Pound the Table - Love or Hate

[WindyCitySteel]

I like how Milroe's hand size grew from 8 3/4" at the Senior Bowl to 9 3/8" at the combine only 28 days later. It's a good thing they had him doing whatever it was to swell his hands up or he would have been getting the Kenny Pickett small hands treatment.

They were mis-measured at the Sr. Bowl and re-measured at the Combine. Several OT’s had the same issues with arm length measurements.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

We have Slay and JPJ starting DB and Beanie Bishop should be a lock at the slot this year. Trice was getting better as the year progressed and we still have the dependable and durable Pierre on the roster...

Don’t sleep on Echols
He could very well press Beanie for that slot role.

But I think I’m just helping your point that with
Slay, JPJ and Trice and boundary guys and Beanie and Echols as slot guys and Pierre as a ST ace that’s already 6 guys.

Not such a glaring need for a CB

Now S, with only Minkah, Elliott and Thornhill and the ST Killebrew maybe a little more pressing…maybe.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I'll pound the table for something. Steelers need to draft 2 DTs in the first 4 rounds.

Right now the starters are Heyward, Benton, Loudermilk. Backups are Mon Adams, Dean Lowry, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee

This draft has some top notch DTs. They need a guy to start day 1 over Loudermilk and be Heywards eventual replacement as top dog. They also need a better depth guy to start when Heyward is no longer able in a few years

I'd like them to get a guy later that can play NT so that Benton can play more as a DE.

Agree they need a 1 DL in the first 4 rounds
But you list Heyward and Benton (roster locks), Ekuale (likely a lock since just acquired). That’s 3.

Gotta figure Lee at least makes PS and you left out recent 3rd rounder DeMarvin Leal. (Pretty sure he’s still rostered)

So a 2nd rookie would be behind 4 locks competing for the 5th spot with Lowry, Adams, Leal and Loudermilk

Don’t get me wrong I’d like to see the position upgraded early too, but two out of our first 3 picks may be pushing it when they need a QB and RB too.

That would push the DL room to 10 guys…and we only play 2!!!
Seems like an over investment imho considering the other holes on the roster.

We need 1 dominant guy, and I’m sure a late round flyer should be in play cuz solid guys will still be available in the 6-7th in this draft.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I wasn't saying we need to draft corner first round. I was saying for example they come as a more finished product and the consequences for a miss are less severe.

I just can’t wrap my head around how a first round CB miss is a less severe consequence than a first round QB miss (or a first round miss at any other position).

A first round pick= A first round pick

Just can’t follow the logic, what am I missing as far as the pick (any round) as the asset it represents changes based on position selected?

 

[TDX27]

It all starts in the trenches with the big uglies on both sides of the ball. That has been as obvious as it possibly can with the Steelers over the last several years. They absolutely need to address the D-line in the 1st round for the first time since they picked Cam. This should be very obvious to anyone who watches the Steelers and knows anything about football. The Ratbirds completely embarrassed them on the ground twice at the end of last year. Harmon and Nolen are close to a Cam-type replacement, while Graham is bigger and better at stopping the run. Graham can also push the pocket on passing downs - something they haven't had since Big Snack.

They need to avoid the shiny object syndrome to take a QB and should take a DL with their first pick. Graham is my choice but Harmon and Nolen would be solid additions as well. They can snag a QB in the 3rd or 4th round and see if they hit the lottery with him sitting behind whomever the starter will be. They should have moved on from Rodgers by now but Tomlin's man-crush is winning that argument. He will sign him the day before the season starts if Rodgers says he wants to play. This is a terrible spot Tomlin has put them in by keeping the door wide open for Rodgers. That kind of uncertainty is not a good thing.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I just can’t wrap my head around how a first round CB miss is a less severe consequence than a first round QB miss (or a first round miss at any other position).

A first round pick= A first round pick

Just can’t follow the logic, what am I missing as far as the pick (any round) as the asset it represents changes based on position selected?

If you miss at CB you get a guy who gives up a few more plays a year and you might be able to move him around to slot or you may find a UFA that actually is as good or better as a maturing pro. If you miss in a Q. You spend multiple seasons floating around in it. I mean you have a perfect blueprint of what I'm talking about in the teams very recent history.
Ben Retires. The pick up Mitch as a bridge or maybe change of scenery and flourish guy. Then they draft Kenny. Mitch fails. They put Kenny in with training wheels and he shows some promise. Excitement ensues. They try to take the wheels off a tiny bit (not enough In my opinion). He has a difficult season. By the end of it he was replaced by a guy they shouod have actually given a full opportunity in the first place. Then they decide to go with a big name veteran and another change of scenery high draft pick.
That doesn't go particularly well and we are back 360 having lost 4 years no chance to contend. You lose a minimum 4 years of any opportunity to really win with a missed first round qb. You have to much invested and there are nothing but speculative reclamation on the open market.
Finally, guys fail at other positions for a variety of reasons. But more so then Q. The tape doesn't lie. There are so many variables at Q. It is just so much harder to pick.
In conclusion they could draft Sanders or Dart in the first round today. If they miss see you in another three years back at this very same situation. Or they could take one in the third. Get a cheap look. You will always need a backup. Then push draft capital in next year if let's say Howard or maybe Leanord doesn't really look good and get a much more promising prospect.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

People counting on Slay should remember he’s a 1-year rental and for all we know could fall off like Pat Pete. If a top CB falls that would be a good pick, can’t ever have enough good CBs.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Agree they need a 1 DL in the first 4 rounds
But you list Heyward and Benton (roster locks), Ekuale (likely a lock since just acquired). That’s 3.

Gotta figure Lee at least makes PS and you left out recent 3rd rounder DeMarvin Leal. (Pretty sure he’s still rostered)

So a 2nd rookie would be behind 4 locks competing for the 5th spot with Lowry, Adams, Leal and Loudermilk

Don’t get me wrong I’d like to see the position upgraded early too, but two out of our first 3 picks may be pushing it when they need a QB and RB too.

That would push the DL room to 10 guys…and we only play 2!!!
Seems like an over investment imho considering the other holes on the roster.

We need 1 dominant guy, and I’m sure a late round flyer should be in play cuz solid guys will still be available in the 6-7th in this draft.

How many of those bodies do you want starting? They have 2 starting DL Heyward and Benton. The rest are backups at best. I'd like them to be 6 deep with starter quality players. That's the Eagles plan and the steelers are following that.

I did forget Leal. That's kind of the point isn't it? They are all forgettable after Heyward and Benton.

Draft a guy guy to start at DE and send Loudermilk to the bench. Draft a guy who can play NT and it allows Benton to play DE and you can give Heyward some rest to keep him fresh.

 

[Steelers War Room]

For:
DL
a freak like Emmanwori at S - need to prepare to say goodbye to Minkah after this season
Jeanty - who won't fall, but if he does...

Against:
QB - nobody worthy will be there
OL - Not against shoring up the line, but three years in a row?
LB or Edge

On the fence:
Omarion Hampton - I haven't seen enough of him but he could be the only combination of power and speed who is the immediate RB1 other than Jeanty. I wouldn't say no because I'm afraid of repeating the Najee experience, but probably a no anyway.

CB - Even with Slay I'd be good with drafting the ten year starter across from JPJ - and maybe replacing JPJ if he can't get the penalties under control - I just don't know if that guy will be there and if I'd take him over a top DL.

TE Warren - Don't think he drops, don't know who else would be available, but would have to be a big difference to go TE, despite the fact that he is an instant upgrade and worthy of the spot.

 

[SteelerFan448]

This draft has some top notch DTs. They need a guy to start day 1 over Loudermilk and be Heywards eventual replacement as top dog. They also need a better depth guy to start when Heyward is no longer able in a few years

I'd like them to get a guy later that can play NT so that Benton can play more as a DE.

There are maybe 2-3 top notch IDLs in this draft, another 2-3 good options, then maybe another 5-6 solid options. There just isn't much elite talent in this draft and depth is being oversold as top talent. The Steelers can get some solid starters, but it'll be tough to find Pro Bowlers in this draft, IMO.

 

[SteveA]

I just can’t wrap my head around how a first round CB miss is a less severe consequence than a first round QB miss (or a first round miss at any other position).

A first round pick= A first round pick

Thank you...A first round pick IMO should be a day one starter/contributor...ESPECIALLY WITH NO 2nd Rounder this year

 

[SteelerSask2]

There are maybe 2-3 top notch IDLs in this draft, another 2-3 good options, then maybe another 5-6 solid options. There just isn't much elite talent in this draft and depth is being oversold as top talent. The Steelers can get some solid starters, but it'll be tough to find Pro Bowlers in this draft, IMO.

And I'm good with a solid starter. But that makes for scary implications at QB.

 

[SteveA]

They need to avoid the shiny object syndrome to take a QB and should take a DL with their first pick..

Kinda sounding like the dude that traded Luka...

"Defense wins Championships" - Nico Harrison...

 

[slashsteel]

There are maybe 2-3 top notch IDLs in this draft, another 2-3 good options, then maybe another 5-6 solid options. There just isn't much elite talent in this draft and depth is being oversold as top talent. The Steelers can get some solid starters, but it'll be tough to find Pro Bowlers in this draft, IMO.

Yep the production often doesn’t meet the hype.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

It all starts in the trenches with the big uglies on both sides of the ball. That has been as obvious as it possibly can with the Steelers over the last several years. They absolutely need to address the D-line in the 1st round for the first time since they picked Cam. This should be very obvious to anyone who watches the Steelers and knows anything about football. The Ratbirds completely embarrassed them on the ground twice at the end of last year. Harmon and Nolen are close to a Cam-type replacement, while Graham is bigger and better at stopping the run. Graham can also push the pocket on passing downs - something they haven't had since Big Snack.

They need to avoid the shiny object syndrome to take a QB and should take a DL with their first pick. Graham is my choice but Harmon and Nolen would be solid additions as well. They can snag a QB in the 3rd or 4th round and see if they hit the lottery with him sitting behind whomever the starter will be. They should have moved on from Rodgers by now but Tomlin's man-crush is winning that argument. He will sign him the day before the season starts if Rodgers says he wants to play. This is a terrible spot Tomlin has put them in by keeping the door wide open for Rodgers. That kind of uncertainty is not a good thing.

Saying they should take a first round DL isn’t wrong in theory…it is NEEDED

BUT so is a coach that would use him. If we are married to the 2DL front, and all indications are that we are for the next 3+ years a first round DL may be a luxury pick, sadly…only cuz the “scheme” doesn’t call for this need.

Sure a DL would be SWEEEET like sugar, but our coach bakes his cookies NSA style (no sugar added-yuck)

 

[Fiji Mariner]

How many of those bodies do you want starting? They have 2 starting DL Heyward and Benton. The rest are backups at best. I'd like them to be 6 deep with starter quality players. That's the Eagles plan and the steelers are following that.

I did forget Leal. That's kind of the point isn't it? They are all forgettable after Heyward and Benton.

Draft a guy guy to start at DE and send Loudermilk to the bench. Draft a guy who can play NT and it allows Benton to play DE and you can give Heyward some rest to keep him fresh.

To answer your question 3. Would love to see a return to the 3-4, but unfortunately Mike is the HC and has other “plans”

I’d like us to run a D like Eagles too
But you and I both know that ain’t in the cards

6 starter quality DL in a system that uses 2 starters is MASSIVE overkill.

I’d be super happy with a dominant NT to move Benton out, but we need a scheme change for those sort of picks to make sense.

Otherwise just more square pegs

 

[Litos]

Kinda sounding like the dude that traded Luka...

"Defense wins Championships" - Nico Harrison...

I think he was just executing the owner's order. He is taking the fall as part of the agreement with his boss and he won't get axed for it.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Thank you...A first round pick IMO should be a day one starter/contributor...ESPECIALLY WITH NO 2nd Rounder this year

Shadeur sanders is not that