The 32 pick

[DesertSteel]

The more I think about it, I believe that the 32 pick is the key to the whole draft. Consider that one of two things will happen: a R1 talent will fall to them and/or teams will have all night to think about how they want to trade up and take a player at the top of R2. That Claypool trade was magic!

[Craic]

Or, we combine it with the RD 1 pick and move up to around the 7th pick and grab Witherspoon if he's still around or perhaps Tyree Wilson if he's a couple of spots lower and get a low rd. plus the 8th or 9th overall pick.

I think the big question is whether we would benefit more from having a dominant player or two pretty good players show up from the first two picks. Granted, it's a crap shoot either way, but I don't know. The ability to trade up and get a guy that by all accounts should be very, very good in an area we have often struggled in drafting is very tempting.

[DesertSteel]

I think the big question is whether we would benefit more from having a dominant player or two pretty good players show up from the first two picks.

Trading down the 32 could get them three pretty good (or better) players.

[Born2Steel]

17 and 32 are 1st round picks. This year it falls differently but the same number of players off the board. Unfortunately no 5th year option attached with it, but pick 32 should be valued as a 1st round pick if trading.

[Dwinsgames]

Or, we combine it with the RD 1 pick and move up to around the 7th pick and grab Witherspoon if he's still around or perhaps Tyree Wilson if he's a couple of spots lower and get a low rd. plus the 8th or 9th overall pick.

I think the big question is whether we would benefit more from having a dominant player or two pretty good players show up from the first two picks. Granted, it's a crap shoot either way, but I don't know. The ability to trade up and get a guy that by all accounts should be very, very good in an area we have often struggled in drafting is very tempting.

or you get Bush and it again cost you multiple selections .


for me this is a redemption for that major error ....

they need to select at 17 and 32 or trade back with 1 or both selections to say (20 and 39) and pick up one or maybe a pair of 3rds

[86WARD]

Or, we combine it with the RD 1 pick and move up to around the 7th pick and grab Witherspoon if he's still around or perhaps Tyree Wilson if he's a couple of spots lower and get a low rd. plus the 8th or 9th overall pick.

I think the big question is whether we would benefit more from having a dominant player or two pretty good players show up from the first two picks. Granted, it's a crap shoot either way, but I don't know. The ability to trade up and get a guy that by all accounts should be very, very good in an area we have often struggled in drafting is very tempting.

Rather trade up for Witherspoon. He’s about as close to the sure thing you can get. I’d rather have one stud then three pretty good players. Pretty good players can be found in free agency or even the later rounds.

I suspect they don’t do anything though. They aren’t a trade down for more picks kind of team and they aren’t a trade two valuable picks to move up kind of team either.

[pczach]

Rather trade up for Witherspoon. He’s about as close to the sure thing you can get. I’d rather have one stud then three pretty good players. Pretty good players can be found in free agency or even the later rounds.

I suspect they don’t do anything though. They aren’t a trade down for more picks kind of team and they aren’t a trade two valuable picks to move up kind of team either.

I like Witherspoon, but there is no sure thing.

Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr was unguardable all season. He lit up every team he played against. Even the entire Georgia defense couldn't slow him down even a little bit.

Only Penn State's Joey Porter Jr shut down Harrison and won that matchup by outplaying him.

All I'm saying is, I am always worried about moving up in the early part of the draft. They don't have many picks this year and I believe that trading back for additional picks should be the move with an early pick.

[Crossdog]

Dang, didn't see this thread before I posted a similar one in the draft central room. But after thinking about it some more, I could see them trading out of 17 more than 32 if the following are gone:
Paris Johnson Jr
Broderick Jones
Pete Skoronski
Christian Gonzalez
Joey Porter Jr
Devon Witherspoon

Now O'Cyrus Torrence and Darnell Wright would be very tempting but it depends on how the team grades them I guess.

[Born2Steel]

Just me overthinking again here, but IMO, if Paris Johnson or Broderick Jones are not available at 17, the Steelers may go with Darnell Wright but more likely OL will not be the pick until 32/49. Pick 17 will be used on a day1 starter level player and I think there are only 2-3 OTs that meet that standard. The pick at 32 should also be considered as a potential starter as well which is why I think this will be a defensive front7 pick.

DL or ILB will be the pick at 32. I really like the idea of taking Nolan Smith here as a Timmons type player in the middle or outside. OR Trenton Simpson that's a ILB/Safety hybrid type player. I always seem to find one of those types I like every draft. OR Jack Campbell is a guy that can seriously bring the hammer as a tackler and has very good cover skills as an ILB, a bit of an Urlacher style.

On DL, Myles Murphy could be the pick at 32. He may not win a day1 starting job but he's definitely a guy that can develop in the same way that Highsmith has at OLB. Just needs the reps and NFL experience to take that next step. Mazi Smith is another pick 32 guy to me but more of a NT/IDL player where Murphy is a DE/Edge type guy. Mazi Smith is also a defender that may need a season backing up before he finds a starting role. Could you imagine getting Murphy at 32 and Smith at 49? I could be ok with that.

[Crossdog]

Just me overthinking again here, but IMO, if Paris Johnson or Broderick Jones are not available at 17, the Steelers may go with Darnell Wright but more likely OL will not be the pick until 32/49. Pick 17 will be used on a day1 starter level player and I think there are only 2-3 OTs that meet that standard. The pick at 32 should also be considered as a potential starter as well which is why I think this will be a defensive front7 pick.

DL or ILB will be the pick at 32. I really like the idea of taking Nolan Smith here as a Timmons type player in the middle or outside. OR Trenton Simpson that's a ILB/Safety hybrid type player. I always seem to find one of those types I like every draft. OR Jack Campbell is a guy that can seriously bring the hammer as a tackler and has very good cover skills as an ILB, a bit of an Urlacher style.

On DL, Myles Murphy could be the pick at 32. He may not win a day1 starting job but he's definitely a guy that can develop in the same way that Highsmith has at OLB. Just needs the reps and NFL experience to take that next step. Mazi Smith is another pick 32 guy to me but more of a NT/IDL player where Murphy is a DE/Edge type guy. Mazi Smith is also a defender that may need a season backing up before he finds a starting role. Could you imagine getting Murphy at 32 and Smith at 49? I could be ok with that.

I had Nolan Smith at 32 in my original mock I believe, but after that combine in which he showed no lingering effects from the injury, I would be surprised if he's there. Chicago is showing HEAVY interest.
If Pitts doesn't take an OL at 17, I see Buffalo and KC taking one before our next chance at 32. I think Buff has a crush for Torrence. KC would definitely grab Darnell Wright imo. Who would be left at 32? Dawand Jones, Steve Avila, John Michael Schmitz, Anton Harrison??? I could see them taking D. Jones as Pat Meyer likes those behemoths.

With all that said, please let Broderick Jones be there at 17 lol.

[Born2Steel]

I had Nolan Smith at 32 in my original mock I believe, but after that combine in which he showed no lingering effects from the injury, I would be surprised if he's there. Chicago is showing HEAVY interest.
If Pitts doesn't take an OL at 17, I see Buffalo and KC taking one before our next chance at 32. I think Buff has a crush for Torrence. KC would definitely grab Darnell Wright imo. Who would be left at 32? Dawand Jones, Steve Avila, John Michael Schmitz, Anton Harrison??? I could see them taking D. Jones as Pat Meyer likes those behemoths.

With all that said, please let Broderick Jones be there at 17 lol.

Not just looking at players and potential, but where do they start on this team day1 is the point I was making. Picks 17, 32, and even 49 should come in with the potential to win a starting job. Pick 17 most of all. Dan Moore will either move or get replaced, but I don't know if that happens day1 of 2023. Okorafor will almost definitely be the RT in 2023 if healthy. I would be surprised if we went IOL at 17 only because of the FA we brought in already.

[Crossdog]

Not just looking at players and potential, but where do they start on this team day1 is the point I was making. Picks 17, 32, and even 49 should come in with the potential to win a starting job. Pick 17 most of all. Dan Moore will either move or get replaced, but I don't know if that happens day1 of 2023. Okorafor will almost definitely be the RT in 2023 if healthy. I would be surprised if we went IOL at 17 only because of the FA we brought in already.

Agree, I'd be surprised if IOL is the pick at 17.
I don't use the mock draft simulators so I just did one for the first 17 picks on my own using team needs, visits etc. I can see 2 teams taking CB for sure. The Patriots could be a 3rd but they're so hard to predict. If 3 CBs go (Gonzalez, JPJ, Witherspoon) I'm not sure in what direction they'd go, especially if OTs Johnson and Jones are gone too.

[Born2Steel]

Agree, I'd be surprised if IOL is the pick at 17.
I don't use the mock draft simulators so I just did one for the first 17 picks on my own using team needs, visits etc. I can see 2 teams taking CB for sure. The Patriots could be a 3rd but they're so hard to predict. If 3 CBs go (Gonzalez, JPJ, Witherspoon) I'm not sure in what direction they'd go, especially if OTs Johnson and Jones are gone too.

In that scenario we would go defensive front 7. 99% sure on that. I'm not even that sure how much the Steelers are locked in on a perimeter CB. Guys like Cam Smith(S. Carolina), DJ Turner(Michigan), Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson(TCU) are more Cam Sutton types that can play Slot/Nickel/Outside and will probably be there later. Deonte Banks(Maryland) and Tyrique Stevenson(Miami) and Riley Moss(Iowa) have gotten specific looks from the Steelers and could be 2nd/3rd round picks. I love the idea of JPjr at 17 but I honestly think he will be taken by then.

I think OTs Johnson, Jones, Skoronski, and Wright could/should all be 1st round picks. Pick 32 is a very sweet spot to be sitting this draft, IMO.

[Steelerette]

Coinflip. I predict a 50/50 chance the Steelers don't pick 32nd at all. They may package it to trade up... or if they let Rd 1 play out, they may package it to trade down instead.

[86WARD]

Steelers haven't traded down from a first or second round pick since 2001. Last time they traded down at all was 2010 to pick up a player and a 6th round pick that turned out to be AB. Last time they moved up was for Bush...that didn't work out well.

I think it's more 75/25 they sit exactly where they are at 32...they just aren't a team that moves around much on draft day.

[Dreegking]

or you get Bush and it again cost you multiple selections .


for me this is a redemption for that major error ....

they need to select at 17 and 32 or trade back with 1 or both selections to say (20 and 39) and pick up one or maybe a pair of 3rds

trading back with KC is speculated. It’s legit. Let them come up and grab the receiver they want. One of the two are surely still there that they cover the most. And we can still have round one and grab another round 2. Then degrade back the next day one of the three round twos. Grab another third and a fourth.

- - - Updated - - -

Yup. It’s not often they go back at all. But this is the year. When you have two first rounders and lotsa talent between 15 and 40 are said to be if the ssne pedigree.

[BlackAndGold]

My feeling is they won't move the 32nd pick. They'll capitalize on getting two first round caliber players. If they move up or down, it's in round one.

I can see a scenario if Bijan Robinson falls to #17, a team like the Chargers may offer their 1st, 3rd and 5th to move up and get him.

[NCSteeler]

In my mostly uneducated opinion, 3 things would really push this team over the top.
A lockdown LT a shutdown CB and a Hammer that can cover TEs at ILB.

Get 1 and great things will happen get 2 and it'll make magic.

But they could surprise and start looking for Heywards heir apparent too

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[Steelerette]

Steelers haven't traded down from a first or second round pick since 2001. Last time they traded down at all was 2010 to pick up a player and a 6th round pick that turned out to be AB. Last time they moved up was for Bush...that didn't work out well.

I think it's more 75/25 they sit exactly where they are at 32...they just aren't a team that moves around much on draft day.

They also haven’t had the very first pick of day 2. If they sit on the pick throughout round one there’s a strong chance they get quite a few offers from teams interested in acquiring the pick to get a jump on some of the guys who fell out of round one.

[Edman]

The Steelers never had this many first round picks before. They tried the trade up thing before with Bush and it didn't work.

Nope. Hold onto 17 and 32 like they are priceless jewels.

[Born2Steel]

I think we will pick at 17, but like some have mentioned, 32 can be used for more picks if the price is right. None of these guys are a sure thing.

[Mojouw]

The Steelers never had this many first round picks before. They tried the trade up thing before with Bush and it didn't work.

Nope. Hold onto 17 and 32 like they are priceless jewels.

That trade up thing sure worked out with a certain long-haired safety...

If you think you have a guy that can be a star in your system....don't dink around...go get him.

[polamalubeast]

The Steelers never had this many first round picks before. They tried the trade up thing before with Bush and it didn't work.

Nope. Hold onto 17 and 32 like they are priceless jewels.

By this logic,the steelers should trade their 17 pick because the last time the steelers had the 17th draft pick,it was a true disaster(Jarvis Jones)

[Mojouw]

By this logic,the steelers should trade their 17 pick because the last time the steelers had the 17th draft pick,it was a true disaster(Jarvis Jones)

I think Jones, Burns, and Bush are what happens when you “force” a pick in the first round.

Contrast with the other picks when the Steelers let the draft come to them. Except for one targeted trade up.

[NCSteeler]

Steelers haven't traded down from a first or second round pick since 2001. Last time they traded down at all was 2010 to pick up a player and a 6th round pick that turned out to be AB. Last time they moved up was for Bush...that didn't work out well.

I think it's more 75/25 they sit exactly where they are at 32...they just aren't a team that moves around much on draft day.

The Steelers have never had Khan running the show.

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[86WARD]

The Steelers have never had Khan running the show.

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Khan learned from Colbert. I doubt he goes crazy in his first draft. He probably plays it safe. Imagine he trades those two picks to move up and drafts a Jones or Bush type player? People would freak out. One great player and one Bush he gets a pass. Two good players, he’s sitting pretty. Two bad players and we are back to freaking out…lol. Plus the Rooneys are still here…

[polamalubeast]

Khan learned from Colbert. I doubt he goes crazy in his first draft. He probably plays it safe. Imagine he trades those two picks to move up and drafts a Jones or Bush type player? People would freak out. One great player and one Bush he gets a pass. Two good players, he’s sitting pretty. Two bad players and we are back to freaking out…lol. Plus the Rooneys are still here…

Maybe but I am not sure Colbert would make the trade of Claypool in mid season like Khan did

[El Kabong]

The Steelers never had this many first round picks before. They tried the trade up thing before with Bush and it didn't work.

Nope. Hold onto 17 and 32 like they are priceless jewels.

I agree. Stand pat and BPA regardless of position. No reaching for need.

[DuckHodges]

if this is indeed a deep draft trade down not up.

i don't know much about college football but trade up if there's a talent like troy polamalu but other than that nahhh

I do have a feeling the 32 pick might be sought after. It's like having a first round pick with an extra day to think about it.

[86WARD]

Maybe but I am not sure Colbert would make the trade of Claypool in mid season like Khan did

True…