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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.25.22
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Brian Batko
2:35
I kinda like it. Low risk, possible high reward if he can get/stay healthy.
kevin in Punxsy
2:36
After watching the Colber/Tomlin presser, I am nearly certain that they won't be taking a QB in the 1st round. Whew!!
Brian Batko
2:37
Wait, really? I do not share that inference. And regardless of what they say, what they do often carries much more weight. And they were front and center for every significant QB pro day workout, then had each guy into the building to meet with them.
Guest
2:37
Bet you can’t wait to stop answering draft questions. Anyway, people mocking late round QB or RB are wasting the picks. Isn’t it better to draft a developmental OT or ILB?
Brian Batko
2:38
Part of me can't wait, the other part of me enjoys the anticipation. I don't think it's necessarily a waste to do that, but sure, a high-upside OT could be useful, too.
Jim
2:39
That WR from USC has great hands, unlike Claypool. Any chance they draft him and trade Claypool or is the lack of depth too much of a concern?
Brian Batko
2:40
The major decision-makers did not attend Drake London's individual workout last week at USC. So if there's interest in him, they're keeping it very quiet. And if they did take him, he can play in the slot, too.
Kris
2:41
Good Day Sir!
Thank you for your time
Since DJ and DB both could be FA’s after the season does that put more pressure on the Steelers to either pick up the 5th year option for Bush or to get a new deal done with Johnson, since they only have 1 Franchise Tag?
Brian Batko
2:42
No, that's not a factor with the fifth-year option decision. We're talking about one guy who has exceeded his draft spot and one who has vastly underperformed his. If anything, maybe it's money that you're earmarking for Minkah Fitzpatrick that gives you pause about also paying Diontae.
MG
2:43
Even if they don't go for a QB early, it seems there will still be a need to grab one in the middle rounds because they'll have just as big a need going forward for a long-term backup, right? Assuming Trubisky is the starter and holds on to the job, you have to assume Rudolph is gone after this season. So who do you think they might target in, say, round 4 or 5?
Brian Batko
2:44
Agreed, which is why I went way deep into the weeds on this QB class in this story today, which I'm calling a quarterback cheat sheet for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Some intriguing names to your question here https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/04/25/steelers-qb-ch...
Steel MD
2:45
Brian, how does the position a player was taken in the first round affect the players salary as a rookie?
Brian Batko
2:46
Each pick is slotted, and the gap between No. 1 and No. 32 is about $4.5 million
Uncle Larry
2:46
I like Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson so could you pass that on to Coach Tomlin please?
Brian Batko
2:47
I'll text him, but Jefferson went back to school, so you and Mike will have to wait a year
Leon
2:47
Great chat as always, Bats! I'm on team Pickett, this guy looked awesome last year, with Tuitt back they can punt on D-Tackle for another year, agree?
Brian Batko
2:48
Thanks, Leon. Mike Tomlin offered no update today on Stephon Tuitt, so I'm not convinced he's coming back. Regardless, they need to start getting younger on a defensive line that was at least partly at fault for being the worst run defense last year.
Q
2:49
Davis and Willis both still there at 20.  Who is your pick?
Brian Batko
2:49
Jordan Davis
Guest
2:49
Brian, I am wishing for Jordan Davis but if Kenyon Green is there at 20  I will be good with that pick. Then go DL in round 2. Never turn down a future All Pro. Your thoughts
Brian Batko
2:49
If you can show me proof that Kenyon Green will be an All-Pro, then sure, I'll write his name on the card myself.
Retire21
2:50
Saw one mock where the Steelers would trade their first for two second rounders to the Eagles, which have 3 in that round. Would you do that?
Brian Batko
2:52
The Eagles only have one second-rounder, but in general, it would depend on where those second-round picks are.
ev
2:52
Brian, From your column, you believe, in a best case sense, that both Willis and Davis will be available at 20.  Would they trade down, if Willis, Picket, Davis, and the other GA DT are gone?
Brian Batko
2:53
Nope, I think they would still stay there and make the pick. Kevin Colbert said today that the last time they traded down in the first round, to take Casey Hampton, it was because they had three players ranked at the top of their board and they all were close together. So they moved down three spots, knowing they'd still get one of those guys.
Guest
2:55
do you think ben could come back for one more season so the steelers could pick a wide receiver ?
Brian Batko
2:55
No
Gene
2:55
Besides AR KC and Mike T is there any one in the Steeler draft room who gives input,
Brian Batko
2:56
I usually hide out in the corner and tell them what to do
Gus from PGH in AK via BK
2:57
Hey Brian, thanks for your diligent reporting and humble commentary.  When approaching their draft strategy for certain players or positions, how much do the Steelers consider the alternatives of their closest competitors picking a player they will subsequently have to face at least twice a year, such as the case might be this year with Baltimore projected to pick Jordan Davis, who could become a perennial Najee Harris neutralizer?
Brian Batko
2:59
Appreciate those kind words, Gus. Colbert today said what he has said in past years, too, that they long ago gave up trying to "mock draft" what other teams will do in front of them. They simply go through an exercise in which they have every pick, so that they can work their way down to where their slot is, in this case No. 20. Not to doubt their approach, but maybe that's how you end up drafting Terrell Edmunds in the first round.
Chuck from Michigan
2:59
Hi Brian, love your chats.  Steelers need to "do whatever it takes" to get Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia, in Round 1.  Transformational talent for the Steelers defense.  I like Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati, and Haskel Garrett, DL, Ohio State, with picks in Rounds 2 and 3.  Appreciate your thoughts!  Thank you.
Brian Batko
3:00
Ridder lasted until the second round in my mock draft podcast with Ray Fittipaldo, but I think that's unlikely in real life. And if they draft a DT in the first, they aren't taking another one.
3:01
OK everyone, thanks for all the questions today. If I didn't have time to take yours, my apologies, but Ray will be here tomorrow and Gerry Dulac on Wednesday so you'll have more chances then. Give them some tough ones.
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