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Brian Batko’s Steelers chat: 04.28.25
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Brian Batko
10:42
No, but many are surmising that, which is fair given the stated optimism from Art Rooney II down to Mike Tomlin in public settings. Personally, I believe both would be more coy when asked about Rodgers if they didn't feel quite confident the deal is gonna get done.
Silent Bob
10:43
Hi Brian - can you take me through the round 4 pick. Saturday morning I was thinking about how well the draft has lined up. They addressed their DL & RB gaps - and I consider Metcalf to be part of this draft - so WR too. The only big gap was QB. I thought there is not way Sanders would be there for pick 4. Thought they could address all major needs with first 4 picks. Then they pick an Edge. Clearly they really don't want Sanders as a Steeler - even as a round 4 low risk gamble. Any idea why? And then I like the Edge pick but that's their strongest position. Thanks for the insights.
Brian Batko
10:44
I had the same initial reaction to the Sawyer pick but here's the case: 1) He's just a better prospect than you typically see in the 4th round, so it was good value. 2) TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith both have dealt with injuries so you can never have too much depth there. 3) Nick Herbig's a menace as a pass rusher but not ideal as a run defender, so now you're covering your bases there
Jim
10:45
Were the Steelers going to pass on Sanders no matter how far he dropped? Was the Sanders circus the reason?
Brian Batko
10:46
Tough to say because I think you can reasonably argue every guy they picked ahead of him is a better player/prospect. Black would've been more of a stretch that way, but hey, the Steelers didn't even prioritize Howard over Black so they must really like him too.
Yuri
10:46
Hello Brian.  Like many other Steelers fans I’m sure, I would like to welcome Derrick Harmon and offer my condolences to him on the loss of his mother.  Draft day was a  bittersweet day for him to say the least.  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
10:47
Absolutely, thanks for keeping that in mind, Yuri.
Benson DuBois
10:48
Is the Sawyer pick a precursor to moving on from Watt?
Brian Batko
10:49
No I wouldn't look at it that way. But it doesn't hurt to cover your bases if things do go sideways.
Stan
10:49
Should they trade down?  Oh, wait..... sorry. Remind me next year to ask you again.
Brian Batko
10:49
Stan, you'll be asking next year if they should trade UP with all the comp picks likely heading their way
Bob
10:50
If they foolishly extend Watt to meet or beat Garrett's $40M/yr will it wipe out our cap space that we need to get FA's for years? He is clearly in decline and disappears at the end of every season when he is needed most.
Brian Batko
10:51
No, Bob. The cap keeps going up and the Steelers are probably about to have a very cheap QB room yet again. That's about the only positive to having no franchise QB. And as I've done before in these chats, I would quibble with exaggerations such as "clearly in decline" for TJ Watt.
Yogi in Yonkers
10:51
Hey Brian. I just read an article stating Harmon grades out to be the potential equal of Stephon Tuitt, who was an absolute beast. Who do you think was the more devastating loss for the Steelers - Tuitt or Shazier?
Brian Batko
10:52
Oh man, I hadn't given that one much thought. But I'd probably lean toward Ryan Shazier. They've struggled to replace both but Shazer was more impactful in my opinion. It's close though.
Hendershot
10:52
Thanks for the great coverage Brian. We got to see the Pitt kicker play against my son's High Scholl team. Back then that kid was nailing FG's in the 50 yard range. Exciting to see him get a shot in Pittsburgh. Hope he does well.
Brian Batko
10:53
Yeah he's a good dude by all accounts. Hopefully he's ready for the prickly Boswell to break him in.
Darnell
10:53
Good morning Brian. Do you think Najee has regrets now that the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:56
Morning. No, probably not. He seemed to be chasing the allure of winning, West Coast and some other factors out there more than money or opportunity. The dude's already been a 300-plus touch guy his first four seasons so he might welcome being more of a 1B than a 1A anyway. At least for a year.
Jay in Indy
10:56
Talk about value picks...  The Steelers getting Jack Sawyer (OLB) at 123 when he was ranked at 53 and also getting Will Howard (QB) at 185 when he was ranked at 99 are tremendous value selections for the Steelers.  Would you agree that these two picks were really good picks for the organization in terms of where they were selected?
Brian Batko
10:57
Yes I would. And the two players who probably most epitomized that Ohio State national championship run. Not necessarily the two best players or prospects they had, of course, but the heartbeat on each side of the ball, perhaps.
TomB
10:57
Thanks BB!  Any idea of percentage of UDFAs that make a roster?
Brian Batko
10:59
Not off the top of my head, but off the top of my head, the Steelers had Beanie Bishop make it last year, Jaylen Warren in 2022, James Pierre in 2020, Fred Johnson in 2019. So it's kind of every other year one of them breaks through.
Tim from Charlotte
10:59
I know it is what you do for a living and you enjoy keeping the fans up to date..... But do you ever want to call a time out, and take a break from everything Pittsburgh Steelers?  The draft for you has to be exhausting sir!
Brian Batko
11:01
Yes, Tim, it is my vocation. I wouldn't call it exhausting because I genuinely enjoy the draft, learning about the incoming rookies, considering all the potential permutations of what the Steelers could do. But yes, sometimes I do need a timeout, such as right now with the conclusion of this chat. Thanks for everyone who followed along today or at any point in the past few months while we scoured the nation for future Steelers. Have a great week and come ready at noon tomorrow with more questions for Ray Fittipaldo.
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