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

[pistolpete11]

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.

A bit, but it's still 70/30 in terms of carries.

Warren's YPC will definitely go down if they remain as predictable on 1st and 2nd down. I don't think Harris is great, but they didn't do him any favors running him into brick walls as often as they did.

 

[Peat]

As of today, they have only hosted a visit for two guys I'd consider as first rounders - Golden and Dart (being generous on the latter). I am hesitant to say this is giving away their strategy, particularly with 13 visits to go, but it really feels like they like the idea of trading down. Like if I was designing a plan from their movements so far, it's trade down for two day 2 picks, get QB/RB/DT, then try and grab a WR - 3 middle round invites so far plus Azzanni has done 4 pro days - and then just grab value from there.

I'd mostly expect their movements to change, but if they don't....

Also re RBs

Dobbins doesn't fit Tomlin/Smith's tendency to end up with big RBs.

Also, while they gave Warren a bunch of snaps, they mostly didn't end with him getting the ball. Tbh, I wouldn't mind getting away from the split of "we split the snaps but not the carries". It was about a 50/50 whether Harris was getting the ball when he was on the field, and that feels non-great as a way to stop the defence from just homing in on a guy.

I'm also inclined to suspect that giving Warren a bigger role results in the Pollard treatment before even considering the Steelers' predictability and whether his body can handle it. Although who knows? Dude was electric in 2023.

 

[Empoleon8771]

One thing to note about their RB room, I think there is a reasonable probability that Gainwell is actually Patterson's replacement and they intend on cutting Patterson after drafting a RB this year. Gainwell was one of the primary kick returners for the Eagles last year, with getting 18 kick returns in 17 games. The only other players to get kick returns were Rodgers (8), Shipley (6) and Smith (1). Between Patterson's pretty shitty job at that last year and his age, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see if the current plan is to cut him once they get their actual RB2.

My bet is that they end up drafting someone like Judkins in the 2nd or 3rd round, first to start as a RB2/power platoon RB for Warren and to eventually take over for Warren when he presumably leaves next year in free agency.

 

[Empoleon8771]

As of today, they have only hosted a visit for two guys I'd consider as first rounders - Golden and Dart (being generous on the latter). I am hesitant to say this is giving away their strategy, particularly with 13 visits to go, but it really feels like they like the idea of trading down. Like if I was designing a plan from their movements so far, it's trade down for two day 3 picks, get QB/RB/DT, then try and grab a WR - 3 middle round invites so far plus Azzanni has done 4 pro days - and then just grab value from there.

Agree with you regarding trading down, but I'm not quite sure that they'd be targeting 2 day 3 picks. They've allegedly been looking to re-acquire the 2nd that they gave up for Metcalf, so I think they may be trying to target a day 2 pick to trade down rather than 2 day 3 picks.

I could see a reasonable middle ground being their 1st for a 2nd, 3rd and 5th/6th or something like that though. Pick #21 (800) for picks #37 (530), #68 (250) and #180 (19) is almost dead even in value, and you're still in a prime position to get Sanders or Williams at #37 and Judkins at #68.

Also semi related, it's kinda wild how many players OSU has in this draft that fill the needs of what the Steelers are looking for. Egbuka, Williams, Judkins, Henderson and Howard are all guys that fit a need and can likely be taken with where their picks will be. This team could go damn near OSU only with their picks and I think it would end up a solid draft for them.

 

[Peat]

Agree with you regarding trading down, but I'm not quite sure that they'd be targeting 2 day 3 picks. They've allegedly been looking to re-acquire the 2nd that they gave up for Metcalf, so I think they may be trying to target a day 2 pick to trade down rather than 2 day 3 picks.

I could see a reasonable middle ground being their 1st for a 2nd, 3rd and 5th/6th or something like that though. Pick #21 (800) for picks #37 (530), #68 (250) and #180 (19) is almost dead even in value, and you're still in a prime position to get Sanders or Williams at #37 and Judkins at #68.

Also semi related, it's kinda wild how many players OSU has in this draft that fill the needs of what the Steelers are looking for. Egbuka, Williams, Judkins, Henderson and Howard are all guys that fit a need and can likely be taken with where their picks will be. This team could go damn near OSU only with their picks and I think it would end up a solid draft for them.

That was a big old typo and I'm amazed you were so polite about the idea actually presented Two day 2 picks! Even the very first picks in the 4th round are about 32/33OA away from being a fair offer for 21.

 

[Empoleon8771]

That was a big old typo and I'm amazed you were so polite about the idea actually presented Two day 2 picks! Even the very first picks in the 4th round are about 32/33OA away from being a fair offer for 21.

I actually thought the day 3 pick comment was valid because they don't have a 5th or 6th this year, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them try to get another one or two. I thought you meant "get 2 day 3 picks in addition to the trade down".

But yeah, I think their 1st for a 2nd, 3rd and 5th is a pretty reasonable guess for what they'll try to do.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I actually thought the day 3 pick comment was valid because they don't have a 5th or 6th this year, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them try to get another one or two. I thought you meant "get 2 day 3 picks in addition to the trade down".

But yeah, I think their 1st for a 2nd, 3rd and 5th is a pretty reasonable guess for what they'll try to do.

They have a 5th and 6th this year just no 2nd. They got a 6th from Seattle and traded the 5th they got for Dotson to the jets and kept ours

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

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

Well the weird thing is, they kind of treated Warren like a #3. Patterson seemed to get the more meaningful snaps. His usage was strange to say the least. They made packages just for CPatt....

 

[Empoleon8771]

They have a 5th and 6th this year just no 2nd. They got a 6th from Seattle and traded the 5th they got for Dotson to the jets and kept ours

That's odd then, I saw someone on the Steelers subreddit saying that they couldn't have done the Milton trade with the same picks because the Steelers didn't have them. Guess it was just some bullshit from them then

Well the weird thing is, they kind of treated Warren like a #3. Patterson seemed to get the more meaningful snaps. His usage was strange to say the least. They made packages just for CPatt....

Tbh I feel like Gainwell is replacing Patterson and I don't think Patterson is here next year.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

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

This is because they are stupid and/or delusional.

 

[pistolpete11]

Dobbins doesn't fit Tomlin/Smith's tendency to end up with big RBs.

Smith drafted Bijan Robinson 8th overall. He's 5'11" 215lbs. He split carries his rookie year with Allgeier who's not much bigger (5'11" 220lbs).

Dobbins is 5'10" 215lbs.

If they continue to fetishize big RB, I think that's Tomlin.

 

[JTG]

Right. Just I don't think that makes him overrated because who's telling you he's more than that?

Not like I see a lot of Bowers-esque players in the league either. I'd be all for it if they take a chance on Tyler Warren if he's there, but those dudes are rare.

To be completely honest, if I'm Weidl, I take Warren and don't think twice. I think he is the best actual football player in this draft.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Smith drafted Bijan Robinson 8th overall. He's 5'11" 215lbs. He split carries his rookie year with Allgeier who's not much bigger (5'11" 220lbs).

Dobbins is 5'10" 215lbs.

If they continue to fetishize big RB, I think that's Tomlin.

Do you think it's fair to say that "Smith drafted Robinson"?
I'm not sure he had much say in personnel, but maybe I remembered wrong.

Either way, your presmise remains true. Smith is fine with more svelete backs. The big back is a Tomlin fetish.

He wants to mimic the Titans and Henry offense a few years back. Problem is, there aren't many Henrys floating around and they thought Harris could be that guy.

Laughable.

 

[pistolpete11]

Do you think it's fair to say that "Smith drafted Robinson"?
I'm not sure he had much say in personnel, but maybe I remembered wrong.

Either way, your presmise remains true. Smith is fine with more svelete backs. The big back is a Tomlin fetish.

He wants to mimic the Titans and Henry offense a few years back. Problem is, there aren't many Henrys floating around and they thought Harris could be that guy.

Laughable.

I'm sure he didn't have as much say as someone like Tomlin, but I think all HC's have significant input into 1st round picks.

If you want to exclude Robinson, though, then what evidence is there he likes big RB? Henry was in Tennessee before he got there (and it's Derrick f***ing Henry), Harris was already in Pittsburgh, and in both cases he was just the OC who's not going to have MORE input into the RB than the HC.

 

[JTG]

One thing to note about their RB room, I think there is a reasonable probability that Gainwell is actually Patterson's replacement and they intend on cutting Patterson after drafting a RB this year. Gainwell was one of the primary kick returners for the Eagles last year, with getting 18 kick returns in 17 games. The only other players to get kick returns were Rodgers (8), Shipley (6) and Smith (1). Between Patterson's pretty shitty job at that last year and his age, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see if the current plan is to cut him once they get their actual RB2.

My bet is that they end up drafting someone like Judkins in the 2nd or 3rd round, first to start as a RB2/power platoon RB for Warren and to eventually take over for Warren when he presumably leaves next year in free agency.

I think Judkins makes the most sense. He's not my favorite pick...I think he's just a lighter, slightly more explosive Najee. Drafting him doesn't solve our problem of running two 1B backs.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Smith drafted Bijan Robinson 8th overall. He's 5'11" 215lbs. He split carries his rookie year with Allgeier who's not much bigger (5'11" 220lbs).

Dobbins is 5'10" 215lbs.

If they continue to fetishize big RB, I think that's Tomlin.

I do think Dobbins or Chub is someone they consider after the draft neither guy will cost a ton. Dobbins is hurt every year. Also will Williams in the 4th for the rams and Irvin in Tampa a 5th round pick they will be fine with a day 3 rb

 

[Peat]

Do you think it's fair to say that "Smith drafted Robinson"?
I'm not sure he had much say in personnel, but maybe I remembered wrong.

Either way, your presmise remains true. Smith is fine with more svelete backs. The big back is a Tomlin fetish.

He wants to mimic the Titans and Henry offense a few years back. Problem is, there aren't many Henrys floating around and they thought Harris could be that guy.

Laughable.

50/50 roster power according to the owner iirc. I imagine he was very much part of it.

That said, I think Smith's record still shows a tendency for bigger backs. The Falcons site gives Allgeier at 224lbs. You getting a guy that size to 224lbs and having him run like you do, I think you like a bigger power back. Plus all the carries he gave to Pattersson. Robinson was a rare opportunity for a rare talent worth breaking his own tendencies, but he was still accompanied by plenty of units.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Was throwing together a mock draft for fun, worked with a starting assumption of trading down from 21 to 37 and 68. Using NFL draft buzz for projected draft slots here:

37. Tyleik Williams, DT OSU (projected #38)
68. Quinshon Judkins, RB OSU (projected #65)
83. Dylan Fairchild, LG Geogia (projected #101)
123. Kyle McCord, QB Syracuse (projected #119)
156. Cam Jackson, NT Florida (projected #231 but seems like he'll go higher)
185. Jaylen Reed, SS PSU (projected #186)
229: Isaac TeSlaa, WR Arkansas (projected #231)

TeSlaa is a guy that looks super interesting to me, his combine results are terrific across the board and he's just a genuinely good athlete all around. That kind of raw athleticism is exactly what I'd be looking for in a developmental WR pick.

It sucks the Steelers 3rd isn't a bit higher, Tate Ratledge has terrific combine results but he's projecte dto go around #70 overall. They could flip picks 68 and 83, where they'd Ratledge at 68 and go best RB available at 83, but Fairchild also looks pretty good. Ratledge is a RG but I believe I've read that McCormick may shift back to LG once Seumalo leaves anyway.

I'm not a huge fan of McCord personally, he seems super immobile with a good deep ball. That said, his profile seems a lot like Rudolph's so I don't think he hurts as a late 4th round pick.

With the DL picks, I'd be starting Williams at NT but Jackson looks like an intriguing upside NT as well. Jackson is a hulk of a man (6'6" and 328 lbs), he's super immobile but looks to be a rock of a NT. Williams is a 3-tech DT, so he's the real Heyward replacement in the long run. Once Heyward retires, you can just slide Williams to his spot and promote Jackson to the starting NT if he ends up starter caliber.

 

[pistolpete11]

I do think Dobbins or Chub is someone they consider after the draft neither guy will cost a ton. Dobbins is hurt every year. Also will Williams in the 4th for the rams and Irvin in Tampa a 5th round pick they will be fine with a day 3 rb

I think they only look to sign a FA RB if they somehow miss out on one they like in the draft. Warren+Gainwell+rookie+Dobbins/Chubb seems excessive.

 

[End of Line]

I just enjoy seeing Kaboly get shit on

 

[ChaosAgent]

I just enjoy seeing Kaboly get shit on

When I hear him on the radio he comes across as a massive jerk. A "pissing in your cheerios makes me look smarter" kind of guy

 

[Empoleon8771]

Dart is a guy I think I'd hate if they made the pick but would be patient enough to see how it progresses. He has a lot of red flags that scream Kenny Pickett to me, but he's also only going to be 22 in his rookie year compared to 24 for Pickett. Wouldn't be happy about the pick but it at least would probably be better than drafting Pickett.

 

[JTG]

I think Dart could be a good QB and QBs are always valuable. That's how I approach it because there is a ton of smoke around him getting picked by us - enough so that I would imagine he's the pick.

My issue is not with Dart...it's the needs we have and where they are going to pick him. If Dart is there in round 3...take him! He's not a 1st round talent.

 

[End of Line]

When I hear him on the radio he comes across as a massive jerk. A "pissing in your cheerios makes me look smarter" kind of guy

Always came across as a douchebag to me since he wants to be the arbiter of Steelers news but can’t break a story

 

[JTG]

When I hear him on the radio he comes across as a massive jerk. A "pissing in your cheerios makes me look smarter" kind of guy

He's a know-nothing. Pittsburgh sports are tight...if you don't follow the organizations' rules, you will be shunned and shut out. These guys have little choice, but they all turn into this heel type of personality. The only one who didn't was Bouchette, but Ed was so jaded by the end of nothing ever changing, and repeating the same thing over the course of his entire career, that he really had nothing insightful to say. Dulac has always just been a pet of these organizations.

Pittsburgh sports need prick media, and they have the complete opposite.