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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 04.17.26
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NY Steel
3:27
Since the Steelers have struggled so much on offense over the last 5 years, why not prioritize offense in the draft?  The drafting and coaching on the offensive side of the ball have been poor. Get a WR, OG, OT early.  Go offense with 2 of the first 3 picks and 3 of the first 5 picks. The OL is a big question mark on the left side and the team is still weak at WR.  (And that is before you even get to the question of QB).
Christopher Carter
3:27
I'm all about going offense early, especially at receiver and guard. Still want to get some defensive prospects, but they could use some star power on offense and some naturally grown star power at that.
Vegas Steeler
3:28
Hello, thanks for the insightful chats you do. What will your days look like on the draft days? Where will you be and what will your duties have you doing for those days?
Christopher Carter
3:29
Thanks for being here!

For all 3 days of the NFL Draft, I'll be doing a live show for the Post-Gazette at Aslin Brewing Co. in the Strip District terminals! It'll be a fun show with prize giveaways and plenty of draft analysis with Paul Zeise, Adam Bittner and guests! Come through to enjoy draft talk, great beer and great food! Their smash burger is fantastic.
TC in Mooresville NC
3:29
Hi Christopher, if the Steelers took Taylen Green, is there talk he could be used at WR? I know he has stated he only wants to be drafted as a QB, but wow, he could be some kind of Slash 2.0.
Christopher Carter
3:31
Maybe, but I think he might need to work on being shiftier. He does have the size and raw speed at 6-5, 4.36-second 40-yard dash. But I think he's a great backup QB prospect you can take a shot on and go from there.
Sylvia’s Mother
3:31
Hey Chris, are you hearing any more rumors about Queen, Watt or Herbig being dealt?  I would think how Sawyer is regarded would be a factor.  Glad you and the PG are continuing to be with us.  Love your chats!
Christopher Carter
3:32
Hello! Thanks for chatting with us!

From what I've heard, the Steelers did shop Queen but didn't get the price they wanted. I don't think Herbig is dealt and I think Watt's contract makes him hard to justify moving right now.

If any of those three were to move, I'd say Queen if someone all of a sudden thinks they need a starting linebacker and was willing to cough up draft capital.
Tim and Maria
3:34
Chris, we are delighted that the Post Gazette will be staying in business.  You are an asset to the paper and our city.  Don’t know why, but we feel the Steelers will have a great draft.  Do you get the same impression too?
Christopher Carter
3:35
Hello Tim and Maria! Thank you for your kind words!

I also think the Steelers have a good chance to have a haul this year. Despite this class not having a ton of quarterback prospects or blue chip guys at primary draft positions, I still think this is a good draft class.

And I also think Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have done a very good job with their first three drafts. Combine the two, and I think you get more positive results.
Lou
3:37
Chris, imagine the Steeler take a great WR with pick1 and shore up the OL with a good pick plus Rodgers returns. How excited should we all be for some offensive fireworks in 2026 and will the D do enough to for the team to win a couple playoff games?
Christopher Carter
3:40
If the Steelers get quality starters at receiver and left guard, I do think a Rodgers return would make them dangerous. Especially if Broderick Jones returns healthy.

They'd still be a team I'd project to win 10-11 games and compete in the playoffs. Winning in the postseason will depend on circumstances like it has the past several years: health, opponent, turnovers.

I do like what I see and hear from Patrick Graham on the defense. So that could be a good mix between the two if they get those hits on offense in the draft.
Debbie Z.
3:41
Hi Chris, like so many others, I’m getting tired of waiting for AR to announce his decision.  His delay can’t be good for team or fan morale.  Do you expect him to bless us with his decision before the draft?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
3:42
I wouldn't be shocked if the decision comes out next week. Seems like that's what they're expecting.
Ethan Tan
3:42
I appreciate Patrick Graham modernizing the defense to a big nickel scheme. However, when I look at the safety room, I just see a ton of strong safety/box types. Do you think they will still want a true FS in the draft?  I don't know that Ramsey has the range to keep up with the faster receivers in the league.
Also, what is the importance of an Emmanwori-type player? I know everyone and there
Christopher Carter
3:45
I think a real, deep free safety is a very underrated need for this team. I think Jaquan Brisker is their best option so far, but he's a better box/post safety than a deep centerfielder.

But it looks like Graham is going to use a lot of two high safety shells at least to start with this defense. So that might rule out the need for a true single-high safety like the team had in the prime years of Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Still, I really like the idea of getting a player who can be fast in that role with good ball instincts. Top options to maybe fit there include Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, AJ Haulcy, Treydan Stukes (yes I know a slot CB primarily but he can play that role too), Genesis Smith, and Bud Clark.
3:46
As far as an Emmanwor-type player, I loved him last year and had a strong feeling he'd be an impact player right away.

I think this year, that player is Keionte Scott out of Miami. Great athlete, fast, powerful and can beat linemen at the point of attack in the run while also covering deep and rushing the quarterback. If the Steelers got him at 53, it would be a big win.
Nico
3:47
Hey Chris, while I can’t wait for the draft, I was wondering if you think the Steelers have any interest in trading for Dexter Lawrence?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
3:48
I think that's a tough sell with the other players they want to pay in the next couple of years. But maybe if they see Heyward retiring soon and the trade price isn't that high. Still, just don't think that's their move.
Draft King
3:48
Ioane, Thieneman and Cooper are all available at 21. Who do you take?
Christopher Carter
3:48
Ioane. Too nasty to not take there.
Yates
3:48
Hi Chris -   Give us an early read on key insights from meeting with coordinators please.
Christopher Carter
3:52
Brian Angelichio: comes off like a deeply rooted traditional football fundamentalist who understands how current trends work but also tie back into the basics of football. From what I've read about him at other places and heard from him today, I think he'll definitely be a game-planning asset to the Steelers.

Patrick Graham: smart defensive mind who seems like he relates well to his players. Willing to mold his defensive plans around his players' best traits and plans to stick to the mantra of the Steelers' defense to stuff the run first so they can be aggressive on third down with various looks.

Danny Crossman: seems to bring the normal special teams coach energy and is ready to be about the details after a year off from coaching.
JaxSteelersFan
3:52
I enjoy your thoughts on many different devices. I think you're the best moderator on both of your main podcasts.
Christopher Carter
3:52
Thank you!
Sean from Canton Ohio
3:53
Or is something wrong with my interweb connection?
Christopher Carter
3:53
So I see there were a lot of questions about the chat earlier when there was a pause. Apologies for that, as I was literally leaving the Steelers facility when this started and needed to pause to drive home. Been a long day and I'm still going.
JaxSteelersFan
3:53
You said you didn't think we were possible Super Bowl contenders next year but I didn't think the Patriots were necessarily Super Bowl ready but circumstances let them be there. Could the Steelers do that this year
Christopher Carter
3:55
Hey, nobody was exactly picking the Seahawks either. I just think the Steelers still have some young players who need to develop and a young, talented quarterback to be brought into a good situation. I think this is the year to load up the roster, continue development of the young players who have been on the rise, and set up a 2004-like team for a rookie quarterback to inherit.

Could surprise us all and rise to the top, but I just think the circumstances don't line up for them just yet to make that big a run.
Sean from Canton Ohio
4:00
Everyone so quick to label Howard a good backup, nothing more. First of all nobody knows how good the kid can be, he won the national championship for starters. Secondly nobody knows whether or not he will even be a good backup since he hasn’t played one down of NFL football. I would think people in “the business” would be smart enough to not make such assumptions.
Christopher Carter
4:07
I mean, he's a sixth round pick. I get there's excitement around him and I was on here saying they should take him in the fourth round last year.

But when you're drafted in the sixth round, you're most likely a backup.

And don't give me the "but but but Brady" nonsense. He and Brock Purdy and 2 of 62 quarterbacks drafted in the 6th and 7th rounds since 2000. That's a 3% chance of finding a guy there.

Could Howard work out? Maybe. But saying people shouldn't make assumptions when THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT ALL GMs ARE DOING WHEN THEY MAKE A PICK misses the point. You could say nobody knows whether or not a player will even be a good backup about every single player in the draft in either direction.
Jeff M
4:07
A keeping hearing Allat apologist saying his problems are from poor coaching at PSU. But I also hear he has terrible foot work, accuracy & can't read the field well. Don't QB loke this usually have personal QB coaches as far back as high school? If no one could get him right by this point I can't see that changing in the NFL.
Christopher Carter
4:08
I'm also not a Drew Allar guy. I was two years ago when I thought he was just young and growing. But when I saw how he played in big games in 2024-2025, I was kinda sold that's just who he was. He's got a gret build and a cannon for an arm, but has A LOT to work on to be an NFL QB.
LarryG from Punxy
4:08
Who do you think the Steelers will draft with their first pick?  Who do you think they should take with their first pick?
Christopher Carter
4:09
I think they take a receiver.

My current belief is they trade up to anywhere between 13-15 to get Makai Lemon. If that doesn't work, they take Omar Cooper Jr. at 21. If he's gone, they trade back some picks, improve their day 2 picks and get KC Concepcion.
Chill Dave
4:09
Hi Chris, under Tomlin the Steelers 1st round pick was almost always someone who was in for a visit.  Do you think that maybe changes under McCarthy.  The absence of e.g. Thienemann, or Cooper Jr. makes me think that it is less cut and dry than in the past.
Christopher Carter
4:11
I also think something could be afoot here.

But Omar Cooper Jr. could be a specific example that has a unique situation. For starters, Cooper's WRs coach that coached him in his first year at Indiana? Current Steelers receivers coach Adam Henry.

And Cooper's head coach? Curt Cignetti, brother to Steelers offensive assistant Frank Cignetti Jr.

I think they could have some good angles on him without having to bring him in.
Tim
4:12
My apologies for a comment i made to Gerry the other day expressing my gratitude and thankfulness of the pg continuing.  I included gerry, ray, brian and paul and left you out.  My bad.  Your work is fantastic and thankful to keep following you.
Christopher Carter
4:12
That's OK! Thank you Tim! We are all very excited for what's to come with the PG!
Yunzer in Colorado
4:12
Thanks for your chats Chris. Your research and knowledge are amazing. For the draft, they have to move up at some point or multiple points to use up their extra picks right?  Unless they can trade some of them for picks next year?
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