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

[pistolpete11]

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.

I'd add ILB as well. Unless the theory about Queen needing someone else to have the green dot proves to be true and Wilson can show he can take those responsibilities, Queen might not be around beyond the next 1-2 years.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'd add ILB as well. Unless the theory about Queen needing someone else to have the green dot proves to be true and Wilson can show he can take those responsibilities, Queen might not be around beyond the next 1-2 years.

Agree that Queen may not be around in that time frame, but I think they can do it by committee.

Wilson isn't an effective run stopper but they can pair him with a thumper and it'll make an effective duo when they go Nickel

My issue with Queen is that he's a jack of all trades, but doesn't do anything particularly well.

 

[pistolpete11]

Agree that Queen may not be around in that time frame, but I think they can do it by committee.

Wilson isn't an effective run stopper but they can pair him with a thumper and it'll make an effective duo when they go Nickel

My issue with Queen is that he's a jack of all trades, but doesn't do anything particularly well.

By committee didn't really work post-Shazier and is a big reason they felt the need to give Queen that much money. I'm not suggesting to use high picks on one. I think it is a position you can find good enough guys in the mid-rounds, like Wilson, and is another reason to not draft a QB there.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

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.

I agree with you about Jones and Faunt but he was there highest rated o line men since Pouncey reportedly. They are going to sink or swim with them. I do think a swing OT is on the draft board day 3. They have Anderson and Nester has guard depth and if Jones fails he will move to guard.
They are spending time with safeties who can play nb in case they can trade down and get a 2nd back or maybe a 3rd and trade that 3rd and a 26 pick for a 2nd.
With smith they don’t need route running wr. He likes big body wr. He does have some 3 wr sets from his Atlanta days with Ryan and a tanahill. He used te once Jones was not in Atlanta. I could definitely see a te drafted because Washington is more of OT than Te.
I do hope they double dip at DL

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I'd add ILB as well. Unless the theory about Queen needing someone else to have the green dot proves to be true and Wilson can show he can take those responsibilities, Queen might not be around beyond the next 1-2 years.

Queen was exactly the same player he was in bmore. They only difference was we didn’t blitz him as much, Robertson the converted rb and Harrison are the run thumpers.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Looking at their depth chart, the holes I see on this team at this point are:

1. QB1
2. RB2/3 (curious about whether Patterson is cut or if he stays as primarily a special teams guy)
3. Swing OT to be a backup to Jones and Fautanu
4. Young LG to sit behind Seumalo
5. Starting NT
6. Another depth DL, probably a RDE

There are other positions that could use depth, namely WR and OLB, but you're talking like a WR6, FS3 or an OLB6 for that. Those 6 seem to be the biggest and most obvious holes they have still yet to fill.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Also Milton traded to the Cowboys to be Prescott's backup. Looks like it was a 5th for Milton and a 7th.

Not really seeing much of a need there with Rudolph signed but that's one fewer option.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

By committee didn't really work post-Shazier and is a big reason they felt the need to give Queen that much money. I'm not suggesting to use high picks on one. I think it is a position you can find good enough guys in the mid-rounds, like Wilson, and is another reason to not draft a QB there.

Well I'd argue that the "by committee" approach failed bc of the players weren't good enough. They addressed the talent hole by adding Queen, but as I said he is even limited.

I wouldn't say the LBing play last year was great, but it was good enough.
If they found a run stopper I'd feel better about the situation though.

 

[Peat]

Looking at their depth chart, the holes I see on this team at this point are:

1. QB1
2. RB2/3 (curious about whether Patterson is cut or if he stays as primarily a special teams guy)
3. Swing OT to be a backup to Jones and Fautanu
4. Young LG to sit behind Seumalo
5. Starting NT
6. Another depth DL, probably a RDE

There are other positions that could use depth, namely WR and OLB, but you're talking like a WR6, FS3 or an OLB6 for that. Those 6 seem to be the biggest and most obvious holes they have still yet to fill.

Did they sign a TE3 to replace Pruitt? Fairly minor need, but I don't think Smith trusts Heyward in line for some strange reason.

I'd also suspect that the Steelers are looking for more from a new RB, and would point out that if we're talking a young guy to sit behind Seumalo, then a young Safety for the future is as big a need

 

[Empoleon8771]

Did they sign a TE3 to replace Pruitt? Fairly minor need, but I don't think Smith trusts Heyward in line for some strange reason.

I'd also suspect that the Steelers are looking for more from a new RB, and would point out that if we're talking a young guy to sit behind Seumalo, then a young Safety for the future is as big a need

Yeah they brought in Donald Parham who appears to be their TE3/4. Not sure what happened to him in 2024 but he was a fairly normal TE3 from 20202-2023.

Think he was injured last year from what I can tell.

 

[pistolpete11]

Well I'd argue that the "by committee" approach failed bc of the players weren't good enough. They addressed the talent hole by adding Queen, but as I said he is even limited.

I wouldn't say the LBing play last year was great, but it was good enough.
If they found a run stopper I'd feel better about the situation though.

We're talking about if Queen's not here, though. Either because he doesn't live up to his cap hit this year and they cut him (which would be relatively painless in dead cap) or don't re-sign him after 2026. They'd have Wilson and....

Would rather get a guy in here now from R4 or R5 or whatever than use that pick on a QB that projects to be a backup.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Did they sign a TE3 to replace Pruitt? Fairly minor need, but I don't think Smith trusts Heyward in line for some strange reason.

I'd also suspect that the Steelers are looking for more from a new RB, and would point out that if we're talking a young guy to sit behind Seumalo, then a young Safety for the future is as big a need

Safey really depends on Minka. Elliott is 27 and should easily get an extension. They really need a true nb like Philly and Buffalo if they are committing to big nickel for real
Heyward doesn’t have an offensive position but is good on ST. They signed a guy who was on ps from Denver who is a good receiver te.
I think they can plug n a 3rd or 4th round rb just fine it’s a committee approach

 

[Peat]

Safey really depends on Minka. Elliott is 27 and should easily get an extension. They really need a true nb like Philly and Buffalo if they are committing to big nickel for real
Heyward doesn’t have an offensive position but is good on ST. They signed a guy who was on ps from Denver who is a good receiver te.
I think they can plug n a 3rd or 4th round rb just fine it’s a committee approach

Of course it depends on Minkah, although I don't think any non-key FA extension should be treated as a done deal until it is. But Minkah at this point is odds on to look like a cut candidate and given the team's interest in Safeties pre draft, they seem to think the same thing. If we're talking getting guys to fill gaps a year from now, Safety is on the list.

Also calling it a committee approach when Harris was 7th for rushes seems a bit misleading. If your point is they're going to either given Warren Harris' role, or rebalance the touches between RB1 and 2 to make them more even, then I am dubious. I'm not sure they like Warren enough for that to be their preferred option. Hence saying I don't think they're looking for RB2/3 and I think they might see the hole as bigger than that. Which, happily, in this draft is maybe fixable by 3rd/4th rounder.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Of course it depends on Minkah, although I don't think any non-key FA extension should be treated as a done deal it is. But Minkah at this point is odds on to look like a cut candidate and given the team's interest in Safeties pre draft, they seem to think the same thing. If we're talking getting guys to fill gaps a year from now, Safety is on the list.

Also calling it a committee approach when Harris was 7th for rushes seems a bit misleading. If your point is they're going to either given Warren Harris' role, or rebalance the touches between RB1 and 2 to make them more even, then I am dubious. I'm not sure they like Warren enough for that to be their preferred option. Hence saying I don't think they're looking for RB2/3 and I think they might see the hole as bigger than that. Which, happily, in this draft is maybe fixable by 3rd/4th rounder.

I am calling it a committee approach because Warren career high in carries is 150 and has 1 15 carry game in his career. Gainwell has 70 carries as a career high so they are going to have to get away from the feeding 1 guy like Connor and Najee. They tendered warren a 2nd and decided to pay 2 million more than necessary so they like him.
They want to play 3 safeties and hopefully with Sly and Jpj playing press Minka doesn’t have to be the firefighter on defense anymore. He doesn’t need to be the last line of defense to limit big plays let him play rover. They want a safety that can play nb like branch hamelton and dejean

 

[Pens1566]

I highly doubt Warren is/will be a #1 RB for us (or anyone else really).

 

[Empoleon8771]

I can also see safety being an add, but it's more realistically looking at like a mid/late round pick on that. The Steelers signed Thornhill to be Minkah's backup so I'm not sure how many snaps there are for a drafted FS this year. The point about Minkah being a cut candidate is valid though.

Killebrew is more of a special teams guy rather than a safety, right? He's technically their backup SS so I could see some snaps being available there.

 

[Peat]

I can also see safety being an add, but it's more realistically looking at like a mid/late round pick on that. The Steelers signed Thornhill to be Minkah's backup so I'm not sure how many snaps there are for a drafted FS this year. The point about Minkah being a cut candidate is valid though.

Killebrew is more of a special teams guy rather than a safety, right? He's technically their backup SS so I could see some snaps being available there.

Agreed/yes on all of that. That said, they are looking and if bigdaddy is right about them wanting to play 3 safeties more often, it becomes even more likely. I'd expect a late pick if they do something about it, but I think it's kind of on the list.

I am calling it a committee approach because Warren career high in carries is 150 and has 1 15 carry game in his career. Gainwell has 70 carries as a career high so they are going to have to get away from the feeding 1 guy like Connor and Najee. They tendered warren a 2nd and decided to pay 2 million more than necessary so they like him.
They want to play 3 safeties and hopefully with Sly and Jpj playing press Minka doesn’t have to be the firefighter on defense anymore. He doesn’t need to be the last line of defense to limit big plays let him play rover. They want a safety that can play nb like branch hamelton and dejean

Warren's contract looks about as ambivalent as you can get about a player. 5m is too much for a guy you don't like. 1 year 5m is too little for a guy you like. Signing another guy who does a lot of the same stuff well usually isn't a vote of confidence either.

Also both Tomlin and Smith really like feeding their best guy, so I wouldn't be surprised if they did that next year and just shorted some of the depth guys. For example, if you just don't give Patterson any carries, and you give all of Fields' designed runs to the RBs, you've got 70 attempts for Gainwell right there.

If I had to guess, I'd say they see Warren as an adequate continuity plan to keep things ticking over while they hopefully build a RB room they like better, and one who might surprise them and do better than they think (edit: but if he does, keeping him becomes complicated). Which suggests taking a RB they think can be a do it all guy this year, and see what happens from there.

Which suggests that they maybe see their hole as bigger than RB2/3. I think at least they want a RB1B from the guy.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

No chance Minkah is cut this season. Tomlin loves him too much for that to happen. Plus the caphit (13.71) versus savings (8.65) is too great this season.

I'm down on him as well but I'm willing to give him one more season. He is still only 28.

Next offseason, absolutely, they can cut him and save 17.6mil. If he doesn't perform this season at a high level. Trade him or cut him.

 

[Empoleon8771]

No chance Minkah is cut this season. Tomlin loves him too much for that to happen. Plus the caphit (13.71) versus savings (8.65) is too great this season.

I'm down on him as well but I'm willing to give him one more season. He is still only 28.

Next offseason, absolutely, they can cut him and save 17.6mil. If he doesn't perform this season at a high level. Trade him or cut him.

Yeah I don't think anyone is talking about cutting him this year, it's about drafting a young guy now to replace Minkah if they cut him next year.

Same kind of logic as why they need to draft a LG now to replace Seumalo next year.

 

[Peat]

No chance Minkah is cut this season. Tomlin loves him too much for that to happen. Plus the caphit (13.71) versus savings (8.65) is too great this season.

I'm down on him as well but I'm willing to give him one more season. He is still only 28.

Next offseason, absolutely, they can cut him and save 17.6mil. If he doesn't perform this season at a high level. Trade him or cut him.

Yeah, think we're all talking next season. Last chance saloon.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

If I had to guess, I'd say they see Warren as an adequate continuity plan to keep things ticking over while they hopefully build a RB room they like better, and one who might surprise them and do better than they think. Which suggests taking a RB they think can be a do it all guy this year, and see what happens from there.

Which suggests that they maybe see their hole as bigger than RB2/3. I think at least they want a RB1B from the guy.

Their Pre-Draft visits suggest just that. They are all guys that will go Round 2-4. Most are in the 3-4 range.

No doubt they are taking a RB in Round 3 or 4. Just depends how the draft is going upto pick 83.

 

[pistolpete11]

Tomlin has used a primary back going back to Willie Parker.

The way I see it playing out is that they will use Warren like any of the other RB1 they've had, Warren won't be able to handle it physically, and when he gets hurt they will use Gainwell and/or a rookie the same way.

I could also see them signing Dobbins after the draft. I'd rather take a shot at RB since this draft seems to be deep in them and they could pick up a decent one in R3 or R4, but if they wanted to punt on that decision for another year, Dobbins on a 1-year, see if he can stay healthy deal might be alright.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I still think it's extremely likely that the Steelers use a 2nd or 3rd on a RB. I think the idea of trying to trade back to get an additional 2nd is that they think the DL talent in the 2nd is still viable to get what they need out of a starting NT/DE to replace Ogunjobi. My bet is that they'd be pretty happy trading down from 21 to 40 and 60, where they'd take a DL at 40 and RB at 60.

They won't be in a position to get Harmon, Grant or Nolen if they trade down, but someone like Tyleik Williams is projected to be an early 2nd and should be available at 40. Williams is projected to be a 3-tech DT in the future, which is exactly what Heyward is. You could likely start with him at NT and shift him to Heyward's spot down the line. T.J. Sanders is another 3-tech DT that is projected to go in the early 2nd. Both of those guys look like totally viable DT draft picks to justify trading down.

Once you get beyond those two though, I think you'll struggle to find an actual "Heyward replacement" if that's what you're looking for. Alfred Collins looks like a terrific NT but it seems pretty unlikely he can replace Heyward in the long run.

 

[xlm34]

Tomlin has used a primary back going back to Willie Parker.

The way I see it playing out is that they will use Warren like any of the other RB1 they've had, Warren won't be able to handle it physically, and when he gets hurt they will use Gainwell and/or a rookie the same way.

I could also see them signing Dobbins after the draft. I'd rather take a shot at RB since this draft seems to be deep in them and they could pick up a decent one in R3 or R4, but if they wanted to punt on that decision for another year, Dobbins on a 1-year, see if he can stay healthy deal might be alright.

They have gotten a lot better with doing a running back by committee. Harris only played 50% of the snaps last year and 53% the year before.

I definitely don’t think Warren will thrive in a lead back role though. He won’t be bad but I think the YPC almost certainly goes down and he has a tendency to put the ball on the ground.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

With Johnson coming in from Iowa definitely can see a trade down where they still get Grant Nolan or Harmon grab another 3rd potentially trade our 3rd and 26 pick for a 2nd for rb. Maybe a team like buffalo or Philly trades up to 21 we get there 2nd we give up a 4th. Trade down in the 3rd get a 4th back. I think they want to go DL rb db or Dl Db then rb