2020 Draft & FA

[Yo Tee]

I don’t see them doing that because they will want to keep the picks they have and fill the numerous holes.


With that said Eric Ebron is suddenly available. Like to see them try and get him.

Can't hurt to add him to the roster. Vance and Ebron would be a killer TE tandem.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Does anyone see us trading into the first round? I personally don't because we don't have much capital. We have a 2nd, 2 4ths, a 5th, 6th and 7th. I think we need to be a silent participant in this year's draft. Y'all know I wanted us to trade up in the draft the last two years, this year, I think we need to stay put. Focus on keeping all of our key pieces, focus on getting all of our starters healthy and focus on adding a key piece to our team in the 2020 draft.

I think we need to focus on the offense or the secondary for 2020.

5th...they don't have one unless they made another deal, both 5th round picks were dealt.

They started with their own 5th and acquired another one from JAX for Dobbs.

They swapped a 5th for MIA's 4th, and they traded a 5th to SEA for Vannett.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

No thanks on Montez or Hurts. We don't need another QB project. We've had enough of them.

If they want a QB, they need to trade into R1. I don't think that would be the right move this year.

I'd look at TE first (and double-dip that later), then OL starting from the inside and working out in priority.

Thoughts on the TE from Mizzou? Purdue? The early big boards on this website has most of the TEs showing up in the +60 range. I think the 1st pick is going to be 49th overall according to thedraftnetwork.com. Of course the guy that runs a 4.5 at the combine will shoot up the board so there will probably be a couple of TE prospects on the board at 49.

IMO they are going to franchise Dupree if they can't find a happy medium on a long term deal. Does that take OLB off the table for the 1st pick...imo it should not.

This same website lists the Steeler needs as;

Primary: OT, Edge, TE

Secondary: CB,ILB,QB, WR

Ancillary: LB, OG/C, S, RB

Unless a LT slipped out of the 1st round somehow...I don't see them taking an OT very high. Edge and TE are obvious needs. If they lose Finney to FA, Feiler would likely move inside...and either Banner or Chuks takes over at RT. Derwin Gray has played inside and he would be the only depth inside so I would put IOL much higher than ancillary. If they boot Foster and retain Finney, ancillary is about right.

 

[Superbelt]

Thoughts on the TE from Mizzou? Purdue? The early big boards on this website has most of the TEs showing up in the +60 range. I think the 1st pick is going to be 49th overall according to thedraftnetwork.com. Of course the guy that runs a 4.5 at the combine will shoot up the board so there will probably be a couple of TE prospects on the board at 49.

IMO they are going to franchise Dupree if they can't find a happy medium on a long term deal. Does that take OLB off the table for the 1st pick...imo it should not.

This same website lists the Steeler needs as;

Primary: OT, Edge, TE

Secondary: CB,ILB,QB, WR

Ancillary: LB, OG/C, S, RB

Unless a LT slipped out of the 1st round somehow...I don't see them taking an OT very high. Edge and TE are obvious needs. If they lose Finney to FA, Feiler would likely move inside...and either Banner or Chuks takes over at RT. Derwin Gray has played inside and he would be the only depth inside so I would put IOL much higher than ancillary. If they boot Foster and retain Finney, ancillary is about right.

The TE's in this draft are big receivers, and not good at blocking.

You aren't getting a complete product with any of them. But mid 2nd round? I think I'd go for one of those top guys. That's if the Steelers actually build around that player and use his receiving strengths rather than keep him in to block.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I don’t see them doing that because they will want to keep the picks they have and fill the numerous holes.


With that said Eric Ebron is suddenly available. Like to see them try and get him.

Never quite lived up to his draft status in DET, but he can be a downfield threat with the right QB...if the money was right, I wouldn't want to pay him as much as McDonald, (not noted to be a great blocker) but a starter contract for sure.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The TE's in this draft are big receivers, and not good at blocking.

You aren't getting a complete product with any of them. But mid 2nd round? I think I'd go for one of those top guys. That's if the Steelers actually build around that player and use his receiving strengths rather than keep him in to block.

Yeah that has to be why none are higher up on the early big boards....no question they need to look at a receiving TE...Eric Ebron was mentioned...I like mismatch that he can present with a QB like Ben.

 

[Superbelt]

I'd rather try and resign Hargrave than Dupree. Far and away, Hargrave is my 1A FA priority.


Steelers currently have the absolute best DL in the league, with Hargrave (#2) and Heyward (#5) so high. Tuitt was on pace to be ranked #4 until his injury.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'd rather try and resign Hargrave than Dupree. Far and away, Hargrave is my 1A FA priority.


Steelers currently have the absolute best DL in the league, with Hargrave (#2) and Heyward (#5) so high. Tuitt was on pace to be ranked #4 until his injury.

Good stuff.

I like Hargrave as a player more than I do Dupree, and I think he's represents far less 2nd contract bust factor. But, in terms of which to keep...recognize, they have to pay Hargrave like a 43 DT to keep him and with Tuitt back in the fold next year, Hargrave is likely back to being a 2 down player in this scheme.

Secondly...of the two, which can be replaced easier?

This is a no brainer to me as well but they must find a way to get Hargrave on the field more snaps with that much larger cap hit.

 

[Superbelt]

Good stuff.

I like Hargrave as a player more than I do Dupree, and I think he's represents far less 2nd contract bust factor. But, in terms of which to keep...recognize, they have to pay Hargrave like a 43 DT to keep him and with Tuitt back in the fold next year, Hargrave is likely back to being a 2 down player in this scheme.

Secondly...of the two, which can be replaced easier?

This is a no brainer to me as well but they must find a way to get Hargrave on the field more snaps with that much larger cap hit.

Go to a 4-3 base look.

spitballing my initial thoughts on starting lineup...

Mike: Williams
Sam: Edmunds
Will: Bush

DT: Hargrave, Heyward
DE: Tuitt, Watt


That's a place to start. Maybe look at Cam Sutton at SS, or look to draft another SS. OR, leave Edmunds at SS and look at a 4-3 OLB in the draft/FA.

That DL would be the fear of God.

 

[Superbelt]

You go with that, maybe draft Jordyn Brooks to be Will, and put Bush at MLB.

Edmunds stays at SS.

That's a defense I'd really like.

 

[Superbelt]

I'm super bummed about this thinking about Hargrave walking.

He's one of the top DL players in the league. Don't just let that walk away. One of those guys you can build a D around. If you already have that guy, change the scheme to fit. We have the perfect starting 4 for a 4-3 front.

Dupree a lot easier to replace.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Go to a 4-3 base look.

spitballing my initial thoughts on starting lineup...

Mike: Williams
Sam: Edmunds
Will: Bush

DT: Hargrave, Heyward
DE: Tuitt, Watt


That's a place to start. Maybe look at Cam Sutton at SS, or look to draft another SS. OR, leave Edmunds at SS and look at a 4-3 OLB in the draft/FA.

That DL would be the fear of God.

SB...keep on spitballing brother! I like it!

I would probably rather see Skipper or draft pick at the Sam...Tuitt would be strongside.

They have Buggs, and McCumber as DT depth, but would need more DE depth from the draft. Shifting some LB depth to DL would be needed I guess.

I would take that over the same DEF with Bud back.

 

[Yo Tee]

5th...they don't have one unless they made another deal, both 5th round picks were dealt.

Yup, you're right. Totally forgot that was dealt to Seattle.

 

[Yo Tee]

I'm seeing some mock drafts having us taking the QB out of Colorado, Steven Montez. Do we take a QB in this draft? I think there are more pressing issues on this team but we definitely need a solid scenario for when Ben decides to retire.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'm seeing some mock drafts having us taking the QB out of Colorado, Steven Montez. Do we take a QB in this draft? I think there are more pressing issues on this team but we definitely need a solid scenario for when Ben decides to retire.

Yeah I saw that. I've also seen Hurts from OU mocked to PIT and after seeing Rudloph and Hodges for most of this season I don't think you can blame them.

That said, very doubtful unless something really strange happens.

I think they will be fairly aggressive with needs (such as tagging Dupree if no long term deal is done and landing a TE) once they have seen Ben throwing again and realize they are truly getting him back for 2020.

OG, DT, TE should be their top priority. If I had to guess I think they will go after a DT, maybe as high as the 2nd rd, but 3rd rd comp almost certainly would go on a DT if Hargrave leaves via FA.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm seeing some mock drafts having us taking the QB out of Colorado, Steven Montez. Do we take a QB in this draft? I think there are more pressing issues on this team but we definitely need a solid scenario for when Ben decides to retire.

Not ready to vault QB up the lists until I see more info on Ben's recovery. As Tomlin said, a very important milestone in Ben's rehab is coming in early February. We'll know more then, and throughout the course of the next couple months...

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Yeah I saw that. I've also seen Hurts from OU mocked to PIT and after seeing Rudloph and Hodges for most of this season I don't think you can blame them.

That said, very doubtful unless something really strange happens.

I think they will be fairly aggressive with needs (such as tagging Dupree if no long term deal is done and landing a TE) once they have seen Ben throwing again and realize they are truly getting him back for 2020.

OG, DT, TE should be their top priority. If I had to guess I think they will go after a DT, maybe as high as the 2nd rd, but 3rd rd comp almost certainly would go on a DT if Hargrave leaves via FA.

Agreed. As it stands now they appear to be moving forward under the assumption that Ben returns. And judging by Tomlin's last presser he is more than comfortable with Mason moving forward. That alone tells me that QB is not going to be on the draft board unless Ben's road to recovery experiences some setbacks.

If Dupree is tagged then I agree with your top priorities. If I drafted today I'd be hunting for the best available O-linemen.

If they decide to resign a TE then I hope its Vannett. Tired of seeing McDonald missing games.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Agreed. As it stands now they appear to be moving forward under the assumption that Ben returns. And judging by Tomlin's last presser he is more than comfortable with Mason moving forward. That alone tells me that QB is not going to be on the draft board unless Ben's road to recovery experiences some setbacks.

If Dupree is tagged then I agree with your top priorities. If I drafted today I'd be hunting for the best available O-linemen.

If they decide to resign a TE then I hope its Vannett. Tired of seeing McDonald missing games.

After seeing both Brees and Brady booted from the playoffs in wildcard weekend...PIT has to be looking at a 1 yr window with Ben. I don't think they can count on him for '21 even if he plays '20. But that doesn't mean much in terms of this upcoming draft.

Knowing they could likely lose Hargrave, I don't see them losing Dupree. Again, realizing they need to throw all of their chips on the '20 season, they will tag him if need be.

As you stated, this is all pending Ben being on schedule health wise...IF Ben is done.

Do you make a run at Bridgewater? Another vet? Or...go with Rudolph (effectively tanking) and hope to be able to draft Trevor Lawrence from Clem?

OL...it wouldn't bother me.

Right now, TE seems to be a fairly weak draft for immediate impact guys. If they go BPA they might not pick a TE in the 2nd rd....impact G in the 2nd round just sounds more realistic.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

After seeing both Brees and Brady booted from the playoffs in wildcard weekend...PIT has to be looking at a 1 yr window with Ben. I don't think they can count on him for '21 even if he plays '20. But that doesn't mean much in terms of this upcoming draft.

Knowing they could likely lose Hargrave, I don't see them losing Dupree. Again, realizing they need to throw all of their chips on the '20 season, they will tag him if need be.

As you stated, this is all pending Ben being on schedule health wise...IF Ben is done.

Do you make a run at Bridgewater? Another vet? Or...go with Rudolph (effectively tanking) and hope to be able to draft Trevor Lawrence from Clem?

OL...it wouldn't bother me.

Right now, TE seems to be a fairly weak draft for immediate impact guys. If they go BPA they might not pick a TE in the 2nd rd....impact G in the 2nd round just sounds more realistic.

I agree on the 1 year window with Ben. And if we're honest, his elbow could be a ticking time bomb so maybe its a 0.5 year window lol. I fully expect them to dial Ben's attempts back to the 280-320 range and rely more heavily on the rushing attack next year. I don't think they can feel very confident letting Ben air it out 30 times a game next year on that elbow & at his age. With that in mind, they have to figure out the O-line woes quickly. They can't expect to roll out the same guys and hope for better results.

I would be all for it if they brought in a vet backup QB this offseason to compete with Mason. Don't know who else could be had, but I'd love to see Bridgewater in PIT.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Welp.




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