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What Should Pittsburgh Do With The 24th Pick?

The Steelers had the worst offensive line of any NFL playoff team. Listen to the analysis and watch the games.

Cleveland arguably has the best OL of any team in the playoffs. Green Bay's OL coach was getting hyped up yesterday for the job he has done, especially after losing Bakhtiari. Tampa Bay brought in a rookie right tackle and he was terrific helping solidify their OL. Buffalo invested in their OL to protect Allen, then they added weapons and the investment paid off.

If Roethlisberger is QB next year, the only chance the Steelers have to contend is if they 1. protect him and 2. establish a strong running game so he doesn't have to throw the ball 50+ times each week, especially in November and December. A running back will help with #2. It won't help with #1. A rebuilt offensive line will also help with the transition to the next QB and provide the Steelers with the opportunity to get additional offensive weapons with early picks next year.
 
The Steelers had the worst offensive line of any NFL playoff team. Listen to the analysis and watch the games.

Cleveland arguably has the best OL of any team in the playoffs. Green Bay's OL coach was getting hyped up yesterday for the job he has done, especially after losing Bakhtiari. Tampa Bay brought in a rookie right tackle and he was terrific helping solidify their OL. Buffalo invested in their OL to protect Allen, then they added weapons and the investment paid off.

If Roethlisberger is QB next year, the only chance the Steelers have to contend is if they 1. protect him and 2. establish a strong running game so he doesn't have to throw the ball 50+ times each week, especially in November and December. A running back will help with #2. It won't help with #1. A rebuilt offensive line will also help with the transition to the next QB and provide the Steelers with the opportunity to get additional offensive weapons with early picks next year.

So you draft and bring in a free agent. Steelers being very draft capable could load up and still draft a RB high.

I don't just want the Oline addressed I want a better version of Conner to help balance the pass run ratio.

No reason both can't be attacked.

1 T or RB or G
2 T or RB or C
3 T or RB or C
4 OLB or CB or something not picked 1-3 (preferably not RB) or WR
5 OLB or CB or something not picked 1-3 (preferably not RB) or WR
 
So, who's going to be our RB next year then? A RB that would take tremendous pressure off a 39-year-old QB? Snell? **** no. He would need to improve big time heading into next year. Conner will be gone.. Most want Samuels gone but he probably is our best RB after Conner. McFarland? We have no one. You're not going to pick a 4th round back and put him in as starter in year 1. It is rare. If we don't go Harris or Ettienne in Rd. 1, we must get someone in Rd. 2 but who even looks legit late in Rd. 2? I haven't seen any that I'd be thrilled taking to lead our RB room.
 
And, what FA? We have $0. We have to cut and restructure just to get under the cap and that's without signing any of our own 19 UFA. Grab a RB for vet minimum? Just play Samuels or McFarland if you're going to do that and wait 2 years to draft a RB when the cap will start to go back up.
 
And, what FA? We have $0. We have to cut and restructure just to get under the cap and that's without signing any of our own 19 UFA. Grab a RB for vet minimum? Just play Samuels or McFarland if you're going to do that and wait 2 years to draft a RB when the cap will start to go back up.

Which is why you draft one in 1 or 2. Others will downplay it their prerogative but it will remain high on my draft list. Say there is a run on tackles do you reach on one anyways in 1? No you look at other needs and if RB is the top BPA I really don't know how you go in a different direction. The playoff list I provided shows the better run teams have invested a second pick on a RB.

Also you look at what can help us immediately. If Chukes is at LT and Banner at right who is your immediate help a T or a RB?

Now all things equal sure I still go tackle but if not RB would quickly get my focus if Harris is on the board. I also would be ok with the team trading up to 20 for Cosmi
 
Also you look at what can help us immediately. If Chukes is at LT and Banner at right who is your immediate help a T or a RB?

As you say this, the offensive line could conceivably be:

Okorafor-Dotson-Hassenauer-DeCastro-Banner

That is a disaster of an OL if I've ever seen one and that doesn't even factor in if DeCastro returns to his usual level of play.
 
Still to early to prognosticate their rankings, but OL definitely. If Jones falls, that could be hard to pass up. But Fan448 has a good strategy. Although, if no QB is there but an OT is, grab OT in the first, the best C in the second and RB in the 3rd. Carter from UNC is like a beefier Cam Akers. He would be solid.

Then again, I could just go to the OutCoach methodology and draft a Punter in the first.


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Ike, you best wait till the fourth round for the punter or some here will crucify you.UNLESS you can trade Bud Dupree for two first rounders from Cleveland.

Just sayiN





Salute the nation
 
I think we are being a little short sighted when we aren't considering that OLB, ILB, DL could be in the mix in R1 as well.
 
Which is why you draft one in 1 or 2. Others will downplay it their prerogative but it will remain high on my draft list. Say there is a run on tackles do you reach on one anyways in 1? No you look at other needs and if RB is the top BPA I really don't know how you go in a different direction. The playoff list I provided shows the better run teams have invested a second pick on a RB.

Also you look at what can help us immediately. If Chukes is at LT and Banner at right who is your immediate help a T or a RB?

Now all things equal sure I still go tackle but if not RB would quickly get my focus if Harris is on the board. I also would be ok with the team trading up to 20 for Cosmi

We always go BPA at an area of need. Our top needs are OL and RB. I personally would be going there in Rd 1 and 2 and then possibly in either 3 or 4. I really don't see any other way around it. We aren't signing any free agent unless they are at or near the vet minimum.
 
Yep Pouncey can be the wild card into the thinking. But I did mention bringing in a free agent. A hold the fort free agent C could be in the cards as we know the Steelers wouldn't go into the season with Hass as their starter. I think they are dumb in some areas but not that dumb.
As you say this, the offensive line could conceivably be:

Okorafor-Dotson-Hassenauer-DeCastro-Banner

That is a disaster of an OL if I've ever seen one and that doesn't even factor in if DeCastro returns to his usual level of play.

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I think we are being a little short sighted when we aren't considering that OLB, ILB, DL could be in the mix in R1 as well.
Those are depth positions. It would have to be a clear cut BPA. Out of what you mentioned maybe a pass rusher. It would have to be they dropped down and a overwhelming value. But DL and ILBer get early looks. Pass rushers too. The great value in this draft is arguably T. Which is why I think the Steelers pull the plug in 1 or 2.

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I think we are being a little short sighted when we aren't considering that OLB, ILB, DL could be in the mix in R1 as well.

DL is a possibility early, but I would be shocked if they take a LB in the first three rounds, given what they invested in Bush and the potential that Highsmith showed this season.
 
I think we are being a little short sighted when we aren't considering that OLB, ILB, DL could be in the mix in R1 as well.

OLB - Watt is about to get a long-term deal and Highsmith is the future. They could use a veteran backup and a mid-late round developmental player to add to the mix.

ILB - They are building the inside around Bush. They're not going to draft another small speed guy. Vince is good next to Bush and if they release him, they can go with Spillane or another low cost veteran.

DL - Like EDGE, I want depth at this position because we rotate them so much, but Heyward and Tuitt are locked in long-term and are two of the highest paid guys on the team. They're not adding more early talent to the position.

Outside of OL and RB, I could see cornerback as a priority position, but that will also depend on what they do with Haden/Nelson and UFAs Sutton/Hilton.


Let me also toss this out there...how far does Trey Lance have to fall before you move up to get him or do you not want him at all?
 
Let me also toss this out there...how far does Trey Lance have to fall before you move up to get him or do you not want him at all?

I'd consider him at 24, but he's too raw to trade additional draft capital for, IMO.

He'll probably end up going top 5.
 
We can’t do bargain basement shopping for the O-line anymore. Pouncey, Villinueva and Decastro look past their primes. We have to go O-line with the 24th pick. Gotta retool. We can look for linebacker and running back help later in the draft.
 
OLB - Watt is about to get a long-term deal and Highsmith is the future. They could use a veteran backup and a mid-late round developmental player to add to the mix.

ILB - They are building the inside around Bush. They're not going to draft another small speed guy. Vince is good next to Bush and if they release him, they can go with Spillane or another low cost veteran.

DL - Like EDGE, I want depth at this position because we rotate them so much, but Heyward and Tuitt are locked in long-term and are two of the highest paid guys on the team. They're not adding more early talent to the position.

Outside of OL and RB, I could see cornerback as a priority position, but that will also depend on what they do with Haden/Nelson and UFAs Sutton/Hilton.


Let me also toss this out there...how far does Trey Lance have to fall before you move up to get him or do you not want him at all?
I expect Lance to go middle round 1. He checks off a lot of boxes. He would fit well in Pittsburgh not having to start immediately. I would move up to 20 for him. Not a huge move but he would be someone I wouldn't expect to be there in arms length. Most years that type would go pick 10 area IMO. Sitting out knocks him a little. Well not little in the pocket but yeah.

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I was pretty set for a while on 1. OT 2. RB 3. C, but now I'm thinking going tackle in the first and then center in the second with a solid back still being around in the third round.

I just can't get excited about a running back in the first round. There are some very talented players, but you look at a running back as a 5-year investment. Everyone wants Harris, but he's gonna be 23 in March. Are you going to sign him to another deal at 28 years old after being run into the ground for five years by Tomlin? A lineman is a 10-year investment and when you get a player in the first round, it should be a long-term building block for your team.
If Najee is there. It's a no brainer...

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Steelers draft priority should be CB, RB, OL, TE.
 
Steelers draft priority should be CB, RB, OL, TE.


In spite of all the bitching and moaning on this FORUM about us at TE, we are fine at TE. Ebron did things with the ball we have not seen. Dude was a major offensive upgrade to anything we had in the past 10 years

CB is not a top priority
 
One shame of this season is that Justin Layne so far does not look like starting material.
I had lots of hope for him when drafted. CB always seems to be a need& if there is a steal where we pick we might go that way.
I have actually thought of Joe being on his last legs for a while now.

OL is definitely a top need. I actually wanted a C in the top round last year. I think Pouncey is the most overrated Steeler on the team.
Man it sucks that we need so much. My guilty pleasure has wanted to draft a top dominant TE for years. But we now need more.
 
I think we are being a little short sighted when we aren't considering that OLB, ILB, DL could be in the mix in R1 as well.

I'm pretty sure it will be BEST player available and if it so happens to be one for the "D" it will happen, except CB.




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