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

[Goalie_Bob]

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Would be my guesses

I think the Rams are one of the four. They have the pick at 36. My thought would be 36+69+171 for 32+80.

Steelers move down 4 picks in the 2nd, pick up 11 picks in the 3rd and gain a 5th.

 

[JTG]

I don’t think Porter has to have done anything to ppl for there to be major concerns.

To me he’s in the same class as Ringo (the scare the f*** out of me class).

Ringo doesn’t have a dad who played for the Steelers, so you don’t have a bunch of ppl believing he’s destined to be a Steeler.

If he did, I’d be worried as hell about him being their pick as well.

I’ve already expressed a lot of concerns about Ringo when his name was brought up, so it’s just really a matter of wanting guys with certain traits I don’t see in JPJ and Ringo.

If the Steelers can get an additional second or even an early third, they absolutely should move down…even a second next year

Disagree. I think it will need to be for something of an overpayment. If it's not an overpayment, keep the retool moving and take the player at 32 and 49 and don't think twice.

I think Branch and Brents would be a great pair of 2nd round picks.

Don’t love Levis but QBs are so hard to project.. would anyone really be shocked if he looks like Herbert lol?

His college coach made some sound points in his favor here

The "I Can Fix Him" Era of QB Scouting Is Alive and Well—Especially in This Draft Class

Toolsy, unpolished quarterback prospects were once seen as massive risks. Now, it’s becoming riskier not to take them. What caused this change? And what does it mean for Anthony Richardson and Will Levis?

www.theringer.com

If you’re a team that could use a QB it was probably more preferable at the end of round 1 but it’s not as scary in early round 2 if he ends up sucking.

I said this a week or so ago, Levis to me looks like Jake Locker. He loves to bomb the ball. In the NFL, you can't always bomb the ball. You have to be able to take some zip off of throws and hit those short to intermediate throws consistently. I'm not a huge fan of him.

With that being said, 32 is a PERFECT place to take him because instead of having to pay him 12m you pay him 10m. It's also going to cost less to move up to get him.

Look at these highlights, misleadingly entitled "Joey Porter Jr. a Future Pro Bowl CB?" and tell me if he stands out. It is only a couple of minutes but even in highlights you watch and say meh:



What he does have is ideal size. That he utilizes very well. But there is a reason he is so handsy. He simply does not have that next level dynamic athleticism and utilizes his size and reach to make up the difference. If anything this will show more in the pros when he faces amazing receivers every game.

I am not saying bust. He can carve out a career. I do not see future All-Pro though.

Now look at Branch and compare:

You're comparing an apple to an orange.

 

[Peat]

I think the Rams are one of the four. They have the pick at 36. My thought would be 36+69+171 for 32+80.

Steelers move down 4 picks in the 2nd, pick up 11 picks in the 3rd and gain a 5th.

11 3rd round picks? I'm sold!




One thing I will say about Porter - and I dunno if I'm even repeating a true thing - but apparently he had a great day against Marv Harrison when Penn played OSU. That's probably the hardest game anyone had in college football last year (it's a large part of why Kelee Ringo didn't go top 10). If he do that, he can be someone.

 

[JTG]

I say this with a very, very, very loose comparison, but Branch plays up and around the line much like Troy did. He's instinctual, and he is at his best when just being let go to use his instincts. His work around the line is quite frankly amazing. He's a layer of defense all his own. You have DL, LB, Brian Branch, and the secondary.

I really hope he's the pick, but I would all but guarantee it's JPJ.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Disagree. I think it will need to be for something of an overpayment. If it's not an overpayment, keep the retool moving and take the player at 32 and 49 and don't think twice.

I think Branch and Brents would be a great pair of 2nd round picks.


I said this a week or so ago, Levis to me looks like Jake Locker. He loves to bomb the ball. In the NFL, you can't always bomb the ball. You have to be able to take some zip off of throws and hit those short to intermediate throws consistently. I'm not a huge fan of him.

With that being said, 32 is a PERFECT place to take him because instead of having to pay him 12m you pay him 10m. It's also going to cost less to move up to get him.



You're comparing an apple to an orange.

I get that safety and cover corner are two very different things. But that does not diminish the point that I made. I used those two players as they are the obvious choices for the Steelers at 32.

But if you want apples and apples watch this and then Porter's highlights:



Porter has the perfect size. But I just do not see the next level dynamic athleticism that you want in a Pro Bowl cover corner.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Now look at Branch and compare:

I said this around a month ago after seeing this video. He really reminds me of Troy. I know that is sacrilegious and I'm not saying he will be as good. It's just the way he creeps up to the line and makes the sure tackle. Troy used to do that all the time. The way he anticipates the play.

Some things can not be taught. But Troy was way faster, which is what worries me about Branch. Troy ran a 4.33 in the 40, Branch ran a 4.58.

 

[JTG]

11 3rd round picks? I'm sold!




One thing I will say about Porter - and I dunno if I'm even repeating a true thing - but apparently he had a great day against Marv Harrison when Penn played OSU. That's probably the hardest game anyone had in college football last year (it's a large part of why Kelee Ringo didn't go top 10). If he do that, he can be someone.

PFF says Porter got smoked that game. 55 grade.

 

[The Old Master]

Look at these highlights, misleadingly entitled "Joey Porter Jr. a Future Pro Bowl CB?" and tell me if he stands out. It is only a couple of minutes but even in highlights you watch and say meh:



What he does have is ideal size. That he utilizes very well. But there is a reason he is so handsy. He simply does not have that next level dynamic athleticism and utilizes his size and reach to make up the difference. If anything this will show more in the pros when he faces amazing receivers every game.

I am not saying bust. He can carve out a career. I do not see future All-Pro though.

Now look at Branch and compare:

i'm sold!

 

[JTG]

I get that safety and cover corner are two very different things. But that does not diminish the point that I made. I used those two players as they are the obvious choices for the Steelers at 32.

But if you want apples and apples watch this and then Porter's highlights:



Porter has the perfect size. But I just do not see the next level dynamic athleticism that you want in a Pro Bowl cover corner.

Buddy...Gonzalez ran a 4.3 and jumped 42 inches. If you want that, there's only a couple in every draft. You may like Ringo though.

 

[domaug]

I want the Steelers to keep 32 and take Joey Porter, Jr. I watched him play his entire college career and I think he would fit the Steelers defense like a glove.

 

[JTG]

My draft wet dream right now is we walk out of this draft with Broderick Jones, Brian Branch, and Drew Sanders.

 

[lastcupever75]

The depot put out an article that said the FO was only willing to trade a day 3 pick to move up.

KhanLin were quoted saying they were well prepared for the draft and ready to draft at 17 if the pats didn’t make the trade.

Soooo, who was there at 17 who they would have been happy with drafting???
I think most boards had Porter there. Maybe branch too

If either would have been the pick at 17. I have to think they would need to be blown out of the water with an offer to move on from 32

 

[Pens1566]

I want the Steelers to keep 32 and take Joey Porter, Jr. I watched him play his entire college career and I think he would fit the Steelers defense like a glove.

The only problem is that glove would be constantly holding onto WRs and getting DPI calls against us.

 

[domaug]

The only problem is that glove would be constantly holding onto WRs and getting DPI calls against us.

lol no

 

[Jaded-Fan]

The depot put out an article that said the FO was only willing to trade a day 3 pick to move up.

KhanLin were quoted saying they were well prepared for the draft and ready to draft at 17 if the pats didn’t make the trade.

Soooo, who was there at 17 who they would have been happy with drafting???
I think most boards had Porter there. Maybe branch too

If either would have been the pick at 17. I have to think they would need to be blown out of the water with an offer to move on from 32

Why wouldn't the Steelers have taken Gonzalez at 17?

 

[lastcupever75]

Check out Sydney browns tape if you want to see a safety that looks like Troy.

The burgh could use another Sydney

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Why wouldn't the Steelers have taken Gonzalez at 17?

I think in that scenario, NE takes Gonzalez, Jets take Jones, Wash takes Forbes

 

[lastcupever75]

Why wouldn't the Steelers have taken Gonzalez at 17?

Pats take him at 14
Jones goes to the jets at 15

If gonzo fell to 17 somehow. Yes I believe they take him

I doubt pats make that trade without assurance we’re moving up for jones

 

[Ryder71]

If the Steelers can get an additional second or even an early third, they absolutely should move down…even a second next year

Not if you think branch is a special player who would mesh well with a guy like fitzpatrick. I saw several mock drafts where Branch was anywhere from 23 to 30th. All around he's a better player than Porter in my opinion. Also, schematically he fits the Steelers better than porter, but again I'd be happy with either.

 

[Peat]

Had a look at that Ravens trade up for Jackson (as that's what we're hoping a team will do). Eagles only got a 2nd next year to drop 20 places. Might rein in my greed a little as to what's possible.

Also re Branch vs Troy - Branch's 10 yard time is a lot closer to Polamalu's. 1.56 vs 1.52. You clearly can't put Branch in a position where he has to rely on his long speed but in 10 yards, I think Branch is quick enough.

I think Branch is the one guy I'm happy staying at 32 for. He's the only one who feels like a big time potential difference maker to me - like *big time* - and I think he fills the biggest right now need in a big way, namely playing inside and taking away the centre of the field. I'd be a little more concerned about his long speed when dropping into safety, but at the same time, asking QBs to work out where all of Fitzpatrick, Branch, and Peterson will be is actively malicious.

At Porter's best, I can see him being a guy where in certain concepts and routes QBs just don't look at him. Which is pretty useful, but good teams can just go punish you by picking on the other guy. They're not short of weapons. At Branch's best he can introduce a creeping paranoia as to where the hell he is that is far more useful in my book.

PFF says Porter got smoked that game. 55 grade.

I'm glad I qualified that then!

 

[Pengwins]

Look at these highlights,

Thanks for posting. Branch > Porter ainec

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I'm not actually suggesting that we should do this because KP8 showed me enough late in the year that I want to commit to him for at least another season.... but I'd wager most analysts have a higher grade on Levis than they did Pickett last year. I like Kenny and believe he has the potential to be an above average starter in the league, but it's not like his year 1 was a resounding success and its obvious that he's a franchise guy in the same vein as Burrow, Herbert, Hurts etc...

From a league wide value perspective, QB's are worth their weight in gold. Speaking of Hurts, "QB Factory" Philly took him while they still had Wentz signed to a long term deal and was able to recoup a 1st round pick after it became clear that Wentz had regressed physically.

The hardest part of having 2 legitimate QB's is how you allocate playing time. With Pickett's concussion history, I don't think its unreasonable to think that our QB2 could see multiple starts again this year.

Once again I'm not actually advocating for this and the Steelers would never consider it, but its something fun to toss around.

Hurts was not an obvious franchise guy in the same vein as Hurts now after his season 1.

 

[JTG]

Check out Sydney browns tape if you want to see a safety that looks like Troy.

The burgh could use another Sydney

Horrible tackler and can get flipped around by shiftier receivers. He's fine. I wouldn't be comfortable taking him before the 3rd round though.

Had a look at that Ravens trade up for Jackson (as that's what we're hoping a team will do). Eagles only got a 2nd next year to drop 20 places. Might rein in my greed a little as to what's possible.

Also re Branch vs Troy - Branch's 10 yard time is a lot closer to Polamalu's. 1.56 vs 1.52. You clearly can't put Branch in a position where he has to rely on his long speed but in 10 yards, I think Branch is quick enough.

I think Branch is the one guy I'm happy staying at 32 for. He's the only one who feels like a big time potential difference maker to me - like *big time* - and I think he fills the biggest right now need in a big way, namely playing inside and taking away the centre of the field. I'd be a little more concerned about his long speed when dropping into safety, but at the same time, asking QBs to work out where all of Fitzpatrick, Branch, and Peterson will be is actively malicious.

At Porter's best, I can see him being a guy where in certain concepts and routes QBs just don't look at him. Which is pretty useful, but good teams can just go punish you by picking on the other guy. They're not short of weapons. At Branch's best he can introduce a creeping paranoia as to where the hell he is that is far more useful in my book.



I'm glad I qualified that then!

Great breakdown. I see Branch exactly the same way.

And the thing with Branch, I just don't think he times well. He looks SO much faster than his measurables when I watched him. I sat at a packed bar and watched an Alabama game and 7 of us who were all there separately talked about how good he was for a solid 30 mins after the game. He's noticeable.

Also like what you said about projecting Porter out. That kind of sealed the Branch pick for me, because you're right.

A 2nd next year would be nice, but I'd rather have Branch.

 

[pistolpete11]

From reading some draft boards, there is a bigger drop from Branch to the next S than there is from JPJ to the next CB. I think you could get one of the next best CB at 49 and it be pretty good value where it would be a reach to take the next best S.

I'd be fine taking JPJ, though, and only part of that is being a PSU alum myself

 

[Ryder71]

This is a very unique situation for the steelers. And I'm sure Omar Khan wants to make another big splash if he can. But you are gifted a really really good player in Branch at an area of need. I just hope they go Captain Obvious here take him, and realize you got unbelievable value. And a player that should fit your secondary to perfection.

Truthfully, I thought the Steelers might trade up for him from 32 towards the latter part of the first round.