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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.18.22
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JP from Quebec
12:36
Hi Brian, if a top DL is not available at 20, doyou think the Steelers will go for a top WR or another defensive player?
Brian Batko
12:37
I think I'd lean toward another defensive player, specifically safety. How about Lewis Cine? Could do worse than pairing Alabama in Georgia at your safety position for the next five years (at least).
kevin in Punxsy
12:38
Brian, I have read that the Honey Badger is asking in the neighborhood of $15 M per year. If correct, the Steelers cannot sign him.  What say you?
Brian Batko
12:38
Agreed. As much as I like Mathieu as a player and as a fit for this defense, that strikes me as an overpay.
John in Florida
12:39
Brian, thanks as always for the chats. The Steelers have recent history of reaching for players at a position of need, especially in the first round. Jarvis Jones, Artie Burns, and Terrell Edmunds all come to mind from the past decade. How confident are you they won’t do the same thing this year at QB? There’s no reason to draft QB unless you’re convinced that person will be better than what they have now, What do you hear or think about their first round pick? Not much chatter Steelers looking at anything but QB. Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:41
There's plenty of chatter about the Steelers looking at other positions. Defensive tackle, specifically Jordan Davis, comes to mind. We've discussed safety a lot, although you could argue based on the mock draft experts out there that they'd be reaching again if they do that. My thing about "reaching" for a QB is this: Unless you think the Steelers are going to be 3-14 this year or something, how do you expect them to draft that position next year, when Trubisky is in a contract year and Rudolph is (likely) gone? The past two drafts had no-doubt slam-dunk guys at QB, but that didn't matter much, because the Steelers weren't picking first overall.
J$Money
12:43
Good morning. Do you expect the Steelers to wait until after the draft to see if they still need to sign a strong safety? Thanks
Brian Batko
12:44
Yeah, that makes the most sense to me at this point. The draft is a major variable here, for both the teams that need one and the guys still out there like Mathieu, Edmunds, Landon Collins, etc.
Earl T
12:44
Hi Brian, I do not see why everyone want  the Steelers to draft a NT in the first or second round of the draft.  I would prefer a good defense lineman and a offense tackle.  I believe three down players are better.  I would like a guy that can play both nose and end.  This make the defense more flexible.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
12:46
In general, I agree, but this run defense was a sieve last year. I think sometimes you need to overlook things like "positional value" and just say "what the heck was wrong with our team that we need to improve?" That's basically what they did last year drafting a RB in the first, and for as much as things went wrong on offense, I'd argue Najee Harris was a good pick. In lieu of the occasional paralysis by analysis, simply taking good football players can be a good idea sometimes.
Dale
12:47
I guess I don't follow quite why second receiver contracts would only go to the great ones. Surely DJ has shown enough that his career shouldn't be over. So there's some price at which he's worth signing. Is it just that there's sure to be some other team that will offer more than that price?
Brian Batko
12:48
Partly that, and I think it's become a position that's pretty replaceable via the draft, UNLESS you have a Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf, Davante Adams type of guy. Those types of guys don't grow on trees. Every team in the league except San Fran is trying to find another Deebo Samuel, for instance. But Diontae Johnsons, for as productive as he's been, I think you can get another like him. Now, watch him go for 2,000 this year. You're welcome.
ev
12:50
Hi Brian, I am fairly confident that the Steelers will pick OL/DL in round one because Pickett and Willis will be taken: The Panthers, Falcons, Commies, and Saints all have immediate needs at QB. However, I could see the Steelers taking a QB in Round 2.  Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, or Carson Strong?
Brian Batko
12:53
The Commies, eh? Haven't heard that one yet. Of those three, I think I'd lean toward Matt Corral. If you ask me, the Steelers have a QB situation where it behooves them to draft and stash. AKA, an NFL redshirt year. The upside of a Desmond Ridder, maybe even as much or more than Kenny Pickett, is he can step right in and compete for a job. Willis and Corral are wait-a-year types, and with Trubisky in the fold, that might not be a bad thing. Give him a chance, and let the rookie watch/learn from the sideline.
Why did I say "if you ask me"? That's the entire premise of these chats. OK, moving on...
CoveSteel
12:54
Recent mock drafts have Pickett and Willis gone before the Steelers pick at 20 and the Steelers reaching for Ridder.   I am not in favor of a QB at all, but I suppose if the one they love is available at 20 so be it.  Who do you think they ‘love’ and would pick up at 20 if still available?
Brian Batko
12:56
This is just a hunch, because Kevin Colbert does not report to me, but I think Malik Willis is the one they'd be most into, given his mobility/playmaking and the logic I just outlined in the last answer about needing a bit of time to develop in the NFL. If you're telling me he's off the board, then again, it's Corral for me. He's got a lot of toughness to his game, which should play well here. But there's been some buzz that Ridder really impressed in his pre-draft visit here, probably due to his experience, maturity and winning resume.
Buzzard Bill
12:58
Hi Brian,  do you happen to know the USFL rules regarding players jumping o the NFL? This would be the perfect time for the Steelers to grab a WR from some USFL team.  That guy Satterfield from the Generals might be a good addition if they could sign him.
Brian Batko
1:00
Wow, a USFL question to end the chat. I was wondering if we'd get any. I haven't looked into it a ton, frankly because most of these players wouldn't be in the USFL if they were NFL-caliber, but I believe "The Shield" is the only league they're allowed to be let out of their contract to join. Otherwise, what would entice them to join? I believe they can pursue that once their USFL season ends. Never heard of that Satterfield dude but I did see him make a nice grab in the first game Saturday night.
OK everyone, with that, it's time to close up shop. Our second-to-last pre-draft chat. It's so close, I can almost taste it. Have a good week.
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