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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.02.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone. Fun NFL draft weekend, in which every team got better and every player is just ready to go to work. And so am I.
schnail
2:01
Do you think the lack of focus on defense in the draft may augur some things being afoot that the rest of us don't know about?  Tuitt returning, Haden returning, other signings/trades, etc.?  I feel like the Steelers must know a few things most of us do not....
Brian Batko
2:02
Not necessarily. They addressed most of their defensive needs in free agency, between Myles Jack, Levi Wallace, and even the re-signings of Terrell Edmunds and Montravius Adams. If anything, using a third-round pick on a guy like DeMarvin Leal makes me wonder if Stephon Tuitt won't be back after all.
Silly in PHILLY
2:03
Sup Bats.  More surprised by the Pickett pick or that Willis went in 3rd Rd?
Brian Batko
2:03
Malik Willis to the third round And sup?
Guest
2:04
Brian thanks for the chats.
Brian Batko
2:04
You're welcome, Guest.
Guest
2:04
Brian when all the excitement of Pitt fans fades what did the Steelers really do but duplicate. The 2 receivers are good picks and much needed. But now we have 2 Mitches and an extra quarterback pick that made no sense, 2 fullbacks just to keep the family feel and a defensive line that doesn’t fit the need. I don’t see how this draft came be graded higher than a D+
Brian Batko
2:06
I tend to agree that Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are pretty similar players, but Pickett has steadily improved over the past three seasons while Trubisky hasn't (albeit at different levels). The Chris Oladokun pick was odd, but I get it in that he would be a good fit for this offense, too, if they ever need to call on him. And Connor Heyward is almost certainly a better pass-catcher than Derek Watt. Doesn't mean he'll be an NFL-caliber TE, but he also could replace Watt on the roster.
Jay
2:07
Hello Brian, always enjoy your insight and your podcast with Ray.  So we normally carry 6 DL, Heyward, Alualu, Wormley, Loudermilk, Adams, Leal.  Does this mean no Tuitt?  Or who gets cut if Tuitt returns?
Brian Batko
2:09
Thanks, Jay. They could opt to carry an extra, or they could move on from someone like Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk or Montravius Adams.  Each one would surprise me, but if you have a healthy Tuitt, he's clearly atop the pecking order, and they liked Leal enough to make him a third-rounder. That means they expect him to start eventually. Wormley had good numbers last year as a pass-rusher, but they could save $2.3 million if they cut him.
Tom
2:11
I was really surprised there was no cb drafted.  you think they might sign Haden or another vet?
Brian Batko
2:12
No, I think they're comfortable with the moves they made this offseason. Two of Witherspoon/Wallace/Sutton are your outside starters, then Sutton plays the slot most of the time. James Pierre/Justin Layne battle to be the outside No. 4, while Arthur Maulet/Tre Norwood can also play inside.
Utah Jim
2:13
Who is the Offensive Captain next season? Do they even have one?
Brian Batko
2:14
Great question. My money is on Najee Harris. First-round QBs are often made captains, too, but I'd say Pickett isn't stepping into your typical rookie QB situation.
Heinz Ward
2:16
Are there any interesting prospects among the undrafted free agent signings?
Brian Batko
2:18
I think the two RBs will have the best chance of winning a roster spot, Mataeo Durant of Duke and Jaylen Warren of OK State. Was a little surprised the Steelers didn't use a late-round pick on someone to challenge Benny Snell/Anthony McFarland, and undrafted RBs pop every once in a while in the NFL. Jaguars had a really good one two years ago in James Robinson, who ran for 1,000 as a rookie. And Tyree Johnson, edge-rusher from A&M, could be this year's Jamir Jones. As far as just purely interesting stories, I'm intrigued by the two local guys, DT Donovan Jeter of Michigan/Beaver Falls and OT Jake Dixon of Duquesne/Bethel Park. Dixon started his college career as a stud volleyball player before transferring to the Dukes as a TE.
Titan in Charlotte
2:19
Brain, I feel good about this draft. Can’t get every player/position of need. Tuitt now becomes the wild card. Not only do we need him, we need him to play at his high level. Do you feel the change in coaching is enough to put this current group in positions to stop the run? The team must be okay with the growth shown last year by some of their DE/DT right?
Brian Batko
2:21
More than coaching changes or player development, I think the return of Tyson Alualu and addition of Myles Jack will help the Steelers be better stopping the run. Would've been nice to see a true two-gapping nose tackle drafted, though, because what happens if Alualu isn't the same at 35?
Blue Devil
2:22
Hi Brian, was Pickett rated that much higher than all the other QBs so that when he was off the board no one else was worth more than a 3rd?  Or did the Steelers reach…badly?
Brian Batko
2:24
Not by most draft experts, but we'll probably never know exactly what the Steelers' board looked like. Sure, looking at how the draft played out, you can make a case that they did not make a good value pick at No. 20, and did not get the most out of their resources. But for all they knew, for all we knew, trading down or trying to snag Pickett in Round 2 would've risked another team taking him, maybe someone trading up to do it. I lean toward "reach" but when I look at who else was available at the time, there's not a no-brainer pick instead.
JerseySteel
2:25
Hi Brian - I know Kenny Pickett is fairly mobile, processes his reads well, is accurate, can create on the move. How strong is his arm for an NFL starting QB and can he throw the deep ball?
Brian Batko
2:27
It's strong enough, I think. According to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, most teams he talked to had Pickett the No. 1 QB on their board, and that wouldn't be the case if his arm didn't meet standards league-wide. Are there stronger arms in this rookie class? Probably. Is that his best asset? Probably not. I don't see it as something that will hold him back from being a good starter, but it's part of the reason why some question how high his ceiling is.
Fozzie22
2:28
No CB taken in draft. What are the chances of a Joe Haden return?
Brian Batko
2:31
I don't see it, Fozzie22. Even if the Steelers want it, why would Joe Haden? He just turned 33, he's made more money than you could fit in a Rolls Royce Phantom, but he's never won a playoff game. Go jump on with a contender, preferably someone in the NFC where you don't have to face the murderer's row that has become the other conference.
Donna
2:33
Hi Brian.  Who was your favorite pick of the Steelers draft choices?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:34
Calvin Austin, and I feel even better about saying that now that I know the Ravens really wanted him. I know he's small, and it's tough to find a 5-8 wideout among the league's leading receivers, but guess what? He doesn't need to be among the league's leading receivers. Austin just needs to be a nice piece of the puzzle that allows you to throw in some different wrinkles with pre-snap motion, maybe help on special teams, run under a deep ball every now and again. For a fourth-rounder, I thought he was great value.
Steeler in Virginia
2:35
Brian, after watching some Austin highlights today I agree with your podcast rankings - this dude can fly and the comparisons to past small, quick RBs just isn't a fair comparison to a talented but small WR's skill level. But that's not related to my question: if you were GM (maybe you're a candidate!) would you be looking more to add OLB or OT depth? Do it soon or wait for other teams' cuts?
Brian Batko
2:38
We've entered the Calvin Austin Bandwagon portion of the chat, I see. As to your question, I am a candidate for GM, just waiting for my face-to-face with Art and Mike T. I will tell them that we could stand to upgrade at OT, because Joe Haeg is the No. 3 tackle right now and the jury is still out on Dan Moore Jr. and Chuks Okorafor for that matter.
Steel MD
2:38
Can you envision a situation where Mitch Trubisky ends up being the next "Charlie Batch." In other words a former rookie starter who accepts a role as a backup long term here in Pittsburgh should Pickett win the job as starter.
Brian Batko
2:40
Ehhh maybe. Only way I could envision that is if he and his wife and soon-to-be son really love it here, two hours from their Ohio hometowns. But I think it's much more likely that he's motivated to be a starter again, and if it ain't gonna be here, he won't want to stay.
Alan
2:40
Hi Brian. I know time will tell, but if you had to guess right now, do you Pickett will be an average, good, or very good NFL QB and why?
Brian Batko
2:40
Time will tell, Alan.
2:42
Just kidding. If I had to guess right now, I'd go with average. Just because I look at the other QBs right now who are good and very good, and most are either bigger, faster or more arm-talented than Pickett (is that a word?) - but here's the thing, I'm only guessing, because I absolutely would not bet against Kenny Pickett. I've been listening to him talk about his mentality, his approach and his work ethic for five years, so that, to me, is his upside.
Jeff
2:43
Thanks for the chats B.  I was excited with all the FA moves but disappointed with the draft.  How is this a vote of confidence for Trubisky?  One bad game and people will be calling for Pinkett.  Yeah it makes for a good story (as does the Heyward signing) but NO other team had a first round interest in this QB class...or a second.  Wasted pick.  If we stink next year then get a QB in that draft class.
Brian Batko
2:44
I mean, it's not a vote of confidence for Trubisky. At all. But perhaps the Steelers told him ahead of time they'd likely add to the room, and maybe they told him it could be very, very early in the draft. And again, I'll probably say this in every single chat between now and Kenny Pickett's retirement, but it's not necessarily true that every other team was out on this QB class. All we know for certain is that they were out on every QB not named Kenny Pickett. Anything else is basically just speculation.
Fact Checker
2:45
BB, was there not an egregious (good word, BTW) error in your last column where you said the only OL move they made was Chuks? Does anyone review their work anymore before hitting send?  You may be aware we signed multiple OL types this offseason. Gracias.
Brian Batko
2:46
Yes, and I responded in the comment on that story pointing it out that I meant to write that was the only OT move they made, not OL. But thank you for reading and holding me accountable, Fact Checker.
Jay_In_Indy
2:47
Hey Bats, the next time you are in a Steelers press conference, can you please ask them if they would consider revealing their draft boards perhaps after 10 years?  The fans would really like to know how they had their boards set and how they valued the players as they were coming out of college.
Brian Batko
2:47
Can't do that. It could hurt their leverage when they're trying to trade for nine-time All-Pro Jordan Davis a decade for now.
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