Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.20.26
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Brian Batko
1:59
Hey everyone, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy wrapped the Steelers' annual pre-draft presser a little bit ago. What questions ya have?
Stairway to seventh seed
1:59
Brian: am I wrong to think that Garrett totally dominated a game (albeit with no sacks) against Cook and then Cook was also overwhelmed against Houston? Why is there so much talk about drafting a guard when tackle seems like a desperate need?  Jones is a bust and might not even be available.
Brian Batko
2:01
I think Dylan Cook played fairly well in his chance to step up at LT. Not sure how much of the Cleveland fiasco I'd attribute to him. But you're right that we might be underestimating the need at tackle. Steelers haven't done much homework on that spot with pre-draft visits, though, for whatever that's worth.
BUCS21
2:02
Hey Brian it seems like we were able to get one of the top WR, and developed into a #1, we could then trade or release D.K. and save 30 mil on the cap
Brian Batko
2:04
Down the road, sure, it'll be time to get younger/cheaper and reload at that position. But I don't get the sense they're out on DK Metcalf just yet by any means.
Bobby
2:05
How about a 3rd and Patrick Queen to move up from 21 to 12...would Dallas entertain?
Brian Batko
2:07
Everything I read/hear about Dallas has them more trying to trade up than down in this draft, getting themselves a true blue-chip difference-maker on defense rather than two not-so-sure things. As for dealing Patrick Queen, I suppose it's still a possibility, but the Steelers generally don't like to pay out those roster bonuses to someone who won't be on the team. And that deadline passed for Queen last month.
Arthur not Art
2:07
Hi Brian.  Thanks for the chat and congrats on the PG being saved (great news) and this being your last 2026 pre-draft chat. I've convinced myself Ioane is their target in Rnd 1. Am I wrong? Would they be willing to spend their 2nd and 5th (maybe 4th) to move up to 13 and get him if the Rams are willing to deal? He seems to be the best match for need and talent. It's a steep price but I don't see him making it past BAL and would hate to have to watch him help the Ravens run the ball down Steelers throats 2x/yr.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:09
Thanks, Arthur. And now you've got Dexter Lawrence in the AFC North, too. I know it's only two games a year, but Mike Tomlin always used to talk about drafting players who can help the Steelers beat the Ravens, Bengals and Browns when the chips are down. Here's where my thoughts are crystallizing on the first-round pick: Vega Ioane is the most likely player, but I'm not sure he's more likely than one of the wide receivers, based on his availability and theirs. If that makes sense.
NYC Steeler
2:10
I love Hines, but can you explain the rationale of putting him ahead of BR in the best draft pick ranking?
Brian Batko
2:10
You'll have to take that up with Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo! They did the rankings.
KJ
2:11
Hey Brian, stay with me on this - I have been reading about all of the frustrations many in Steelers Nation are having with Aaron Rodgers not giving the Steelers his decision yet.  The more I think about it, the more I get the feeling that with the draft here in Pittsburgh and the Steelers wanting some "pop" on Draft Day, what do you think the chances are that AR has already signed and he will walk out on stage (surprise!) and announce the Steelers' first round selection?
Brian Batko
2:12
That assumes the vast majority of the crowd even wants that to happen. Based on the people I hear from on here and in real life and via email, I'm not so sure that's the case.
Tim from Canada
2:12
Hi Brian, thanks for the chats. I'm wondering how it works on the O line in that, does great play of a LG positively impact the play of the LT at all? More specifically would there be potential for great play from Ioane to elevate the play of Jones/Cook?
Brian Batko
2:13
Hey Tim. I've never been in those O-line trenches but I'd say the biggest benefit for the LT from the LG would be steady, precise communication rather than anything schematic. If you want to help your LT against a good edge rusher, that's gonna have to come in the form of chips or doubles from TE/RB/WR. Tough to deal with these modern edge guys who line up so far wide to stress opposing tackles and put them on an island (they hope).
Emilio
2:14
There has been a lot of stories on how the Steelers missed picking Dan Marino, but very little on how they refused to give Joe  Montana a chance  after he left the 49rs and wanted to play for the Steelers because they were comfortable with Neil O'Donnell. Could you write a story about it? I don't think the Steelers lose the SB to the cowboys with Montana
Brian Batko
2:15
Probably not by the end of this chat, but sure! Thanks, Emilio
George T
2:15
Hi Brian, there a lot for new folks saying 12 draft picks is too many to draft and would be a waste of draft capital. If that is true how best to use the 12 picks?  I would like to keep five in  the first three rounds so we can continue to build a roster for the next franchise QB. So would moving down in the first round to get another second round pick be good.  I would give up a third, fourth, and another pick in one of the later rounds.  Or use a few or the day 3 picks to move up in the third round.
Brian Batko
2:17
In an ideal world, I think I'd package some picks to move up in this year's draft (not necessarily the first round, though that'd be ideal) and accrue more picks for 2027. Maybe wind up with only 7 or 8 picks as opposed to 12. But that'll take a lot of dealing and wheeling from Omar Khan. Not that he's not up to the task. He actually acknowledged today that he would love to have 10 minutes on the clock in the first round now that the league has shortened it to 8. Mike McCarthy joked that he only gets 40 seconds to call a play so Omar should quit complaining. Nice one, Mike.
Porta Potty Etiquette
2:18
Hi Brian. How many porta potties do you think will be at the draft and might it get messy?
Brian Batko
2:20
Hi PPE. I heard some teams are trying to trade up for John Portapotty, a guard out of Lock Haven. Questionable lateral movement but great anchor. Tough to move.
Jim K in Jax
2:20
How's the family Brian? Will they be attending the draft? Just kidding on the second question! I have zero interest in the draft beyond who they pick. There is so much speculation and guessing that it is all senseless to someone like me. Can't wait for all the post draft grades and speculation about playing time and such. I seem to recall most of you had the running back from Iowa State being a major cog in the offense last year. Ha! Enjoy the draft!!!
Brian Batko
2:22
Family's good, Jim. Questionable if they have any interest in the draft, though. I'm sure my 6-year-old would run around at some of the stuff but waiting in lines is not his strong suit. And I understand your fatigue, but this is what our active minds do, isn't it? Not much different than the hype before the Super Bowl. We look at it from every angle, all possibilities, etc. This is just an even longer process. I'd be all for moving up the draft in the offseason calendar, personally.
Roger That
2:23
I admit to being a grumpy old man so maybe I am being too critical when judging Carson Beck but I see a couple of red flags. #1 He buys a Lamborghini and a Mercedes with his NIL money. #2 More significant to me - he refuses to shake hands with Mendoza following the championship game. Seems to me like he may be an entiltled DIVA and a potential problem. After all the problems they've had with WR's and attitude, I'd think they would be careful.                                 So with all that said, do you think the Steelers see these things as red flags or not? The fact he was brought him in for a visit says they do not.
Brian Batko
2:24
Roger that. I'm out on Carson Beck even before you get to some of those more speculative knocks on him. He's 24 years old, lacks mobility, questionable arm strength following a significant elbow injury at the end of the 2024 season. And has some Ryan Dunne in him, if you've ever seen Summer Catch. When I watched Carson Beck, I was always just waiting for him to make that one ... big ... mistake. And, unfortunately for him, despite all the winning he did, he often did make that mistake.
Every Villian is Lemons
2:25
I keep hearing that the Steelers have two big receivers and need to get a 3rd guy who is smaller, separator type. Why not get another big receiver and run them out there in 11 personnel like a basketball team? Seems like it would be a great mismatch as not many if any teams have 3 tall corners that can all cover a 6’4” +. WR
Brian Batko
2:26
Well Mike McCarthy is on the record saying he tends to prefer bigger targets, and reiterated again today that he likes his receivers to have inside-outside flexibility so that he can change the complexion of the offense to help the QB rather than having more specialized pass-catchers. Generally speaking, though, that's great to have the twin towers going up for contested catches, but who's gonna get open quickly when it's 3rd-and-4 and help you move the chains?
Scott
2:27
It is no secret to all but his staunchest apologists that MT was not the best talent evaluator. That said, how did Dylan Cook go from a 4th string practice squad player to the best LT on the roster? It seems like a pretty big miss. Shouldn't he have been the primary backup to Jones and also been pushing him to become the starter?
Brian Batko
2:28
You can also look at it as a great find/development job by the Steelers, scooping up a converted juco quarterback who went undrafted and was cast off by the Bucs. Dylan Cook was behind Calvin Anderson, who has plenty of NFL experience as both a starter and backup. The one game the Steelers probably whiffed on was starting Andrus Peat instead of Cook vs. the Bills, but not sure how much that switch would've helped them in that blowout anyway.
KordellTolls
2:29
Bats, how does the neck injury to Broderick Jones affect the Steelers draft plans? And why does every mock draft reporter or draft expert have to explain that every single tackle drafted on Thursday will "probably be moved inside to guard"? Enough already.
Brian Batko
2:29
We've gone too long without anyone suggesting Darnell Washington move to tackle. Let's just throw that into the mix, shall we?
Josh
2:30
While I am indifferent to whether Rodgers comes back, what can he possibly not know now, 3 months after the season ended, that he will know in the next few weeks where he can’t give a definite answer before the draft? I know he is always on his on timeline, but it just seems like there has to be some level of respect to the organization he played for last year so they can draft accordingly (and probably benefit him with draft choices). At what point do the Steelers say this is too much of a headache so let’s focus our attention elsewhere (albeit not a lot of great options left now)?
Brian Batko
2:31
I'm with ya, Josh. How many more AFC North teams need to trade for a dancing bear defensive tackle or menacing edge rusher to convince Aaron Rodgers to hang up the cleats? To be clear, I don't think he's going to do that. But yeah, this entire league has a couple thousand or so players operating in one preconceived fashion and one who marches to the beat of his own drum (or drummer).
Mass Fan
2:32
Glad to have you guys renewed!
Any insights on the coaching staff/philosophies and how they fit with our players?
Brian Batko
2:33
Hey thanks. Ray and I discussed Brian Angelichio and Patrick Graham last week after they met with us for the first time, check it out if you missed it:
Barry in MD
2:34
Is an AR decision relevant to draft. Either way take a QB third or fourth and still able to choose another next year if need be and likely will
Brian Batko
2:34
Yeah, I agree. I don't view the Rodgers stuff as impacting the Steelers in the draft one way or the other, Barry, even if it is hijacking the offseason discourse to some degree.
DSFEDOR
2:34
Appreciate the coverage, congrats on the new PG deal. What are your thoughts on Domonique Orange as a day two pick? Looking for him and Yahya Black to form a DL wrecking crew called "Orange and Black Attack." or am I still in Wrestlemania mode from the weekend?
Brian Batko
2:35
Thank you kindly. Or he's an eventual successor to Yahya Black. At which point, Orange is the new Black.
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