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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.19.21
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Brian Batko
1:55
How's it going, cool cats? If you wanna talk some ball, I'm here for you. Or if you want to trade some chatter about anything else, I'm here for that too. No judgment.
Guest
1:56
Looking at our CB depth and our inability to draft and develop  players, don’t you see this as a big concern?
Brian Batko
1:58
Yes, but one positive is that Cam Sutton's versatility gives them a lot of flexibility if they do decide to draft one. Could take a chance on a guy who can be broken in slowly with the slot role, or you can grab a true outside corner (like Justin Layne and James Pierre) and allow Sutton to move inside when you go nickel. It's a concern, but the release of Steve Nelson tells me the Steelers are confident they can find a replacement if they don't have one already.
HT
1:59
.Hi Brian ... Any chance Nelson will return eventually? The way I see it if he would and Steelers get a good Edge rusher to back up Highsmith they are not far from where they were last year-Minus Dupree which was expected...
Brian Batko
2:00
Ehhh I don't think so. I mean, he didn't completely burn any bridges on the way out, but there's clearly a disconnect between what he and his agent feels he's worth and what the Steelers think. To me, it's a bit different than Vince Williams coming back because Vince clearly knows he's getting up there in age and the Steelers have younger, productive players at the same position. I'd be surprised if Nelson is playing in Pittsburgh again in 2021.
Paul
2:01
Hi Brian love the chats. How many yards do you think Derrick Henry would have ran for behind last year's OL?
Brian Batko
2:02
Thanks, Paul. I'll go with 1,165.
Leon
2:03
Line is 8.5 wins for them next year, I'd take to over all day. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:03
I think that's a good number, at least for what we know right now. And yeah, if I had to choose, I'd probably go over on that.
Yankton Ern
2:04
Brian,       With the re-signing  of V.Williams,  there is no way they would bring back Williamson?   Also if they draft a back #1 and IF #7 buys into running a more balanced offense then a weaker defense wouldn’t be as detrimental.
Brian Batko
2:05
No, I can't imagine Avery Williamson coming back now. I mean, why would you want to if you're him? I'm assuming he'll eventually find a landing spot. Perhaps guys like Williamson and Nelson are waiting to see what rosters look like after the draft, especially if they're going to settle for a one-year prove-it deal for less than they want.
JB
2:06
I believe you can’t run the ball if you don’t have a line. We need to select lineman with first two picks. Hopefully, maulers and pick up a back in 4th or 5th round. What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:08
I think I agree with your first point, but not so much your second. You also need a running back who can be his own blocker sometimes, and that guy is simply not on this roster. Not sure he's in the 4th or 5th rounds, either. Also, are we sure the Steelers think they need a total overhaul of the O-line? This is the same team that just promoted its assistant O-line coach.
fredward
2:09
Does re-signing Williams change the Steelers' approach to the draft?
Brian Batko
2:10
Probably slightly, yes. Lessens the need for another ILB, especially a traditional run-stopper. Can maybe get one more good year out of Vince as a rotational guy, evaluate what exactly you have in Robert Spillane, and then address that position in next season's draft if you need to.
Pistol
2:11
With the signing of Dobbs does that close the door on them going QB at all or what are you hearing ???
Brian Batko
2:12
I don't think that door has been open since Ben Roethlisberger reworked his deal. But sure, if there was any chance of using a late-round pick on a guy to come in and compete as the 4th arm, that should be out the window now.
iowasteelersfan
2:13
Who has more influenced on what plays will actually be RUN next year (not called)- Ben or Canada?
Brian Batko
2:14
Wish I knew, pal, wish I knew. But I think I'll lean toward the two-time Super Bowl winner and future Hall of Famer going into his 18th NFL season.
The Dude
2:14
Can you name the starting defensive secondary for game one?
Brian Batko
2:15
All I can do is try, Dude. Joe Haden, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Cam Sutton (slot) and James Pierre.
Francis
2:17
Any idea what Vince returned for dollar wise?
Brian Batko
2:17
Not sure but that signing is now official, which means that info should be readily available pretty soon.
bpcoach
2:18
Hi Brian, I still believe defense and the trenches wins championships. Even though the Steelers need a dynamic running back, I believe investing in one in the 1st round would be a reach especially if a higher graded LB/OLB falls to them at 24. My question is would you select a LB/OLB in front of Najee or ETN and if so, who?
Brian Batko
2:19
I don't think I'd be interested in going defense in Round 1 this year, I really don't. Certainly I get what you're saying, and if someone like Micah Parsons slips waaay down to where he's still on the board at 24, you'd have to consider it. But I just don't think it's a great use of limited draft resources when you spent a 1st (top 10) on ILB two years ago and a 3rd on OLB just last year.
Assured Trepidation
2:21
"No Judgement" is a judgement.
Brian Batko
2:21
That's a stupid comment.
Scott
2:21
Good Afternoon Brian, there are so many different opinions as to if and when the steelers brass will take a running back, do you honestly think they will take one in the 1st round ?
Brian Batko
2:23
Yes, I do. Travis Etienne and Najee Harris seem very much like your classic Steelers draft picks to me, and I could even see them being big fans of Javonte Williams from UNC. The fact that their only move at that position all offseason has been to replace James Conner with Kalen Ballage tells me they've had their eyes on this RB draft class for a while now.
Carl in Carrick
2:24
Brian, what’s the delay in signing Jesse James?  Are the Steelers waiting until after the draft or could it be a contract problem?
Brian Batko
2:25
Could be the Steelers waiting, could be James waiting to see if they draft a TE. But honestly, I think they could use two new players at that position, a vet and a rookie. Not sure if they'll do it, but I imagine neither Zach Gentry nor Kevin Rader have a guaranteed spot on the roster.
ThisGuy
2:26
Not sure where you're leaning for first round pick, but if no RBs are off the board yet at 24, and the Jets or Jaguars come offering their 2nd and 3rd round picks (1st or 2nd in each round) for #24, would you take that offer?
Brian Batko
2:28
Hmmm. I certainly would consider trading down in that scenario, but might not want to go too far down if I'm worried about three teams snagging Etienne/Harris/Williams before I'm up again. Yeah, I'd probably take that deal, but it's close.
2:29
Also, wouldn't it be weird if the Steelers went 50-some years with a first-round pick and then two years in a row without one? Not sure they'd want to do that.
Patrick
2:29
What are the chances the Steelers draft an ILB in the first 3 rounds? I love Bush and Vince but we are again one injury away from this being a hole in the middle of the defense.
Brian Batko
2:30
Pretty low, I think. You've got three guys there you can feel relatively good about in Devin Bush, Robert Spillane and Vince Williams. Plus, you never know if Ulysees Gilbert or Marcus Allen might figure it out this year. Although I realize those two are more cover linebackers than blitzers/run-stuffers.
Rick
2:31
Hey Brian,  We are hurting in so many places I don't think they could go wrong on picking just about any position in the first two rounds. What are the two positions you think  and who realalisticly could it be.
Brian Batko
2:33
RB and OL, and if I must be more specific, RB and C. I just see those two as being the spots with the worst starting options at the moment. At RB, the three guys I keep mentioning are the only first-round worthy (and Williams might be a stretch). At C, I think you can make the case that Creed Humphrey and Landon Dickerson are first-round players, but the multiple injuries with Dickerson are highly concerning.
Go Steelers
2:34
Why did the Steelers resign Dobbs while signing Haskins?
Brian Batko
2:35
Could just be that they want to make sure they have another experienced passer in the mix in case the Haskins thing doesn't work out. Like, he could get a chance to prove himself in the preseason and look really, really bad. You at least know what you're getting in Dobbs, right?
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