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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.17.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, welcome back. A lot to chat about with a couple big name visitors to the Steelers today 10 days before the draft.
The Infamous
2:01
Last chat before draft, G.M B-Rabbit Batko hands in his card for 1st rd pick. Who you running with??  Mine says
Brian Batko
2:01
Might be the last chat for you but not for us. Or even for me. We have all next week leading up to Thursday, too. I can’t make my final pick just yet.
Peter H
2:03
You and all the PG writers are really well informed about draft prospects.  Where do you get your info? How do you keep up? Nice work!
Brian Batko
2:04
Thanks, Peter. For me, some of my favorite draft analysts to read/listen to are Lance Zierlien (does all the profiles for NFL.com), Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Chris Simms. The 33rd Team is another new-ish site that also does a great job, so I usually start their with my studying.
Steeltree
2:06
I like most fans are in the draft OT DT and or CB with first 3 picks.   BUT if one of the top 2 TEs drops to 17 or 32 I think you can make the case to grab one and make your base offense 2TEs 2WRs and a RB.   You would be able to run just about the entirety of the playbook without tipping your hand personnel wise to the play call.
Brian Batko
2:07
The two TEs in this draft who I'd entertain this with would be Michael Mayer of Notre Dame and Darnell Washington of Georgia. And I wouldn't consider it at 17, but both are good enough blockers that it'd be mighty intriguing to line one of them up with Pat Freiermuth and just try to dominate teams out of 12 personnel. Especially for what the Steelers want their offensive identity to be, at least in the early years of Kenny Pickett.
Gino
2:09
Good afternoon Brian.  Hoping our Orthodox friends had a blessed Easter yesterday.  Given Pat Freiermuth’s concussion history, do you think the Steelers should address the tight end position in the draft?  I think a guy like Darnell Washington could help the running game and free up the receivers, while providing another option for Pickett.
Brian Batko
2:10
Another TE question. I don't think it's particularly likely they go this route, given the high pick they just used on Freiermuth a couple years ago, plus I believe they really like Connor Heyward's skill set and now, obviously, Zach Gentry is back for at least one more year too. So, need-wise, it isn't high. But want-wise? This class certainly has some tight ends who could be special.
Brian in CA
2:11
Hi -  Thanks for doing these chats.  It seems like the Steelers have sometimes targeted only 1 position for the first pick (e.g. Pickett, Bush, and Burns).  Do you agree?  Do you think the Steelers are intent on drafting a specific position this year or will they be more likely to take BPA from one of several (e.g. LT, DL, CB)?
Brian Batko
2:12
Seems to me they're trying to get away from that. You're right that the last three first-round picks of theirs, it was fairly obvious what they were after, given their roster holes and pre-draft scouting process. Even in 2020 when they took Chase Claypool I think most of us on the outside expected they'd go WR. This year is much tougher to call, as they've cast a wide net with free-agent signings to address the weaker depth areas. "BPA" can mean ACTUALLY "BPA" more than it has in recent years, for sure.
2:13
(They still aren't gonna draft a QB, RB or OLB in the first round, I'm rather certain of that)
Mac’s Daddy
2:14
Where do all these rumors come from re: the Steelers trading up or down or tradi
Do these national reporters actually have an “in” with Steelers mgmt or do they dream up all the trade rumors?
Brian Batko
2:16
In the traditional sense, no. As in, they probably aren't getting anything direct from the Steelers. But keep in mind that other teams and execs around the league can talk, too, and obviously they'll have a better feel for what the Steelers are doing and thinking (especially if they're taking calls about potential trades from them). It's silly season, no doubt, but you can't completely dismiss rumors from respected journalists (and keep in mind that we haven't seem Omar Khan/Andy Weidl run their own draft yet so who knows).
epiballo
2:17
Did the Steelers really 'miss out' on Bud Dupree? As I recall, he had one good season in Pittsburgh that he parlayed into a contract with Tennessee. And what did he do for the Titans when he played?
Brian Batko
2:19
No, I don't think it's a huge deal. Could they have made that money work? Absolutely. But the fact that he signed for one year $5 million with a team that's rebuilding tells me he wasn't crazy about the idea of accepting less here (either in terms of cash or snaps). And if that is indeed the case, then it's probably not really the type of No. 3 rusher they're looking for anyway.
The real guest
2:19
Brian, The probability of the Steelers taking a WR at 17 is somewhere between 0.00% ands 0.01% yet many of the mocks have them taking a WR at 17. What mental condition causes that?
Brian Batko
2:21
I mean, I think you're a little low on that one. Not that I'm gonna predict it myself, but the logic isn't that far-fetched. Try to get more explosive on offense in a conference full of explosive offenses. Give your young QB another dynamic option. Account for a world in which Diontae Johnson regresses and/or George Pickens doesn't develop. Again, I'd be surprised if it happens, but not stunned.
Rich
2:22
As of today, I believe the Steelers greatest needs are:  1. CB 2. OT 3. LB. How do you see it?
Brian Batko
2:25
Actually, ILB might be No. 1 for me, but the problem is it's such a tricky position to draft, making it very unlikely to be their first-rounder (again). OT would be No. 2, corner No. 3. That doesn't mean I'd necessarily address them in that order, though, because positional value is something you have to weigh.
Grahambo
2:26
Would you be shocked or disappointed if Steelers went with WR at 17?
Brian Batko
2:27
Definitely would not be disappointed. The story lines would be great, considering a first-round WR would likely be Zay Flowers (oft-compared to AB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (brother plays for Pirates) and Jordan Addison (no explanation needed). So, from my sports writer perspective, bring it on.
David
2:28
I smell a trade up and I feel it will be for a LT. They will hopefully not be in as good of a position anytime soon to get KP's blindside protector for the next decade. To me that's the play and then CB at 32. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:30
You make a good point about striking while the iron's hot in that regard. We've seen time and again the last few years the Steelers just have not been in the right range to grab a premier OT, either because of picking too low or the draft class being too thin. If they want to ensure that doesn't happen again - and I have to assume they aren't enamored with Dan Moore as a long-term guy - then a trade could be the only way to land Paris Johnson/Broderick Jones/Peter Skoronski (will he even be an NFL tackle?)
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:31
Do you concur with the opinion that the Steelers have upgraded their inside linebackers to the point where they don't need to draft there in the first 3 rounds?
Brian Batko
2:32
As I alluded to in a previous answer, no, not really. The additions of Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts make it so you don't have to force it, but you could very easily talk me into an inside linebacker who's bigger/faster/has more coverage upside than the current group on the roster (even if it's someone who will take some time to develop).
Bill
2:33
Hi Brian, loved your article around the perfect draft board. If all of those players were available, who does GM Batko take?
Brian Batko
2:35
Thanks for the plug for today's "best case mock draft" story, Bill. I always look forward to doing these every year: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/04/17/pittsburgh-ste...
2:36
As for the question, I'd be good with Broderick Jones or Paris Johnson, and I suppose if you're making me pick I'd lean toward Jones
Jeff
2:37
If the Steelers were indeed going to trade down to 9 would you rather have Paris johnson or carter? I feel like Johnson makes more sense from a needs  standpoint. What do you think the Steelers would need to give up in addition to the 17th to do this?
Brian Batko
2:39
Rather have Paris Johnson, and based on the ol' trade value chart from Pro Football Reference, No. 17 and No. 49 would do the job. And if you have as many needs as the Bears, that's gotta be worth a thought if it's offered.
Frank Weiner
2:40
Hi Brian, Assuming a lot of top guys are gone, who do you think the Steelers take at 17 between Broderick Jones and Joey Porter, and if they’re gone, who do you think between Darnell Wright, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch. I’m hoping for left tackle at 17, then at 32 CB since CB is deeper. B. Jones or Wright then Cam Smith or Emmanuel Forbes.
Brian Batko
2:41
Hard to say, Frank, but my guess is Porter Jr. and then Banks. Pre-draft visits are usually a good indication of interest for the Steelers.
Javi
2:42
Hello Bats. Do you expect this draft to finally be one where they can get franchise type CB? Many top CBs in this draft and feels like if theyre goin to get long term CB it will be in this draft.
Brian Batko
2:43
Hello, Javi. It does feel that way, and now would be a good time when you have an ideal mentor (Patrick Peterson) and solid bridge guy (Levi Wallace) on the roster to help with that rookie's development.
2:44
And to your point, there just seems to be such a plethora of promising corners in this class. A plethora, I say.
AK
2:44
Some of the national mocks, for what they’re worth(not much) have the Steelers taking an OLB in the first.  I’d be very surprised.
Brian Batko
2:44
As would I, AK. If Alex Highsmith hadn't broken out last season, I'd be singing a different tune.
Colonel
2:45
Has anyone noticed that if the Steelers don't win a playoff game this season, it will be their longest streak of the Super Bowl era without a playoff win? They are currently tied with the first six seasons of the Super Bowl era. Other than these two stretches, the longest they've gone without winning at least one playoff game is four seasons. Sure, Tomlin hasn't had a losing record as a head coach but shouldn't they be playing for something more than that?
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