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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.15.24
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Brian Batko
2:42
Offense
Bulldog
2:43
Dino to the Steelers in 6th round or UDFA?
Brian Batko
2:43
Dino Tomlin is going back to Boston College for a sixth college season. So ask me again next year, I guess.
Surly in Sheraden
2:44
Any chance they don’t pick up Najee’s option?  While much lower than other positions, hasn’t the league shown that it is realistic to match most RB’s production with a rookie or a cheap FA?
Brian Batko
2:44
Sure, I'd say there's a chance. Wrote about that this weekend in our running back position analysis: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/04/13/position-analy...
Steel MD
2:45
Bats, which would be your preferred scenario, Wilson has a good to great year, and the Steelers choose to sign him longer term after this season, or Fields has a "promising" year and they sign him longer term.
Brian Batko
2:45
I think you always take the younger option in that hypothetical. Now, you could sway me depending on what a "great" season constitutes for Wilson.
Danny
2:47
khan did 3 trades this off season was it all khan or did Tomlin have a say in it
Brian Batko
2:47
My sense is there's always collaboration in the front office for those major moves, from Khan to Tomlin to Rooney
Trav
2:47
Opinion....Draft Barton 20th....and if a eithr jpj or frazer falls to us with 2nd pick draft him and kick Barton out to right tackle 2 compete with Moore...if both are gone before we draft 2nd rd then go in another direction
Brian Batko
2:48
I hear ya, Trav. That's the value of position flexibility. But there's probably something to be said for having a plan in place for someone you use a first-round, top-20 pick on.
HHBH
2:49
Good afternoon.  Do you think Darnell Washington will have more of a role in Arthur Smith’s offense?  Thanks Brian.
Brian Batko
2:51
Not sure. He's got great athleticism based on his testing numbers, but doesn't always show it in practice or games. As of now I would predict that yes, he will play more than 48% of the snaps. Especially given the uncertainty at WR and what we know Smith has done in the past offensively.
Dana
2:52
Seems like a popular idea to trade for a high priced, salary cap eating, diva wide receiver. I'm no expert but I think Art Smith's offense is geared more towards running the ball.  I say spend the money on a stud road grader or on another big back and find a receiver later on. Am I making sense?
Brian Batko
2:52
Yes. I say stand pat, hit the draft and see how you make out. Can always re-evaluate the roster after that, too.
NY Steel
2:53
Do you think Mason Rudolph would have been a better QB for the Steelers in 2024 than Russel Wilson?
Brian Batko
2:54
I do, but not necessarily twice as good. And he'll play for twice as high a cap hit this year in Tennessee as Russ will here. So, I get the Steelers' thinking on that.
Pittfan
2:54
Hi Brian. As a long time Steelers fan I always get caught up in the draft and almost obsess over who they should choose. I'm trying to back away from that obsession because frankly, there isn't and never was anything I can do about it. It seems there is so much talent coming out of the college ranks it's really hard to go wrong unless the team's evaluation of a player is a total error. That said, is there a player and/or position that you've been hearing about, in your opinion, would be the worst possible pick in rd. 1?
Brian Batko
2:56
It is pretty funny to think about how much teams invest in this process - attending games throughout the season, scouting the all-star showcaes, the combine, pro days, pre-draft visits - and then they still miss on picks probably about as much as any fan or media member who pays close attention to the draft. As I've stated and written before, I'm not high on the idea of drafting a corner in the first round.
62 Stack Monster
2:57
Brian, Any buzz on a trade down for more picks?
Brian Batko
2:57
Plenty of it in these chats!
Jack Splat
2:57
After another one and done playoff appearance for this season, is Tomlin finally gone?  This organization values stability to the point that it has become a glaring weakness.
Brian Batko
2:58
I truly cannot imagine Mike Tomlin's tenure as Steelers coach ending without it being at least partially his choice, I'll say that much.
brewalker
2:58
Reuben Foster absolutely balled out for the Maulers last year, and is currently doing so in the UFL. We need help at inside LB. I know he has some baggage, but why not give him a chance??
Brian Batko
2:59
He has more than just some baggage, plus he's 30 years old now. Hasn't played an NFL snap since 2020. I'm good.
Steve in NC
2:59
I saw a chart the other day that showed Russel Wilson had some of the largest hands measured for a QB over the recent years at the combine.  Do you suppose this is ultimately why Pickett wanted out of town?
Brian Batko
3:00
What, you think he was really trying to avoid that first in-person handshake?
3:01
OK, that's certainly one to end on. I did at least think about chuckling a bit. Thanks as always for joining the chat and Ray Fittipaldo will have you covered again tomorrow at 2. See you next time.
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