Steelers are picking at #20 in the Draft

[DesertSteel]

Decent spot to pick from. Who are you taking?

[oneforthetoe]

I don't know college players like some here. But, fwiw, have to address center, middle linebacker, and/or corner at the top of the draft.

[Rotorhead]

Corner or OL, then the other in the second.

[Steeler-in-west]

Center, we really haven’t had too many clean pockets this year, including today. Would’ve made a difference

What about that center from Oregon ? He’s mocked to go in the second

[Mojouw]

Lamar Jackson
Josh Allen
Patrick Mahomes
Anthony Richardson
Joe Burrow
Justin Herbert

Either draft someone to stop that gauntlet of AFC QBs or draft a QB to join them.

So....pass rush help? #20 might be a good spot for a 3-4 DE project that other teams undervalue. Or maybe a DB?

[polamalubeast]

Lamar Jackson
Josh Allen
Patrick Mahomes
Anthony Richardson
Joe Burrow
Justin Herbert

Either draft someone to stop that gauntlet of AFC QBs or draft a QB to join them.

So....pass rush help? #20 might be a good spot for a 3-4 DE project that other teams undervalue. Or maybe a DB?

CJ Stroud too but do they have any QBs in this draft that could be available for the steelers to trade up at the 10 if Khan wants a new QB or is that not realistic this year?

Pass rushing DL and CB is a big need on defense too

[86WARD]

If there’s a quality Center in the draft I’m taking him or a quality Tackle. After that CB although very interested to see how Trice develops…that’s like a bonus draft pick…

[Mojouw]

CJ Stroud too but do they have any QBs in this draft that could be available for the steelers to trade up at the 10 if Khan wants a new QB or is that not realistic this year?

Pass rushing DL and CB is a big need on defense too

I forgot Stroud!

I have no idea about the QBs in this class or any other draft class. But if they don't get one....people are going to be really upset about all the playoff losses over the next several years.

[polamalubeast]

I forgot Stroud!

I have no idea about the QBs in this class or any other draft class. But if they don't get one....people are going to be really upset about all the playoff losses over the next several years.

true!

[Craic]

So, drafting at 20... I thought I'd look into some numbers to see what it would take to move up or if it'd be profitable to move down. All draft picks are this year.

Position Moved to: What it Costs/Gains

Round 1 Pick 3-8 (depending on which trade value chart is used): Picks from RD 1, Rd 2, Rd 3.
Round 1 Pick 12: Rd 1 and a pick from rds 2-6 depending on the chart used
Round 1 Pick 15: Rd 1, Rd 3 and second pick of Rd 4 (Pick 121) or RD 1 and pick from any lower rd (depending on chart used).
Round 1 Pick 25: trade rd 1, gain rd. 4 and possible later round. Or, rd. one and gain very late round (depending on chart).
Round 1 Pick 30: trade rd 1, gain rd 2 pick or a rd 3, 4, and 5 pick. Or, in different chart, gain a rd 5 pick.


It moves on from there. But from what I can see, if there's any movement, it looks like moving up to 15 might be viable depending on the draft value chart being used. I can't see us trading down as there's jut not a lot of value in it, not in the position we're in now. Of course, there can be player trades included and future rounds included but I didn't count those just to make it easier.

Of course, the reality is the Steelers seldom move up for a pick. But, I thought this would at least be an interesting look.

[Edman]

I forgot Stroud!

I have no idea about the QBs in this class or any other draft class. But if they don't get one....people are going to be really upset about all the playoff losses over the next several years.

Let's see. Are the Steelers willing to give up a lot of assets to draft in the Top 10?

What if Kenny Pickett has a repeat of his Pitt career of being mediocre for a few years then suddenly exploding?

We've seen Rudolph's ceiling as a more capable Charlie Batch. What if he sticks around to be a mentor/extra OC?

[Mojouw]

Let's see. Are the Steelers willing to give up a lot of assets to draft in the Top 10?

What if Kenny Pickett has a repeat of his Pitt career of being mediocre for a few years then suddenly exploding?

We've seen Rudolph's ceiling as a more capable Charlie Batch. What if he sticks around to be a mentor/extra OC?

There has been zero basis for faith in KP having any kind of "explosion". What is the element of his play that he builds around? Mental processing? Arm strength? Mobility? Reading defenses? Accuracy?

He seems to be "gritty" that is his one standout trait so far. In two NFL seasons....what does he do well that you build around so he can "explode"? What did he do well at Pitt? I am honestly asking. Because when I see his college highlights it is running out of the backside of pockets and flinging it deep to Addison. He's tried that at this level. Repeatedly. Doesn't work.

Assume the Steelers get a wizardly OC. Assume Rudolph stays around as the league's best mentor. Assume Pickett works harder than anyone else in the league. All of the positive things. What are three things that are the foundations to his success?

[polamalubeast]

Let's see. Are the Steelers willing to give up a lot of assets to draft in the Top 10?

What if Kenny Pickett has a repeat of his Pitt career of being mediocre for a few years then suddenly exploding?

We've seen Rudolph's ceiling as a more capable Charlie Batch. What if he sticks around to be a mentor/extra OC?

They have done it before with Bush...But it would be a huge surprise if the steelers draft a QB in the first round

[DesertSteel]

If I was GM I'd take a QB -- McCarthy at 1:20 or Penix in R2. Penix didn't have a great game in the NC, but I saw plenty of games when he was fire. I would also consider trading up to 9-10 if Daniels slides. But since I'm not GM, the next best thing is if they go OL again, or a replacement for Cam.

[Mojouw]

They have done it before with Bush...But it would be a huge surprise if the steelers draft a QB in the first round

And everyone is almost certainly correct when saying that they shouldn't draft one or trade way up for a QB in 2024.

No problem with giving KP one more season with a new OC. They will get hammered for it if and when it goes wrong. But it is a sensible decision.

I would actually like to see them move BACK in the draft. Maybe a few times. Accumulate future assets. Then based on the results of 2024, either make those future picks, or bundle them to get your QB.

[Born2Steel]

At pick 20:
1. I'm looking at the best OL/DL on the board.

2. I'm looking at QB.

3. I'm looking box Safety/slot CB.

[DesertSteel]

Packers never pick a quarterback in R1 when it's sensible it seems to be working out pretty good for for them the past 20 years.

[polamalubeast]

And everyone is almost certainly correct when saying that they shouldn't draft one or trade way up for a QB in 2024.

No problem with giving KP one more season with a new OC. They will get hammered for it if and when it goes wrong. But it is a sensible decision.

I would actually like to see them move BACK in the draft. Maybe a few times. Accumulate future assets. Then based on the results of 2024, either make those future picks, or bundle them to get your QB.

Good point and of course the worst thing to do is to reach for a QB,a thing I believe have done back in the 2022 draft

I'll be surprised if that happens, but the Steelers need a true rebuild even if that means a tough year or 2...If we have to trade Watt for a 2 first round pick or something like that, that's one thing to consider

Right now, the Steelers are stuck in the middle...I'm not saying do what the 76ers did 10 years ago with the process but do a thing like the Bills did in 2017 when the front office was coming up with the Bills or other example like that...sacrificed a little in the present in order to be a contender in the future and the Bills deserve a lot of credit for having drafted Josh Allen since their original pick in 2018 was 21st and after they made 2 trade ups to move up to the 7th pick to draft Allen

Can our front office find a way for the Steelers to become a contender again in 3-5 years?...I don't know but it's going to be important

[Edman]

There has been zero basis for faith in KP having any kind of "explosion". What is the element of his play that he builds around? Mental processing? Arm strength? Mobility? Reading defenses? Accuracy?

He seems to be "gritty" that is his one standout trait so far. In two NFL seasons....what does he do well that you build around so he can "explode"? What did he do well at Pitt? I am honestly asking. Because when I see his college highlights it is running out of the backside of pockets and flinging it deep to Addison. He's tried that at this level. Repeatedly. Doesn't work.

Geez, Mojouw. It's like players can't improve or anything. Your man Josh Allen was on his way to bust city despite his athleticism. His athletic tools didn't matter. He couldn't throw the ball at a professional level. Now you're probably saying that Josh Allen had "the tools" to do big things, but none of it mattered until he worked on his craft.

Last time I checked, Kenny was playing very well before he got hurt and all the things that got him in trouble he wasn't doing anymore. He stopped bailing on pockets and played like late-2022 Kenny.

Philly just handed Jalen Hurts a multi-million dollar contract after his MVP campaign and big Super bowl performance and the Eagles responded with a late season collapse and a blowout loss in the Wild Card round. Weren't we all singing his praises just a year ago?

[Born2Steel]

I don't think anyone is happy with the OL as is. That has to be upgraded.

The DL has improved but need to keep adding since we will be losing Cam soon. Maybe even now. Benton has been a bright spot. Leal has looked ok when healthy. But very little confidence moving into next season with the way it is now.

I would first look at strengthening our line play.

[polamalubeast]

Geez, Mojouw. It's like players can't improve or anything. Your man Josh Allen was on his way to bust city despite his athleticism. His athletic tools didn't matter. He couldn't throw the ball at a professional level. Now you're probably saying that Josh Allen had "the tools" to do big things, but none of it mattered until he worked on his craft.

Last time I checked, Kenny was playing very well before he got hurt and all the things that got him in trouble he wasn't doing anymore. He stopped bailing on pockets and played like late-2022 Kenny.

Philly just handed Jalen Hurts a multi-million dollar contract after his MVP campaign and big Super bowl performance and the Eagles responded with a late season collapse and a blowout loss in the Wild Card round. Weren't we all singing his praises just a year ago?

The second half of the season last year,Kenny was fine but it was far to be enough...One of the big key for the steelers to have a great season was that Pickett had to take the next step....Canada was awful but Pickett has still been a big disappointment...Overall he has only 13 TD pass in 24 starts...this is historic bad

[hawaiiansteeler]

CB, DL, C, OT, WR, QB, ILB, S

Weidl and Khan have their hands full.

[Mojouw]

Geez, Mojouw. It's like players can't improve or anything. Your man Josh Allen was on his way to bust city despite his athleticism. His athletic tools didn't matter. He couldn't throw the ball at a professional level. Now you're probably saying that Josh Allen had "the tools" to do big things, but none of it mattered until he worked on his craft.

Last time I checked, Kenny was playing very well before he got hurt and all the things that got him in trouble he wasn't doing anymore. He stopped bailing on pockets and played like late-2022 Kenny.

Philly just handed Jalen Hurts a multi-million dollar contract after his MVP campaign and big Super bowl performance and the Eagles responded with a late season collapse and a blowout loss in the Wild Card round. Weren't we all singing his praises just a year ago?

I mean did you read what I wrote?

What are Kenny’s “tools” if you want to use that terminology.

Outside of Steelers fans, the NFL is just as out on KP as we all were on Allen. I was one of them. I thought he was too inaccurate to be successful.

But he did have a howitzer arm and ran like an unholy cross between a TE and an angry LB. Two “tools” he could build out from.

What are KP’s “core tools”? No one ever answers that question. They just yell at me for arguing that no one ever gets better. I’m not arguing that at all. I’m trying to understand what foundation elements KP grounds his improvement on.

I mean Watt wasn’t as good as he is now when he first started. But he had high end hand usage and an unbelievable first step.

Jpj is far from a finished product but his pressing and freakishly long arms are what his game is based on.

[dislocatedday]

What are KP’s “core tools”? No one ever answers that question. They just yell at me for arguing that no one ever gets better. I’m not arguing that at all. I’m trying to understand what foundation elements KP grounds his improvement on.

I thought KP's core strengths coming into the league were accuracy and his ability to read and and process defensive coverages, at least these were the things being touted about him. Admittedly, I did not see much of Kenny in college, so this is just what I read.

I was hopeful about Pickett's prospects, and was thinking that maybe he could develop along the lines of someone like Drew Brees.........but as of today I have not really seen consistent accuracy, nor the ability to read defenses and quickly identify where to go with the football.

I'm sure Canada has hurt Pickett's development, but there has not been that much for me to get excited about so far as a fan watching him play QB. I truly wish I felt different, and I can hope that things improve dramatically, but I just have serious doubts at this point in time about KP's long-term viability as the Steelers starting QB.

[DuckHodges]

Penix just cause his name makes me chuckle

[Edman]

I mean did you read what I wrote?

What are Kenny’s “tools” if you want to use that terminology.

Outside of Steelers fans, the NFL is just as out on KP as we all were on Allen. I was one of them. I thought he was too inaccurate to be successful.

But he did have a howitzer arm and ran like an unholy cross between a TE and an angry LB. Two “tools” he could build out from.

What are KP’s “core tools”? No one ever answers that question. They just yell at me for arguing that no one ever gets better. I’m not arguing that at all. I’m trying to understand what foundation elements KP grounds his improvement on.

I mean Watt wasn’t as good as he is now when he first started. But he had high end hand usage and an unbelievable first step.

Jpj is far from a finished product but his pressing and freakishly long arms are what his game is based on.

I can answer this. You want Kenny tools? I'll admit that its was difficult at first to find, but I see something that Pickett can do at the NFL level.

Kenny is highly mobile, probably the most mobile guy we've had since Prime Ben. He's lambasted for leaving pockets early, but you cannot deny that he can move very well. He's not Lamar Jackson quick of built like a running back like Josh Allen, but Pickett has NFL mobility. Combined with that he doesn't turn the ball over and I don't think that is too hard for an NFL-caliber OC to fine-tune his skillset to make something respectable out of that.

[Mojouw]

I can answer this. You want Kenny tools? I'll admit that its was difficult at first to find, but I see something that Pickett can do at the NFL level.

Kenny is highly mobile, probably the most mobile guy we've had since Prime Ben. He's lambasted for leaving pockets early, but you cannot deny that he can move very well. He's not Lamar Jackson quick of built like a running back like Josh Allen, but Pickett has NFL mobility. Combined with that he doesn't turn the ball over and I don't think that is too hard for an NFL-caliber OC to fine-tune his skillset to make something respectable out of that.

That is a start.

Playing the other side, you have just described Gardner Minshew and certain stretches of Josh Dobbs.

- - - Updated - - -

I thought KP's core strengths coming into the league were accuracy and his ability to read and and process defensive coverages, at least these were the things being touted about him. Admittedly, I did not see much of Kenny in college, so this is just what I read.

I was hopeful about Pickett's prospects, and was thinking that maybe he could develop along the lines of someone like Drew Brees.........but as of today I have not really seen consistent accuracy, nor the ability to read defenses and quickly identify where to go with the football.

I'm sure Canada has hurt Pickett's development, but there has not been that much for me to get excited about so far as a fan watching him play QB. I truly wish I felt different, and I can hope that things improve dramatically, but I just have serious doubts at this point in time about KP's long-term viability as the Steelers starting QB.

Same. Pzach, had me convinced for awhile that with a new OC there could be a bright new dawn....but then the weather got cold and I got grumpy again. Never say never. And there are many who were strong believers in KP that know far more about football than I ever will.

I just have a hard time "seeing" it.

[Born2Steel]

Going into 2024 with a QB room of KP, MR, and still MT, is not encouraging. I don't care what we think could happen, we currently do not have our QB of the future. Therefore, we must either draft one or bring in another FA. If the board falls right I'm not opposed to taking one at 20. I prefer OL/DL but the right QB is a must.

[Steeler-in-west]

Are we really that far from contention? An new OC and a good draft (C, SS) and we’re right there, assuming KP is capable of being a good No 1,

[polamalubeast]

Are we really that far from contention? An new OC and a good draft (C, SS) and we’re right there, assuming KP is capable of being a good No 1,

This is the big key but this is such a major question mark....