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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.21.22
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Brian Batko
1:58
Hey everyone, I'm here a little before 2, so why not get started now? Flipping the "closed" sign to "open" and away...we...go...
Disgusted
1:58
If folks thought there were empty seats last year….
Brian Batko
1:58
You seem disgusted...
Boib
1:58
do you really think their will be a fair competition for the starting QB  job ?
Brian Batko
2:00
Sure, I think it will be fair. The guy they think deserves the job will get it in the end. But that doesn't mean the Steelers won't go into it with their minds leaning toward Mitch Trubisky  being the best guy for the job, considering they just made the move to sign him for more money than they're paying Mason Rudolph.
Jake
2:01
With most our holes being filled last week, there’s still an empty spot at SS. Best guess at how we’re going to fill it, Edmunds, FA, or High Draft pick?
Brian Batko
2:04
Hmm at this point I'll say FA. Not gonna lie, I'm kind of into the Tyrann Mathieu idea. Not sure what it'll cost, but I do think he'd be a good fit. And even if they don't go with the Honey Badger, I could see a lower-level veteran signing to at least be an insurance plan going into the draft. Right now it's a larger hole on the roster than the Steelers usually are comfortable with.
Steelers75
2:05
After a crazy free agency for the Steelers how much $$ do they have left and do you see  them going after any more free agents like the honey badger? Thank
Brian Batko
2:05
Just a bit over $20 million, per both overthecap.com as well as the official salary records filed in the NFLPA database.
Emilio
2:06
Of the remaining Steelers free agents, who do you think will sign with the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:08
Well I still think there's a chance Terrell Edmunds is back. Little surprised something didn't happen one way or the other the first week of free agency. Joe Haden essentially said goodbye to Pittsburgh on Twitter over the weekend, so count him out. That'd be the only one, though, I think.
Bernard
2:08
So if Ben got 6 games (reduced to 4) for 2 accusations (one seemed really credible, the other who knows), why is the chatter around Watson 8-12?  And how does Goodell react to the Browns structuring the deal so that any suspension doesn't impact him financially?
Brian Batko
2:09
Sheer volume of accusations, perhaps? I don't think Roger Goodell will touch that other part of it. Will probably see that as their business, and as long as the discipline is levied on their end, the NFL won't get involved.
Ken
2:10
Thanks for the chat. The Steelers FA signings appear to permit flexibility for the draft. My thinking is that unless a top pick overall falls to them, Kevin Colbert will probably trade back and acquire picks for 2023 to use when the QB collegiate field will be of a better quality or at least give his successor the ability to do so. What do you think the chance of this scenario occurring?
Brian Batko
2:12
Steelers haven't traded back since they did it and took Casey Hampton in 2001. That's a long trend of NOT doing something, so I hesitate to predict that. And even then, they only moved down three spots. But I'm with you on that in theory when it comes to the depth of this draft. The flipside of that theory is they need a difference-maker, on either side of the ball, and your best chance to do that is the highest draft pick you can get.
The GM
2:12
Brian, with the loss ofJuJu, James Washington and Ray Ray McCloud, do you think the Steelers will select two WR's next month?
Brian Batko
2:14
I'll go with one still. I never really expected JuJu to be back. Just seemed like it was time for a change for both sides, but especially his. Haven't really sat down and reset my draft priorities for the Steelers yet, but at this point, gut reaction is that they'd just take one in the first few rounds and plug him in as a contributor from the jump/
Don NYC
2:14
as i lambaste the Brownies for signing Watson, please assure me that the Steelers never were seriously interested in him. That is the case,right?
Brian Batko
2:15
Not that I've heard and not that I believe, no. Would be shocked if they showed anything beyond cursory interest.
MrCJJr
2:16
Hello Brian. Thanks for the chats. Regarding the Safety position, in your opinion, which is more likely to occur first....sign a FA one BEFORE the draft (Edmunds, Mathieu, other), or wait for the draft to get one. Side note: Re-signing Fitz probably might impact how much they're willing to spend on a FA S. Thanks
Brian Batko
2:17
You're welcome. And you raise a good point that it would make a lot of sense to go cheaper (read: rookie) at a position where you're about to open the safe. But if they're all-in on being a defensive juggernaut and doing just enough on offense, then Honey Badger is the best option still available, in my opinion.
Zamo
2:19
Hey BB. We need more pods with you and Ray! Awesome work!  Anyway, pumped with what we have done thus far in FA.  Think this has been best off-season in a decade and everyone on offense is under 26 I believe.  Need to shore up the DL with the draft!  Need to get better/younger there and have zero faith or trust in Tuitt.  Please do whatever it takes to get Davis and Trade up if need be. That D would be legit!  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:21
Thanks! Check is in the mail ... wait, what? Why am I asking for more work? Anyway, I agree. Jordan Davis would be my No. 1 target at this point. "Generational talent" might be the most overused phrase in sports at this point, but he at least has generational size, and you could argue the talent that goes with that size is just ... different. Mike Tomlin said at Georgia's pro day last week that he doesn't think he'll get the chance to pick Davis, but maybe he was just sandbagging in an unexpected interview. It's a juicy one for sure.
rman
2:22
Hello Brian.  The wide receiver room now seems to be a weak spot.  How do think the Steelers will address this situation?
Brian Batko
2:24
I don't love taking a WR Round 1 in general. Just said my Jordan Davis spiel, whereas with wideouts, it seems like the position is so deep every single year. Now, last season? That would've been REAL dumb to pass up on Ja'Marr Chase for that reason. But I'm not sure there's much separation (no pun intended) with this year's group of top receivers. Could they take one at No. 20 and make back-to-back investments in the skill positions? Sure. But I'll say they end up waiting until Day 2.
MTSCOTT
2:26
Considering our FA activities - what do you see as being our draft positions for the first 3 rounds?
Brian Batko
2:27
If they don't add another safety, that's a clear No. 1 for me (unless Jordan Davis is there). Beyond that, WR, then DT. So, S-WR-DT in some order.
Joe
2:28
Given the moves the Steelers made in FA. Which direction do you feel they go in the first 3 rounds. Any more moves before the draft maybe safety or receiver?
Brian Batko
2:29
To be more specific, when it comes to those two spots, I think they need a strong safety who's good against the run so that Minkah Fitzpatrick can keep doing what he does as a center fielder. And I think they need an inside WR who can create separation, run after catch and reliably move the chains as a result.
SOMD
2:30
I’ve seen some a few mock drafts that have Kenny Pickett slipping out of the first round. I’m not sure how realistic that is, but if that did happen would you take him in the second round if he was there when the Steelers pick? If I can get away with a second question, would the Steelers pick Ojabo in the second with his injury?
Brian Batko
2:32
Yeah I'd definitely be shocked if Pickett doesn't go in the first. A whole bunch of teams would have to take a day or so to think about whether they take him in the second, or move up, but it's so unlikely. David Ojabo's injury is certainly unfortunate but I get the sense they have faith in Alex Highsmith. Wouldn't hurt to strengthen your three-man rotation, but can you do that with an edge-rusher in later rounds and fill other needs first? That'd be my plan.
Not a Fan
2:33
I don’t like reports that Davis took plays off in college. He couldn’t even play all 3 downs then - how can he in the NFL?
Brian Batko
2:35
That's a fair concern. But if there's any place where they have enough talent to replace you on third down in college, it's Georgia. Maybe he can do more at the next level. Or maybe he's so valuable keeping teams behind the sticks on the first two downs that any pass-rush he gives you is just gravy. Obviously, that's a knock on true nose tackles in this day and age. But I think his unreal combine testing put to rest those fears to some extent.
Yinzer Steelheart
2:36
With D Watson in CLE now, what approach should the Steelers take in the remaining of this off-season to try being competitive in the AFC North, not to mention the rest of the AFC?
Brian Batko
2:37
Guess you gotta zig while everyone else zags, right? Go defense, defense, defense and try to be efficient on offense. At least you have a first-round talent in Trubisky ... technically...
pdxJaxon
2:37
Hey Bats,
if both Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis are sittin there at #20, which do you think the FO would prefer between the two of them?
Brian Batko
2:39
Davis for me, but Wyatt is a beast in his own right. My logic is just that there will be other Davonte Wyatts - maybe even in this draft. But when's the next time you're going to get someone like Davis? He can be a game-changer.
Hill Dist Boi
2:40
Hi Brian, great chat as always, I get into a lot of twitter arguments with people who seem to believe Juju was Devante Adams 2.0 or something. I think he's Golden Tate, and outside of an outlier 2018, hasn't accomplished enough to justify the hype. Agree/disagree?
Brian Batko
2:40
I disagree with getting into twitter arguments. Total waste of time.
J$Money
2:41
In your opinion, if Willis is there at 20, do they take him? And do you think they like him enough to trade up to get him, if they feel that’s the only way they’ll get him?
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