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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.15.24
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, welcome back to another week of Steelers chatting. They're almost done with their pre-draft visits with a couple more banked today. Questions?
Stairway to seventh seed
2:01
Brian: I keep hearing that the Steelers can wait until the 2nd round to take a WR because the class is so deep, but the good tackles will be gone in round 1.  Ladd McConkey is a 2nd round projection that often doesn't even make it to 51 in mock drafts.  McConkey ran a 4.39 at 6' 186.  He had 478 yards and 2 TDs last year in the SEC.  Brian Thomas ran a 4.33 at 6'3" 209 and had 1,177 yards and 17 TDs in the SEC.  I think that shows an enormous drop off from a player (Thomas) that the Steelers might get at 20 vs one they might have to trade up to say 40 to get in round 2.  How can they take an offensive tackle (a "want" vs a need) if Thomas is still available?
Brian Batko
2:02
I think the reason I'd be comfortable waiting on WR more than OT is because not only do you have a No. 1 in George Pickens but you just have more options in that group in general than you do at tackle. Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson weren't the kind of big-name additions Steelers fans were hoping for, I know, but they're legit NFL guys. And personally I'm still bullish on Calvin Austin III. At OT you have the two returning starters and then ... Spencer Anderson? Dylan Cook? Gotta address that or center before WR, in my most humble opinion.
Steeler Joe
2:03
Hey, Bats. Would Omar Khan already be on the phone and laying the groundwork for potential draft day trades? I wonder how much of that work is done in advance and how much is on the fly.
Brian Batko
2:05
Hey, Joe. Of course he's always working the phones. Obviously, it ramps up more closer to the draft and hits a fever pitch on draft night. But one positive so far we've seen from Omar Khan as the GM is he's shown the ability to lay groundwork and have an overall vision but also the skill to react quickly in the moment with trades, picks, etc.
TX Pressure
2:06
Saw your article on best case scenario for the draft and I think it has a decent probability of happening - I recently did a mock where the opposite happened and OTs were gobbled up before the 20th pick BUT that offered some intriguing options: Brock Bowers, Jared Verse, Quinyon Mitchell falling to 20.  Now what?  Brock Bowers in a Arthur Smith offense!  I did go that route and ended with Frazier with 51 and Amegadjie at 84 so still got the O line help but what if your OTs are gone and you have see these options available?
Brian Batko
2:08
Brock Bowers isn't likely to fall to No. 20, but if he did, it would be an interesting pick to consider. You already have Pat Freiermuth, so I think the Steelers are comfortable with the TE position. And yet, your point about Arthur Smith's two-TE past is valid. A lot of draft analysts consider him to essentially be a WR, too, which is an intriguing outside-the-box approach to getting that No. 2 pass-catcher we can all agree they need.
Rick
2:09
Dotson, a miss by coaching staff, a player that needed new scenery to thrive, an overpay by the Rams, or all 3?
Brian Batko
2:10
Ehh I'd say a player that needed a change of scenery and fresh start. Not sure if he got complacent here or just didn't always impress the coaches with his wok ethic or what, but clearly he fell out of favor and they opted to go out and sign two veteran guards in back-to-back offseasons. I always liked Kevin Dotson as a player and person, but his 2022 season in Pittsburgh wasn't great. Good to see him thriving in LA.
TVC15
2:11
If you had to bet $1 million dollars which has better chance of happening this season?
1) The Steelers win 2 playoff games.
or
2) They finish with a losing record and last place in the AFCN.
Brian Batko
2:13
Wow, that's a great one. I could go either way. Certainly wouldn't want to bet the $1 million I don't have on one or the other. BUT ... I'll say win two playoff games. They've done that more recently than the second option. Fluky things can happen in four quarters (or eight quarters) of football more so than over the course of 17 full games.
The Road to 9-8
2:14
I keep hearing that Fields has a chance to start.  Even if he doesn't, he is being sold as a top backup.  Why?  Every highlight of his involves running and not passing.  Mason is a much better passer and Kenny was more successful.  Fields seems to be a very obvious downgrade.  Even Wilson looks like he's at the Last Chance Saloon after fading in skill and wearing out his welcome in two places.  The QB play has gotten worse every year since Ben.  I expect the same.  You?
Brian Batko
2:16
Well, mobility is a big part of what can make a QB successful, so let's not just dismiss that strength of Justin Fields. Mason Rudolph may well be a better passer, but as good as he looked down the stretch last season, it still was just a four-game sample. Kenny Pickett has been more successful by win-loss record, sure. I don't necessarily consider that a QB stat as much as others.
Steel Russel
2:18
Hi Brian - I get the don't sell the future (picks for Tyler Boyd) but for a team under immense pressure to produce this year doesn't it make sense to make the move?
Brian Batko
2:20
For Tyler Boyd? I'd lean no. Good player, good veteran leader type to have around maybe, but not sure I think he's a lock to produce more than a Round 2/3 rookie. Now Brandon Aiyuk would be a bit more tempting to me.
Langdon
2:20
Hey Brian, if the Steelers make their pick in the second round, do you foresee a scenario where they would trade their two third round picks to move into the second round again depending on who is available?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:21
Possibly. I wrote about that in my mailbag last week and why it could make as much sense as any other draft pick trade for them this year: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/04/11/steelers-draft...
Jim
2:21
Many analysts are now rating Graham Barton as the top center in the draft despite not having played the position since his freshman season. Is it that easy to switch back to center? If I’m spending a first round pick on someone I want more than 1 year of experience!
Brian Batko
2:24
Not to mention that year came back in 2020 at Duke. It's not easy - the Kendrick Green transition, or lack thereof, showed that - but Barton has some intangibles that scouts think make him capable of doing it. He's supposedly got a great football IQ, quick feet, good technique. It's interesting that the Steelers haven't had him in for a visit yet, unless that's still to come.
Josh H
2:25
If the Steelers are truly interested in Aiyuk, does that tell us they’re more than willing to pay his salary asking price?
Brian Batko
2:27
That's one of the hold-ups, to me. Obviously, Aiyuk is a very good player already and you trust that more than the projection of a draft pick to the NFL level. But is he worth what he wants to be paid? And what does that mean for George Pickens here long-term? I don't doubt that the Steelers are interested - Omar Khan has shown a willingness to improve the team by just about any means necessary - but I would assume that's part of the reason why he hasn't been traded here or anywhere just yet.
artie bridge
2:28
Brian, before the Steelers signed Kyle Allen there was talk of drafting a "developmental" qb in the later rounds.  With Allen on board is that off the table?
Brian Batko
2:30
I wouldn't say it's off the table but I do think it's a lot less likely now. One avenue that way that could make sense is Jordan Travis from Florida State, depending on how long he lasts. I say that because he's coming off a major ankle injury in November, so that might hurt his stock to some degree. He's a nice mix of upside and floor for that QB3 role.
Fishagain
2:30
Yes indeed, your annual analysis of favorable and unfavorable draft scenarios is a fun read.  No question, just thanks for filling in the off season void.
Brian Batko
2:31
Thank you, Fish. We'll have plenty more to come as we approach next Thursday.
BUCS 21
2:32
Who hired Canada
Brian Batko
2:32
No one yet, as far as I know
7 year drought
2:33
How many more years will Mike Tomlin be allowed to coach the Steelers without a single playoff win? When will enough be enough?
Brian Batko
2:33
I don't know
Tina
2:34
Good afternoon Brian.  First the Aiyuk trade is an almost certain thing, then it’s off…do you think the trade will be made?
Brian Batko
2:35
Trade speculation season has been especially tiresome this year. Though I suppose Omar Khan set quite the tone early on with the big Russell Wilson move. Not sure how it ever got viewed as an "almost certain thing" but then again, Aiyuk tweeting at Mike Tomlin did pique my curiosity.
Joe Friday
2:37
The Steeler dynasty was based on selecting Joe Green from North Texas State and Bradshaw from Louisiana State and Jack Lambert from Kent State. Now, they only go to the top programs. Was that a different time in college football or are the current GMs missing gems by only going to the prominent schools?
Brian Batko
2:38
Different times. Terry Bradshaw went to Louisiana Tech, by the way, but I think that's what you meant based on the context of your question. LSU is very much a top program now.
Stevie
2:38
If you had to pick one player that your gut was telling you the Steelers will take in the first round at #20. Who would it be? The second part of my question is. If Russ has a good season, do you really think the Steelers will extend him with the risk of losing Justin Fields and that high ceiling of a future he may have?
Brian Batko
2:40
I'll have my first, last and only seven-round Steelers mock at some point in the next 10 days, which will serve as my official prediction. But I guess for right now I'd say a guy who has checked the most pre-draft boxes, and that'd be Amarius Mims from Georgia. If Russell Wilson has a good season, I don't believe the Steelers will fret too much about what that means for their chances of keeping Fields around. They'll lean into the present, if it's really that good.
Ryan
2:40
Is there any truth to the reports of trying to get a veteran high profile receiver?  Seems like too much money and too much in a trade to give up.
Brian Batko
2:40
Trying? Maybe not. Keeping their ears open? They have to do that. Always. Everyone has a price.
Is the Future Brighter?
2:41
Any status on the future of Art II and when his son will be taking over?  Art seems so set on Tomlin and just being competitive in the regular season.  The organization has lost its shine.  I feel some fresh thoughts would be beneficial.  Do you see us being stuck with the Art II/Tomlin dictatorship for a long time?
Brian Batko
2:42
I don't know how long Art Rooney II continues to serve in the team president role, but I would say his son Dan has become more and more visible since I started covering the team in '19.
PghFNinCali
2:42
All things equal-players rated equal in draft review-Do Steelers take Offense or Defense player first pick?
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