You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.27.23
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Brian Batko
2:00
Hello there. Let's talk Steelers as we near the end of March, with free agency winding down and draft season ramping up.
J Peezy
2:01
Hi Brian.  Who ride?
Brian Batko
2:01
We ride, Peezy. We ride.
Retire21
2:02
Brian: Steelers go from 4th round 120th pick in the draft to 7th round 234th pick. Do you think they'll try to get back into the 5th and 5th rounds?
Brian Batko
2:05
Good question. That's certainly a big gap, and it's why there should probably be some disappointment with the trades for Ahkello Witherspoon and Malik Reed not really working out. It wouldn't surprise me if they try to move up but those 7th-round picks don't carry much trade value, so they might be stuck there. How about hit on one of those late late picks? Their best 7th-rounder in the last decade is probably Tyler Matakevich or Tre Norwood.
Drew
2:06
Hi Brian.  To date, I have not heard if can Rock Ya Sin is still a free agent.  I know Tomlin liked him coming out of the draft.  Do the Steelers still have interest in him?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:07
He is still a free agent, but I don't know if the Steelers still like him. From what I can tell, he's been an outside corner almost exclusively in the NFL. If the Steelers are gonna sign another defensive back it should probably be someone with slot capability or a bigger-bodied safety. There's not much of a need for more perimeter corners.
TSH
2:08
Hi Brian and thank you for your time!  Curiosity is getting the better of me, pertaining to L. Jackson's request to be traded on March 2nd.  I read the tiered guarantees are upwards of $200M.  Any clue on how much L. Jackson is seeking to be guaranteed w/o the tiers?  I'm not interested in L.Jackson as a Steeler, I'm simply curious if there is any detail on his price?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
2:10
It seems to be a moving target, with some disagreement/different interpretations among his camp, the Ravens and those in between trying to figure it all out. For a while there, I was convinced he and the Ravens would still find a way to work things out, and that this is just a necessary hard-ball way to get there. And maybe they still will. But given his tweets this morning, I now believe he does end up elsewhere, and the Colts would make a lot of sense.
Ed in Carrick
2:12
Did the team just not want Terrell Edmunds?  $2 million is cheap for a starting safety especially since he knows the system.
Brian Batko
2:14
My sense is it might be more the other way around. Because you're right, if you're the Steelers, why not match that deal from the Eagles or even go a little higher to keep a starter in the fold? But if you're Terrell Edmunds, perhaps you feel disrespected to some extent and decide it's just time for a fresh start elsewhere. If the Steelers have made it clear to him he'll never get a long-term deal done here, then he might just want to take his chance in Philly if he plays well in '23.
ESO
2:14
As GM Brian, if Jalen Carter drops out of the top 10 in the draft, would you package the Steelers top two picks to trade up to get him?
Brian Batko
2:15
Nope. If he's there at 17, I'd certainly consider it, but I'm just seeing too many red flags to give up that kind of value to trade up for him.
Billy Hoyle
2:16
Do you expect any league-wide news to come from the owner's meetings?
Brian Batko
2:18
There's usually some rules stuff that comes out of there, but I don't know, nothing too seismic.
Bill Carson
2:19
Has Mason Rudolph had any interest from NFL teams? Or is it looking like he's going to the XFL ike Landry Jones?
Brian Batko
2:20
The USFL is starting soon and the Pittsburgh Maulers could give him a ready-made fan base. But in all seriousness, I have no idea what his level of NFL interest is. But I think we can reasonably assume that the Steelers would've been happy to get something of value in return for him last year at the trade deadline, and the fact that they didn't tells me there wasn't much of a market, and given that he didn't get any chance to play last season, why would that market pick up at all?
Gregg from Shaler
2:22
I'm seeing more and more mocks projecting S Brian Branch to the Steelers. I still think CB, DL and OT in that order (unless you can get a top Tackle at 17) is the way to go. Kazee seems good enough for now and safety seems an easier position to get value later. I would prefer a stud ILB even before S. What say you, Bats?
Brian Batko
2:24
Brian Branch isn't a sexy pick by any means but he would be a good fit given his position flexibility. The Steelers could conceivably use him at safety or slot corner. They essentially have a starter-caliber vacancy at both. But I think I'm with you that DT, OT and a No. 1 outside corner type are bigger needs and more enticing for that first-round pick.
A1C Jacob
2:24
If a top CB or OT prospect is available to us at 17, who ya picking?
Brian Batko
2:25
I'm leaning CB.
Javi
2:25
Hello Bats. Did Edmunds just want out of Pittsburgh considering deal he got with Eagles? Did Steelers have counter offer or just let him walk. This sets up to draft Branch I believe.
Brian Batko
2:27
Not sure this necessarily tips their hand to a safety in the first round. You can find an immediate starter on Day 2, in my opinion. Someone like Jordan Battle, Ji'Ayir Brown or Sydney Brown comes to mind.
Just a fan
2:28
Any update on Dupree? When exactly is he due to show up at Steeler offices?
Brian Batko
2:29
Haven't seen one. The Steelers brass is in Arizona right now for the owners' meetings, so maybe later this week or next.
Nate from Fort Wayne
2:29
Hey Brian. Are you surprised the Steelers didn't address WR so far in Free agency and now making it a bigger need in the Draft? I thought for sure someone like Parris Campbell or Isaiah McKenzie would've been cheap good fits.
Brian Batko
2:30
I'm not. They have veteran guys on the roster such as Anthony Miller and Gunner Olszewski. Even Cody White is a guy they like and probably wouldn't mind if he ended up being their fifth or sixth WR. So, my read on it is they'll draft one, maybe with one of those late picks, and see if that guy is an upgrade with the others once they get him in camp to compete.
Miles McGuire
2:32
Hi Bats,
Always a pleasure. Its the off-szn, and I wont bore you with the millionth draft question. The Steelers never seem to have that 3rd safety. R. Mundy was not it, Miles K, is OK on Teams. Shamarko Thomas, please. Who has been better then the true OG, Mike Logan? Tyrone Carter?
Brian Batko
2:33
What about Damontae Kazee last year? I thought he was pretty solid. Obviously, the Steelers did too to bring him back. And Gerry Dulac wrote today from Phoenix about Tomlin's comments on the safety situation. In case you missed it https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/03/27/pittsburgh-ste...
Thomas
2:33
When might the Rodgers and Lamar sagas end?   Tired of espn and NFL spending hours talking about 2 people.
Brian Batko
2:34
I wish I knew. I'm sure everyone involved in the NFL, from coaches to execs to reporters to owners wishes they knew. They should just get traded for each other. Lamar to Green Bay, Rodgers to Baltimore, Jordan Love to the Jets.
Chuck from Michigan
2:35
Hi Brian, luv your chats.  Living in Big Ten country, I am hoping the Steelers stay away from Michigan players in the draft.  Seems to be too much luv between Tomlin and Harbaugh. I like these Big Ten players with the Steelers first four draft picks: 1. Peter Skoronski - OT (Northwestern).  2. Jack Campbell - ILB (Iowa).  3. Zach Harrison - EDGE (Ohio State).  4. Jayden Reed - WR (Michigan State).  These players are good fits for Steelers' needs.  Appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:38
Peter Skoronski would be interesting if he's there at 17. The Steelers didn't send the braintrust to his pro day, which is notable. His measureables are the big question with him, and they pale in comparison to even Dan Moore. I also don't think Campbell is in the cards as much now given what they did with their ILBs, unless they really want a bigger body there. Harrison kind of reminds me of DeMarvin Leal - great pedigree, so-so production and a bit of a tweener position-wise.
Daniel11
2:39
Hi Brian, I am ok with losing Sims to Texans, but why didn't the Steelers re-sign Edmunds? The deal he got from Philly was rather underwhelming. I would say Edmunds was not spectacular, but was steady and durable. I thought this was Khan's first mistake this offseason. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:40
It is an eyebrow-raising situation, but for all we know, the Steelers went into the offseason set on keeping one of Kazee/Edmunds. Maybe they even prioritized Kazee. Tomlin said today he likes the ball production. But if Kazee took a deal first and that was that, then I guess Edmunds had to go elsewhere. Seems obvious to me they'll draft more of a true strong safety in the first four rounds.
Backwards Johnson
2:41
Hello Brian:  Aside from Jalen Carter slipping to 9 through 17 (only player I'd trade up to take), is there really a defensive lineman worth drafting, for the Steelers, before their second pick in the 2nd round? I say Benton, Ika or M. Smith at 49. OT/CB first priority, with WR and LB creeping in somehow and somewhere. Benton is probably the best fit, as he can play NT, DT, and 3-4 DE. Maybe Mazi too, not sure.
Brian Batko
2:44
I'm a big fan of Bryan Bresee from Clemson. To me, he has the size and power they lack up front, and the talent is first-round worthy as long as his medicals check out. There's a lot to like about Mazi Smith on the field but teams might have to look into his character a little more given the felony gun charge he faced last year. I'm with you Benton and Ika being good values at 49 if they last that long and you don't address DT earlier.
MTCLown
2:46
One thing that the Steelers seem to lack is maturity and leadership in the locker room (with the exception of Cam).  Is that a reflection on the coach, the owner, the players?  It seems those types of men have declined under each of the last three head coaches.
Brian Batko
2:48
That's not true. Cam Heyward is the foremost leader of that locker room but guys such as TJ Watt, Najee Harris and even a non-captain like Alex Highsmith aren't far behind.
62 Stack Monster
2:49
Brian, Ray's draft shows the Steelers taking a tight end.  They just signed Gentry.  Is there concern regarding that position?
Connecting…