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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.24.23
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Brian Batko
2:02
Last chat before the draft (though we will be chatting ON draft night). Come one, come all, let's discuss.
Ed in Carrick
2:03
Was Peter King serious when he said the team would draft a WR?
Brian Batko
2:05
For those not who missed it, longtime NFL scribe Peter King released his mock this morning and did indeed have Jaxon Smith-Njigba to the Steelers at 17. I don't think that'll happen but one word of caution: Don't laugh off Peter King. He had Kenny Pickett to the Steelers last year, Najee Harris the year before and Devin Bush going 10th overall in 2019 (but to Denver). So, he either has decent intel on the Steelers or has gotten pretty lucky recently.
Backwards Johnson
2:05
Hey Brian...which 'double up' do you feel is most likely in the draft? CB/CB/S (either 2 CBs or a CB and a S), NT/5 tech, OT/C, or ILB/OLB?
Brian Batko
2:07
I'd rank them as such:

- OT/C (because you're not gonna find a prospect realistically capable of doing both),
- DB/DB (a big, physical outside corner and a coverage-oriented slot type are very different players)
- ILB/OLB
Jana
2:09
Have there been anymore reports of Pickett working out with his offensive players??
Brian Batko
2:10
Not that I know of. They'll be working together in a formal capacity soon enough at OTAs (May 23).
Drafty
2:10
Do you believe the Steelers value a left tackle in the draft much more than a right tackle? Thank you
Brian Batko
2:12
Yes, I do. Chuks Okorafor isn't exactly cheap, especially compared to Dan Moore, but I also think they're more comfortable with him. And I don't envision Okorafor flipping sides. Not only that, but most of the top LT prospects in any draft could switch to RT without much trouble, though the opposite isn't always true.
STEEL72
2:13
To the Batkobile! Thanks for your time and patience after all this draft speculation. It's an exciting time for Steelers fans who have had to come to terms with the process (and years) of getting back up the mountain. Are you really in favor of a trade up given what went down with Bush? My feeling is to stay put or acquire more capital in a trade down. What is your gut feeling?
Brian Batko
2:15
Not necessarily. My mock draft today (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/04/24/nfl-mock-draft...) was what I think the Steelers will do, not what I personally would do (because that really doesn't matter, especially at this point).

If you're a smart organization, you can't let past mistakes affect your process going forward. Trading down from 17 doesn't strike me as particularly likely because I think this first round is fairly top heavy and we won't see as many deals in the back half.
Bernard
2:17
I really loved your draft.  Protecting Pickett should be job #1.  In your estimation, how much better of a fit would Paris Johnson be if he were there for them?  Any chance they'd trade up for him.  The guy is a beast when it comes to pass protect, but he does need to improve in the run game.
Brian Batko
2:18
Paris Johnson and Broderick Jones are on level ground for me. I just think the Steelers are going to do everything they can to go get one of them, and it'll cost less to get Jones.
Jason
2:20
Hi Brian!
Would you say this is one of the most important drafts the Steelers have had in a while? Seems like if they wiff on this draft class it could set them back for years. I say this because of the positions of need on the OL and the DL.
Brian Batko
2:20
Not really. I think we say that every year. But it made a lot more sense to play up that narrative last offseason when they were trying to replace one of the greatest players in franchise history at the most significant position in sport.
epiballo
2:21
I was surprised by the article on the Steelers being the 'dealmakers' with the 32nd pick. Until then, I seriously doubted that they would move up or down, given the Bush move that crashed. Do you think it more likely that they will move up or down?
Brian Batko
2:23
Overall I think it's more likely they move up. Their glut of offseason moves makes me think they'd prefer quality over quantity in this draft class and might sacrifice a pick or two accordingly. But I will admit that after listening to Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan today they sound as if they want to send No. 32 to the highest bidder.
Bedford
2:25
Getting the sense Steelers are going to either dangle that 32 pick for a way to move up in R1, or aquire more picks in the later rounds.  I thought they keep this one for themselves (and hoping they still do), but looking more-and-more like they are going to use that as trade fodder.  What price do you think the 32 pick would bring them if they traded out of it?
Brian Batko
2:27
I'd probably look to get a lower second-round pick, plus a third and an early Day 3 pick. Maybe something in next year's draft, too. That's a valuable spot to be in when you have extra time to process how the first round played out and take 18 hours or so to negotiate.
Cian
2:28
May be too much math for a chat, but what percentage of the team stays the same year to year?
Brian Batko
2:29
That's too much math for a chat.
Jay
2:29
Hello Brian.  Say in the first round steelers take Van Ness or Bresee at 17, and by 32 all top OTs and CBs are gone but the other Van Ness/Bresee combo is there.  Do you think they would double down on DL?  Or reach for the next OT/CB?
Brian Batko
2:30
That'd be too much resources to spend on the DL. There's really no scenario, at least to me, in which "all the top CBs are gone." It's just a draft with so many different styles and body types at that position, and the Steelers really could use an upgrade on the perimeter or in the slot.
Your Picks
2:31
Brian, I absolutely LOVED your draft. The last two picks were eh, but if they could get away with only giving up their #3 while adding 2 #5s and getting Jones, it would be the highlight of the draft! My guess is that they might have to give up their 2nd #2 in that scenario, but may be higher picks than the # 5s. I also loved getting Turner and White in the 2nd round. Great job!
Brian Batko
2:33
Yeah, I felt a little dirty doing a deal on a mock draft simulator that might be a tad too pie-in-the-sky, but that's OK. None of this is real, none of it matters, none of us know what the H is gonna happen. And guess what? I'm liable to change my mind four or five more times before Thursday. But that's the mock draft with my name on it, so I gotta stand on that, for better or worse.
Infantryman
2:34
What do you think of picking up Rueben Foster from the Maulers? He's stood out on a bad team and plugs holes. He'd be a low risk high reward pickup.
Brian Batko
2:36
Must admit I haven't watched a single second of Reuben Foster's Maulers tenure. But I award you many points for creativity. All I really know is Foster was a first-round pick once upon a time with a ton of red flags in his history. The talent is there.
mtfury
2:37
Brian, Happy Draft Week.  I would really like to see the Steelers finish off the Oline upgrade in this draft.  For that to happen I would like to see a small move up in the 1st to get Broderick Jones and then trade the 32nd to recoup some of that draft capital and select a center with one of the second round picks either John Michael Schmitz or Joe Tippman and then with the other 2nd a CB.  Do you think my proposal would work?
Brian Batko
2:38
As someone who predicted the Steelers to make a small move up (jump ahead of the Jets, specifically) to take Broderick Jones, I like your proposal very much. And perhaps trading the 32nd is the logical successor to that move, but that would've been a bridge too far for my small brain and humble mock.
Ryan
2:39
Wouldn’t you be better off going OT in round one as opposed to DB?  Considering the cost of a left tackle in free agency (good ones), and a relatively deep DB class this year?
Brian Batko
2:40
That's my thinking, yes. Unless I'm getting Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon or Joey Porter Jr., I wouldn't be real confident in picking the best of the rest in this cornerback class. But if I find a way to grab Johnson or Jones, I'll be able to sleep well at night knowing those two were the clear-cut top two tackle prospects
The Eman
2:41
Who will be the first draft pick about which it isn’t said “we were shocked he was still available “? (After first pick!)
Brian Batko
2:43
Not entirely sure what you're asking. If you're remarking on the likelihood that Khan-lin will say that about their first-rounder no matter what, I'd agree with you. If you're looking for a surprise pick, I think Felix Anudike-Uzomah edge guy from Kansas State could go a lot higher than people think.
Tommy
2:45
Brian, Your perspective on if the 'extra' year for 1st round picks has the Steelers seriously considering a 'willing partner' to move up a spot or two... Just the 'year' and not based on any specific player or position based?
Brian Batko
2:46
I never really bought too much into the value of the fifth-year option.
Vegas Steeler
2:47
Are you getting prepared to answer all of the repeat "what are your thoughts or grade on the draft" as opposed to answering all the same "who should we draft" questions? At least it will be a change of scenery!
Brian Batko
2:47
Oh boy, don't remind me. To be honest, the "who should we draft" is a lot less annoying than "grade the draft."
Andrew
2:48
To me mason cole seems like a good center. What are his deficiencies that so many believe That he is not seen as a long term answer at center.
Brian Batko
2:50
I agree with you, but I suppose he doesn't make many "wow" plays in the middle. More of a guy who holds his own rather than mauls people on the other side of the line of scrimmage. From being in the locker room I get the sense he has a good rapport with Kenny Pickett. Wouldn't be opposed to bringing in a developmental center who could sit and get stronger for a season, then challenge for the starting job, but for right now I'm in no hurry to replace Cole.
Chuks
2:51
BB, was I really the best OL guy last year? I’d have it to give it to the RG, then Mason, then maybe yours truly coming in third for the show. Your thoughts? Gracias
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