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

[Mr Jiggyfly]

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.

I was going to make the Polo reference as well, but it felt too overzealous.

But that’s exactly what I mean by Branch being a guy who can transform this D.

Ppl forget Polo had knocks on him about his long ball coverage skills coming out as well.

 

[wheelz87]

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.

I can’t confirm who was covering harrison that game. But Harrison is absolutely one of the reasons osu won that game. Dude was uncoverable.

 

[Ryder71]

I love getting Broderick Jones! absolutely love that pick! But I would suggest that Brian Branch at 32 is better value.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

If the Steelers want to double dip defensive back with a safety and corner, there are three cornerbacks that are grouped together in ranking that would be good value with the Steelers second second round pick. Smith, Stevenson and Turner:

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Cornerback

Illinois' Devon Witherspoon and Oregon's Christian Gonzalez headline PFF's 2023 NFL Draft cornerback rankings.

www.pff.com

 

[xlm34]

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.



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.

What’s happening to Branch reminds me of what happened to Kyle Hamilton last year. Hamilton was a top 5 talent that fell to the Ravens because he didn’t test well and people don’t value safeties. Then total shocker — the guy whose tape was awesome had a really good year.

Branch isn’t quite the level of prospect as Hamilton but he could have a similar impact for us this year.

 

[JTG]

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

Julius Brents is just like Porter and he should be there at 49. Kelee Ringo may be there at 49 too and he's about as fast as anyone in this draft.

I am a Sanders fan if he's there at 49, but if we can add Branch and Brents, it's the best secondary we have had in 40 years.

I was going to make the Polo reference as well, but it felt too overzealous.

But that’s exactly what I mean by Branch being a guy who can transform this D.

Ppl forget Polo had knocks on him about his long ball coverage skills coming out as well.

If Troy were in the league today as a rookie, and he had the same performance as he did his first year in the league, he would have been converted to a MLB. He wasn't back then because you had to be 260 to be a MLB.

What’s happening to Branch reminds me of what happened to Kyle Hamilton last year. Hamilton was a top 5 talent that fell to the Ravens because he didn’t test well and people don’t value safeties. Then total shocker — the guy who’s tape was awesome had a really good year.

Branch isn’t quite the level of prospect as Hamilton but he could have a similar impact for us this year.

I think he is the level of Hamilton in terms of being a football player. He doesn't have Hamilton's size and speed...that's the difference.

 

[WickedWrister]

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

Yeah for sure. Meteoric leap in year 3 but the signs of greatness were there. His feel for the pocket and obviously athleticism were there from the get go (Saints game I think? comes to mind). I didn’t think his arm had enough juice to make those tight window throws in the NFL, but boy was I wrong.

That’s why I’m not ready to move on from Pickett, want to see about 20ish starts before I draw any meaningful conclusions. It’s just not our organizational philosophy to try and have this stable of QB’s like Philly, but I think it’s interesting. It’s undoubtedly the most valuable position in all of professional sports, and teams are content to just find one guy and forget about the position for a decade. I think being able to churn your backups for plus value (not just through the draft, FA as well) is an edge that’s not really being exploited enough.

 

[Peat]

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

Porter/Banks/Branch were on the public boards but I dunno that they were on the Steelers'. I suspect it might have been Myles Murphy or Will McDonald. They showed a ton of interest in both.

I'd also point out that out of the guys they wined and dined, Trent Simpson is now the highest ranked guy still remaining.

The question at this point seems to be less who they'd have picked, and how many guys they'd have been picking from and how many are still there. Looking back at the pro day and visit tracker, I think still on the board and at least semi-logical where they've shown major interest you get -

Pro Days

Dawand Jones (OT) (plz no)
Trent Simpson (ILB)
Brian Branch, Joey Porter (Kelee Ringo, DJ Turner?) (DB)

Pre Draft Visits

O'Cyrus Torrence (OG) (but why)
John Michael Schmitz (C)
Darnell Washington (TE)
Keeanu Benton (DL)

That feels like the Steelers board at this point. Logically that's Branch or Porter, but we don't know the order. Still musing about the possibility of Trent Simpson.

 

[JTG]

I also wouldn't sleep on us taking a pass rusher at 49. Watt has been clamoring for someone to take some reps off of him for years now.

 

[AjaxTelamon]

Is Branch going to be able to cover TE's at the pro level? His size is a little worrying.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I also wouldn't sleep on us taking a pass rusher at 49. Watt has been clamoring for someone to take some reps off of him for years now.

What’s the story with White?

I don’t know much about him. Think he’s 24, that why he fell?

 

[Peat]

If Troy were in the league today as a rookie, and he had the same performance as he did his first year in the league, he would have been converted to a MLB. He wasn't back then because you had to be 260 to be a MLB.

Kinda tangential but I'm wondering what's happening next with that position. Nobody seems to believe it's important but nobody can find players for it either. I mean of course they can't. Pretty much nobody can deal with a TE running slot routes and a shifty guy running slot routes and stop the tackle. That's a freak athlete, If you find that guy he's an Edge, or a very scary offensive weapon if he can catch. You see teams running concepts like 5-1-5 and it makes sense to me.

I also wouldn't sleep on us taking a pass rusher at 49. Watt has been clamoring for someone to take some reps off of him for years now.

They really need a guy but I feel like the value there comes in the 3rd.

 

[JTG]

Porter/Banks/Branch were on the public boards but I dunno that they were on the Steelers'. I suspect it might have been Myles Murphy or Will McDonald. They showed a ton of interest in both.

I'd also point out that out of the guys they wined and dined, Trent Simpson is now the highest ranked guy still remaining.

The question at this point seems to be less who they'd have picked, and how many guys they'd have been picking from and how many are still there. Looking back at the pro day and visit tracker, I think still on the board and at least semi-logical where they've shown major interest you get -

Pro Days

Dawand Jones (OT) (plz no)
Trent Simpson (ILB)
Brian Branch, Joey Porter (Kelee Ringo, DJ Turner?) (DB)

Pre Draft Visits

O'Cyrus Torrence (OG) (but why)
John Michael Schmitz (C)
Darnell Washington (TE)
Keeanu Benton (DL)

That feels like the Steelers board at this point. Logically that's Branch or Porter, but we don't know the order. Still musing about the possibility of Trent Simpson.

Torrence would be fun to watch with Jones and Seumalo. The line of scrimmage would be reset 5 yards every single time. It would allow Najee to get a head of steam before he runs directly into a pile.

What’s the story with White?

I don’t know much about him. Think he’s 24, that why he fell?

Transfer from Old Dominion. Relatively new to the DL, but has made great progress. Athletic ability like a linebacker, but is 285 pounds. Tentacle arms and huge hands. Has been recorded throwing up 225 39 times.

Downside is he's raw, but talented and if you draft him, you have to play him. He's already 24.

Also has been rumored his leadership is off the charts and from the interviews I've seen with him, he speaks incredibly well. I think he's a tone setter.

Kinda tangential but I'm wondering what's happening next with that position. Nobody seems to believe it's important but nobody can find players for it either. I mean of course they can't. Pretty much nobody can deal with a TE running slot routes and a shifty guy running slot routes and stop the tackle. That's a freak athlete, If you find that guy he's an Edge, or a very scary offensive weapon if he can catch. You see teams running concepts like 5-1-5 and it makes sense to me.



They really need a guy but I feel like the value there comes in the 3rd.

I think you're going to start seeing 230-240 lb OLBs. The days of 250-260 rush OLBs is going to come to an end in the future if the league keeps moving the way it is. Nolan Smith and Drew Sanders are kind of what I envision that new wave looking like.

 

[JTG]

I think the days of the "big uglies" on defense is over. Your LBs and secondary guys are going to be relatively the same weight. DL guys are going to have to be more versatile. They are going to have to play anything from a 1-5 tech. Mazi Smith is a new age nose. Keion White and Lukas Van Ness are the new age 3-4 ends.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I also wouldn't sleep on us taking a pass rusher at 49. Watt has been clamoring for someone to take some reps off of him for years now.

Don’t they already have that in Highsmith though?

I do think they need to look at the DL though. Even if it’s not a huge issue right now, Heyward is already getting up there in age.

 

[JTG]

Don’t they already have that in Highsmith though?

I do think they need to look at the DL though. Even if it’s not a huge issue right now, Heyward is already getting up there in age.

Highsmith needs spelled too. We need at least one rush linebacker to spell both of them.

 

[Flying Dego]

Torrence would be fun to watch with Jones and Seumalo. The line of scrimmage would be reset 5 yards every single time. It would allow Najee to get a head of steam before he runs directly into a pile.

Very funny. You are 100% correct though Najee loves to hamstring himself. I really hope he figures out his vision now that the line is bolstered. Little excuses left. He's got all the tools but lacks the instinct.

Him figuring it out with a Pickett improvement moves us into contention. But I hold doubts Najee ever meets that 1st round hype.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

What’s the story with White?

I don’t know much about him. Think he’s 24, that why he fell?

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Georgia Tech DE Keion White

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and...

steelersdepot.com

I agree with the assessment. I think he is a 3rd rounder. So I would be fine with him at 80. He is raw and is 24.

I like Derick Hall myself. 2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Auburn EDGE Derick Hall - Steelers Depot

 

[WickedWrister]

I know someone mentioned it last night, but I can’t emphasize enough how important that pick swap was between the Packers and Jets for Rodgers.

Just look at this god damn smirk when the reporter mentions the Jets.

 

[Peat]

I think you're going to start seeing 230-240 lb OLBs. The days of 250-260 rush OLBs is going to come to an end in the future if the league keeps moving the way it is. Nolan Smith and Drew Sanders are kind of what I envision that new wave looking like.

On the one hand, that makes a lot of sense.

On the other, if you see Nolan Smith setting an edge, you're going to ask Broderick Jones to go pancake him a few times and see how far Harris can get behind him, right?

Not to mention if the idea is lighter OLBs can cover and take some heat off of the ILBs, then they're going to need more time in coverage at NCAA.

I mean it does seem to be the answer. But I dunno how quickly college teams are going to produce players that suit. If anything a generation of lighter edge rushers makes it feel like getting guys to play M/I LB is going to be that much harder.

Don’t they already have that in Highsmith though?

I do think they need to look at the DL though. Even if it’s not a huge issue right now, Heyward is already getting up there in age.

Got to be able to cover them both.

Imo, the thing that killed last season more than anything was that injury to Watt. Expecting a rookie to come in and replace him is absurd but if we can get someone who at the least forces OLs to account for him, rather than just double-teaming Highsmith and Heyward, it gives those guys a chance.

In terms of injury proofing the team, Edge is the most important pick to make imo. If it can keep Highsmith and Watt fresher and better, even better. Watt is beginning to reach that age where you start wondering about future proofing the room too (not to mention Highsmith's contract).

I would like them to do something at DL too, but Edge comes first. I feel intrigued by what Leal could become and maybe Watts too. There's nothing but the devil and the deep blue sea behind Watt and Highsmith.

 

[Ryder71]

I also wouldn't sleep on us taking a pass rusher at 49. Watt has been clamoring for someone to take some reps off of him for years now.

Honestly, if we fortify the secondary with pick 32, pretty sure that's the route we would go.

 

[Josey Wales]

NFL Rumors
@nflrums
·
2m
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been receiving interest for the 1st overall pick in the 2nd rd.

The Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons are showing interest among others.

 

[JTG]

NFL Rumors
@nflrums
·
2m
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been receiving interest for the 1st overall pick in the 2nd rd.

The Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons are showing interest among others.

The Raiders would be my favorite because I can see them completely imploding. And for those who lived through the 70's, it'd be awesome to feverishly root against the Raiders again. I wasn't there, but my Dad despised the Raiders.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Minnesota doesn't even have a 2nd round pick.

For that trade to work they would have to include their 1st in 2024 as part of the deal.

 

[Pengwins]

Minnesota doesn't even have a 2nd round pick.

For that trade to work they would have to include their 1st in 2024 as part of the deal.