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

[Peat]

Here's the pre-draft visits by position

QB - 3
RB - 8
WR - 4
TE - 1 (local)
OL - 1 (local)

DL - 6
ED - 1 (Stewart, arguably looking to beef him up to DL)
DB - 4 (1 local)

K - 1 (local)

Pro Day Visits by Positional Coach (not counting Pitt)

QB - 1
RB - 1
WR - 3
TE - 1
OL - 0

DL - 0
LB - 0
DB - 1

I'd love them to get a great TE room and I don't really see the WR need, but the bias in their movements is clear. If it plays out, you can pretty much call the first 5 Steelers picks positionally - QB/RB/WR/DL/DB, order yet to be determined.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Even with Manning there was disagreement about whether he should go #1 overall or whether it should be Ryan Leaf.

Yup for those who aren't a certain age there was endless debate whether Ryan Leaf or Manning should be #1.
I was a kid...like 19 yrs old and I was certain Leaf was going to be awesome. I got enamored by arm strength...

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Here's the pre-draft visits by position

QB - 3
RB - 8
WR - 4
TE - 1 (local)
OL - 1 (local)

DL - 6
ED - 1 (Stewart, arguably looking to beef him up to DL)
DB - 4 (1 local)

K - 1 (local)

Pro Day Visits by Positional Coach (not counting Pitt)

QB - 1
RB - 1
WR - 3
TE - 1
OL - 0

DL - 0
LB - 0
DB - 1

I'd love them to get a great TE room and I don't really see the WR need, but the bias in their movements is clear. If it plays out, you can pretty much call the first 5 Steelers picks positionally - QB/RB/WR/DL/DB, order yet to be determined.

Good summation.
Surprised by all the WR's.

Leads me to a few potential outcomes:
- Are they hedging their bets on Pickens not being here after this year?
- They think he'll pout/be unproductive this season?
-They trading Pickens this draft?

 

[Andy99]

Here's the pre-draft visits by position

QB - 3
RB - 8
WR - 4
TE - 1 (local)
OL - 1 (local)

DL - 6
ED - 1 (Stewart, arguably looking to beef him up to DL)
DB - 4 (1 local)

K - 1 (local)

Pro Day Visits by Positional Coach (not counting Pitt)

QB - 1
RB - 1
WR - 3
TE - 1
OL - 0

DL - 0
LB - 0
DB - 1

I'd love them to get a great TE room and I don't really see the WR need, but the bias in their movements is clear. If it plays out, you can pretty much call the first 5 Steelers picks positionally - QB/RB/WR/DL/DB, order yet to be determined.

Well, there’s a need at WR if you’re not planning on re-signing Pickens and Wilson looks like a bust…so I think their actions are pretty telling…lol

 

[TooManyHumans]

Yup for those who aren't a certain age there was endless debate whether Ryan Leaf or Manning should be #1.
I was a kid...like 19 yrs old and I was certain Leaf was going to be awesome. I got enamored by arm strength...

I thought he'd be better than Manning. I always try to remember that when I dislike a draft pick.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Good summation.
Surprised by all the WR's.

Leads me to a few potential outcomes:
- Are they hedging their bets on Pickens not being here after this year?
- They think he'll pout/be unproductive this season?
-They trading Pickens this draft?

Khan has been pretty open lately about the lack of play makers on offense since Dk was traded here They have 2 known outside wr that are playmakers. RW is a slot only unknown and Ca3 is 5-9 but can fake it outside. Miller is a camp guy and Ben is ST 5 or 6 wr.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

That's true, but I think they see OG way down the priority list in the draft. Maybe they'll snag a FA or practice squad guy.

They have Nester who played RG on the ps from WVU. jones was on ps for Jackson as G Smith was in Greenbay and Cooks they liked in camp before he got hurt

 

[Peat]

Looking at the WRs they're looking at, it does feel like there's a lot of 2nd round guys there. Maybe they're fishing for fallers, but the idea they might nope out on Pickens looks credible.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Milroe going in round 2 to the Giants makes a good bit of sense to me.

Total guess on my part:

-Ward goes to Titans with their 1st
-Sanders goes to NO with their 1st
-Dart goes to Cleveland with their 2nd
-Milroe goes to NYG with their 2nd

 

[End of Line]

Which one of you went to Big Night AHT?

 

[JTG]

Pretty much all QBs coming out are maybes. The only QBs I have seen in the past 30 years that were definites were Payton Manning, Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence. Where there was a pre-draft consensus that this player will be great, e.g. Can't Miss.

Manning and Luck obviously delivered, Lawrence is still open but not trending in that direction. Luck was sabotaged by poor management and injuries.

If you are waiting for the Steelers to only draft a Can't Miss, then it may be decades before that happens.

Ward and Sanders are clearly in the mid maybe range. Right along with Nix, McCarthy, Penix from last years draft.

The race for the most accurate quarterback crown in the 2025 class ended in a massive landside win for Shedeur Sanders.

2025 NFL Draft: Ranking This Year's Most Accurate Quarterbacks

Explore our ranking of which 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects are the most accurate passers, including Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Jaxson Dart...

www.the33rdteam.com

"In fact, when taking out screen passes and throwaways, only Joe Burrow's 2019 and Jayden Daniels' 2023 seasons were clearly better than what Sanders produced in 2024. Every passing metric from deep passing, play under pressure, play-action performance, and throws out of the pocket predicts Sanders will have no issues being a high-level NFL presence.

Much more like Burrow than Daniels because he's not an elite athlete and often compensates for having a good but not elite arm, Sanders has had to master the details of his game. There are still plenty of examples of Sanders not stepping into throws as he needs, and his motion is still elongated compared to where it needs to get. But he compensates incredibly well with timing and touch.

Sanders' improvement each collegiate season bodes even better for what's next for him. His next destination will benefit from his desire to work within a timing-based offense and also his efficiency while creating out of the pocket."

Sanders has a lot of things that will stand in the way of him being an NFL - his release and the fact he can't stop tapping the ball will probably be it. NFL DBs are going to terrorize him unless he fixes his throwing motion.

I'm not waiting for a generational talent, but I think when you have drafts coming up where there are going to be 3-4 guys that have first round grades and are legit like Ben's draft was.

 

[JTG]

Had a friend send me this. But this chart basically weighs draft years of prospects from 247 composite ranking. This is the top 100 QBs of all time. It's kind of validates what we are seeing, and also validates why QB play in the NFL is in tank right now.

Pretty much all QBs coming out are maybes. The only QBs I have seen in the past 30 years that were definites were Payton Manning, Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence. Where there was a pre-draft consensus that this player will be great, e.g. Can't Miss.

Manning and Luck obviously delivered, Lawrence is still open but not trending in that direction. Luck was sabotaged by poor management and injuries.

If you are waiting for the Steelers to only draft a Can't Miss, then it may be decades before that happens.

Ward and Sanders are clearly in the mid maybe range. Right along with Nix, McCarthy, Penix from last years draft.

The race for the most accurate quarterback crown in the 2025 class ended in a massive landside win for Shedeur Sanders.

2025 NFL Draft: Ranking This Year's Most Accurate Quarterbacks

Explore our ranking of which 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects are the most accurate passers, including Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Jaxson Dart...

www.the33rdteam.com

"In fact, when taking out screen passes and throwaways, only Joe Burrow's 2019 and Jayden Daniels' 2023 seasons were clearly better than what Sanders produced in 2024. Every passing metric from deep passing, play under pressure, play-action performance, and throws out of the pocket predicts Sanders will have no issues being a high-level NFL presence.

Much more like Burrow than Daniels because he's not an elite athlete and often compensates for having a good but not elite arm, Sanders has had to master the details of his game. There are still plenty of examples of Sanders not stepping into throws as he needs, and his motion is still elongated compared to where it needs to get. But he compensates incredibly well with timing and touch.

Sanders' improvement each collegiate season bodes even better for what's next for him. His next destination will benefit from his desire to work within a timing-based offense and also his efficiency while creating out of the pocket."

Sanders has a lot of things that will stand in the way of him being an NFL QB - his release and the fact he can't stop tapping the ball will probably be it. NFL DBs are going to terrorize him unless he fixes his throwing motion.

I'm not waiting for a generational talent, but I think when you have drafts coming up where there are going to be 3-4 guys that have first round grades and are legit.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Pretty much all QBs coming out are maybes. The only QBs I have seen in the past 30 years that were definites were Payton Manning, Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence. Where there was a pre-draft consensus that this player will be great, e.g. Can't Miss.

Manning and Luck obviously delivered, Lawrence is still open but not trending in that direction. Luck was sabotaged by poor management and injuries.

If you are waiting for the Steelers to only draft a Can't Miss, then it may be decades before that happens.

Ward and Sanders are clearly in the mid maybe range. Right along with Nix, McCarthy, Penix from last years draft.

The race for the most accurate quarterback crown in the 2025 class ended in a massive landside win for Shedeur Sanders.

2025 NFL Draft: Ranking This Year's Most Accurate Quarterbacks

Explore our ranking of which 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects are the most accurate passers, including Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Jaxson Dart...

www.the33rdteam.com

"In fact, when taking out screen passes and throwaways, only Joe Burrow's 2019 and Jayden Daniels' 2023 seasons were clearly better than what Sanders produced in 2024. Every passing metric from deep passing, play under pressure, play-action performance, and throws out of the pocket predicts Sanders will have no issues being a high-level NFL presence.

Much more like Burrow than Daniels because he's not an elite athlete and often compensates for having a good but not elite arm, Sanders has had to master the details of his game. There are still plenty of examples of Sanders not stepping into throws as he needs, and his motion is still elongated compared to where it needs to get. But he compensates incredibly well with timing and touch.

Sanders' improvement each collegiate season bodes even better for what's next for him. His next destination will benefit from his desire to work within a timing-based offense and also his efficiency while creating out of the pocket."

What exactly did Luck deliver on? He became an average starter, not the once in a decade prospect he was (wrongly) touted as. He did have a good PR team that was able to cast the Colts as the reason for any of his shortcomings.

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[Peat]

I remember once seeing a program where they got a bunch of decent athletes and each week, tried them on a new sport to see who'd pick it up fastest. I'd love to see Sid on something like that.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I remember once seeing a program where they got a bunch of decent athletes and each week, tried them on a new sport to see who'd pick it up fastest. I'd love to see Sid on something like that.

Wasn't Sid hitting homeruns in BP like a decade ago when they hung out with the Pirates?

 

[pistolpete11]

What exactly did Luck deliver on? He became an average starter, not the once in a decade prospect he was (wrongly) touted as. He did have a good PR team that was able to cast the Colts as the reason for any of his shortcomings.

You know, looking at his stats...you're right. Maybe you could make a case he was a top 10 QB in his time, but you'd have to do some homework and make a compelling case. It's not as much of "no duh he's top 10" argument as I would have remembered. I think top 10-15 is a more realistic range.

 

[pistolpete11]

Khan has been pretty open lately about the lack of play makers on offense since Dk was traded here They have 2 known outside wr that are playmakers. RW is a slot only unknown and Ca3 is 5-9 but can fake it outside. Miller is a camp guy and Ben is ST 5 or 6 wr.

WR1a - DK - known playmaker
WR1b - Pickens - known playmaker
WR3 - CA3 - arguably a playmaker (second on the team in Y/R and receiving TD)
WR4 - Wilson - slot guy albeit unproven
WR5 - Ben
WR6 - Miller

Add in Muth who led the team in targets and TD last year and, I'd argue, still underused.

Beyond DK-Pickens-Muth, there's not a ton of targets even available. CA3 showed he can make some big plays even with limited targets.

When we talk about adding more playmakers on the offense, it should be focused around RB, not like WR4/5, unless Pickens is on his way out.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Dude is on the Antonio Brown path

Police called after Dolphins' Hill, wife in dispute

Police were called to the South Florida residence of Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill following a domestic dispute, though no charges were filed.

www.espn.com

 

[bigdaddyk88]

WR1a - DK - known playmaker
WR1b - Pickens - known playmaker
WR3 - CA3 - arguably a playmaker (second on the team in Y/R and receiving TD)
WR4 - Wilson - slot guy albeit unproven
WR5 - Ben
WR6 - Miller

Add in Muth who led the team in targets and TD last year and, I'd argue, still underused.

Beyond DK-Pickens-Muth, there's not a ton of targets even available. CA3 showed he can make some big plays even with limited targets.

When we talk about adding more playmakers on the offense, it should be focused around RB, not like WR4/5, unless Pickens is on his way out.

Calvin had 1 game over 90 yards receiving and finished with 60 catches. You can’t count him a playmaker.
DK is the X GP will be Slot and the other outside receiver. If either guy is hurt your back to what they had last season where they were last in 20 yard completions from week 15 on. I would prefer another TE because I don’t view Washington as a receiving threat
I agree with you on rb but it seems like they are ok going with a committee approach

 

[pistolpete11]

Sanders has a lot of things that will stand in the way of him being an NFL - his release and the fact he can't stop tapping the ball will probably be it. NFL DBs are going to terrorize him unless he fixes his throwing motion.

I'm not waiting for a generational talent, but I think when you have drafts coming up where there are going to be 3-4 guys that have first round grades and are legit like Ben's draft was.

The thing you have to weigh is if you would be able to get into a position to take one of the guys that are better prospects than Sanders. As of today, I think that would be Manning (who likely will not even come out), Nico, and Allar. I think Sanders is roughly on the same tier as the rest of the guys that could come out.

I would not move up to get Sanders (maybe a couple of spots or something, but not to 9OV or whatever), but if he fell to 21, it would be tough not to take him. Otherwise, you're likely spending a bunch of assets to move up next year to take a similar level QB prospect. I'd be more willing to roll the dice and pass on him if I had more confidence in Manning coming out.

 

[pistolpete11]

Calvin had 1 game over 90 yards receiving and finished with 60 catches. You can’t count him a playmaker.
DK is the X GP will be Slot and the other outside receiver. If either guy is hurt your back to what they had last season where they were last in 20 yard completions from week 15 on. I would prefer another TE because I don’t view Washington as a receiving threat
I agree with you on rb but it seems like they are ok going with a committee approach

He had a 15.2 Y/R (only 0.1 behind Pickens for team lead) and had the second most receiving TD's on the team....and he's going to be your 4th target going into this year. DK was the playmaking addition to the WR corps.

You can use the injury what-if for literally every position.

 

[xlm34]

The thing you have to weigh is if you would be able to get into a position to take one of the guys that are better prospects than Sanders. As of today, I think that would be Manning (who likely will not even come out), Nico, and Allar. I think Sanders is roughly on the same tier as the rest of the guys that could come out.

I would not move up to get Sanders (maybe a couple of spots or something, but not to 9OV or whatever), but if he fell to 21, it would be tough not to take him. Otherwise, you're likely spending a bunch of assets to move up next year to take a similar level QB prospect. I'd be more willing to roll the dice and pass on him if I had more confidence in Manning coming out.

I’m not that convinced Iamaleava declares next year either. He’s got all the tools but was kind of rough the couple times I saw him play last year. And Allar I’m not all that sure is a better prospect at this moment. The physical traits are better for sure but he’s got some stuff to show next year to be considered a top prospect.

I’m with you that I don’t think Sanders is worth trading up for unless the cost is a ‘26 3rd or something. But you almost have to take him if he drops.

 

[JTG]

The thing you have to weigh is if you would be able to get into a position to take one of the guys that are better prospects than Sanders. As of today, I think that would be Manning (who likely will not even come out), Nico, and Allar. I think Sanders is roughly on the same tier as the rest of the guys that could come out.

I would not move up to get Sanders (maybe a couple of spots or something, but not to 9OV or whatever), but if he fell to 21, it would be tough not to take him. Otherwise, you're likely spending a bunch of assets to move up next year to take a similar level QB prospect. I'd be more willing to roll the dice and pass on him if I had more confidence in Manning coming out.

Shadeur would be the 5th-7th best QB in next years draft. I don't think any of the QB talents are worthy of a first round pick. It's the Kenny argument all over again, and we saw how that one turned out. I don't want it to seem like I'm piling on Shadeur, but this guy has to be a 3rd round pick to get developmental value for him, because I really think he's going to need it.

We also have the capital to move around next year. We don't this year really. I'd rather go into next year's draft with the mentality of "by all means necessary" and just operate that way. We shouldn't be that far from a top 10 pick anyway. We will have 3-4 3rd round comp picks. The pool of talent is DRASTICALLY better, and I think it's going to get even better as next season wears on.

Focus on DL, CB, RB, WR. QB shouldn't even be on their brains right now. DL is like 5 guys deep who have the skill to be top tier DL. Spend the 1st on one of them.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

He had a 15.2 Y/R (only 0.1 behind Pickens for team lead) and had the second most receiving TD's on the team....and he's going to be your 4th target going into this year. DK was the playmaking addition to the WR corps.

You can use the injury what-if for literally every position.

To me Dk is just the answer to the year long search for wr 2 that started with Aiyuk. They were predictable last season because whenever Ben was playing Wr it was a run and Miller is camp fodder