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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.11.22
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Brian Batko
11:46
What's up everyone? We're going to get started a little early here. If you're on time, you're late. Let's get to those questions...
Donna
11:46
Hi Brian. How sad to learn of the passing of Dwayne Haskins.  May he Rest In Peace.  My sympathies to the Haskins family.
Brian Batko
11:48
Absolutely, Donna. That's a good way to start today's chat. I certainly wasn't around Dwayne Haskins much, given the nature of closed locker rooms again last season, but one thing I remember is how he handled himself the first time we interviewed him on Zoom last offseason after he signed here. Naturally, he faced a lot of fair but difficult questions about how his time ended in Washington, and never once did he act perturbed or respond negatively to that. That's not exactly common these days. Such a shame and truly unfathomable news to see that Saturday.
Troy
11:48
Hi Brian! Don't Steeler fans (including those in the media) need to realize that replacing Ben will take years? Possibly many years. Sure there have been a couple exceptions...but we could be looking for a decade or more. It's a sign of our culture to want a fix NOW...instead of seeing the long search coming.
Brian Batko
11:50
Hi Troy. Yes, I think people realize that, but that's not necessarily a reason to overlook the QB position in this draft. In fact, you could argue that's why they SHOULD take a swing at it right away, to try to speed up that process of finding the next guy. Odds are, it'll be a long search. But it wasn't for the Packers or Colts or Ravens when they moved on from Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco (hey, he won a Super Bowl).
Jay Dav
11:52
Brian, so sad about Haskins, RIP.  With his passing, do the Steelers change their tactics on signing a QB in the draft and/or free agency?
Brian Batko
11:53
Certainly I respect your question, but for this chat, I'm going to decline to get into any real-life roster angles as they relate to Dwayne Haskins. There will be plenty of time to discuss that impact between now and the draft. And there's plenty else to discuss about the Steelers right now.
John in Florida
11:54
Brian, thanks as always for your chats. With the explosion of salaries for wide receivers, do you foresee more teams drafting them in the first round in an attempt to have them for five years on their more reasonable rookie contract?
Brian Batko
11:55
Not necessarily. I almost feel like we're in a wide receiver bubble right now. Lots of teams trying to keep up with the Joneses, trying to bolster their pass-catchers for young QBs, etc. Maybe I'm wrong, but if anything, I lean toward WRs being devalued because of how many are coming into the league pro-ready, and that's a factor of pass-happy college offenses.
Ed O.
11:56
Hi Brian love your chats.  Do you see the Steelers grabbing a larger Bettis-like back late in the order to help compliment Najee?  Or are we going to rely on more of the same non-productive current roster backups?
Brian Batko
11:58
There are only so many holes you can fill in a given draft, and I hesitate to put RB anywhere near the list of priorities. I'm not totally out on the Benny Snell/Anthony McFarland ... experiment just yet. Snell isn't a big back like you mention, but to be honest, there aren't all that many of those types anymore. He just needs to run with more power and be better in short-yardage situations to serve his purpose. McFarland needs to prove the coaches can trust him to get on the field and use that speed that no other back on the roster has to be a change-of-pace for Harris. Lots of ifs, obviously, but it'd be nice for the Steelers if those aren't two wasted fourth-round picks.
Sunner in Orlando
12:00
Any news on Haden signing elsewhere or will teams including the Steelers wait until after the draft to wait him out for a lower signing amount? Same question about Edmunds.
Brian Batko
12:02
Definitely can see Joe Haden taking his time to scope out his next destination. He's made a ton of money, racked up a ton of accolades, and I assume his biggest desire is to win a ring. As for Terrell Edmunds, his equation has to be a little different. He wants that next contract and a chance to cash in, but obviously that hasn't presented itself yet. I think there's a chance Edmunds is back, not so much for Haden.
pdxJaxon
12:03
Good Morning Bats,
Im not gonna ask any questions about Dwayne Haskins this morning, Im just going to say how sorry I am about this tragedy and offer prayers to He, his family and to the Steelers Organization....
Brian Batko
12:05
Absolutely. Just in the past five years the Steelers have had the Ryan Shazier injury, the sudden passing of WRs coach Darryl Drake and the death of Stephon Tuitt's brother last offseason. Now this.
ectcyberhipaa
12:06
Brian, still here Steelers are thinking QB in round one.  If offense, I would like the right receiver, whomever that may be.
Brian Batko
12:08
Thing is, though, they really didn't do much in-person scouting of WRs at pro days. They went to watch QBs instead. Now, could that be a smoke screen? I guess. But if the Steelers, sitting at No. 20, wanted to participate in some draft chicanery, they could've just leaked rumors saying they're intent on drafting a QB instead of doing all that driving and wining and dining. That'd be quite the elaborate ruse.
bring back Hanratty
12:09
Any chance Josh Dobbs pulls an Alualu and comes back from Cleveland?  I see he is #4 there, at least as of now.
Brian Batko
12:11
Ehh I don't think so. Quite a few differences in that Tyson Alualu still very much had a role to play in Pittsburgh. Josh Dobbs did not seem to be in the mix given the Mitch Trubisky signing. Alualu also had a new house and his whole family living and in school here. Dobbs will probably end up being the No. 3 in Cleveland once Baker Mayfield does whatever Baker Mayfield does, and likely the No. 2 for some time if/when Deshaun Watson is suspended.
Alex Madison
12:12
Isnt WR more important than QB this year in the draft for Steelers?   The 2 they have now arent the best.   DJ could be gone next year.   They actually could use 2 WRs in this draft.   Looks like by their 3rd rd pick, WRs will mostly be gone.   Get'em early!
Brian Batko
12:13
Sure, you can make that case. In fact, I did make that case in my mailbag last month: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/03/24/steelers-nfl-d...
Surley
12:14
I toured Ravens stadium and they have 3 holding cells. Does Heinz field have a jail?
Brian Batko
12:14
I'd argue the entire place feels like a prison when you're watching preseason games.
Bernard
12:14
Will schedule makers factor in the possible D Watson suspension when scheduling AFC North divisional match ups?  Seems teams that get the Browns earlier in the season will have an advantage.
Brian Batko
12:15
That wouldn't be fair. It should be mostly randomized, in order to cut down on competitive advantages/disadvantages like that. And as far as I know, it is, other than certain wrinkles such as all divisional games in the last week, teams playing on Thanksgiving, etc.
Wayward
12:16
Brian, there seems to be very little/no buzz about Edmunds in the marketplace.  What type of deal would make sense for the Steelers to bring him back?
Brian Batko
12:19
Probably anything under $6.5 million per year, considering the fifth-year option would've guaranteed him $6.75 million. One year, $5 million would likely be my offer to help keep the secondary in tact a bit.
Bob in Texas
12:20
Hi Brian, thanks for the chats.  Do you think the Steelers would trade down with their 1st round pick if someone offered up their 1st round pick next year?  It would be much easier to find a potential franchise QB next year with two 1st round picks, and they can still pick up quality DL and WR in 2nd and 3rd rounds this year.
Brian Batko
12:21
Hi Bob. This is the part where I point out that's generally not what the Steelers do. In fact, they've been loathe to trade back in the last 20 years. Although they did trade out of the 2020 first round completely to acquire Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019, so you never say never, but I'm going to guess they aren't itching to make that kind of move again so soon.
Bubby B
12:22
Your choice: Penning, Davis, Wyatt, Olave?
Brian Batko
12:22
If it's Jordan Davis, I'll take him. If it's any other Davis, I'll take Trevor Penning.
jtownjohnnie
12:24
The lb they picked up , myles jack was picked on when jville played ne in playoffs. But the steelers fig he;ll help in passing game. Has he improved that much in a couple yrs?? Don't think so.
Brian Batko
12:25
Yeah, we've been down this road before with the Steelers and outside additions at inside linebacker. Joe Schobert seemed to have lost a step, as many feared when Jacksonville was all too eager to trade him. Now they'll try to avoid a similar situation with Myles Jack. But I think they're just as encouraged by what Jack can do in the run game, which needs even more help than their pass defense.
Big Sid
12:27
Whaddup, Bats!  Where do you see the Steelers taking an additional EDGE rusher?  It seemed like Ingram could have been a great option inside / out and was encouraged by the first game in BUF.
Brian Batko
12:28
Chillin, Big Sid. My general rule of thumb is to not draft one in an earlier round than you took your starter(s). So, with Alex Highsmith still holding down that spot opposite TJ Watt, I'd say wait until the fourth round at least to take his backup/competition. Plus, Genard Avery is in the fold now, although he doesn't strike me as someone who's a lock to make the roster. Same goes for Derrek Tuszka.
Steelchuck
12:29
Hey Brian who is your favorite WR in the draft who could be potential starter as a rookie?
Brian Batko
12:31
Hey, Steelchuck. Not gonna pretend to be a draft expert who watches a ton of film and works up a completely independent scouting report of each one of these guys. But from what I've seen/read/digested, I like Drake London from USC the most. As a basketball lover, I like guys who hooped, and London was so good on the hardwood that he was a four-star small forward recruit. Call me biased but I love how those skills translate! He's 6-5 and can probably play outside if not as a mismatch in the slot.
The Price Is Right
12:33
Just thinking that with Rothlesberger finally retiring, Haskins would have given more of a chance to show what he could do and could have flourished Canada’s offense.
Brian Batko
12:35
Absolutely, that part of it is so sad, as well. I thought he looked pretty solid last year in training camp, and that one preseason game against Philly was impressive. Even if he wouldn't have beaten out Trubisky/Rudolph this year, he would have had another chance to showcase himself to the rest of the league. Just really difficult to believe all around.
Buster
12:35
By not attending Trubisky’s training get together was Rudolph basically saying hold on, you’re not the leader of this team yet?
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