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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.03.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, I'm back in the saddle after a long weekend visiting friends in Seattle. Yes, Devin Bush and Aaron Curry were on one of my flights. Two Steelers linebackers ships passing in the night (well, morning, but anyway). Let's talk FA signings, draft and more!
artie bridge
2:01
Hi Brian.  I'm impressed with the Steelers f/a moves so far.  Two questions:  1) is this Tomlin's tacit admission that last year's roster was sub-par?  2) how much of this was dictated by AR II ?
Brian Batko
2:03
Well, sure, they went 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Anyone will tell you the roster wasn't good enough, and I'm not sure there's anything tacit about it. They also lost a good number of role players to free agency, so to me, they've done a good job of adding veteran competition that should make for an improved roster once they get to fighting for jobs with draft picks. I assume this was a decision made by Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Andy Weidl all being on the same page about needing to upgrade their talent.
J$Money
2:04
If the Steelers were making their 1st pick based purely on need, which position would you expect them to target?
Brian Batko
2:07
It's a credit to them that they have no glaring needs after the second wave of free agency. You can argue how good the roster is, but it's hard to argue they have starter-caliber players at every spot and even a capable backup at each position. But I'd probably say slot corner, because despite conventional football wisdom, that is absolutely a starter in today's NFL.
Jim
2:09
With this being a deep CB class, I think they should go OT or DL with 17, what are the odds they do that?
Brian Batko
2:11
Probably like 48%? But that's what's very interesting about this draft for the Steelers and their slot(s), specifically. They'll have to decide how they want to approach it, whether they truly go best player available (within reason) at 17 or whether they place more emphasis than usual on value-based drafting. Because I'm with you that the tackle position gets watered down fairly quickly, while it appears that corners are as deep as ever.
TSH
2:13
Happy Monday Brian!  Assuming the top 3 OL are off the board, I don’t see the Steelers reaching for the OL from TN.  Do you?   I think the CBs look better at #32 than DL at #32 therefore if a DL they like is available then that is who they pick at 17 and possibly CB at #32.  Agree or disagree?  Where do you see DL or CB drafted?
Brian Batko
2:15
I don't think Darnell Wright would be a reach. Sure, he didn't have a lot of first-round buzz early in the draft process, but seems like he's done nothing but help himself through competing in the Senior Bowl, his combine testing, etc. He's humongous, he held up well against some of the best defenders in college football and has played both sides of the line.
Steve
2:16
Hey Brian, PPG covers the offseason well, so thank you.  I'm bullish on the personnel moves and depth created this offseason.  Discouraged with the lack of additions to offensive coaching staff.  Are we actively evaluating and trying to upgrade/add to the coaching staff like we do players?
Brian Batko
2:18
Thanks, Steve, appreciate that. I agree with you that's one area where the Steelers have dropped the ball this offseason (unless there's a surprisingly late move still to come). In theory, Mike Tomlin and company could add to their staff at any time, but OTAs will start up a couple weeks after the draft and I assume you'd want any new coach to be around for the installation periods and whatnot.
Ritz
2:20
Since the Steelers have expressed little interest in Jordan Addison, as they already have plenty of small options as small slot receiver, how about another Pitt connection?  Could Jared Wayne make sense as a large slot receiver; maybe available in the 7th round?
Brian Batko
2:21
I tried to keep an eye on him at Pitt's pro day last week and came away with the same sense I had going in: Why not? If the Steelers get to their seventh-round picks and haven't drafted a WR by that point, it can't hurt to at least take a chance on a guy who has a good rapport with your QB. His speed is a concern and so were drops last year but every player at that point in the draft will have major question marks.
Greg
2:22
Any way you see Jalen Carter falling to 17? Would you take him if we’re on the clock and he’s our highest “rated” player?
Brian Batko
2:24
Jalen Carter remains a fascinating player to me in this draft, with the latest news coming out today that his agent Drew Rosenhaus won't even have him visit teams picking outside the top 10. Obviously, he's trying to stop some of the chatter about Carter slipping, and generally agents tend to be right with those kind of "statement" moves. My logic would be that if a guy that talented falls all the way to 17, there are serious red flags, and I'm not gonna be the team to ignore that. So, yeah, tough call but I think I'd pass.
the real guest
2:25
Brian, I think the top 4 OLTs will be gone by pick 17 so I am betting the Steelers will go CB with their 1st pick and go OT at 49. The 32nd pick will be BAP. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:28
As I mentioned earlier, I'm just not sure of the level of OT prospect you'll be able to get this year midway through the second round. Sure, on some level, it might be worth reaching for a guy or taking a big swing just to finally make a meaningful draft investment at that spot. But at 49, would you just end up taking a tackle who isn't much of an upgrade on Dan Moore or Chuks Okorafor?
Javi
2:29
Hello Bats. I like what Khan is doing. Adding depth and a cpl day 1 starters such as Peterson. I think there is a bit more sense of urgency than in past off seasons with FA. Any noticeable differences in philosophy with regards to Khan vs Colbert?
Brian Batko
2:31
No, I don't think so. Kevin Colbert was making similar moves the past few years, too. If anything, I think the new regime is just being a bit more aggressive deeper into free agency, hence moves such as Breiden Fehoko and Keanu Neal late last week. But then again, the Steelers didn't sign Terrell Edmunds, Damontae Kazee and Larry Ogunjobi last year until right before the draft or shortly thereafter.
islandborn
2:32
Doesn't the 1st round picks have different contracts than the rest of the rounds - 4 years, optional 5th year.  Putting the #32 pick on the second day sorta robs the Steelers of having that ability then correct?  If the Dolphins lost it, tech shouldn't everyone move up (Mr. Irrelevant becomes #258)?  That then gives the Steelers the LAST pick on the 1st day!  Much more powerful trade resource.  My thinking is that it should be called the #33 pick, #32 simply gets deleted.  In a sense call out 30, 31, 33, 34, etc...  I know its semantics, but I'm stuck on it!
Brian Batko
2:34
You have a point, but the purpose of the Dolphins forfeiting their pick was to punish them, not reward a random team that ends up picking 32nd. And depending on where you look, it is referred to as the 33rd pick, but just not in the official NFL draft order for some reason. Semantics, indeed.
BigBatsFan
2:35
Hey BB, great chat as always! It gets asked every chat, but given Tomlin's tenure how should we interpret his complete lack of a coaching tree. His assistants never move up anywhere else and it appears he shuns top candidates who might have the opportunity to do so (former head coaches for example). Not a knock necessarily, but he's been the coach here for almost 20 years and Sean McVay has had more assistant coaches moved up in his first 5 years
Brian Batko
2:37
It can be overblown, because if I'm an NFL fan, I don't give a damn whether coaches have success after they leave my team as long as they contributed to success while here. But on this front, it's troubling: It stands to reason that franchises want to hire good coaches, and if they aren't hiring your coaches, then others around the league don't think you have very good coaches. It helps to have good coaches when you're trying to win.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:39
Do the Steelers need to or should rework deals of current players to get more under the cap for possible sign of more free agents after the draft? What is their current cap situation?
Brian Batko
2:42
On paper, they could restructure plenty of guys. But, financially, and looking to the future, you don't want to use that as a crutch too often. The team has roughly $11 million in cap space now, according to overthecap.com
Playmaker
2:44
Have the Steelers had success in the past drafting players that have good physical skills but did not light up the stat sheet?
Brian Batko
2:48
George Pickens looks like he's gonna be one of those guys, but obviously part of that was his injury and Georgia's offensive philosophy. Martavis Bryant wasn't particularly productive at Clemson. And I'd say the ultimate example of molding a raw-ish player for them lately would be Bud Dupree, but as we know, it took a while to come around.
STEEL72
2:50
Bats, Just under a month away. Do you have any intel on whether or not the Steelers would take Jalen Carter if he dropped far enough? In my opinion, Dan Campbell's comments were total smoke screen and what he's heard about Jalen has been positive. Do you feel that Steelers NEED to take these types of rare talents/physical specimens if they're there?
Brian Batko
2:53
Already said my piece on Carter, but you raise a valid question at the end there, because I think that can go both ways. For all their faults and lack of postseason success lately, the Steelers are inarguably one of the model franchises when it comes to stability at the top and having a culture/tradition that's basically ingrained in the organization. And as far as their on-field roster goes, they could be fine this year with a DL of Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, DeMarvin Leal, Breiden Fehoko, Montravius Adams and Isaiahh Loudermilk. But they could be fine at a number of other positions, too, which could make you more tempted to swing for the fences on a dude as gifted as Carter.
Ken
2:54
What percentage chance do you give Bud Dupree on returning?
Brian Batko
2:54
42%
Carlo Gambino
2:55
If Tomlin retires tomorrow,  who on his staff would be able to step up and coach the team  ? Or would the organization prefer to go outside to fill the position.
Brian Batko
2:57
Teryl Austin could be a head coach in the NFL. I have little doubt about that. If Mike Tomlin woke up tomorrow morning and had a Jerry Maguire-like epiphany that he doesn't want this job anymore, it's really late in the hiring cycle to chase a big name. It would make the most sense to turn things over to Austin.
KJ
2:58
While I appreciate the Steelers adding depth to the defense this offseason, I feel like my concerns about the offense are legitimate given they were one of the lowest scoring teams in the NFL, despite all of the "weapons" they have.  What do you think of the Steelers reaching out to Todd Haley as a special offensive assistant this season? I understand the guy has an abrasive personality, but the Steelers offense was its most impressive with him as OC.  Wouldn't you agree?
Brian Batko
2:58
If this were a video game, sure, I'd import his playbook. But this is real life and I don't think that's gonna happen, KJ.
sjmst41
3:00
Admittedly it doesn't really matter, but hey, does ANY of this matter? In your opinion, would Pickett crack the first round of the 2023 draft? Why or why not?
Brian Batko
3:01
No, it doesn't really matter, but without speculation like that and questions like this people like me wouldn't have much to talk or write about, now would we? I do think Kenny Pickett would be a first-round pick this year, especially if teams are operating with the information they have after seeing him as a rookie in 2022.
3:02
OK friends, time is up, talk is over, the chat has ended. You may go in peace.
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