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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.26.21
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SteelChuck
2:37
Hi Brian - love your sense of humor.  You gave the slight nod to Etienne over Harris.  Big factor to me is their commitment to be a great football player and not to be a great brand.  How do they compare on how important football is to them in your analysis?
Brian Batko
2:39
Oh, so you're the one. Thanks, Chuck. I don't know that either one of them are worrisome in that regard. Harris is renowned for his football character, and Etienne never made a peep of a distraction during his time at Clemson. Harris seems to be a little more outgoing - he's done quite a few media interviews in the last few weeks - but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Matteo
2:39
Hi Brian, the Steelers didn’t send OL coach Adrian Klemm/Tomlin/Colbert to Oklahoma’s pro day to checkout Creed Humphrey - could this mean they do not have significant interest in him?
Brian Batko
2:41
Could be. I definitely noticed that, but you never know if there were travel logistics that might have kept them from Norman or something like that. Everything else about Humphrey makes him seem like a Steeler to me, though. Again, I get the sense the Steelers will err on the side of high floor over high ceiling in this particular draft, and Humphrey seems like a fairly safe pick given his track record.
Paul
2:42
What do think happens with Layne, keep and rehabilitate or cut?
Brian Batko
2:44
To quote the great Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding from Shawshank Redemption, "Rehabilitated? It's just a bull[crap] word. So you go on and stamp your forms, sonny, and stop wasting my time. Because to tell you the truth, I don't give a [bleep]."
Chuck from Michigan
2:46
Hi Brian, Steelers covet Big Ten players.  Which of these Ohio State players do you like best in the likelihood that they line up with the Steelers draftboard, Wyatt Davis (C), Baron Browning (OLB), Trey Sermon (RB)?
Brian Batko
2:48
I haven't seen Wyatt Davis considered a C anywhere but here in this very chat, two minutes ago. Browning figures to go higher than the Steelers should take an edge-rusher. Which brings us to Sermon, who I think COULD be a guy who lands in Pittsburgh if Harris or Etienne (or Javonte Williams) does not. He might even be the next-best fit for me at RB when it comes to the Steelers, thanks to his size and strong finish to the 2020 season. Some injury concerns and speed questions, but would not be a bad consolation prize, in my opinion.
AZ Needs Chipped Ham
2:49
Do you really think the Steelers will draft a punter? Please noooooo…….get a punter as an UDFA.
Brian Batko
2:51
Maybe! Jordan Berry re-signed already, but it wouldn't cost much to cut him. And clearly he was on thin ice last year. For what it's worth, there are some interesting and unique punters in this class. There could be a particular one that catches Danny Smith's eye for pick No. 256.
Steelers Fan in Houston
2:52
I'm not against the Steelers take a RB in the 1st rounds, especially in the pick is Harris. However, what are your thoughts around drafting a T and C in the first two rounds and then drafting Rhamondre Stevenson out of Oklahoma in Round 3? Big, powerful RB with good patience and catching ability.
Brian Batko
2:54
Stevenson doesn't do much for me. Seems like he'd be a James Conner redux, basically. But in general, I'm not totally opposed to going T-C (probably prefer C-T) and then trying to grab Sermon or Chuba Hubbard or someone who's even more of a sleeper (Kene Nwangu? Elijah Mitchell?)
MDStiller
2:54
So should Najee Harris be grabbed by another team and ETN be gone, is the next level running back available even worthy of a 1st round pick, if not, who is a 2nd round back, you think will be available to the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:55
Javonte Williams is No. 3 for me given just how violent he runs. His tackle-breaking ability is something to behold. Highlight tape looks like a high school kid's reel. I wouldn't be opposed to taking him in the first round, but would prefer to trade back in that case.
2:57
OK everyone, looks like we're out of time. So many great questions that I couldn't even come close to getting to all of them. I try to take some that were submitted early and others that come up as the chat goes along, so that makes it tough. By all means, if you have anything pressing that was not answered, email me bbatko@post-gazette.com or tweet me @BrianBatko and I'll do my best to work it into Thursday's pre-draft mailbag.
2:59
Oops. I forgot to sign off. Catch y'all later...
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