Will Howard and Jack Sawyer

https://youtube.com/shorts/jmfPuTsQMpc?si=hSJbYWwSqwR6Og5z

I like this enthusiasm. I think this was an excellent draft class overall.

 

Not a fan of the sawyer pick, but I get the need

 

A future replacement for seamalu was my wish

 

Well that makes me wish it was August.

 

I`m too lazy to check, but just where does our O-line rank going into this season?

 

If your referring to grades based on last season our oline was ranked around 25th in the league. Our pass protection and our run game was paltry. Now that Dan Moore is gone and Brokerick is moving to LT and Fautanu on RT and Zach Frazier as Center I think we will be better. How good remains to be seen. This a young group with only one Vet in Seumalo. Let's see what our Oline coach and do for these young fellas.

 

Not good. Our LT gave up the most sacks in the entire league (and got PAID in the offseason for his efforts). We have some young talent, so there's good reason for optimism on the group. Frazier was an insta-stud, and we have a first round pick that essentially had to redshirt due to injuries. If he's good and both Jones and McCormick take a step forward we should have a fairly solid group.

Sawyer was BPA. There weren't any guards around that we liked obviously, and you can never have enough quality EDGE players. It looks like there was an emphasis on leadership in this draft too. Another refreshing thing to see.

 

Sawyer and Howard were both superb value picks. Of the two, Sawyers was better than Howard's. That said, both are natural born leaders.


In a locker room lacking that element?! Definitley a good step in the right direction.

 

Sawyer will not disappoint at this level. i've seen him play too many times to think otherwise. he has that "it" factor.

howard was a great value pick. he needs to be developed, but he has a good base skillset and is a natural leader. i was hoping we'd take him in the 5th, but it worked out even better.

 

McCormick wasn't all that great in stretches. I think both guards will need attention in the next draft. I don't know what the quality will be at the position in 2026 but guards should be one of the easiest positions (i.e. low bust rates) to fill on offense.

 

steven jones- we picked up this year. he spent 2024 on the jags PS. 6-5 340. started 49 games at oregon. had a 90. 8 pass blocking grade from pro football focus.
https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/steven-jones/career

doug nester - he was on our PS last year. he was a later addition after daniels went down. had 56 starts between VT and WV. can play some tackle as well but guard is his spot here.
https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/doug-nester/career

max scharping- free agent brought back again. 67 games played in NFL with 33 starts. 6-6 327. https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/max-scharping/career

lecitas smith- free agent added this year. 3 nfl starts. 6-3 320. https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/lecitus-smith/career

aiden williams- he was added as an UDFA this year. from alaska. 6-5 314. don't know a thing about this kid. small school kid.
https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/aiden-williams/career

spencer anderson- this will be year 3 here. 6-5 305. he's our can play any position guy. 3rd center.
https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/spencer-anderson/career

mason mccormick- 6-5 314.

isaac seumalo- 6-4 303

as of now these will be the guards to choose from.

 

There is just something I like about Will Howard. He seems like a worker and leader. Most say he will be nothing more than an NFL backup at best.
But, I just think there is more than that.

He played mostly at Kansas St and then transferred to Ohio State.

He seems to play with a chip on the shoulder. If nothing else this is an easy guy to root for.

 

Mason, Spencer and Isaac are the only ones we have seen in real time NFL Starts. Scharping has a lot of experience but none of which has been ever seen by Pittsburgh during the regular season. Of the guards listed, Steven Jones could be a gem but that will have to be determined via OTAs, Training Camp and the Pre Season.

 

scharping gives them some vet leadership at least. the only other is seumalo. i was glad they brought scharping back. he will at least be familiar with the offense and coach at this point going to camp. nester too. i think this helps and gives them a head start.

 

Howard, for some reason, feels like what you would get if you tossed the essences of Big Ben and Mason Rudolph into a blender, with their strengths, weaknesses, and vibe. I actually kinda dig it. He just comes across very much like a Pittsburgh Steeler, and also like a potential diamond in the rough.

His Gruden interview and highlight reels also left me thinking we might have gotten a steal in drafting him so late. Time will tell.