TE Depth

You wrote it as if it was just one draft pick, implying that it wasn't much of a price to pay. That is silly.

It does not upgrade one half of the team. It upgrades one position, one that is less of a need than many others on the team.

Tight end is deep in this draft, too, so the first-round pick doesn't have to be wasted on one of them when there are many greater needs on the team.

Branch would be an upgrade, with the capability to play the slot and start at safety. Muse is not a safety. He is a special teams guy who might help out as a reserve at inside linebacker.

None of those linebackers seem like a long-term option. As already mentioned, Muse is primarily a special teamer. Crowder? You're funny.

Both tackles are weak links on offense. How do you not know that?

 

TE is deep in this draft but not one that blocks that well. big difference. we don't really need another pass catching TE, we have one that the passing game is his strength and a FB/TE that is capable at running the ball and catching the ball. we don't need another one of those. now one that is the best blocking TE in the draft and can give you some passing game upgrade to an extent is in fact a guy you would have to get early. so no it's not silly unless you want to just fill more of the same.

 

Exactly. It’s not adding a good player at the position, but one who is projected to be a dominating force for run AND pass blocking, PLUS is a monster target with an enormous proven catch radius, a grip of bananas in hand size, with an untold ceiling for/if and when he develops more as middle of the field receiving threat.

What *this specific player” (not positional pick) provides is hopefully the ability to grab a 1st round CB or DB then (again) hopefully he is there at 32 so that a decent Tackle like Darnel Write is there at 49. This specific TE helps a new tackle or even the two starters from last year to play cleaner and stronger for the offense to function more powerfully. The other TE in the draft are a distant drop off in this description and not worthy of the early pick for The Steelers.

If he’s not there, then I’m in agreement with the rest of the human race to draft at other needs. I just believe that if they create this structure of a high percentage 12 man front with Washington (only!) we become a unique offensive force in the NFL, not even our division and conference. I don’t think any teams defense has an answer for this.

God help us if Cincy or the Ravens pair their good tight ends with Washington against our defense.

 

I’ll ask few questions again.

1) Of the positional groups on either side of the ball, which are considered a strength on this team?

2) What one single draft pick takes any of our positional rooms and makes it a dominant force right away? A TE that blocks and has the huge physical measurables that Darnell Washington does does.

3) As a hypothetical - if Washington blocks as well as (or better) than Heath Miller like I think he can, and probably be almost or as good as a receiver as Heath Miller was; would you say the pick at 32 is worth it?

Yes, I’m thinking this guy can be a physical player (I don’t know mental or character traits) at the level Miller was.

4) Would Heath Miller and Muth together in 12 man sets be a luxury or a dominant weapon that most teams couldn’t defend against consistently?

5) Would you pick Heath Miller at #32 in this years draft or go to another position?

 

Claiming that it was just one draft pick, minimizing the value, was the part that was silly.

In addition to having other, greater needs, No. 17 is too high for Washington.

 

I feel we could use another guy who can fill in for what Muth brings if we need to.

Muth has an issue with concussions and getting nicked up. I feel he will miss time at some point during the season.

 

Heath Miller was an accomplished receiver with a complete route tree at Virginia. Darnell Washington was neither of those things at Georgia. He caught 45 passes for 774 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons with the Bulldogs. Miller caught 70 for 835 yards and six touchdowns in just his best season at UVA.

 

it was more in reference to not wanting one in the first 3 picks as std was commenting on. if TE fulfils a need to upgrade then is it too soon? if that pick won't be there at your next pick and beyond that the specific need you want him to fill is downgraded after that, i don't think it's too early to miss out on that specific need.

 

it has nothing to do with replacing muth and his pass catching ability. it's adding to the run blocking skills from the position and his pass catching after that is just icing on the cake.

 

Yes, reaching for talent is always a mistake. That is how you get picks like Terrell Edmunds.

Also, I'm not sure they see it as a need, at least not one they want to fill in the first round.

 

Cor

Correct, if they want to continue with a more traditional style offense like nearly, if not every single NFL does.


But if, IF…, they want to throw a wild card at any team they face who are not really suited to defend against two very good pass catchers of large size, then they need a guy like Washington.

Yes, it’s a long shot that they build this way. But they are in build mode, correct? The second and possibly third pick in this draft will almost certainly answer this question.

 

And Miller was not playing in as highly an accomplished and as stacked team in Virginia that Darnell Washington was playing in in Georgia’s stacked back-to-back national championship team. Georgia didn’t need to employ Washington as a receiving yards production like Virginia likely needed Miller. When and where Washington was used he provided great strength to that team and their winning titles.

Let’s bring that high value strength to western PA!

Haven’t we heard that Tomlin wants this team to run more effectively? This fact seems to somehow ignored in this conversational debate. No TE in the draft or currently on the team is up to his value either.

Im not sure what is to not love in the scenario that I am lobbying for that was not put out into the ether by me, but by other scheme wonks. I am just regurgitating what I’ve read and believe to be a great path forward.

 

he is good but no he is not a better blocker. i like mayer a lot too, but no he's not the better blocker. i would hate for cinci to get him though.

 

as he says at the bottom of this article the differences that could help us improve.

https://t.co/lIhRbtXVnn

 

wow steelers MT, you are just a disagree puncher today on everything. even what's cookin. what in the heck are you disagreeing about that one?

 

The point is that Miller had shown he can be a productive receiver in college in a way that Washington did not, so I reject the premise that the Steelers would be drafting another Miller. Washington has a hell of a lot more to prove as a receiver than Miller did coming out of college.

 

No comment about your draft crush last year.

If they go offensive tackle at 17, I expect them to go defense at 32, whether it be the best cornerback available, Branch if he falls, or Mazi Smith.

 

It's silly... in not the idea, but You have know way of knowing that's the type of Offense they want to run, and especially if they are looking to get rid of Canada after the season....We could go in an entirely different direction, or philosophy on the offense side.

 

no question mayer is the stud of the draft if looking for the best all around guy. he should have a good long career as a go to TE for a team.

 

the TE's. the TE's. thanks MT.

 

Wonder if he would grade the same in the SEC.

 

I don't see it happening because they will most likely trade #32, and DW will probably be gone by the time their next pick comes up.