're picking, but Golden fits pretty much exactly what this team would be looking for as a complement for both DK and Wilson (if he can pan out). He's viewed as an outside X receiver with terrific route running skills, which is pretty much spot on for what this team would want out of their WR2.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

This team is showing a lot of interest in projected round one receivers. Dunno if they’ll actually do it, but a receiver in round one followed by a Pickens trade to grab a day two pick definitely seems like it’s on the table.

I would not be upset if this actually happens. I'd prefer a DL in round one, but I wouldn't be against this.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I'm pretty sure Golden won't be there for when they're picking, but Golden fits pretty much exactly what this team would be looking for as a complement for both DK and Wilson (if he can pan out). He's viewed as an outside X receiver with terrific route running skills, which is pretty much spot on for what this team would want out of their WR2.

Yes he is everything they loved about DJ including the untimely drops he just doesn’t run backwards

 

[pistolpete11]

I am not a believer in Milroe, so I'd rather go McCord or someone like that in the 4th (or even 5th!) than use the 3rd on a QB if that's where you can get Milroe. Still, a lot rides on the 1st.

I don't really even really want to take a QB at all. 6th or 7th rounder, sure, whatever. Maybe you get lucky and find a Brady or Purdy, but you can still find good players in the mid-rounds at other positions. QB's taken in the mid-rounds that work out as starters are pretty rare. Russ and Hurts are the only ones I can think of. As backups, I'd rather just sign one of the many that are available in FA every year...at least while they still have a lot of holes to fill.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I don't really even really want to take a QB at all. 6th or 7th rounder, sure, whatever. Maybe you get lucky and find a Brady or Purdy, but you can still find good players in the mid-rounds at other positions. QB's taken in the mid-rounds that work out as starters are pretty rare. Russ and Hurts are the only ones I can think of. As backups, I'd rather just sign one of the many that are available in FA every year...at least while they still have a lot of holes to fill.

They don’t believe they have that many holes to fill.

 

[pistolpete11]

They don’t believe they have that many holes to fill.

They're wrong. Especially when you look forward a few years and not just at 2025.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Honestly, I think I hate every QB prospect in this draft class not named Cam Ward. I agree on Milroe - I’d be fine with him on day 3 but the third round still seems like you’d be passing up some value for a dude who won’t be ready to play for years if he ever even is ready to play.

Guys like Leonard, Gabriel, and Howard to me are all gonna be held back by the lack of physical traits and seem like they’ll max out as backups. I’d be ok with them if they didn’t bring back Rudolph but I think we can pencil him in as backup for the foreseeable future.

That's where I am.
But I also thought the same thing last year where I thought every QB except for Drake Maye was going to bust.

Shows you what I know

 

[Rave7215]

I've tried, more on the Pens threads, but then people respond and it makes me feel like I'm taking crazy pills because I don't see that they are responding to someone. So I have very, very few people on ignore.

I try just not to engage. I figured pointing out that they used their first round selection on the very issue he was bitching about was a pretty obvious and uncontroversial point to make, but nope. Just more Tomlin rants.

You could get the point where you are like me and sometimes you get a page that contains one single post because all the insanity is blocked out.

So far I have felt I haven't lost out on anything of value.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

They don’t believe they have that many holes to fill.

Then this team is way too naive and/or dumb.

They'll address Dline early, but they could certainly use another.
They need to address the safeties soon.
CB seems to be set

They have no idea what Jones/Faunt will or will not be. They could use a guard bc Semu won't be here after next year.
They'll probably address RB in this draft.
Unsure if they'll take a TE, but they need another if Washington is still going to be a glorified OT
Don't even get me started on the QB situation.
At WR they need another all around route runner. The R Wilson pick seems still to be a head scratcher to me since they have CA3 in that slot role. And they don't run 3WR that often.

 

[pistolpete11]

I'm a bit skeptical that Pickens would bring back a 2nd. I could see it, but I could also see being underwhelmed with his return. If he does, I could get behind a WR in R1 and DL in R2.

If they do that, though, they're setting it up that they'd almost have to sign a significant piece on the DL next offseason or the following, depending on Heyward. DL can take time to develop and who knows much longer Heyward has, especially at this high level. I think Benton is a good piece, a guy this year in R2 could be a good piece, but you need an anchor.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'm a bit skeptical that Pickens would bring back a 2nd. I could see it, but I could also see being underwhelmed with his return. If he does, I could get behind a WR in R1 and DL in R2.

If they do that, though, they're setting it up that they'd almost have to sign a significant piece on the DL next offseason or the following, depending on Heyward. DL can take time and who knows much longer Heyward has, especially at this high level. I think Benton is a good piece, a guy this year in R2 could be a good piece, but you need an anchor.

Right now I think GP's value is a 3rd.
Depending on how he plays this season he could fetch anywhere from a 1st to 7th.

 

[pistolpete11]

Right now I think GP's value is a 3rd.
Depending on how he plays this season he could fetch anywhere from a 1st to 7th.

That's where I am, too, though I've gone back and forth on whether he can get a 2nd.

Talent-wise, I think he'd get at least a 2nd, maybe a 1st. He's in the DK ballpark in terms of production, but he's 3 years younger. The attitude stuff will matter, though. How much, who knows?