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Brian Batko’s Steelers chat: 04.28.25
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Brian Batko
9:59
Hey everyone, welcome to my first post-draft Steelers chat. It's a fun time but also a somewhat bittersweet time. You familiarize yourself with hundreds of players for months and then only 6 to 10 end up in Pittsburgh. But let's go ahead and get to chatting about those who did (and perhaps some who did not)
KordellTolls
10:00
Bats, loved the YouTube chats. Any thoughts on Kyle McCord vs Will Howard? Seems like he has more upside. And no WRs? 5th round seemed like a great spot for a slot receiver.
Brian Batko
10:02
Thanks Kordell, Adam Bittner did a really nice job guiding the conversations as the host, Chris Carter was all over the picks a few minutes before they were official and everyone else who stepped in was very generous with their time. McCord and Howard probably will be compared against each other for as long as they play, given the OSU swap at QB and how closely they were drafted in the 6th round, five picks apart (and both in PA). I feel like McCord is a better thrower but Howard's athleticism puts him a notch above.
Mike from Oz
10:02
I like the look of Howard. I will be keen to see how he goes pre season. The one I'm really happy about is Black. I'm w firm believer that some one like this can get us 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 3
Brian Batko
10:04
Yes, Howard is a nice blend of upside and pro-ready. Whereas someone like Tyler Shough, at soon-to-be 26, probably a tough sell on having a lot of development left. And Jalen Milroe might be a year away from being a year away. Yahya Black has some major believers in the NFL among the scouting community and clearly the Steelers see the vision too. I probably wouldn't have doubled down on the DL in lieu of some other spots, but his size is worth the investment.
Rocky,
10:06
Thanks for the great chats, Brian.  After the draft, how do you think the Steelers Safety room ranks with the rest of the AFC North?  Thanks!!!!
Brian Batko
10:09
Probably second behind the Ravens. Kyle Hamilton, Ar'Darius Washington and now Malaki Starks is hard to argue with. Neither of the Ohio teams added there.
Pittfan
10:09
Hi Brian. I really like the Will Howard pick. Just about every draft expert has his ceiling as a career backup. I see a big smart QB who can run while always looking for an open receiver. What am I missing that the experts are seeing?
Brian Batko
10:11
The experts mainly doubt his arm talent, Pittfan. Zip on his ball, deep throws, etc. Obviously, you can find some on his video, but the gurus aren't sure about his ability to do it consistently in the NFL. Plus one of the knocks always on Ohio State QBs is coming from a roster that's always more talented than the defense, having a wide-open windows to throw in, things of that nature.
TVC15
10:12
Hi Brian, The Penguins have moved on from Sullivan --- who (WOW) never had a losing season ---  but Tomlin will be with the Steelers at least 3 more years. What kind of cruel trick is this?
Brian Batko
10:13
Pittsburgh's pro head coaching ranks are now like a famous Nas song: One Mic
Gregg from Shaler
10:14
Any insight into our decision not to take Sanders? Did ARod make that a condition of signing, ie no highly rated QBs drafted?
Brian Batko
10:15
I doubt that. My insight would be much as the same as for the other teams that kept passing on him: juice not worth the squeeze with all the drama that would come along with him, whether that's his own doing or not. Steelers have had some high-maintenance draft picks in recent years. That one would've taken the cake.
LivingInMyFears
10:16
Good morning Brian! This draft seemed to have a feel of foundational and long-term focus without any panicky, knee-jerk reactions. I'm also getting more excited about grabbing Howard in the 6th - has performed on a big stage and performed well. Do you think this draft was best-player-available or sticking strictly to a script for the Steelers?
Brian Batko
10:18
Probably some of both,  but I suppose I'd lean toward the former. You could argue whether Derrick Harmon was the BPA at 21 but it's pretty much a no-brainer that DL was their biggest need there. Kaleb Johnson where they got him, Jack Sawyer where they got him and Yahya Black being their second DL in 3 days all strike me as couldn't pass up that player at that value.
TX Pressure
10:19
Like the Harmon pick, Kaleb was one of the bigger RBs - question of speed, but after Kaleb rest were in the 5'9" Jaylen range, not a Howard fan (only scans half the field, pocket presence, throws 30+, bad combine) but at 6th good value - only gripe is no WR, OT, OG at 7th could have got Isaiah Bond WR Texas instead of Bruener - would could have been UDFA.  I know nitpicking!
Brian Batko
10:21
Isaiah Bond is still unsigned on the Monday morning after the draft. He's been accused of sexual assault and has vehemently denied the allegation. Clearly, teams don't feel comfortable enough with the vetting of that situation to bring him in, despite his immense talent.
Happy Gilmore
10:21
I guess the rumors of Sanders having a horrible interview with the Steelers, and seemingly every other team, are true. Have you heard any specifics regarding what he said or didn't say when he was in Pittsburgh for a visit.
Brian Batko
10:22
No, only thing I heard was he showed up with a lot of baggage. Like, literal baggage for his trip here. But I'm not gonna assume it went poorly. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't. All we know is it didn't go well enough to compensate for whatever deficiencies the Steelers saw in him as a player.
epiballo
10:23
Hi Brian - thanks for the chats. Why would the Pitt kicker, Sauls, sign with the Steelers when we have Boswell? Why not sign with a team that needs a kicker?
Brian Batko
10:24
Well I don't know what his other options were, but I hear you on being behind Chris Boswell. What you might not be considering is that Boswell likely will allow Ben Sauls plenty of reps in training camp and the preseason. That's a good way to get your film out there in hopes of catching on elsewhere. It worked for Matthew Wright, who's still kicking in the league (for Carolina) after several stints behind Boswell.
Jeff M
10:25
Who do you think is the odd man out in the Browns QB room? I am guessing it comes down to Flacco or Pickett and Pickett gets cut.
Brian Batko
10:25
It might end up being their head coach or GM
SBJ
10:25
Hey Brian, enjoy your work.  Supposedly, the Brownies traded up for Sanders to prevent the Steelers from drafting him.  Do you think the Steelers to a lesser extent,  signed Ben Sauls to prevent other AFC teams from signing him because of his experience kicking at Acrisure?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:26
What someone was saying on the NFL Network draft broadcast was that the Browns traded in front of the Eagles for him, not the Steelers. And no, on the Sauls front, I wouldn't think that has anything to do with it. The Ravens actually used a draft pick on their own Justin Tucker replacement in Tyler Loop from Arizona.
Carlo
10:27
Assuming C. Patterson will be released now that K Johnson has been drafted. Do you see a different veteran RB being signed?
Brian Batko
10:27
Nah, not unless there's an injury. They've already got a fairly deep room there with Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, Kenny Gainwell, even Jonathan Ward still in the mix.
artie bridge
10:28
Brian, I never put much stock in post-draft evaluations - we don't know anything until these guys suit up in camp.  But using our second pick (third round) on a running back makes letting Najee walk look foolish.  Here was an established, solid, four year starter we could have retained for something like $6 mil (pocket change these days) who we replace with an untested rookie, and use a third round selection doing so.  Make sense of this for me.
Brian Batko
10:31
Najee is 27, Kaleb Johnson is 21. Najee never had a 40-yard run in the NFL. Najee would've been guaranteed $6.7 million this upcoming season on his fifth-year option. Najee seemed completely miserable here most of the time by the end. Does that make sense?
Mass Fan
10:32
Loved the draft rd 1&2. Glad we didn't reach for a QB. I want to see what Mason does with pole position. Do we have 5 quality OLB's now? Is that a luxury, or is he that good of a fit?
Brian Batko
10:34
I'm not sure he's gonna have pole position if/when Aaron Rodgers arrives. But I hear you, Mass Fan. And honestly, the more and more I talk to Steeler fans, I sense that belief or at least acceptance in Mason Rudolph. As for the OLBs, I'd say they have 4.5, if you're counting Malik Harrison. Jeremiah Moon still bopping around, too, for what that's worth. I'd say Jack Sawyer is both a luxury pick and a good fit.
Mar
10:35
What sup with the Steelers why couldn’t they use the 4 th round pick on sanders it’s a low risk move. This organization is going start learning they can’t keep doing the same stuff every year with defense we have to start building the offense up . Tomlin and Rooney hasn’t learn this is a offensive league even if they got metcalf it’s still not good enough u need a qb to compete sanders would of been a low risk hes a back up at best why not take a chance . Do we honestly think khan is doing a great job as a gm we haven’t drafted no pro bowl players since 2017 the drafting been bad
Brian Batko
10:37
To say they keep doing the same stuff, particularly at QB, just is not accurate. They've tried the veteran FA bounce-back route in Mitch Trubisky, they've used a first-round pick on Kenny Pickett, they've gone the bargain basement route with both a Hall of Famer in Russell Wilson and high-upside play in Justin Fields. None of it's worked, but they're literally exhausting pretty much every avenue, outside of a top-10 pick, which isn't always doable. But next year it might be.
The Ape
10:37
While the picks were generally good, wouldn't it have been nice to have a few more to fill some of the holes still remaining? Not trading Pickens leaves me perplexed. He is a bottle of poison about to be uncorked.
Brian Batko
10:39
I, too, am skeptical about how he'll handle his frustration the first time things don't go his way, be it with the contract stuff, targets, whatever. But hey, having DK Metcalf take defensive attention away from him could pay off in the long run for George Pickens if he sees the long game.
Steeltown
10:40
Hi Brian, I don't get why the Will Howard isnt getting more love? He has all the physical tools, played great on the biggest stage, is fairly mobile....a winner! Why couldn't he be the next Brock Purdy?
Brian Batko
10:40
He's getting a lot of love in this chat
Marvin60
10:40
Obviously Harmon and Johnson will play right away. Which of our other draft picks will contribute the most?
Brian Batko
10:41
Sawyer and Black have great chances to be rotational pieces, especially with the Steelers releasing Montravius Adams just now, per Adam Schefter.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:41
The Steelers must have an agreement with Rodgers as they had numerous opportunities to draft a potential starter like Sanders or Dart. Is that what you’ve heard as well?
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