Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.27.26
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Chill Dave
11:05
Hey Bats, do you think this is maybe the first time McCarthy had this much say in a draft?  And might that be why some of these picks seemed a little odd compared to the last few Tomlin/Khan/Weidl drafts?
Brian Batko
11:06
Yeah, he more-or-less alluded to that both pre and post draft if I recall correctly. But I hesitate to draw that link. Ironically, this one felt to me like a late-stage Kevin Colbert draft, where the Steelers veer pretty heavily from "consensus" rankings.
Andrew up late in Australia
11:06
Hey Batts (that's a Goodfellas reference, right?). Is four QBs after the final cuts advisable?They need Mason if Rodgers goes down, and cutting Howard or Allar seems wasteful at this stage.
Brian Batko
11:07
No, I don't see them doing that, Andrew. In my mind it all depends how Will Howard plays in the preseason. If he looks the part, you make him your backup and move on from Mason Rudolph. If he struggles mightily, you might just have to thank him for his contributions.
Now get some sleep, my guy
Mike in Virginia
11:08
Not sure if you watch the coverage of the draft as it's happening or if you're busy interviewing people before the pick, but do you feel some of the let down over the Iheanachor pick is because it followed right after the crowd got all revved up on Renegade and highlights videos and were prepared for something huge?
Brian Batko
11:10
By and large, I'm fairly busy during the draft and don't see a ton of the coverage, but we were watching in the media room at the Steelers complex for that first pick, I can tell you that. Volume up. I don't know if Iheanachor will be great or bust or settle somewhere in between, but if nothing else, it shoots down any speculation that the Steelers were hell-bent on "making a splash" or taking someone more for entertainment purposes than football reasons. Although they almost got to have their cake and eat it too. Lemon pound cake.
11:11
Damn, that was good. Just came to me in the moment. I almost wanna end the chat on that but I'll keep going.
NC
11:11
Feel underwhelmed about the Steelers draft class. Seems like a reach on many of the players taken. Your overall grade?
Brian Batko
11:11
C
TC
11:11
Hi BB - Noah Hines wrote and article this weekend stating the Steelers were “out of touch,” which was evdicened by selecting Allar in the third round.  The value of that pick (like every single pick in the draft) is yet to be determined.  However, Hiles so
Brian Batko
11:12
Yeah that was a spicy one from my man the Noah Constrictor! Not sure if you accidentally hit send too soon or if that was a subtle dig at Hiles, but nevertheless
62 Stack Monster
11:12
Good Morning Brian, 2 questions about Max I (I-Max? new nickname..)  1.  What does his selection say about the confidence in Broderick Jones playing and possibly staying beyond this year?  2.  If Fautanu can play LT, why wasn't he there all along?  Thank you...
Brian Batko
11:15
Lots of potentially good nicknames for Iheanachor. Big Max. Mad Max. I-Max. Max Protect. Anyway, it obviously doesn't speak well of Broderick's chances in the short term and especially the long term. As for Fautanu, Broderick is on the record as being more comfortable at LT than RT, so I don't blame them for doing things that way. I'm more skeptical of why you'd want to displace Fautanu now when he played quite well last year at RT in my opinion. Again, Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu was also on the board when they took Iheanachor, and he was slightly ahead of Iheanachor on the consensus rankings. Clearly, the Steelers just think Iheanachor is a better prospect.
obxandy
11:17
Is it time to go retro to the early 1970s and let the QB competition begin among MR, WH, and DA? Terry Bradshaw eventually beat out Terry Hanratty and Joe Gilliam back then
Brian Batko
11:20
Sure. But I still expect Aaron Rodgers to be back. Having Rodgers under center is the best option for trying to get over the hump and win a playoff game for the first time since Herbert Hoover was president. But it's probably not the best option for trying to find and identify your next franchise QB.
KinVA
11:20
Two more offensive linemen this year, building in the trenches. How do you feel this will play out. In other words,
who do you see as the eventual starting five.
Brian Batko
11:23
Oh man, this brings back memories of two years ago when they drafted Fautanu. And three years ago when they drafted Broderick. The day-after-draft-weekend O-line projections! OK, don't hold me to this, but I'll say the eventual starting five is Troy Fautanu LT, Gennings Dunker LG, Troy Frazier C, Mason McCormick RG, Max Iheanachor RT
SP
11:24
Aren't Wetjen and Heidenreich essentially the same player?
Brian Batko
11:25
No. Wetjen a FAR better returner and Heidenreich a FAR better offensive player in college. Now, do their ultimate NFL roles overlap a bit? Yeah, probably, which is what gives me some pause about using that last pick on Heidenreich. But hey, he's a good player and if someone goes down in the backfield or receiving corps this summer, he has versatility to bring to the table.
JJ
11:26
Is Broderick Jones finished in Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
11:28
Not necessarily. But the writing's on the wall even more now. I wish him the best in his rehab/recovery, because I've always enjoyed my interactions with Broderick - like literally always enjoyed them, can't think of a single bad one. It's just obvious that the Steelers don't have much faith in him overcoming that neck injury and becoming the player they thought they traded up to take 14th overall in 2023.
Rooney
11:29
Is not taking a TE a surprise? Also, I think Allar is a good pick, too much negativity surrounding him. He had a good career at PSU, if not great. Thank you!
Brian Batko
11:29
I look at Riley Nowakowski as a TE, even though they list him as a FB.
Ice Man Paul Wall
11:30
I see you Bats!! going into overtime….impose your will, run downhill, and dial it up!!
Brian Batko
11:32
With that, I do have to shut it dahn. That grass ain't gonna cut itself. If you did not get your question answered despite the extra innings, feel free to hit me up for the mailbag (my address is at the bottom of the site). Or if you're in the queue, you might just see me circle back to you Thursday. Cheers, everyone. Thank you for chatting.
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