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

[Empoleon8771]

I have a feeling the Saints love Shrough and will take him at #40

On Sanders, I think if he slides to #21 you can’t justify passing up on him. I’m hoping he goes before their pick so they don’t have to make that choice, but you can’t pass up on him unless you’re just absolutely convinced he’s shit.

 

[xlm34]

I've seen enough variations on "there's no difference between the guys at 15 and the guys at 45" that it seems plausible. Although, honestly, I'm sat here thinking if you don't rate the mofo enough to take him at 2/3, why do you rate him enough to take him at 20? Either you believe he's a franchise turning guy so why run risks, or you don't at which point why invest a lot in him.

I guess it could be like the Texans looking at Stroud and Anderson and eventually deciding they liked the idea of both. But both the Giants and Browns have prepared themselves like they're not taking a guy early and I don't know how much of a bluff that is.

This is my line of thinking as well. Both the Browns and Giants need a PR win though as well and I think you can sell Sanders as that. It’s a flashy move that I think fans and a lot of owners would like.

Whatever happens I think this will be a fun draft to watch. There’s just so much variability with how guys are viewed that things could get really weird.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

This is my line of thinking as well. Both the Browns and Giants need a PR win though as well and I think you can sell Sanders as that. It’s a flashy move that I think fans and a lot of owners would like.

Whatever happens I think this will be a fun draft to watch. There’s just so much variability with how guys are viewed that things could get really weird.

It’s pretty obvious Carter and Hunter are top 3 players in the draft. Sanders and Dart are not. Neither Dart or Sanders should start week 1. The goal is to take the elite player at 2 and 3

 

[WickedWrister]

I've seen enough variations on "there's no difference between the guys at 15 and the guys at 45" that it seems plausible. Although, honestly, I'm sat here thinking if you don't rate the mofo enough to take him at 2/3, why do you rate him enough to take him at 20? Either you believe he's a franchise turning guy so why run risks, or you don't at which point why invest a lot in him.

I guess it could be like the Texans looking at Stroud and Anderson and eventually deciding they liked the idea of both. But both the Giants and Browns have prepared themselves like they're not taking a guy early and I don't know how much of a bluff that is.

I think it was in the same Jeremiah pod I was listening to, he mentioned the Ravens taking TE Hayden Hurst in the 1st round before they took Lamar with pick 32, so it's not like teams are all logical or consistent with this thinking. It's kind of crazy though in hindsight.

 

[Peat]

I think it was in the same Jeremiah pod I was listening to, he mentioned the Ravens taking TE Hayden Hurst in the 1st round before they took Lamar with pick 32, so it's not like teams are all logical or consistent with this thinking. It's kind of crazy though in hindsight.

That's a wild one alright.

I find it easier to under a team going "okay, hold on, let's make a big move to get a second pick at this slot" for a big ceiling guy like Jackson than I do for the vanilla custard QBs of Sanders/Dart. But there we go. All it takes is them not seeing it the same way/feeling pressure to hold up a young QB to generate hope and it happens.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Impossible to say for sure, but the Falcons just signed a QB that really seems like a backup that's going to be taking Cousins' spot:

Falcons sign quarterback Easton Stick

Curious if there is some movement on Cousins in the next couple of days.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

That's a wild one alright.

I find it easier to under a team going "okay, hold on, let's make a big move to get a second pick at this slot" for a big ceiling guy like Jackson than I do for the vanilla custard QBs of Sanders/Dart. But there we go. All it takes is them not seeing it the same way/feeling pressure to hold up a young QB to generate hope and it happens.

Jackson had a 57 completion percentage in college weird throwing mechanics and injuries piled up in college. He couldn’t compete a pass outside the numbers to save his life.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Impossible to say for sure, but the Falcons just signed a QB that really seems like a backup that's going to be taking Cousins' spot:

Falcons sign quarterback Easton Stick

Curious if there is some movement on Cousins in the next couple of days.

Kirk said he isn’t going to wave is no trade clause with guarantees from his new team.

 

[T1K]

I don’t think they would wait out Rodgers and trade Gp. If your waiting on Rodgers you’re gonna try in win a playoff game and it’s more likely they accomplish that with GP.
I also would extend him in august at 22/24 aav but they will probably tag him

Yeah that’s a fair point. Watt’s extension is also a variable in this too. They are at a crossroads this draft, lots of potential to blow it up or push the chips in the middle. Round 1 will be very telling. I’m hoping for a trade back or DL.

 

[T1K]

I have a feeling the Saints love Shrough and will take him at #40

On Sanders, I think if he slides to #21 you can’t justify passing up on him. I’m hoping he goes before their pick so they don’t have to make that choice, but you can’t pass up on him unless you’re just absolutely convinced he’s shit.

Agreed, Sanders is a good value pick at that point. I’m not sold on him, but he’s a worthy swing. There’s potential it could be a Josh Rosen situation too where he sucks and we end up with a pick that sets us up for his replacement.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Agreed, Sanders is a good value pick at that point. I’m not sold on him, but he’s a worthy swing. There’s potential it could be a Josh Rosen situation too where he sucks and we end up with a pick that sets us up for his replacement.

Yeah my mock if Sanders falls would be:

#21: Sanders, QB
#83: Alexander, DL
#123: Giddens, RB
#156: Teslaa, WR
#185: Pegues, NT
#229: Walley, CB

I just had a whole write-up of how they could make Farmer work at DL with keeping Benton at NT in the short term, only to realize that there is another 3rd round DL that seems more appropriate to fit as a NT in the short term in Alexander. Both Alexander and Farmer had top-30 visits with the Steelers, so both seem viable, but Alexander is a bit better of an athlete and seems to offer more NT versatility than Farmer.

You'd be taking either Alexander or Farmer to eventually move to Heyward's spot, but I think Alexander would probably let you move Benton to LDE now and play Alexander at NT. Farmer looks more like a LDE now that would be pretty miscast as a NT.

 

[WickedWrister]

QB talk starts at 3:45

1. Ward
2. Sanders
3. Milroe
4. Ewers
5. Dart
6. Gabriel
7. Howard
8. Shough

 

[WickedWrister]

Agreed, Sanders is a good value pick at that point. I’m not sold on him, but he’s a worthy swing. There’s potential it could be a Josh Rosen situation too where he sucks and we end up with a pick that sets us up for his replacement.

I'm just getting Kenny Pickett Vietnam flashbacks with Sanders. I know we shouldn't let past failures dictate future decisions, but I just don't love the arm talent enough to be all excited about this guy. I want a 6'4" gunslinger that can throw a football over a mountain, is that too much to ask? In lieu of that, take a chance on someone later with more athletic upside (Milroe) or pedigree (Ewers).

It feels like we're just backing into taking another QB because of consensus and the other teams letting a player fall.

 

[Peat]

I'm just getting Kenny Pickett Vietnam flashbacks with Sanders. I know we shouldn't let past failures dictate future decisions, but I just don't love the arm talent enough to be all excited about this guy. I want a 6'4" gunslinger that can throw a football over a mountain, is that too much to ask? In lieu of that, take a chance on someone later with more athletic upside (Milroe) or pedigree (Ewers).

It feels like we're just backing into taking another QB because of consensus and the other teams letting a player fall.

I too have Pickett-related misgivings over Sanders, but it's less about how Pickett failed and more about how both of them are guys where, if it goes well, you end up wishing you had another player anyway. Back in 2022, as a guy who understood fairly little about football, I decided to get behind the pick and talk up what a smart tough guy can do in the league.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall hearing Tomlin make the case for these guys. Does he not see the talent ceilings, or does he not care and is thumping the table for great defence + cheap tough QB = SB?

I also can't help but wonder if this is all driven a little about panic over a thin position room and wishing they'd got things a little better tied down in FA....

 

[T1K]

I'm just getting Kenny Pickett Vietnam flashbacks with Sanders. I know we shouldn't let past failures dictate future decisions, but I just don't love the arm talent enough to be all excited about this guy. I want a 6'4" gunslinger that can throw a football over a mountain, is that too much to ask? In lieu of that, take a chance on someone later with more athletic upside (Milroe) or pedigree (Ewers).

It feels like we're just backing into taking another QB because of consensus and the other teams letting a player fall.

At one point this fall I thought Milroe would be a top 5 pick. I’m interested in him as a prospect, but I don’t think the Steelers could develop him like Philly did for Hurts. Fields is a polished version of Milroe and they never committed to him. I don’t see them getting through the growing pains of a Milroe type of prospect. It would likely end up similar to the ARich situation in Indy.

I have mixed feelings on Sanders. I’m having a tough time separating my dislike of his personality with his play on the field. Ultimately I think I’d be disappointed if we took him at 21, but I can understand considering he is being mocked ahead of that in consensus ranks.

I like Kyle McCord as a developmental player a la Mason Rudolph. I know that’s not a needle-moving statement, but leaving this draft with a possible bridge QB wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It would be better than committing to someone because of draft capital.

 

[Peat]

At one point this fall I thought Milroe would be a top 5 pick. I’m interested in him as a prospect, but I don’t think the Steelers could develop him like Philly did for Hurts. Fields is a polished version of Milroe and they never committed to him. I don’t see them getting through the growing pains of a Milroe type of prospect. It would likely end up similar to the ARich situation in Indy.

I have mixed feelings on Sanders. I’m having a tough time separating my dislike of his personality with his play on the field. Ultimately I think I’d be disappointed if we took him at 21, but I can understand considering he is being mocked ahead of that in consensus ranks.

I like Kyle McCord as a developmental player a la Mason Rudolph. I know that’s not a needle-moving statement, but leaving this draft with a possible bridge QB wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It would be better than committing to someone because of draft capital.

Not any more! Sanders to the Steelers at 21 is the new black...

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Carter and

It’s pretty obvious Carter and Hunter are top 3 players in the draft. Sanders and Dart are not. Neither Dart or Sanders should start week 1. The goal is to take the elite player at 2 and 3

Totally agree with this. Take the talent, especially when it isn’t close.

Dart and Sanders in a good draft probably drop to the 2nd round. But for a team like the Browns or Giants, it could be worth it to trade up and take one of them in the late 1st. Say even at 21.

The Giants especially have the picks to do it. They have a late 3rd at 99. Thus they could use 34 + 99 + 3rd 2026 to move up to Minnesota. Minnesota is bereft of picks and I can see them as the team that moves back for one of those teams at the top of the 2nd.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m not 100% sold on Sanders either, but the way I look at it is 2 parts:

1. Sanders at #21 is extremely good draft value with how QBs are valued in the draft, even if his upside is more of a Tua type of point guard QB.
2. There is no guarantee this team will ever be in a position to take a higher upside QB, so passing on Sanders now may just mean you won’t get a QB for a while.

I don’t think you can rationalize passing on Sanders for an unnamed better QB option when they have so little in the near term at QB. Taking Sanders now likely doesn’t marry the team to him, if he’s not panning out or if they suck their way into getting a better QB, I don’t think they’re just going to keep him just because they drafted him first. Look at the Bears situation with Fields and Williams as proof of that.

This team has already shown to be willing to move on quickly from a 1st round QB in Pickett, so I wouldn’t worry about them holding on to Sanders for too long if he’s not performing.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Jeremiah’s final rankings. His top 50 usually meshes pretty well with the top 50 guys drafted. I’m wondering if Shavon Revel could be around in the third. I think he would have been a slam dunk first rounder if he didn’t tear his ACL. And Khan hasn’t been shy about going after guys that may have fallen because of medical concerns.

Watch every PSU game. I love Tyler Warren but man that is high for a guy that I think will struggle to separate at the next level.

 

[Peat]

I’m not 100% sold on Sanders either, but the way I look at it is 2 parts:

1. Sanders at #21 is extremely good draft value with how QBs are valued in the draft, even if his upside is more of a Tua type of point guard QB.
2. There is no guarantee this team will ever be in a position to take a higher upside QB, so passing on Sanders now may just mean you won’t get a QB for a while.

I don’t think you can rationalize passing on Sanders for an unnamed better QB option when they have so little in the near term at QB. Taking Sanders now likely doesn’t marry the team to him, if he’s not panning out or if they suck their way into getting a better QB, I don’t think they’re just going to keep him just because they drafted him first. Look at the Bears situation with Fields and Williams as proof of that.

This team has already shown to be willing to move on quickly from a 1st round QB in Pickett, so I wouldn’t worry about them holding on to Sanders for too long if he’s not performing.

Think you can argue both ways on that. Yeah, compared to Penix/McCarthy/Nix going in the 8-12 range, it's pretty sweet. Compared to Levis going 34 or where ever the hell Malik Willis went again (both better rated prospects than Sanders in some quarters), not so much. Obviously Levis/Willis have bombed out for their original teams, but were they much riskier than Jordan Love, who's probably worked out?

I'd probably go with fair value.

I'd still play no risk it, no biscuit on the position but I get how the people actually running the team are in a different position there.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Think you can argue both ways on that. Yeah, compared to Penix/McCarthy/Nix going in the 8-12 range, it's pretty sweet. Compared to Levis going 34 or where ever the hell Malik Willis went again (both better rated prospects than Sanders in some quarters), not so much. Obviously Levis/Willis have bombed out for their original teams, but were they much riskier than Jordan Love, who's probably worked out?

I'd probably go with fair value.

I'd still play no risk it, no biscuit on the position but I get how the people actually running the team are in a different position there.

Was Willis ever rated as a better prospect than Sanders? I thought Willis was a lot closer to Milroe.

Either way, a big part of why I feel this way regarding Sanders is that this team seems incapable of actually losing enough to put themselves in a position to get one of those top QBs, and even trading up to get one of those guys is super risky with how often QBs flame out. I think Sanders at #21 is a better gamble than trading 2 1sts to move up to #10 overall to draft a QB or just waiting until the Steelers pick naturally ends up #10 or better to get a QB.

The worst case scenario is you trading a ton to move up to draft a QB but end up whiffing on the pick. At least if Sanders ends up a bust, you’re not also losing future picks too.

 

[xlm34]

Watch every PSU game. I love Tyler Warren but man that is high for a guy that I think will struggle to separate at the next level.

Anytime I watched Penn State, he was always the best guy on the field, but yeah I kind of wonder how he’ll translate sometimes. The size/speed/strength was something that 95% of college teams just don’t have an answer for. NFL teams may not either but we’ll see.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Anytime I watched Penn State, he was always the best guy on the field, but yeah I kind of wonder how he’ll translate sometimes. The size/speed/strength was something that 95% of college teams just don’t have an answer for. NFL teams may not either but we’ll see.

Precisely. I love the guy but just don’t see him as a top 5-10 guy from this class in 5 years. But hope I’m wrong.

 

[Peat]

Was Willis ever rated as a better prospect than Sanders? I thought Willis was a lot closer to Milroe.

Either way, a big part of why I feel this way regarding Sanders is that this team seems incapable of actually losing enough to put themselves in a position to get one of those top QBs, and even trading up to get one of those guys is super risky with how often QBs flame out. I think Sanders at #21 is a better gamble than trading 2 1sts to move up to #10 overall to draft a QB or just waiting until the Steelers pick naturally ends up #10 or better to get a QB.

The worst case scenario is you trading a ton to move up to draft a QB but end up whiffing on the pick. At least if Sanders ends up a bust, you’re not also losing future picks too.

Willis got a higher ranking from Zierlein and I'm guessing the same 1st/2nd grade from Brugler since he was 32nd on the big board in 2022. Honestly, what happened there was pretty wild, the public really brought into him and the NFL went nah... which, may or may not have been the right thing. Be interesting to see what happens if he gets a bigger sample in Green Bay.

But re the rest of it, fair enough. See how it turns out if it happens, which is beginning to feel pretty real to me.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Kozora: Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Mock Draft (Final Version)

My final Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 mock draft. Last best-guesses of what the team will do starting Thursday night. A reminder that this, as always, is a predictive mock draft and not what I would do if I were the team’s general manager (trust me, no one should want me in that chair). Using all of...

steelersdepot.com

Kozora’s final mock draft:

#21: Harmon, DL
#83: Sampson, RB
#123: Thornton, WR
#156: Ewers, QB
#185: Bruener, ILB
#229: McMillon, SS

This looks like a super believable mock draft as well. I’m not wild about Thornton as the WR draft pick, he does have crazy athleticism (6’5” and 4.30 40 time) but he’s basically a purely deep ball guy. I think they really need a route runner type, not another Bryant type of deep ball WR.