Roster set - thoughts

https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/l...nfl-kenny-pickett-cam-heyward-george-pickens/

So here is the mostly final roster. My thoughts.

QBs: Kenny, Mitch, Mason.

I don't know, am I greedy for wanting more here? I always like when we have at least one guy as backup who still has a higher ceiling. Mitch and Mason seem like basically the same guy: an older guy who will never be a legit starter. I understand wanting 1 of your backups to be of this nature, but why both? Maybe I'm being too greedy.

RBs: Najee, Warren, McFarland.

Again, the top 2 are solid,not crazy about McFarland though.He has shown NOTHING in 2 years, and he's still on the roster? Over 800 college teams and he's the best RB we could get? Not much of a high side. Goes down way too easy for my liking.


WRs: DJ, Pickens, Austin, Allen, Gunner.

I'm good with all but Gunner, but at least they re-did his deal to lower $. I just don't see his value; once the games count he disappears except for some bad punt drops. Again, it's the best they could do?

TEs: Muth, Washington, Heyward.

I know Connor is tagged as a FB but whatever. A little surprised Gentry didn't make it.

OTs. Moore, Jones, Chuks, Cook.

I'm just glad we have 4 legit OTs instead of 2. Obviously, it's a matter of time until Jones supplants Moore and after that we have a semi-decent backup at swing tackle. Only depth we've had in years.

OGs: Seumalo, Daniels, Herbig, Anderson.

Some added depth here as well. Seumalo big upgrade, pretty solid OG group.

Center: Cole, Herbig.

I am a little nervous about C depth. We need upgrade at starter too, next year's draft C is high.

Defense

DE: Larry O, Leal, Cam (don't care what they call him, he plays end in a 3-4, call it a DT all you want, it's not really), Loudermilk, Wats.

Seem pretty set on starters, backups start getting sketchy. Not sure about Leal, keep hearing about "potential" but that's it.

DT: Benton, Adams.

For the first time under Tomlin we finally spent resources on finding a legit NT for the 3-4. He kept on drafting 4-3 DTs and expected them to play NT, that doesn't work. Benton is a real NT and the rush D will thank him. Thank you Kahn. We needed youth and skill added to DL badly. Benton will make ILBs look much better.

OLB: Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, Golden.

Fine work done here. State of the art starters with youth behind them.

ILBs: Holcomb, Alexander, Roberts, Robinson.

Hoping added vets get the job done, still like Robinson's upside. ILB will be an early draft pick in 2024.

CBs: Pat Pete, JPJ, Levi, Pierre, King, Sullivan, Riley.

Not sure what to think on CB; glad we added youth in JPJ, hard to know what Pat Pete has left. Levi seems underrated when healthy. Will be adding CB in draft it seems.

S: Fitz, Killebrew, Kazee, Neal.

May be a touch iffy on coverage skills sans Fitz but not too bad a group overall. I think our turnovers on D will still be pretty good.

P: For God knows why, Harvin still makes the roster. Not only is his net average lower than the other punter in camp, but he's always good for a few down-and-out shanks during the season.

Bottomline: a much deeper, more solid group than we have seen entering the season in a long time. Let's get 'em.

 

have no issues with the critiques, at times I think we expect to much from the depth pieces (thinking we should have have pro bowl caliber every where in the 53). Gunner whiffed some last year, but something I have seen and heard about that others do not mention much, for a small guy he blocks pretty well. On some runs and different catch's, he was the one who provided the block that opened..or helped get more yardage. In camp we saw others whose return skill was basic or not very good. For what he brings and what he is asked to do he is not really a bag guy to have around IMO. Leal had a really good camp, will it hold up??? we will see, but I disagree as I think this is perhaps the deepest front 7 in starters and depth we have had in a long time. CB's I agree, wait and see.

Harvin, he showed some nice kicks in preseason, put it where it needed to be. Will he continue??? The thing about punters is one may look great, remember Corliss Waitman?? Picked up by the Broncs, even named special teams player of the week one time. Now unemployed (on NE PS). I want a great P as well, but the guys every one clamors about replacing harvin are not starting either, so we have mediocre, could be better. could be worse. lol.

 

Did you miss Boykin? Or did I miss him being cut?

 

I missed him, he's included in the article I linked though. He's basically worthless as a receiver though. More of a ST-only guy.

 

Two things worry me most, Center and Punter. I always recall how Ray Guy saved Raiders ass with field position. And in todays pass happy NFL , when your team has to punt you want to give opponents worse field position you can. Harvin sure ain't the best but I am thinking improved for this season. Steelers without a great Center is just odd to me. Also not sure how the secondary will perform but as another poster mentioned, a good pass rush cures a lot of secondary woes.

 

I'm with you on the C position. I read one article that ranked Cole 22nd best and that seemed about right. Pitt normally has better C play than that. I expect them to improve the position next draft with a 3rd round pick or better. Colbert blew it with not drafting Humphrey when he could have in the 2nd round. Humphrey is the undisputed best C in the NFL at this point.

 

Nice analysis.

I’m not sure it’s fair to say McFarland has done nothing, as he’s shown some good bursts here and there. The main problem is there doesn’t seem much in the playcalling to make a “change of pace” back effective.

That said, I can’t see him being kept around next year if he doesn’t improve production. I don’t think he’s all that bad, but for sure there are better.

 

I don't know; my main gripe on McFarland is he seems to go down so easily. And I don't see that improving all that much. I know he had the one "super game" vs. OSU in college but it seems like he's still milking his career off that game so long ago. I'm not sure what play calling could be employed to allow him to produce more. Care to elaborate?

 

Well 3 games played with 9 carries and 3 receptions in two years doesn’t allow much production. And calling a 4th and 1 wheel route is not exactly good play calling.

 

Love how the roster is taking shape, lots of young guys with upside. If Kenny Pickett is for real they could surprise a few people this season. There are definitely a couple of areas of concern but every roster in the NFL has that.

 

Not worried about the center position Green is no longer.

They have Herbig and Daniels who can play center.

A smidge worried about the corner position.

GO Steelers...

 

We simply seen anything from the guy, period, for whatever reason. But he made the roster.

 

I hear you on Creed; I would have love to have seen Ben play that last year behind Creed.

My favorite center this year was Luke Wypler. Came out a year to early and the the Browns drafted him in the 6th. With Cole starting at center Wypler would have been a great project.

Sp

 

He has been around for three seasons and has 142 yards rushing, averaging 3.5 yards on 42 carries. He also has nine receptions for 76 yards. He still has no touchdowns in a regular-season game. That's damn close to nothing.

 

IDK if Colbert blew it on Creed. Hedidby taking Green, but in the 2nd round he chose Muth. One can argue creed is better than muth, but you can't argue that the Steelers lacked a competent TE since Heath, and Muth is one of the best young te's. I can't argue against muth, nor would have minded Creed, but we we not getting both.

 

Looks like the Roster is down to 52 unless they plan on bringing back one of the IRs. They currently have no backup at RG or FS and as far as im concerned they have one too many Gunners and James Pierres . If you had to pick between finding a backup at the FS position or LG position which one is the priority??

 

anderson can play all 5 positions.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/09/r...-answers-my-questions-before-i-even-ask-them/

then there is cook.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/09/d...-distraught-after-buccaneers-cut-him-in-2022/

jones.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/09/7...ones-to-crack-starting-lineup-before-playing/

pat meyer.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/09/b...niques-even-if-its-not-exactly-what-he-wants/

our line looks to be in pretty good shape, even with backups.


as far as free safety backup, kazee is more a free safety than strong safety.

so yes we have a backup right guard and backup free safety.

we have a pretty good makeup of this team right now.

 

Interesting

Center and Punter are way down the list of concerns to me.

Mason Cole was ranked in the top half of centers and steadily improved as the season went on. The whole OL did. Having another season under his belt and a good guard on his left should just make things better.

https://triblive.com/sports/mason-c...g-like-their-answer-as-their-longterm-center/

Harvin needs consistency. He played well in preseason and based on what the Steelers ask him to do he is one of the best. I can’t find the article but Harvin is directed to try to prevent a return and he was 5th at that last year.

 

The 53 is nice. The starting 11 is fantastic. Just my opinion.

The secondary and ILBs are still a bit of a question mark to me only because they are unknown playing together. I think the DL is as solid as I have ever seen it.

QB and weapons are set and they look like they will be fun to watch.

The OL went from ok to solid last season. I think they just went to top10 possibly with the upgrades.

I have no individual player concerns because I think everyone on the 53 has a defined role this year. Again, other than the secondary and ILBs, only because I don't know them yet. But, I am very confident in the way this year's team has been built.

 

I still would have taken Creed. But I am more of an OL first guy. I agree about the TE position though, and therefore do not disagree with taking Muth when they did. I honestly don't remember who was in the TE room before him. Hard to argue that pick was a mistake.

 

Your no longer worried about the Center Position?!?!


I don't think I have downed that many Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin Beers in years!!

 

Agree with some of the commentary about Ant Mac. Gotta remember he has been long behind the eight ball for the Offense was in a literal state of Flux since he became a Steeler. Even worse, the very OC who drafted him has failed to get in involved in any meaningful way. Now, armed with an improved Offensive Line along with a Kenny Pickett who just appears to be poised to take that big leap means Ant Mac could have more opportunities this time around compared to the past.



As for the rest of the Roster?! Easily the best Steelers Roster I have seen since 2010.... which is saying a lot really. Superb depth on both sides of the ball. My main concerns with Center and Slot CB have both been addressed already; the former being Spencer Anderson securing his spot on the Final 53 and the latter in obtaining Desmond King II.. someone I'd never thought we would be able to get ever.


If I do have one quibble, it is regards to the amount of time Broderick Jones will receive during his Rookie Season. I have no doubt he will dress all 17 games. I do wonder though how much exposure he will have overall as mere tackle eligible plays can only do so much.

 

No. Mason Cole is playing above the line. In case of injury Herbig can step in. If its a longer term injury then Khan and Weidl will have to address it at the time.

Agree. I hope that he progresses into the starting line up sooner then later. Its a bit of a disappointment.

 

If god had meant for pumpkins to be in beer he would have put it there in the first place

Ditto lime and blueberries

Reinheitsgebot

 

I agree and would not mind a C taken in the next draft, but I wonder if we feel this way at the end of this season?? The post that stated he was rated at 22 may be correct, or it may be premature. The OL is the one area of the team where being All pro or even above grade can elevate those around you, but being decent to good, those around you struggling can actually may you look mediocre. I do not know where Cole fits, but last year the line was essentially new, with Daniels in a new system, Dotson and Moore not playing well. As the year went on the line improved, this year I have read reports where both Daniels and Cole have looked eons ahead of when they came into camp the year before, Seumalo is a stud and Moore (who likely will start) is coming into his own. So yes an individual player has to do their part, but the unit as a whole can either bring you down or up depending on their play. I think Cole may surprise us, he may not be the best, but may be above adequate. Does not mean they will not look to improve, but I am going to withhold judgment until we see this new product in actual action.