JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.27.20

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Brian Batko

12:44

Wish I knew. If you believe the report tweet about the Steelers and Jameis Winston, maybe here! But in all seriousness, if I were a betting man, why not Denver? Seems like they're gonna give Drew Lock a go, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with him as my starter.

The Ham

12:45

BB, I think Claypol would be a much more valuable WR to the Steelers if he could turn that 4.45 speed into being a legit deep threat. Current crop of WRs aren't really burners. Is Claypol a legit deep threat or more of the same type of WR as Juju, Dionte and James Washington.

Brian Batko

12:46

Time will tell, but I think he will be a deep threat. And hey, maybe he doesn't play as fast as his 4.42 40 would indicate, but guess what? That's why you coach him up. Get him playing faster. As Colbert said Friday night, they know he ran that time. That number doesn't lie.

Tbear

12:47

Disappointed in top draft choice. Mims was still available & I thought he was a WR with separation ability. Also did not take a RB who could be a #1 back. What am I missing?

Brian Batko

12:49

I'll stipulate that I did like Mims a little better, didn't expect him to be there at 49, so I do wonder why he fell so far? From watching both him and Claypool, plus reading scouting reports on them, they're similar prospects, from their height to their separation skills, or lack thereof. As for RB, I think Conner is still a #1 back. I know you can't count on his health, but hey, it's not like he tore his ACL or something. Get what you can out of him in 2020 and draft your next #1 back in 2021 when there's another good class coming out.

By the way, I know you're all wondering, so that's my 2021 mock draft prediction for the Steelers: Clemson RB Travis Etienne.

James

12:50

Hey Brian, now that the draft is over, it appears the Steelers feel Conner will be healthy as they didn’t take Dobbins or Akers. I would trade a 2021 fifth round pick for Fournette in case Conner gets injured again. What say you?

Brian Batko

12:51

Ehh not sure I'm doing that deal now. McFarland can be a home run threat just as well. And I'm not ready to give up on Snell or even Samuels in his pass-catching role. It seems pretty clear by now that the Steelers weren't interested in dealing for Fournette.

Michael

12:52

Hello Brian: with the draft over, what’s the chance we take a shot at Shady McCoy? I would like to see that signing for the right price.

Brian Batko

12:52

Hello Michael. Same answer, if the Steelers wanted to go the veteran RB route, they wouldn't have used a fourth-rounder on McFarland. At least that's how I view it.

RJT

12:53

Everyone is jumping down the Steelers throat for not getting Lenoard Fournette. Supposedly the Bucs tried to trade him on Saturday but didn’t have any takers. If no team will trade a low pick for a good running back, there has to be more to it. Maybe locker room issues?

Brian Batko

12:55

He wasn't a model citizen in Jacksonville, no. Has tweeted a few questionable things, as well. Not saying that's all reason to not want him or any other guy on your team, just pointing out that there would've been some potentially unwanted headlines with him.

ASIANGOLFERMAN

12:56

How can the ravens get 6 picks in rounds 1-3 for a total of 10 picks! They are lapping the Steelers! You need to stay young and cheap in this league! We have to stop making stupid picks like the 5th round for Vannett last year- one and done year with no production!

Brian Batko

12:56

I don't disagree, ASIANGOLFERMAN. The Vannett trade was curious at the time and has not aged well.

JaySki

12:56

Does the new RB we drafted have any relation to Booger?

Brian Batko

12:57

No. I actually asked him about that at the combine in Indy. He said he gets mistaken for being his son all the time. Kinda makes me wonder why you'd go by Anthony McFarland Jr., but hey, that's cool.

Marnie

12:58

Of the draft picks, the one i don't get is RB McFarland with the first pick in the 4th. seems like Dri Archer 2.0 including the maturity concerns. Considering under Tomlin, he famously likes to use a RB "until the wheels fall off", are the Steelers philosophy changing to a RB by committee?

Brian Batko

12:59

They already began introducing a committee a bit more last year. I think that'll continue even more, though you could see McFarland used in some more interesting ways, especially with his old college OC Matt Canada on the Steelers' offensive coaching staff now.

BatonRouge Steeler

12:59

With Ben back at the helm, wouldn't you think Chase Claypool will assume the 4th WR spot in those 4 and 5 WR sets??

Brian Batko

1:00

Hey, he might challenge James Washington for an outside role sooner than later.

OK comrades, that's time. As always, we had an abundance of questions left over. My apologies, but you might see some of them pop up in my weekly mailbag Thursday, especially if you used a real name. Have a great week.

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