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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.02.20
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Brian Batko
12:46
Yeah Nate, those two also had a really strong combine. Justin Jefferson from LSU is someone I don't expect to still be there at 49. Denzel Mims is more likely to drop, or at least he was, before running a 4.38 at 6-3. There's really just a lot to like about this receiving class.
SteelCity21
12:46
Who are players that will be cut by Steelers? What savings doe that give them?
Brian Batko
12:48
I don't have a crystal ball, my friend, but the most likely candidates - as they have been really since the season ended and we started discussing this a lot - remain Ramon Foster, Anthony Chickillo and Mark Barron. Mainly because they'd all save more than $4 million on the cap. Other guys who aren't as highly paid but just might not be in the plans for 2020 are probably Jordan Berry, Dan McCullers and, someone who's not being talked a lot, maybe Rosie Nix? He was hurt a lot last year and barely played even when he was healthy.
FL Fan
12:49
Hi Brian, great chat as always - as noted several places the Steelers are pretty top heavy in regards to contracts, when do you think some of the big money guys (Pouncey, Ben, Heyward) might start to age out via retirement or release?
Brian Batko
12:52
Well, Maurkice Pouncey has said before that when Ben goes, he goes. I don't think many people expect No. 7 to play beyond this current contract that has two years left. And Cam Heyward is still playing at a high level, but heading into his age 31 season, conventional wisdom would say this next deal will be his last long-term contract. Al Villanueva also turns 32 in September and is entering the final year of his deal.
Mr Medium Chest
12:53
Hi Brian, its been awhile (completely my fault) I wouldn’t draft a TE high for the following reasons: Bens return makes Vance a more productive player, not a great TE class & more pressing needs. What are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:56
I might never forgive you. Anyway, it's no guarantee that Ben's return will turn Vance McDonald into his 2018 self. But yes, if the Steelers believe that season wasn't an anomaly, it will lessen their need to restock at that spot. Talk around the league is that the TE class this year is lacking, but hey, that could mean you get one of the better options at 49. IF you want to go that route. To an extent, it also depends on how much they think last year's fifth-rounder Zach Gentry can improve in Year 2.
Country Guru
12:56
Hi Brian...do the Steelers have any chance of signing TE Austin Hooper?
Brian Batko
12:57
He's probably the best (or at least most reliable) TE on the market, which means I just don't see how they'd be able to pay him what he's worth.
Tom
12:58
Does it bother you to hear people say we must take a TE in rd 2, OL in rd 3, etc Then those same people complain that the Steelers reached for a need?
Brian Batko
12:58
Nothing bothers me about these chats. They're the highlight of my day and week, every week.
Alan F
12:58
Who was the impressive prospect you saw in the combine who would look really good in Black & Yellow?
Brian Batko
1:00
Black and gold, Alan F, black and gold! I don't want you to get chewed out by the same fans who have yelled at me in the past. But anyway, speaking of black and gold or black and yellow or whatever, Geno Stone has already looked good in that color scheme. Basically the same darn jersey as the Steelers wear. He's also a Western PA guy, from New Castle. I wrote about him over the weekend and think he'd be an intriguing pick to slot in as the backup to Terrell Edmunds in the late rounds: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/02/28/geno-stone-nfl...
1:01
Well would ya look at that, we're all out of time. Before I go, might I kindly remind you all to search for the North Shore Drive wherever you get your podcasts. We've got a boatload of Steelers, Penguins and Pirates talk for you right there from all our beat writers. Subscribe, download, rate, review! See you next week.
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