Team Building moving forward

I'm bored and I'm sure some of this will change between now and April, but would rather look ahead than continously vent on the present.

We're getting closer to 5th year option decisions for Broderick and Fautanu as well as 2nd contract decisions for the likes of Herbig, JPJ, Benton, McCormick and Frazier.

Then vets like Queen has an expiring deal in 26, whom they'll probably want to bring back, but wouldn't surprise me if they offloaded him for being underwhelming.

This means that the days of relying on stopgaps on defense are coming to an end; we probably got one, maybe two more, offseasons that we can afford to go this route so positions like S and CB are going to have to be internal options via the draft very soon.

Also a decision between Highsmith and Herbig likely gets made come March. I know that Ramsey is signed through 2027, I just don't think he'll be on the team through then. Even in 26 he doesn't carry a dead cap so he's an easy piece of cap space worth shedding, albeit it probably makes more sense trading him. It's not financially feasible to trade TJ until after June 1st 2027, so he's going nowhere, unless he retires. But I'd view Edge as a midround need soon, but not immediate.

My team needs via draft, fa or trade: ZWR, LG (perhaps Anderson is an internal option), TE, T (depth), DT, Edge (depth), ILB (starter or depth), CB, Box Safety, Free Safety, #3 safety/slot CB (assuming Ramsey moves on).

With all of this said, I'm anticipating a pretty dominant draft on the defensive side of the ball these next two years. I think we'll get our QB in 26 or 27, but as pressing as it is, I definitely can see them waiting until 27.

 

Well- we don't have to decide on the 5th year options for starting tackle who have played a little better as of late until the end of their 4th year

CUT Highsmith. And only bring Queen back if he will take 1/3 if his cap #

And find a new head coach.

 

Yep. Kinda why I snuck this thread in the draft forum as decisions on Broderick effect the draft strategy moving forward.

 

I outlined this since the 2024 Offseason given how the Steelers were not selecting a QB in Round One in 2025. Broderick performing well will bode well overall for everybody involved.. should he be able to do it. That was my message for over a year.


It is now halfway into the 2025 Season. After a brutal first three weeks, Broderick began to settle in. Despite the results of the past two weeks, the past two weeks have been some of the best Football Broderick Jones has played in his young career. That said, I anticipated myself that the young Offensive Line would need time to gel.


I predicted that the young Offensive Line would endure growing pains, some more severe than others until at least week 8; week 6 being my most optimistic take at the time. I am personally happy I ended up being right regarding the optimistic take as the first three weeks were a bit more brutal than I thought.


Overall, Broderick Jones has had more ups than downs as of the past two weeks. Will that change against Indy?! It very well could?! It may not. I hope it doesnt.


As I outlined before and will again; Broderick Jones panning out does wonders for Pittsburghs 2026 Draft Plans. Doesnt mean they should not elect to take a developmental tackle with some good promise. It just means that addressing the more dire needs will be more efficient to solve.

 

How I stand rn is I'd draft, at the bare minimum, 3 of the first 5 picks on defense, and I'm not even looking at QB until 2027. I'm not opposed to selecting defense on all 5 picks of the first two days of the draft. They won't do that obviously as a WR is likely picked somewhere in there. I'd be using excess picks to trade up for DL.

This is going to be one interesting Spring.

 

I personally wouldn't be shocked if the Steelers deploy the same strategy that was used in 2024 to fix the Offensive Line; go heavy in the Secondary. Ideally, two Corners and one Safety. Could target the Corner on Day One and, if not?! Oh most definitely a double dip in Day three perceeded by nabbing one on Day Two.

 

I hear you. Elliot and JPJ will probably be the only returning starters on the back end out of 5. This defense is a 2-3 draft rebuild. I definitely consider trading Highsmith for picks and platoon right edge with Herbig and Sawyer, which means at some point they need more edge depth. This is an absolute mess.

 

I'm not opposed to going DL day 1, CB 2nd and a S, MLB and CB in the 3rd, and unfortunately due to these circumstances, all 5 will start day 1 (barring injuries).

 

IDL is a very underrated need. That said, only major option I see for the Steelers to target is Peter Woods from Clemson. Contrary to popular belief, Peter is having his best season despite the supposed drop in production. Dude is a truly rare three down NT with 3-4 4i athleticism.


Think Derrick Harmon + Walter Nolen but as an ass kicking machine as a NT.

 

Yea, I've mocked Peter Woods to the Steelers a few times these past two days. Everything sans edge is an immediate need.

 

Woods is a stud. I doubt he's available when we draft, but it would be a home run in my opinion.

Personally we need to be looking at OSU defensive players in Downs (we'd have to trade up drastically), Arvell Reese (we'd likely have to trade up a bit), and Sonny Styles. Big rangy LB'ers would be awesome. I would refrain from OL in the first round, we're set at RB, I would look at WR's (Tate would be a good one), and I would look at corners. We can augment OL in the 3rd round with one of our picks and maybe S if we cant get one early.

We have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. There is no reason that the 5 positions shouldn't be S, WR, CB, LB, and DL. I'd also look to trade Highsmith for something (preferrably a player) and we have a decent amount of cap, so no reason not to make a decent splash or two as well.

 

Depending on offensive philosophy, A TE should be traded also

 

Considering we could find decent replacements for both (3rd/4th round), I wouldn't be opposed to moving on from both, depending on offensive philosophy of course.

 

I like your title for this thread, and is exactly what it should be. The coaching transition can't come
soon enough, but in the mean time we have to make sure the new coach has something to work with.

 

Peter Woods is my number one rated player for the entire 2026. On average, dude is universally ranked going as high as Top Five to as low as 15. He is as close to a generational IDL as I have seen since Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska. Only reason he falls just short of Ndamukong for me is is lack of length.


Everything else?! He is in another tier of ass kicker all together.

 

Right now, Cornerback would top my list. As it stands currently, there isn't a QB worth selecting in Round One currently that will be within range. Sellers is unlikely to declare given how tumultuous his season has become, Ty Simpson may or may not declare (same goes for Dante Moore), Arch isn't declaring period and the combined likes of Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier all are either not consistent enough or have not developed well enough to warrant Round One consideration.


To make matters worse?! Sam Leavitt is returning to Arizona State; leaving Pittsburgh with even fewer options in this upcoming class. Long story short?! Pittsburgh may likely have to play the board; that or trade up if they really want that QB.


As for Corners?! Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell (A.J. Terrell's Younger Brother) and Mansoor Delane. A.J. Harris from Penn State can technically cout as well but he is way too aggressive with his press after 5 yards. Regardless, Pittsburgh does need to nab one for certain for the back end is in dire need of both youth and talent.

 

I wouldn’t mind this pick.

 

I think all of this could work in our favor. The squad really needs an injection of youth and depth. Use those 12 picks to restock the roster.

 

Wild card for me is Caleb Downs.


Now, is he falling as far as Top 10?! Doubt it very much. That said, in the event that happens?! Man oh man.. Omar Khan... work those phones!!

 

My current top 3, if available. Mendoza will be gone.

Peter Woods

Avril Reese

Caleb Downs