OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Super Bowl? Thats like a giant pot of chips or popcorn right?

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Dulac, and of course it’s him so qualify this, has predicted the Steelers will move up in the first round, at the expense of their second round picks, to pick Gonzalez lol…going to have to move in the top 10 most likely lol…even if Gonzalez starts falling and they get him at pick #12, why? I really think Banks is going to be just as good if not better…keep their picks too

Wexell believes it will be Paris Johnson:

An aha moment of draft clarity

SteelCityInsider publisher Jim Wexell believes he has clarity on the Steelers' draft plans

247sports.com

He subscribes to the same theory I do - Steelers telegraph who they want almost every year, and still get them somehow.

Only thing that makes me hesitate and not feel overly certain is the new regime - but the guy making their board is a former o-lineman and believes in building from the trenches on out.

 

[Andy99]

Wexell believes it will be Paris Johnson:

An aha moment of draft clarity

SteelCityInsider publisher Jim Wexell believes he has clarity on the Steelers' draft plans

247sports.com

yeah, everyone is predicting a move up…I think it’s a mistake to move into the top 10 for these guys given where the Steelers are with their retool or rebuild or whatever… I mean giving up just their #49 pick to go to #12 or something and then moving down from #32 to get more picks that would be okay but they’re not getting into the top 10 for just that…at this point, I really hope Johnson goes at #3 and Gonzales at #5 just to spite these plans lol…

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Should be exciting night.

Obviously you can’t give an accurate grade until like 2025 but for me at #17 (or 1st round in general):

I’m dreaming: Johnson Jr., Gonzales, T. Wilson, Carter (assuming character checks out)

I’m excited: B. Jones, Witherspoon, Skoronski, Van Ness as a 3-4 end

Solid picks and I’ll convince myself to become excited: Branch, Mayer, Wright, Kincaid, JSN, Van Ness as a 3-4 OLB, Forbes, Sanders

I’m indifferent: Banks, Cam Smith, Addison, Torrence

Kinda pessimistic: Porter Jr, Breese, Murphy, Nolan Smith, Simpson, Ringo

I’m depressed: Dawand Jones

 

[Goalie_Bob]

yeah, everyone is predicting a move up…I think it’s a mistake to move into the top 10 for these guys given where the Steelers are with their retool or rebuild or whatever… I mean giving up just their #49 pick to go to #12 or something and then moving down from #32 to get more picks that would be okay but they’re not getting into the top 10 for just that…at this point, I really hope Johnson goes at #3 and Gonzales at #5 just to spite these plans lol…

17 and 49 is technically enough to get up to #9. But teams usually want and extra kicker to move down that far. So I could see a 2024 3rd being added on.

I have been saying for weeks now that that the trade partner, imo, is the Eagles. Weidl used to work for them, thus there is a relationship there and the Eagles don't need a top 10 pick. They could trade down to 17 and still get a player like Kancey and they love to pick up extra picks. So my prediction is if Paris Johnson Jr is still there at pick 10, the Steelers trade 17+49+2024 3rd.

 

[Andy99]

17 and 49 is technically enough to get up to #9. But teams usually want and extra kicker to move down that far. So I could see a 2024 3rd being added on.

I have been saying for weeks now that that the trade partner, imo, is the Eagles. Weidl used to work for them, thus there is a relationship there and the Eagles don't need a top 10 pick. They could trade down to 17 and still get a player like Kancey and they love to pick up extra picks. So my prediction is if Paris Johnson Jr is still there at pick 10, the Steelers trade 17+49+2024 3rd.

Still think it’s too much to pay…I also think the only starter they really NEED is a CB and I think anyone picked in the second round will need a year of development…I’d personally rather see them get a corner in Rd 1 and I like Banks a lot, so…

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

yeah, everyone is predicting a move up…I think it’s a mistake to move into the top 10 for these guys given where the Steelers are with their retool or rebuild or whatever… I mean giving up just their #49 pick to go to #12 or something and then moving down from #32 to get more picks that would be okay but they’re not getting into the top 10 for just that…at this point, I really hope Johnson goes at #3 and Gonzales at #5 just to spite these plans lol…

I think a lot of Steeler fans are nervous about moving up because of the Bush fiasco.

I get it, but I trust Weidl to set the board and if he ranks a guy high enough that they feel they should move up for, then I’m not going to sweat it.

If they don’t move up, I highly suspect Tomlin might convince them to take JPJ. Then in a couple yrs we will be wishing they did move up.

Maybe JPJ becomes a great corner, but a stiff corner with a meh 40 is never a good sign.

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[Josey Wales]

Mike Florio??? Florio ???? he is a lawyer who is addicted to sniffing Jocks

 

[Andy99]

I think a lot of Steeler fans are nervous about moving up because of the Bush fiasco.

I get it, but I trust Weidl to set the board and if he ranks a guy high enough that they feel they should move up for, then I’m not going to sweat it.

If they don’t move up, I highly suspect Tomlin might convince them to take JPJ. Then in a couple yrs we will be wishing they did move up.

Maybe JPJ becomes a great corner, but a stiff corner with a meh 40 is never a good sign.

Please God no JPJ in round one…if he falls to the second, as he might, then Tomlin can take a flyer on him but knowing Tomlin’s record at drafting CBs in particular, I hope the new FO stays away from any of his recommendations lol…

I’m worried about the cost-benefit of them giving up picks in this draft when there are so few blue chip players and I don’t see their team as being one blue chip non-QB player away from a Super Bowl berth lol

 

[JTG]

Dulac, and of course it’s him so qualify this, has predicted the Steelers will move up in the first round, at the expense of their second round picks, to pick Gonzalez lol…going to have to move in the top 10 most likely lol…even if Gonzalez starts falling and they get him at pick #12, why? I really think Banks is going to be just as good if not better…keep their picks too

Banks may be. I think Gonzalez may be one of the best corners to come out in a long time. No holes in his game really. I really think people are sleeping on Brian Branch too. The dynamic he would bring to our defense would be incredible. He's a supremely intelligent player and a leader of the Alabama defense. Amazing tackler, great in run support, can blitz off the edge. It would basically give us two Minkah's...one on the line, and one deep. If Branch ran a 4.3, he would absolutely be a top 5 pick.

Jammie Robinson is a lot like Branch. Tested like shit, but will probably be a plus-starter in the NFL.

 

[Peat]

Still think it’s too much to pay…I also think the only starter they really NEED is a CB and I think anyone picked in the second round will need a year of development…I’d personally rather see them get a corner in Rd 1 and I like Banks a lot, so…

They need a guy who can play inside and out tho, assuming Peterson and Wallace are the boundary CBs. Neither is a guy who needs replacing. Hell if they keep Witherspoon they mightn't even need a new guy to be first guy up/play outside if Peterson plays inside.

They need a CB because that room needs future proofed, but they can 100% afford to take a guy who's developmental - unless he's meant to be the inside/outside guy, and that removes Banks. And a ton of others tbh.

 

[Andy99]

They need a guy who can play inside and out tho, assuming Peterson and Wallace are the boundary CBs. Neither is a guy who needs replacing. Hell if they keep Witherspoon they mightn't even need a new guy to be first guy up/play outside if Peterson plays inside.

They need a CB because that room needs future proofed, but they can 100% afford to take a guy who's developmental - unless he's meant to be the inside/outside guy, and that removes Banks. And a ton of others tbh.

Peterson is supposed to be that guy…he’s not a full time outside corner anymore…the way he excelled in Minn last year was playing zone in the middle of the field…Steelers precisely need someone like Banks or Gonzalez to start on the outside…Witherspoon and Wallace are just mediocre..you can’t have both of them as your starting CBs

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Tonight is going to be exciting for sure. With all the speculation of trades, i spose im gonna have to stay tuned entire time

 

[Peat]

Wexell believes it will be Paris Johnson:

An aha moment of draft clarity

SteelCityInsider publisher Jim Wexell believes he has clarity on the Steelers' draft plans

247sports.com

He subscribes to the same theory I do - Steelers telegraph who they want almost every year, and still get them somehow.

Only thing that makes me hesitate and not feel overly certain is the new regime - but the guy making their board is a former o-lineman and believes in building from the trenches on out.

Ayup.

If this was Colbert I'd feel sure that's who they're targeting. Ticks every box.

Khan with Weidl by his side is a little different... but Khan would have learnt a bunch of stuff from Colbert, Weidl was part of an org that moved up aggressively and loved linemen, and you've still got Rooney and Tomlin there.

I’m excited: B. Jones, Witherspoon, Skoronski, Van Ness as a 3-4 end

Solid picks and I’ll convince myself to become excited: Branch, Mayer, Wright, Kincaid, JSN, Van Ness as a 3-4 OLB, Forbes, Sanders

How do you feel about Van Ness as a 4-3 end? Because I think with the amount of time they spend in nickel, this team's base these days is effectively a 4-2-5.

Peterson is supposed to be that guy…he’s not a full time outside corner anymore…the way he excelled in Minn last year was playing zone in the middle of the field…Steelers precisely need someone like Banks or Gonzalez to start on the outside…Witherspoon and Wallace are just mediocre..you can’t have both of them as your starting CBs

You sure about that? I'm pretty sure I read he spent all his time outside last year.

Now they are talking about moving him around the field a ton this year, but I'm still expecting him to be on the boundary a lot.

And Wallace and Witherspoon are nobody's dream, but they're perfectly cromulent NFL CBs (well, when Witherspoon is fit). A mid-round CB isn't really a safe bet to come in and massively outperform either as a rookie.

 

[JTG]

It's all a crapshoot, but I'm betting that by 11pm that either Porter or Branch are Pittsburgh Steelers.

Surprise would be Kancey

Bresee is plausible


I would trade down if they could add a top 80 pick.

Agreed. If they don't move down or a tackle isn't available, I'm going to say Bresee.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Please God no JPJ in round one…if he falls to the second, as he might, then Tomlin can take a flyer on him but knowing Tomlin’s record at drafting CBs in particular, I hope the new FO stays away from any of his recommendations lol…

I’m worried about the cost-benefit of them giving up picks in this draft when there are so few blue chip players and I don’t see their team as being one blue chip non-QB player away from a Super Bowl berth lol

I probably have the opposite opinion - if there aren’t many bluechippers, be aggressive and get the one you think is.

I don’t really look at it like they are one piece away from being SB contenders.

For me they are putting the pieces together to be a contender in 2-3 years and landing a LT is a major piece to completing that puzzle.

Again I get the “hold onto all your picks and quantity over quality” idea, then hope you get a couple starters.

Moving up definitely puts all yours eggs in one basket I suppose. Just the opportunity cost of staying at 17 could mean “well all the guys we hoped for are off the board…”

“Not Peezy’s son!”

 

[JTG]

How do you feel about Van Ness as a 4-3 end? Because I think with the amount of time they spend in nickel, this team's base these days is effectively a 4-2-5.

THis is why I really like Van Ness. Aside from the measurables that cannot be taught, he can play any position on the defensive line (aside from nose) and can play OLB. For where the Steelers are defensively, he is kind of that Swiss Army knife Troy was in the secondary when he was first drafted, except in the front 7.

And I really like Van Ness because he seems like a guy who plays with an intimidating level of intensity. I enjoy watching Alpha football players who talk shit and back it up. It creates another level of entertainment.

I probably have the opposite opinion - if there aren’t many bluechippers, be aggressive and get the one you think is.

I don’t really look at it like they are one piece away from being SB contenders.

For me they are putting the pieces together to be a contender in 2-3 years and landing a LT is a major piece to completing that puzzle.

Again I get the “hood onto all your picks and quantity over quality” idea, then hope you get a couple starters.

Drafting up definitely puts all yours eggs in one basket I suppose. Just the opportunity cost of staying at 17 could mean “well all the guys we hoped for are off the board…”

“Not Peezy’s son!”

I think we are much more "flood the system" right now than "go and get 'YOUR GUY.'"

We need a NT, DE, 2 MLBs, outside CB, nickel CB, FS on defense. We need two tackles on offense. Now I think an argument could be made to go get two tackles. Move up from 17...move up from 32. Get two tackles and finish that offense for the next 5 years. Then you can go into drafts and just focus on defense and upgrading offensive positions.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

THis is why I really like Van Ness. Aside from the measurables that cannot be taught, he can play any position on the defensive line (aside from nose) and can play OLB. For where the Steelers are defensively, he is kind of that Swiss Army knife Troy was in the secondary when he was first drafted, except in the front 7.

And I really like Van Ness because he seems like a guy who plays with an intimidating level of intensity. I enjoy watching Alpha football players who talk shit and back it up. It creates another level of entertainment.



I think we are much more "flood the system" right now than "go and get 'YOUR GUY.'"

We need a NT, DE, 2 MLBs, outside CB, nickel CB, FS on defense. We need two tackles on offense. Now I think an argument could be made to go get two tackles. Move up from 17...move up from 32. Get two tackles and finish that offense for the next 5 years. Then you can go into drafts and just focus on defense and upgrading offensive positions.

That’s kind of my point though.

They aren’t going to rebuild it all in one draft. If you can land a guy you believe can be a cornerstone for your team, go grab him.

Staying put worked out last year (even though they did try to move up), but that doesn’t always happen.

I just am wary about the opportunity cost at staying 17. It more likely than not could play out into being a no man’s land slot… best guys are off the board and now it’s guys who probably are not a great value at 17.

Maybe if they truly do go BPA, but I don’t think that will happen.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

How do you feel about Van Ness as a 4-3 end? Because I think with the amount of time they spend in nickel, this team's base these days is effectively a 4-2-5.

I think that’s probably his most natural position at the moment.

Imo he can probably do any of the 3 spots equally well depending on how they have him build his body. I think it’s best to pick DL or OLB and keep him there though, not sure id move him all around while trying to develop him.

 

[Peat]

THis is why I really like Van Ness. Aside from the measurables that cannot be taught, he can play any position on the defensive line (aside from nose) and can play OLB. For where the Steelers are defensively, he is kind of that Swiss Army knife Troy was in the secondary when he was first drafted, except in the front 7.

And I really like Van Ness because he seems like a guy who plays with an intimidating level of intensity. I enjoy watching Alpha football players who talk shit and back it up. It creates another level of entertainment.

They seem to be all over these guys. Dinner with Murphy and Zach Harrison. Stopping to see Van Ness when normally they'd go nowhere near. Visit for Tulipulotu. Yeah, they're still looking at guys like Will McDonald, but I think the Steelers would really like that sort of guy.

I think we are much more "flood the system" right now than "go and get 'YOUR GUY.'"

We need a NT, DE, 2 MLBs, outside CB, nickel CB, FS on defense. We need two tackles on offense. Now I think an argument could be made to go get two tackles. Move up from 17...move up from 32. Get two tackles and finish that offense for the next 5 years. Then you can go into drafts and just focus on defense and upgrading offensive positions.

One of the big arguments for getting the tackles is the state of the system is borderline irrelevant if Pickett doesn't make it, and a lot easier to fix if he does. Tackle is that big opportunity to help him. This is kinda scaremongering, but if if we stick with Dan Moore and he has another of those up and down years where he lets a bunch of sacks through and Pickett doesn't get comfy in the pocket, doesn't build his accuracy, maybe picks up an injury... people will really wish they'd been aggressive.

I also think that list of needs is way too long. Feihoko and Adams competing for a position that sees 33% of the snaps is fine. Don't get needing 2 ILBs with Holcomb, or a FS with Fitzpatrick and Kazee. It's always nice to be better but I'd rather focus on boosting the stars than upgrading on guys playing non-premium positions. Some of those are guys you can maybe grab help from UDFAs or other teams' practice squads.

 

[JTG]

Eagles trying to move up to get Jalen Carter. It makes a ton of sense for them, and he and Jordan Davis would automatically give Philly the best DT duo maybe ever.

That’s kind of my point though.

They aren’t going to rebuild it all in one draft. If you can land a guy you believe can be a cornerstone for your team, go grab him.

Staying put worked out last year (even though they did try to move up), but that doesn’t always happen.

I just am wary about the opportunity cost at staying 17. It more likely than not could play out into being a no man’s land slot… best guys are off the board and now it’s guys who probably are not a great value at 17.

Maybe if they truly do go BPA, but I don’t think that will happen.

I think at 17, someone is falling to us that we wanted. We do this every year. "This guy will be gone...that guy will be gone." They can't all be gone. And every single year a team or two takes a guy who is completely off the board before us. We are going to get a great player at 17, I think.

They seem to be all over these guys. Dinner with Murphy and Zach Harrison. Stopping to see Van Ness when normally they'd go nowhere near. Visit for Tulipulotu. Yeah, they're still looking at guys like Will McDonald, but I think the Steelers would really like that sort of guy.



One of the big arguments for getting the tackles is the state of the system is borderline irrelevant if Pickett doesn't make it, and a lot easier to fix if he does. Tackle is that big opportunity to help him. This is kinda scaremongering, but if if we stick with Dan Moore and he has another of those up and down years where he lets a bunch of sacks through and Pickett doesn't get comfy in the pocket, doesn't build his accuracy, maybe picks up an injury... people will really wish they'd been aggressive.

I also think that list of needs is way too long. Feihoko and Adams competing for a position that sees 33% of the snaps is fine. Don't get needing 2 ILBs with Holcomb, or a FS with Fitzpatrick and Kazee. It's always nice to be better but I'd rather focus on boosting the stars than upgrading on guys playing non-premium positions. Some of those are guys you can maybe grab help from UDFAs or other teams' practice squads.

The thing with Moore is that I think the coaching staff needs to determine if Dotson contributed to some of Moore's issues. Now that doesn't stop Moore getting walked back into Pickett, but it could be a contributing factor to some of the blown coverages by Moore. ...or maybe it was opposite. I don't really know.

 

[WickedWrister]

I feel like the Steelers are pretty transparent in how they conduct their drafts of late. I had about 75% confidence that we were going RB in 21 and QB in 22. Similar boat this year, I would be pretty stunned if 2 out of our first 3 picks are not OL/CB.

I don’t know if anyone watched the latest episode of “In the Room”, but Khan did specifically mention he was excited about having that extra 2nd round pick and the possibilities it provided. I’m probably reading too much into it, but there’s been more buzz than usual about trading up. I know we’ve only traded up/down like 3 times in the 20+ years Colbert was our GM, but this year feels like it could be another one. 17 + 80 + a late 2024 pick to move up a handful of spots and get our pick of the litter at OT (Paris/Broderick Jones) feels like a REAL possibility.

Otherwise, cross your fingers that Wright is still there at 17.

 

[xlm34]

I feel like the Steelers are pretty transparent in how they conduct their drafts of late. I had about 75% confidence that we were going RB in 21 and QB in 22. Similar boat this year, I would be pretty stunned if 2 out of our first 3 picks are not OL/CB.

I don’t know if anyone watched the latest episode of “In the Room”, but Khan did specifically mention he was excited about having that extra 2nd round pick and the possibilities it provided. I’m probably reading too much into it, but there’s been more buzz than usual about trading up. I know we’ve only traded up/down like 3 times in the 20+ years Colbert was our GM, but this year feels like it could be another one. 17 + 80 + a late 2024 pick to move up a handful of spots and get our pick of the litter at OT (Paris/Broderick Jones) feels like a REAL possibility.

Otherwise, cross your fingers that Wright is still there at 17.

Keeping both of the seconds in any trade up scenario and then recouping that by trading down a little bit from 32 would be a pretty great scenario.

 

[WickedWrister]

Keeping both of the seconds in any trade up scenario and then recouping that by trading down a little bit from 32 would be a pretty great scenario.

17 + 80 plus another mid 3rd next year does get us within the ballpark of Philly’s pick but idk if that’s enough.

The parameters of the Devin Bush trade up were 20 + 52 + future 3rd for 10 so I may be underselling the cost a bit.

 

[Peat]

I think at 17, someone is falling to us that we wanted. We do this every year. "This guy will be gone...that guy will be gone." They can't all be gone. And every single year a team or two takes a guy who is completely off the board before us. We are going to get a great player at 17, I think.

Depends how many guys you want innit.

For me, this team is in an awkward position if they try to solve Tackle in the 2nd round. There's a grand total of 3 Tackles that I feel good about the ability of, and only 1 where I feel really good about everything I hear.

As such, its quite possible that the guys I want will be gone.

If I felt better about Tackle then yeah, 17 is potentially a great place to draft. Lot of 17OA picks make the Pro Bowl at some point. I'd probably be eying up the Edge class over the CB class, I think its deeper at the top. I would still worry a bit as for me there's a fall off in quality at around 15 picks in and I've seen mocks where those guys all go before us. Would need teams to be higher on WRs/TEs/QBs than I usually see.

But... I dunno. I don't like the depth. I've seen enough 5 OTs in the 1st round mocks not to count on there being a ton of help in the 2nd. I vaciliate over Anton Harrison. I'd be comfy with Dawand Jones if there wasn't so much chatter around his character (but if there wasn't I'd bet on him going 1st round). Bergeron doesn't seem to have the physical traits.

And as for the guys we've got...

The thing with Moore is that I think the coaching staff needs to determine if Dotson contributed to some of Moore's issues. Now that doesn't stop Moore getting walked back into Pickett, but it could be a contributing factor to some of the blown coverages by Moore. ...or maybe it was opposite. I don't really know.

My guess is its yes and yes. Yes, Dotson made him worse. But, yes, Moore is a guy who needs help. Now, fair enough, kid is growing, it's a hard position to grow into, but I'm not sure he's ever going to be able to cope with it.

It would be nice to get some certainty. It's the one card on the table to make Pickett's life a lot easier.

It would also add a lot of insurance in terms of injuries. Even if they like Moore, he needs competition and back up. But I'd be happier if he was competition and back up.



I don't really like it. Part of me would be happier if they took a gamble on OT later and focused on taking value earlier. I just feel like they've boxed themselves in and probably need to do it.

Also my guess if they pass on an OT at 17 is they'll get Dawand Jones with their first pick of the 2nd.