Offseason Thoughts

Even in his system the FB plays about 30%. Between them and Heyward I think it could be filled. But at any rate they should and probably could pick up a low wage FB just don’t spend $9 Mil on one.

 

He was obviously overpaid. I think from a talent perspective and scheme perspective he was underutilized. But I could be wrong on the talent part as he nobody picked him up.

 

Didn’t think about it from that perspective.

 

I don't disagree that the Peterson signing was a disappointment, and would prefer they upgrade one way or another. I could definitely see them selecting a CB early on top of signing a mid-level veteran, leading to them being comfortable cutting ties with him, but having a solid vet in a room has been an MO of the org for a long time. Maybe Kahn throws a curve and changes their ways, but last offseason they let the younger, higher-upside option in Sutton depart in favor of bringing in Peterson. (While Sutton's 3/$33M contract was more expensive than Peterson's 2/$14, they could have just as easily done as the Lions and added a couple of void years to ease his hit on the cap.)

That being said, their practice with mid-level vet signings is one that effectively gives them a layup so they don't have to draft for need. Cole needs to be upgraded, but technically he fills the spot until the replacement arrives; while not optimal, they could go with Jones at RT again; etc. But they do need bodies at corner, which I still don't feel is that deep in the draft this year. I do feel they'll be aggressive in securing the OT and C upgrades though. There's too much focus on the offense this year with Smith coming in and it being Pickett's third year.

I've seen a number of first-round mocks but have yet to see Powers-Johnson leapfrog the Steelers yet, a couple now have him creeping to the low 20's. If that's the case come April I'd pounce on him. If he goes above 20, one of Van Pran or Frazier should still be there in the second. There's a lot of good talent in positions of need in the second right now. It''ll be interesting to see if Kahn tries making some moves to get more picks there.

 

I agree that they should add a free agent cornerback and cut Peterson. He got a little better as the season went on, but the switch to safety just doesn't work. He isn't a good enough tackler and he seems to react too slowly.

 

I agree with everything you said. However regarding the loss of Sutton. I don’t think that was by choice on the Steelers part. The rumor was he left for Detroit because he had family their and desired to play there so it was more than just money.

 

Sutton was a liability in playoffs, they went right at him. He had a poor playoff.

 

Very little corner can be very good when you are often in island like the Lions corners were at the end of the season because they were blitzing like crazy(pressure at 4 man)...Sutton will be fine if the Lions pass rush becomes better...Sutton was very good with us

 

Yeah I saw that.

 

Nobody said he wasnt. He sucked in this years NFC playoffs. They went right after him.

 

Fiske had a great Senior Bowl. He was nearly unblockable and wreaked havoc the entire time he was in the game, he definitely improved his draft stock in the game.

 

I like the list of positions, but I would definitely order them differently in terms of need.

1. CB
2. C
3. ILB
4. S
5. OT
6. WR

Our secondary could use a bit of work (we have 2 very good players there already, but we don't have the depth of quality players), ILB we had a lot better last year but a difference maker would help. C is obvious.

TBH I expect us to make a solid FA signing at one of those 6 positions and then figure it out from there. I would expect to have most (if not all) questions to be answered by draft day. I would've put QB on the list since I think it is a huge need for us, but we seem content trying one last time to get an ounce of quality play out of Pickett. I expect him to be largely the same player, to get benched at some point this season when we've finally seen enough, and to be head first into the 2025 QB market. Anything outside of that would be highly shocking at this point.

 

He made himself lots of money.

 

I missed that. Makes sense since his contract wasn't disproportionately large.

 

I like that order, but switch 3, and 4....of course it will come down to whose actually there at those picks....but I feel good about the order of priority you have

 

Detroit was using Sutton as a #1 CB and had him covering their opponents #1 WR, he's not that guy, and why he got beat often.

 

I knew you'd love it with CB at the top haha TBH we need a #2 AND a slot CB. I'm sure we will go a FA and a pick. Need it.

I can see what you mean by swapping S and ILB. I'm just a bit worried with our top ILB coming off a serious injury, Alexander off his second Achilles tear, and Robinson really just being a ST guy that can play against run first teams. Roberts is the only guy I feel awesome about rn and he's on his final year of his deal. S at least has Trenton Thompson as a viable 3rd S and we can probably just get rid of Neal and Kazee for cap and draft/sign someone else. Easier to hide a SS than an ILB.

 

I was actually thinking if they both comeback from their injuries. I'm actually being hopeful.

 

After reading 'A Terrapin's steel saga. The Sean Davis story' on thesteelersfans.com, I'd consider Sean Davis.

 

Yes yes he did/

 

I definetly agree with your order of importance with tackle probably being at 3 though. As much as I like Powers Johnson I do feel like that the Center position is an easier fill in FA especially with how deep the position is this year in FA not to mention it is a cheaper position to fill in FA than CB or OT is. With that being said I feel like to fill the top three positions we probably will need to fill one of them in FA and the other two in the draft. IF we fill C in FA that leaves the first two rounds for CB and OT.

 

A CB in round 1 sounds nice but the failure rate is large

The success rate for OT is much better

A good center can be found in 2-3 although most of us would not complain if we got the number one guy in round one his chance of success is high

 

I agree the issue is all the good tackles may be gone by our pick. If Mims is there do you take him based on the limited experience and injury history? He has a high upside. I wouldn’t mind the Steelers taking Sneed in FA but I’m not sure they will make that kind of splash they need to sign Najee and Friermuth.

 

Yes

I have a hard time thinking you should take the 5th best tackle when say the best safety is available