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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.26.21
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Brian Batko
1:56
Hey everyone, last chat (with me, anyway) before the draft. That should mean a whole lot of questions and projections and scenarios and whatnot. Should be fun.
Scott
1:57
What is more difficult,  teaching a pass catching TE to block or vice versa?
Brian Batko
1:58
Probably the opposite, considering pass-catching generally takes more athleticism-based traits whereas blocking is a lot of want-to. Now, that's a broad evaluation for sure, but that's how I see it anyway. Can't teach height/weight/speed qualities, but you have a decent shot of taking a guy who wasn't asked to do much inline blocking in college and refining his technique.
Guest
1:59
I think Jim Brown would have had a tough time running between the tackles last year. Does Benny get a chance to be the guy with a new O Line and scheme, or has his ship sailed strictly into 3rd down/short yardage land?
Brian Batko
2:00
You know, I've been banging the drum for the Steelers to go RB in Round 1, but I'm not TOTALLY out on Benny Snell. Maybe I just can't quit him. But I think he can still have some sort of role. And hey, maybe we're all way off and the Steelers DO see him as being "the guy." Unlikely, yes, but if they prioritize, say, C-OT-CB in the first three rounds, then all of a sudden you're probably bringing in a back who isn't a slam-dunk upgrade over ol' Benny Snell Football.
NickB
2:01
Hi Brian, it seems crazy to me that everyone picks Steelers first round to RB especially with all of their OL and LB needs. Not to mention possible CB need. Do you feel that RB 1st round is going to happen?
Brian Batko
2:03
Yes, I do. If I had to put my money down somewhere, I'd go RB for the Steelers, rose-colored glasses take on Benny Snell notwithstanding. Their OL needs are OT and C, where they have Chuks Okorafor, Zach Banner and BJ Finney/JC Hassenauer -- all players with starting experience in the NFL, in Pittsburgh. And what are their LB needs? Depth, more than anything.
MiamiSteelHartner
2:04
How are NFL players taxed? Are there any advantages to being drafted by a team in a state with no state-income tax like Florida or Texas? How can New York and California teams compete in FA?
Brian Batko
2:05
It's referred to as a jock tax. Those states do benefit sometimes, broadly, from that aspect. But, believe it or not, a lot of players do still want to play in New York City, or LA, or for a recent Super Bowl contender like the 49ers.
Yuri
2:05
Hello Brian.  Do you think Jaylen Mayfield is regarded by the Steelers as a first round pick at #24?  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:07
No idea. It seems as if he's lost momentum in the pre-draft process, at least with the analysts. They've certainly liked Michigan players in recent years. He's a younger prospect, not even 21 yet, and the Steelers have often taken high-upside types in Round 1. Read more about it here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/04/26/steelers-nfl-d...
Utah Jim
2:08
If both Harris and Etienne are gone by pick 24 it’s highly likely one out of Darrisaw, Collins, or Farley are available. Do you take one of them  and hope Williams lasts until 55 or do you take him?
Brian Batko
2:10
I'd probably trade down, but Christian Darrisaw would be mighty tempting from a sheer BPA standpoint. Also I'd consider centers Creed Humphrey and Landon Dickerson, both of whom almost certainly will be there at 24 no matter what. Just a matter of whether the Steelers think their talents/evaluations align with their need at the position.
Guest
2:11
Would you consider drafting Kaleb Farley over a either Harris or Etienne if he falls to us? (Provided the Steelers aren’t overly concerned about his back issues). We haven’t been able to draft a corner with his talent since Rod Woodson.
Dr G
2:11
I forgot to include my name. The Kaleb Farley question was from me.
Brian Batko
2:12
Well we can't have you not getting credit for misspelling Caleb Farley, now can we Dr G? Anyway, I would NOT take Farley over those two backs. Not only because of the need at RB but also because I think they're overall better players with fewer question marks than Farley. To me, this first-round pick for the Steelers is almost entirely about minimizing risk rather than swinging for the fences.
pdxJaxon
2:13
Morning Bats and welcome to Draft Week.  Does the legal issues with Justin Layne shoot CB up to the top of the needs list, or "no biggy" just a blip on the radar?
Brian Batko
2:14
Afternoon here, my man. I wish it were still morning. This day is getting away from me. Anyhoo, that was a bad look all around for Justin Layne, but doesn't do much for me in terms of draft impact. I already had cornerback as the third or fourth biggest need for this team, and "trying to get to the crib" doesn't change that. The Steelers need some running backs who can get to the crib at that speed.
David Cos
2:14
Based on all those factors and trends from recent years you excellently laid out in your article today, who are you betting on at #24?
Brian Batko
2:16
Thanks, David. I'm betting on Travis Etienne, for two reasons:

1) Najee Harris might be gone, especially to the Dolphins, who have his buddy and former roommate Tua at QB.

2) Even if they're both there, I think Etienne is slightly (SLIGHTLY) the better prospect and fit for the Steelers.
Bill Peduto's beard
2:17
Hello, Brian. So, does big Al become a Raven ?
Brian Batko
2:18
Hello, Bill Peduto's beard. I'm still skeptical. Not that I have any reason to doubt the fine reporters in Baltimore, but uh, Al Villanueva as a right tackle? That's a leap of faith. If anything, I think the Ravens would be bringing him in as LT insurance for Ronnie Stanley coming off a torn ACL. Also saw a report that the Ravens are meeting with former Titans RT Dennis Kelly, who would make a lot more sense to me than an older guy who hasn't played that spot in AV.
Nate from Fort Wayne
2:19
What other LB's have had the most success after leaving the Steelers? Kevin Green won Defensive player of the year a year after he left but he wasn't with the Steelers that long, Mike Vrabel when he went to the Patriots had good success but I can't think of too many and don't think Bud Dupree will be as good as he was with the Steelers.
Brian Batko
2:21
Forget LBs. There haven't been many players at all who have been wildly successful after leaving Pittsburgh, especially if they weren't good while they were here. The Steelers are the anti-Pirates that way. But Joey Porter was pretty good with the Dolphins for a bit.
Javi
2:22
Hello Bats. Could this be the biggest draft in the Tomlin/ Colbert era? Seems that way or am I overeacting a bit?
Brian Batko
2:23
What's up Javi? I'd say yeah, you probably are. But then again, the stakes do ratchet up a little every year they get closer to the end of the Ben Roethlisberger Era, simply because of what that's going to mean for the construction of the roster. Still, I can't say a year in which they're picking 24th is a HUGE draft. I'm sure they've had more significant ones, in the years before I covered the team.
Carl in Carrick
2:23
Hi Brian, what’s your opinion of Elijah Moore, the receiver from Ole Miss?  I heard a draftnik say the Steelers may be interested in drafting him in the later rounds.
Brian Batko
2:25
He's not going to last until the later rounds, I don't think. More likely to be Round 1 than last to Round 4, from what I've seen. He'll probably end up in the second, but he's got speed, production and no injury issues.
jay
2:25
Hello Batsy.  Really enjoy the podcast with Ray.  Would like to see more of them and more often.  Thanks
Brian Batko
2:26
Thanks, Jay. I will pass that along to the bosses. Now, to your question...
jay
2:26
Hola Batsy.  I think Tomlin is a good CEO type of coach, but is terrible at hiring coordinators.   I think he should hire coordinators he could fully trust with game plans.  Last few playoff losts were brutally outcoached.  I think one SB with Ben in his prime is underperforming.
Brian Batko
2:26
Wait, that wasn't a question at all! More of a comment. But that's OK. We don't discriminate. This is a safe space to talk Steelers. He just hired a new coordinator, on the side of the ball he's not as involved in, so the Matt Canada experiment will indeed be significant.
JerseySteel
2:27
Hi Brian - did Colbert and Tomlin's comments make you feel even more that they would be willing to wait to rounds 2/3 for OC and OT barring a dynamic talent fall to 24 and does this make RB more likely at 24?
Brian Batko
2:29
Eh, their comments didn't provide much insight for me - nor did I expect them to. Kevin Colbert went out on a limb and said this isn't a very deep draft class at DL, a position the Steelers almost certainly have pretty much zero interest in addressing. Him mentioning that the class is unusually good at center is intriguing, but hey, that can go two ways. Either they'll draft one at 24 and be happy with who they got, or they'll wait because there's a plethora of NFL-caliber men. If you haven't noticed by now, all draft coverage is a bunch of circular logic and point-counterpoint debates.
Erk the jerk
2:30
So the stinkies take landon dickerson with all his medical issues. Possible??
Brian Batko
2:32
Unlikely, but possible. Steelers have been pretty diligent in adding durable guys the past few years, be it in the draft or free agency. Then again, TJ Watt had major medical questions and I'd say that's been a solid pick by them. The nice thing about having Finney/Hassenauer is that even if Dickerson isn't ready by Week 1, you at least have some experience there to bridge the gap. He'd better be a huge upgrade over those two though if you're going to wait around for him.
Ryan D
2:32
Do you see Justin Layne on the roster to start the season? Or do you think Steelers are drafting his replacement in the draft and then will cut ties with him?
Brian Batko
2:34
Yeah, I do. He's still a third-round pick, one who was always a bit of a project, even when he was drafted. And let's be honest, while last week's legal troubles aren't ideal, he didn't physically harm anyone. It wasn't even a DUI.
If I Were A Carpenter...
2:34
You've been banging the drum for the 'Fumbler' from Clemson over the sure handed, clearly superior RB from Bama...
Brian Batko
2:36
I think I've said this before, but if not, here it is: Etienne and Harris are both awesome backs. If I get the chance to choose between the two, I'm like 51-49 Etienne to Harris. Neither one is clearly superior, it's just that I'll take the dude with the 4.44 speed who's never been hurt and wasn't overused.
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