Steelers' draft strategy

We've secured a wr2, a bookend for JPJ, our own FA CB that should make a perfect nickle, and a rb that at times last yr was absolutely electric....
That said, it's painfully obvious that our focus in the draft is gonna be front line (on both sides), Safety and ILB between days 1 and 2...

 

Maybe?

Alternatively, the team sees themselves as a move or two away from contention. Those kind of teams do not typically roster 12+ rookies from the draft and UDFA.

Leaves open the possibility that the team trades around to "star hunt" in the draft instead of a more rebuilding friendly eat your vegetables and patch holes kind of draft.

Maybe they hunt for big plays on either side of the ball and eschew position fit.

 

I still want a WR, we have nothing after 1 and 2, please don't talk to me about Roman Wilson. We also need someone who can bring something different to DK and Pittman.

They have done a nice job at CB, two sure fire starters, you could easily argue Steelers now have at least a top 10 CB tandem, after years of being poor, and nothing since Joe Haden who wasn't prime Joe Haden.

ILB, DL are definite needs for me. The middle is too soft, we have seen mutiple occasions where teams are runing buck wild through the middle over recent seasons.

QB? take a flyer on Drew Allar 3rd round onwards, he's got tools, remember we spent a 1st on KP, he we rapidly discovered had no tools and spat the dummy out under the threat of any compeition.

 

I like this, plenty of picks let's find the best players.

 

I think Tackle is the only position that we might draft in round 1 on the OL. It appears that we are going to try to sign a starting vet G, which means that G will be off the table in round 1 (thankfully). I don't know if the positive news on Jones' health changes this at all, but with him and Cook there's at least a good battle for the starting role.

ILB for sure is in play. So is Safety. I don't think our signings at CB is going to keep us from drafting a high end slot type (or even someone who plays both slot and outside). Samuel is on a one year deal and Dean is 29. We can still go CB. WR is the same. We put so much emphasis on scouting the position that I think we are all but guaranteed to take one by the end of day 2 (if not 2). A slot guy like Concepcion or Cooper Jr could easily be in play in the first round as well. DL makes sense to draft too.

IMO it's a trade up for Downs (depending on what slot that is) or stay put for a different S, a WR, or a DL in the first. Outside shot at OT or CB. Any other position drafted in the first would be a big surprise.

Downs, McDonald, Woods, Thieneman, Cooper Jr., Lemon, Tyson... these seem like the most likely names at the moment that we could hear called on draft day.

 

I think you're right. This is a perfect opportunity for us to move up a bit and get someone that makes a huge impact.

 

Right now, today, I wish they would just have an "eat your vegetables" kind of draft. Do the boring stuff. Continue to solidify and stock the lines on both sides of the ball. Draft some reliable sub-package DBs. Get a young CB and safety to groom behind the current starters. Maybe a RB. Etc.

I would also trade premium picks from the early rounds of the 2026 draft for 2027 1st or 2nd round picks to have the war chest needed to get my QB.

I sense they are not going to do that. But attempt to get some splashy players to "make a run" in 2026 or whatever.

 

I hope they aren't done. There are still a few veteran options at safety and guard that could help.

 

I'm good on Concepcion he had 19 drops in college.

 

I bet they go OL again in the first round.

 

Roster spots open:

QB (1)
WR (3 to 4)
OL (2 TO 3)
TE (1)
S (1)
DL (2)

Roster spots they have filled but may upgrade:

MLB (2)
CB (2)
S(1)

 

I would agree.


Broderick Jones' injury is way too much of a high risk situation as it is. Mind you that when this is stated, other people will believe that the WR and CB will not be addressed; ignoring the fact that Free Agent acquisitions doesn't prohibit teams from acquiring more talent. How that phenomena occurred is beyond me.

 

Dream scenario for me is still Peter Woods but again, such IDLs like him come around only so often. He is lacking in some traits but the rest of the traits that he does possess are easily impact ready. Kadyn Proctor is my second for, like Peter, men like him don't come around too often.


Now, reason why I have Colton Hood as my number one?! He is contingency plan within a contingency plan. What I mean is that should Dean get injured for a set period of time, Hood can slot right in. Same goes for Asante Samuel Jr; Hood having little to no issue as a slot option either. Given how Corners usually taper off after 27, Jamel Dean still is a very good player but one never knows on how the season will unfold. Always best to have a Day One option just in case something like that happens. Even if Hood doesn't start, have him compete with Samuel Jr for the starting slot role.

 

I still believe we will see Cowboy Jalen Tolbert to be signed to come in and be WR #3. Drafted in the 3rd round in 2022 by Mike McCarthy, and now fresh off his rookie contract in Dallas.

 

If they're serious about getting a franchise QB in 2027, they should be trying to trade down in the first round since they filled a lot of holes in free agency.

 

the steelers will be probably be too good to be bad, so most likely they will be picking a reach or a project at qb in the 1st round.

 

Was just suggesting that the specific type of player "slot WR" would be something they could covet in the first round. Lemon, Concepcion, and Cooper Jr. all could be in play. I wasn't necessarily advocating for Concepcion, just saying he could be someone who's specific skillset we are looking at.

 

How much are we going to spend on Wrs??
I believe as of today we are 2nd in the league in cost of Wrs by cap if not 2nd ,top 3.
I seen today its Bengals, Steelers, and Cowboys.

 

With the Free agent additions of receiver, corner and running back (All will be major contributors) a need/want shift is going in a different direction in the 1st round.

Sonny Styles is a plug and play ILBer and could be our 1st round pick. This kid is a game changing player. Rumors have it that Queen is on the trading block. Average or game changer? I'll take the latter.

I would not be surprised as some have said if they go with a left tackle. Not saying that Dylan Cook can't handle the position but his sample size is 4 games in which he did play very solid. Broderick Jones can go elsewhere as far as i'm concerned.

Just admit the bust Khan and move on after the season. It happens.

 

You forgot to mention quarterback. IMO, Steelers should take that position in round one or two.


We have had an execllent free agency in 2026.

 

That's why they should try to acquire some extra picks for 2027 by trading down this year.

 

Considering how bad the WR room has been the last few years, I'm okay with them spending big money now.

 

A Receiver in day 2 as well with one of the 3rds.

 

i know everyone will say this won't and we don't but this kid is a freakshow and legit weapon to add to an offense.

kenyon sadiq

Scouting Report: Summary
The Combine did not just confirm what we already knew about Sadiq. It elevated him. Running a 4.39 at 241 pounds does not just make him the fastest tight end ever tested at Indianapolis. It puts him in a conversation with some of the most explosive athletes to ever work out at the Combine regardless of position. Only DK Metcalf and Nick Emmanwori have matched the combination of sub-4.4 speed, a 40-plus-inch vertical, and an 11-plus-foot broad jump at 220 pounds or heavier. Sadiq is the heaviest of the three. Those are not tight end comparisons anymore. That is freak-of-nature territory, and it changes the calculus for every team picking in the first round.

The receiving ability was never in question. Sadiq wins at all three levels of the field with legitimate speed, clean route breaks, and the hands to make contested catches in traffic. What the Combine did was remove any lingering doubt about whether the athleticism would translate to Sundays. It will. The blocking is still a limitation, and at 241 pounds he is not going to hold up against NFL edge rushers in a phone booth. But that is not really the point with a player like this. You do not draft Sadiq to leave him on the line and ask him to seal C-gap. You draft him because he creates matchup problems that defensive coordinators cannot solve with conventional personnel.

The right offense will move him around constantly, split him out, use him as a big slot, and let him terrorize linebackers and safeties who simply cannot stay with him vertically. He needs a system that treats the tight end position as a weapon in the passing game rather than an extension of the offensive line. In that kind of role, the ceiling is a Pro Bowl caliber receiving tight end who forces defenses to adjust their entire game plan. The blocking will come as he matures physically and learns NFL technique. The speed, the ball skills, the big-game mentality? Those are already there, and after what he did in Indianapolis, the only debate left is how early his name gets called on draft night.

i would not have a problem with this take whatsoever. 3 large big body receivers especially if we run with young QB's which at some point we will. TE's like this don't come around every day. they are a QB's best friend. this one gives you that slot option and mismatch.

 

I wouldn't say no, but I actually think Washington is a mismatch, and I believe our offense really missed him when he got hurt.