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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.13.23
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Brian Batko
2:33
I had all the draft picks making it, plus UDFAs Beanie Bishop and John Rhys Plumlee in my ridiculously early roster projection and have no reason to alter that at this point https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/05/04/steelers-roste...
Hillbilly
2:33
Thanks for the chat,Brian. Are you concerned about the wr position?  We have Pickens and a half dozen just a guy (3-5th guys).  Are we counting on a rookie to step in at number two?  Also, is Pickens a legitimate number one?
Brian Batko
2:34
Not really, kinda and yes
Joe
2:34
Are they serious about this WR room or is that just cover for the fact that they expected to trade for a big name receiver and failed?
Brian Batko
2:35
It's possible they thought the market would play out differently than it has. It's also possible they'll still swing a deal. But I think the WR room is in a place where they don't need to overextend themselves or do anything outlandish.
JPinIndy
2:36
Happy Monday Bats! Over/under on WR trade questions you get today? I'll set it at 3.5!
Brian Batko
2:36
We may have already hit, right?
Fort Wayne Nate
2:36
Brian, What 2 scenarios do you see playing out for Najee Harris this year? 1. The Steelers give him a full work load cause he's on his last year of his contract and they might not re-sign him to $10-13 Mill a year? or 2. The Steelers work him 50/50 with Warren or even 60/40 in favor of Warren and hope his value goes down so they can re-sign him for cheap?
Brian Batko
2:38
They were pretty close to a 50-50 split in touches last season and were highly effective that way, so why change? Option 2, and not necessarily for your reasoning.
Joe Momma
2:39
How different are punt and kick returners? I’ve never understood why teams usually have separate players for both positions.
Brian Batko
2:40
It's kind of like switching from left tackle to right tackle. Some guys will tell you it's easy, others will say it's not that simple. Depends who you ask about returning, but I think most who really appreciate that phase of the game would tell you they're very different.
DanikanZ
2:41
Brian: What is the status of Tomlin’s extension? It’s usually completed in the Spring and the clock is ticking. Could this be a subtle recognition of the proverbial hot seat?
Brian Batko
2:42
Nah, they could take it right up until the first day of training camp as they did in 2019.
SteelJax
2:42
What stuck out to you from the recent rookie training camp?
Brian Batko
2:44
Troy Fautanu at RT was probably the most newsworthy bit, regardless of whether you expected that to be the plan or not. It was confirmation, if nothing else. Mason McCormick being developed as a potential competitor to James Daniels at RG is somewhat interesting, too.
Uncle Floyd
2:45
Who do you see, at this time, possibly being available to the Steelers as the No. 2 receiver?  Also, the asking price will be high, in my opinion, because other teams know the Steelers are desperate!  Do you feel the Steelers will be successful entering the season with this receivers room?  Thanks for the chats Brian.
Brian Batko
2:46
Everyone has a price. But yeah, I get the sense that Omar Khan doesn't want to spend the entire 2024 season looking silly for overpaying for a guy in a trade. And players who will immediately come here with the baggage of wanting a new contract sooner than later also would give me pause.
Coach15
2:46
Is it logical for Steelers to "stand pat" at DL & WR going into this year,  & next season, go BIG in free agency, & or draft, & hopefully, that somehow, the group of WRs at his moment, one or two become serviceable, as a #2/3# this season?
Brian Batko
2:47
Yeah if I had to do a 2025 mock draft at this moment I'd probably have them going WR or DL in the first round - assuming this whole QB experiment doesn't go sideways.
TX Pressure
2:48
Writing was on wall, Jones is going to LT and Fautanu will be RT starting Week 1, Fautanu is older and more experienced than Jones and been practicing there as backup in college and played RT in high school.  Dan Moore has a decision, figure out how to play RT and be the swing Tackle or be traded (even if its just a 6th) - can the Steelers afford to keep a player that can only backup one line position?
Brian Batko
2:50
I say yes because it's such an important position. It's not like keeping him around as a backup slot guy or a guard or something. Plus Moore by all accounts has been helpful to Broderick Jones, welcoming to Troy Fautanu, and you never know if a team  loses its left tackle once the season starts what kind of value he might have on your bench.
Paul from Beaver Falls
2:51
If the Steelers want to give Cam a big salary this year when he gets hurt a lot and his game has fallen off why not just release him and hire him as a special assistant coach and pay him $18M then it won’t count against the cap.
Brian Batko
2:52
This past season was his first year with injuries since 2016. It's not like they've got the next Steel Curtain sitting behind him in their young guys. What are we talking about here?
Don Fernando
2:53
Any chance Averett makes the team or just a camp body with some experience?
Brian Batko
2:53
Yeah I'll give him a chance. Especially if he can play in the slot.
Adam in ATL
2:54
Welcome back! I don't understand all the anxiety regarding a true #1/2 WR.  Someone out of the eleventy currently on the roster will surprise/break out.  Add in a capable when healthy TE and 2 good pass catchers in the backfield, Russ will cook.  Are we just searching for something to fret about in the months leading up to actual games?
Brian Batko
2:55
Thanks, Adam. And yeah, of course. All the endless speculation is both a gift and a curse.
Kevin
2:55
Corner and wr are the ones mentioned a lot but are there any other areas you would suspect the Steelers may add to before the season assuming no major injuries
Brian Batko
2:55
Maaaaybe safety, but I doubt it.
Stu
2:56
Hey Brian, big fan of you work. Have you noticed anything different between Matt Canada and Arthur Smith and how they coach?
Brian Batko
2:56
No but I haven't seen Arthur Smith coach in an actual practice yet. Friday and Saturday with the rookies were walk-throughs when we were there.
Jake in Colorado
2:57
BB:  starting o line for Steelers’ opener from left to right?
Brian Batko
2:57
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Troy Fautanu is my best guess
7 year drought
2:57
Do the Steelers have a player development problem? It doesn't seem like very many of their young players improve significantly from year to year. They are either good right away like Benton or never arrive (Loudermilk) or regress (Leal). I am using DL as an example but ut seems to be true accross the board.
Brian Batko
2:58
Yeah, it just hasn't been good enough. Even they would tell you that, I would hope. Their playoff success indicates as much. It's Staind. It's been a while.
Emilio
2:58
Hi Brian, Who will have a better season Pickett or Rudolph?
Brian Batko
2:59
Mason Rudolph is backing up a QB with much less experience, so I'll go with him
Mats
2:59
Is there an opportunity to trade Moore? If yes, what would be the draft value?
Brian Batko
2:59
Only one year left on his deal, a solid but not at all dominant starter for three seasons, maybe a 5th or 6th round pick off the top of my head?
Doyle37
3:00
Over / under for Wilson to Wilson TDs this year ?
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