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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.25.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
OK, draft week is here, now tell me, chatters, are there any good players this year? Who are they? Let's discuss.
G Money
2:01
Brian, The Steelers Run defense was last in the NFL last year (by a wide margin).  How are we talking about 3rd rate QB's like Willis and Ridder when they have huge holes on DL and WR?  If you are last in the NFL against the run WITH Heyward and Def POY, you are in trouble.....
Brian Batko
2:01
Because they might not be third-rate QBs. That's your view of it. But I'm with you, I would go Jordan Davis over any of the QBs in this draft. No guarantee he'll be there, though.
Alan in Alabama
2:02
You deserve a break, so how about a non-draft question? In your chosen field, are y'all "encouraged" by superiors  to claim neutrality when covering local sports teams? I get professionalism, but when your co-workers claim to not even be a fan, even when they grew up around Pittsburgh and were rabid sports fans, it really comes off as insincere at the least. Why not just say nothing at all? Or even, "my job requires me to try to stay unbiased" when the subject comes up? Also, if you have a choice between a corner and a d-tackle...Just kidding. Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:04
D-tackle, of course. But to your big-picture sports media question, I would say various outlets approach that differently. The P-G is a newspaper, one founded on the bedrock ethics of journalism, so it doesn't even really need to be encouraged. It's understood. Speaking for myself, it is not insincere when I say I strive to be unbiased in my writing, opinions, analysis, etc.
Joe
2:05
Any news on why Edmunds was only a one year deal?  Was that his choice or the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:05
Seems like it was both. Kevin Colbert today said the Steelers were very open and honest with him through that whole process, and so was he from his side. Obviously, he took a look at the market, and it was more in their favor than his, but a one-year deal leaves open the possibility of having a great season and hitting it big again next year. He's only 25.
ShaneInColrain
2:06
What's your take on all these players asking for trades? Will Tyrek Hill really have better stats without Mahomes? Any WR in their right mind would stick with Mahomes their entire career.
Brian Batko
2:07
Don't really have one. Like any industry, if your performance is such that you have leverage and can dictate your next move, you'll probably get your way. I wouldn't bet on myself the way Tyreek Hill did going from Patrick Mahomes to Miami, but we'll see how he does.
Guest
2:09
Are there any players that likely won't get drafted that the Steelers would be interested in?
Brian Batko
2:09
Yes, they'll bring in undrafted free agents, as they do every year.
TV
2:10
What's your gut feeling...do the Steelers take a QB in the first round of the draft?  I'm thinking they go defense.
Brian Batko
2:10
My gut feeling is yes, they'll take a QB.
Dave
2:11
Brian, No question today.  Just thank you for all the Steeler info you have provided leading up to the draft.  It’s appreciated.
Brian Batko
2:12
Thanks. On here and on Twitter, I like to crack jokes and make fun of how annoying draft coverage/speculation has been, but I do love this event. I enjoy writing and talking and answering questions about it.
Virgil
2:12
Great article on first round OTs! Colbert says Steelers have a starter in every position. I'd say the better teams have above average starters in most positions. Which of the projected offensive linemen would you say are above average?
Brian Batko
2:13
Thanks, Virgil. Colbert said today that just because he made that comment, that doesn't mean they're good enough. But it allows them to have a more free-flowing draft board without feeling they need to reach for one position over another.
artie bridge
2:14
Brian, I'm intrigued with the Steelers trading down say 4 to 6 slots in the draft.  Three questions:  1) How likely? 2) Good idea?  3) what would such a trade bring?
Brian Batko
2:15
1) 5.9% 2) Depends on the board, but probably not 3) An additional third-round pick or multiple lower picks, based on the vaunted draft trade chart
Jay
2:15
Hello Brian.  Always enjoy podcast with Ray.  How do you feel about WR in round 1?  I kind of enjoy their history with day 2 WR picks and prefer round 1 elsewhere.  But where?  I dont like pure NT in round 1, but where else could they go at 20?
Brian Batko
2:17
Thanks, Jay. I'd be good with it. I think they need one. But I don't see it happening, just based on the Steelers' pre-draft scouting. They didn't go to any of the big WRs' pro days, with the exception of Alabama star Jameson Williams, who didn't work out anyway because he's coming off an ACL tear. If they don't go DT, QB is the obvious one.
SW
2:18
Hi Bats!  Have you heard anything on the work our top two WR's are putting in this offseason?
Brian Batko
2:18
Chase Claypool was in town last week for Phase 1 of voluntary offseason work, Diontae Johnson was not. But Johnson wasn't sitting around watching "Winning Time." He posted clips of him working out as well.
Utah Jim
2:19
One reason I saw for not drafting Davis is that teams will just throw every time he’s on the field since he doesn’t provide much pass rush. Isn’t it an advantage to the defense if an offense is one dimensional? How many sacks would Watt get if the opponent attempts 60 passes instead running for 200 yards?
Brian Batko
2:20
I'm not sold on the idea that he can't rush the passer. Wasn't asked to do that at Georgia, but analysts who are a lot smarter than me think his combine-tested athleticism and film indicate that he doesn't have to leave the field on passing downs and won't kill you if the QB is dropping back.
GM
2:20
Hi BB, Can you foresee a situation in which Haden comes back on a vet min deal to coach up the young guys?
Brian Batko
2:22
Sure, it's possible, but I don't see it. Maybe I'm reading too much into his farewell tweet to Steeler Nation a couple months ago. If I'm Joe Haden, I have enough money and I have good numbers. I want to go to a team with a good chance of winning it all.
Brian in CA
2:23
Seems like secondary will be worse (Wallace isn't as good as Haden), but LB will be better (Jack), with DL about the same (maybe better if Tuitt returns or help in draft).  Overall about a wash on D, unless Tuitt returns or they improve somewhere through draft?
Brian Batko
2:24
Not sure Levi Wallace won't be as good as Joe Haden. I like what I've seen and read of him with what he did in Buffalo. You might be discounting a couple intangibles with the defense. Another season of Ahkello Witherspoon in this system could help him improve. Devin Bush could bounce back. Alex Highsmith could take a leap. And Teryl Austin/Brian Flores could do wonders in new roles.
Treesmann
2:25
I’m not big into the Steelers drafting a QB on day 1 or 2 but if they do, and they don’t waste draft capital by trading up, then at the very least we have our back up QB for the next 4-5 years and perhaps we get lucky and find our franchise guy.  Myself I say let Mitch see if he can rediscover what made him the second overall pick and just draft one of the stud DT or Dotson at 20.  
Brian Batko
2:26
Given that you wrote this whole message in italics, you're really stressing your opinion. But I don't hate your strategy. There are other receivers I'd prefer to Jahan Dotson, though.
Atlanta Dan
2:27
Bill Barnwell of ESPN predicts the Steelers will accept what it costs to sign a receiver to a second contract these days and keep Dioante Johnson on a 4 year/$98 million contract - do you agree given the Steelers history of few receivers staying past their rookie deal that is not happening and instead the Steelers draft Johnson’s replacement this Thursday or Friday?
Brian Batko
2:28
Barnwell is very good, but no, I do not agree. I think they'll draft a WR in the first three rounds, but the type of receiver could tell us a lot. If it's an undersized, shifty or slot receiver type, that strikes me as more of a complement to 18 and 11. If it's a high-upside outside receiver, that makes me think they're setting themselves up for a future without 18 (maybe without both).
pdxJaxon
2:28
Hey Bats, Looking forward to the coming Draft....I think it's going to be a good one. You and Ray going to be doing the live chat this year again ?
Brian Batko
2:29
Me too. I believe I'll be on here live with Adam Bittner. We'll have a hardcore plan but stay light on our feet, Jax.
Titan in Charlotte
2:30
Good day Brian, who is the one player, that realistically could be available in the draft, you would like to see added to this Steeler Offense?
Brian Batko
2:32
I see Garrett Wilson from Ohio State as the best RB/WR/TE in this draft, and it's unlikely but possible he'll be there at No. 20. But, again, the Steelers didn't go to OSU's pro day, so I wonder how interested they are in a Round 1 wideout.
Guest
2:33
Which do you see more likely, your best or worst case scenario in the draft?  I’m referring to those two articles I read this morning.
Brian Batko
2:34
Thanks for reading, Guest. The way the discourse is shifting from national reporters, I'd guess the ideal scenario is more likely, in which the Steelers basically have their pick of QBs. It doesn't feel like this is going to be a year where QBs get pushed up the draft board.
Ryan
2:34
Thoughts on the Boykin signing?  Low risk and maybe medium reward.
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