The Steelers need to consider trading down in the first round

Who's to say if Sean Davis doesn't get a season ending shoulder injury if they go get Fitzpatrick.

We need to see the Minkah of old this season. Get back to being the ball hawk center fielder.

 

He had a good draft in 2017
TJ
JuJu
Conner
Sutton

 

https://x.com/Alex_Kozora/status/1779533166505591048

Here's Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot saying the same thing trade down and get an extra pick, trading down 5-7 spots in the first round they would still get a good player.

 

The Steelers first round pick is likely to be one of these guys, Khan/Tomlin only attended 4 pro days this year, or they could break the tradition and draft a player that they didn't attend his pro day.
Mims
McConkey
Wiggins
Latham
Kool Aid
Arnold

 

If you have a choice between the 3rd rated T or the 1st rated CB at 20, I'm going CB.

 

I don't think the #1 CB will be on the board at #20, any tackle on the board at #20 is likely to be the 4th or 5th best one available.

 

if we needed a LT that would be different in taking one that early in the first, we don't. none of these centers are pouncey either. there will be one at 2-3. there will be a good tackle at 3-4. there will be decnt corners in those rounds as well. DL or LB may be what they look to grab early since they are not near as deep as these other spots. we do have in house options on the o-line. center is probably more of a need but corner isn't far off. tackle..... well we may be ok for now and can probably give that pick time to learn first. the other spots may play quicker including WR which is also fairly deep in this draft.

 

Okay. how about the 2nd best corner over the 4th or 5th Tackle?

 

If Mims or Latham are there at #20, I think you should draft tackle, I do like Quinyon Mitchell at CB though.

 

I don't know about trading down, maybe. There are obvious scenarios where it would make sense.
My Draft board for the Steelers has 3 big needs, OT, C, WR - in no particular order. There are other needs but those are my main concerns.
I think those first 4 picks can address those needs, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to work a trade.
I hate drafting for need, I prefer Best Player Available, especially in the first round.

Round 1, No. 20 overall
Round 2, No. 51 overall
Round 3, No. 84 overall
Round 3, No. 98 overall (via PHI)
Round 4, No. 119 overall
Round 6, No. 178 overall (via ARI)
Round 6, No. 195 overall

 

you are correct - i said around 2016 - I did not look at each year. after 2017, it was the beginning of the end. Colbert is part of the big 10 year setback we are experiencing.

He did not have good steering of the wheel as Ben was aging and poorly prepared for transition. It was not all him - of course. He failed late in his career, IMO.

 

We need a good Center a good WR don't trade any picks unless it's to get someone good.

 

I've been getting offers from Arizona at no.27 to trade up for the Steelers at no.20 on a lot of my mock drafts. They give their 3rd round pick at 71 as compensation and we send our 4th round pick at 119. I usually have the option to take either JPJ or Barton at no.27 but if I take another OT I miss on them and Frazier in the 2nd at 51.

Arizona are in need of Edge and CB and no.20 is where the good CBs start to vanish. Chop Robinson might be available at no.20 which they would jump at.

Arizona and Pittsburgh have a friendly history in trades I think it's very plausible and it would allow us to fill and extra need while not reaching.

I think 1st C, 2nd OT, and 3x 3rd picks for WR/CB/SS

 

Minkah and this D started out pretty strong - first 4 or 5 games.

Then KENNY wore on them. Well, Kenny and Canada and Tomlin.

3 and out every other series, time of possession tipping each week to the other team. This D took a HARD beating.

THEN - losing 3 ILB's in weeks 6-8, that about did it.

But the hammy injury on Oct 29 did him in, for all intents and purposes. by the time he got 'healthy' again, then he busts up his hand and the secondary had turned over and it was full patchwork back there.

Minkah is one of the best S's in the game - I have great confidence in his focus, and discipline to come back strong this year.

of course.......time will tell......

 

I hope for a boring draft.... OT and Center in the first two rounds. But.... history has shown, Steelers will find a WR they like in round 2.

 

smith didn't attend alabama's pro day with omar and tomlin. he did clemson, georgia, michigan. will putnam?, mike nugent at center later in the draft? georgia has a couple of later round centers. michigan has O-linemen at near every position. DC austin was with them at alabama.

 

Center, Barton in trending.

can be in favor of trading down IF VALUE is there and WE GET what we need. if Steelers win!!

we will see in 8 days!

 

Athletically speaking, Graham Barton is pretty damn close. From a fundamentals perspective, you got me there. That said, if there is one Center I am willing to roll the dice on between the big three, Barton is it.

 

I see you moved off of Van Pran as your guy at center.

 

Not entirely.


He is second tier. Initially he was first but after further tape study, he isn't as athletic as I thought he was; doubly so from 2022 to last season. Dunno what happened but his lateral range is average overall.

 

bottom line is we will have a center, two tackles and two guards to start the season. one way or another. rookies at all these positions are going to struggle right out of the gate. this draft is pretty loaded with players that will help.