Steelers' draft strategy

Is he exceptional, or is the Qb, and scheme really good??
The only Wrs I have ever thought were worth 1st round picks have really been after the fact, and they are guys that have looked awesome with every single Qb they have played with. For example: Mike Evans, or D Hop in his day, but that is few, and far between. That's why I said not too many Wrs are worth a 1st round. Look at how many Wrs looked good with Ben for example, and afterwards disappeared, and the only ones I can think of that really did anything after they left Ben, went to other great Qbs , the ones that didn't, disappeared.
It's really hard to find Wrs that look good with multiple Qbs.

 

I am good with this. Especially the D line

 

I see 3-4 WRs going in the first round if all of the top OL are gone, I'm good with Omar Cooper Jr. at #21.

 

Not fake news but irrelevant for a WR

 

ARII made it clear the draft will be a collaborative effort between Omar McCarthy and the rest of the staff

McCarthy certainly will not have the clout many assume Tomlin did

Omar certainly will not draft anyone McCarthy does not want

 

Any thoughts on double safeties? Brisker is only signed for one year and Elliott is only signed for one more. Thienman-Clark?

 

I fully expect the Jets to take Simpson at #16.


Now, would the Steelers trade up to get ahead of New York at #16?


I also keep seeing Mock Draft's that have the Browns taking Simpson at #6; that blows my mind, but it would definitely be a Browns move after drafting 2 QBs last year, and renegotiating Watson's contract this year, to add a 4th QB to their roster in Round #1.

 

Say no to Simpson. He isn't worth the 21st pick. Average arm, short NCAA career and faded away when defenses figured him out.

Key defensive strategies that disrupted Simpson include:

• Increased Blitz Frequency: While Simpson was efficient against the blitz early in the season, defenses ramped up pressure as more tape became available. His passing grade and completion rate dropped significantly when facing consistent pressure in his final eight games.
• Disguised Post-Snap Looks: Coordinators utilized more "exotic" and disguised coverage looks late in the season to capitalize on Simpson's tendency to "over-diagnose" or hesitate when his pre-snap read was challenged.
• Interior Pressure: Defenses found success with interior pressure, which speeded up Simpson's process and forced "misfires" or throws off his back foot. This also exposed his limited lateral acceleration.
• Forcing Vertical Struggles: Teams increasingly played to stop the run and dared Simpson to beat them deep, knowing he struggled with deep-ball touch and vertical accuracy (completing only 5 of 25 attempts attacking the deep middle).
• Attacking Ball Security: Defenders capitalized on his emerging ball security issues, as he recorded fumbles in five consecutive games when the pocket collapsed.

====================

Ty Simpson Performance Split (2025 Season)

First 7 Games - Completion% 70.2%; Passing Yards/Game 275; TD:INT Ratio 18:1

Last 6 Games - Completion% 58.1%; Passing Yards/Game222; TD:INT Ratio 2:1

 

A 4.46 doesn't necessarily mean you can get off the scrimmage or run well after the catch. At the podium he sounded dumb as a stump, but perhaps he was nervous. I would rather address another position than take a chance on WR that could be a problem. If the Steelers select him then so be it. I am not saying he is horrible or that picking him at 21 is the end of the world. He could very well turn out to be a great WR. The Steelers have had issues with problem WRs like Pickens, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Diontae Johnson. It really depends on who is available at 21. I will hope for the best.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usc-wr-makai-lemon-caught-141327480.html He could have some ADD.

Pro day times are 0.10s to 0.17s faster on average than at the NFL combine.

 

My biggest issue with Sadiq is that Oregon doesn't seem to run conventional offense and rarely do Oregon players do anything in the NFL.

Physically, he's got all you want, whether he's an undersized TE or oversized WR, he would be a tough matchup for a short CB or a slow LB to cover.

Now, if WE draft him, would we use him? The under-utilization of TEs over the past 30 years has been a bur in our saddle. Even when we had really good ones, they always seemed like a safety-valve or an afterthought. We have a new HC/OC, any change?

I am firmly against drafting players you won't use enough to make it worthwhile. So hopefully someone is hitting the brakes on Sadiq if there is no plans to routinely get him 7+ targets a game. Pass.

Would be like trading up for an MLB only to run schemes that doesn't have him on the field half the defensive plays.

 

You're really trying to say Lemon is a headcase because of a Combine interview . Newsflash: not everybody is comfortable with public speaking.

 

Which I stated could be the issue. If you believe he is pristine and can't miss then I am hope you are right and we select him. Also, you mean combine interviews. It's not just his possible mental issue that makes me hesitant to select him at 21 pick on him. As I said, if he is selected then I back him until he shows he isn't worth it.

 

Simpson has played 15 games as a starter
What am I missing here

 

15 career starts
Yeah
Lets move up and get him
ASAP

 

Besides the disaster that was on stage, everyone is saying he bombed his 1 on 1 personal team interviews. Not sure how talking to a coach behind closed doors would be considered "Public Speaking"


Lemon pulling a Lemon at the combine.
What route do you run here Mkai... Answer... I don't have a clue.
What route would you run here... Answer... Not a clue there either.
Your playbook says.... Yeah, I am going to stop you right there because I don't read those things, I just go with the flow.

Interview Performance: Reports indicate he “absolutely bombed” his in-person meetings with teams, leading to questions about his demeanor and character.


For me, I am scratching my head as to why the Steelers did not send a single coach to USC's Pro Day???

 

Sounds like the voodoo head qb that went to the Vikings
They play video games
No time for film study

 

Director of Player Scouting Mark Sadkowski

https://steelersdepot.com/2026/03/2026-pittsburgh-steelers-pro-day-tracker/

 

i wouldn't rule out one of those ILB'ers either. hill or allen or styles if there. they have met with a few. it's obvious omar was trying to move queen.

further more for those that think wilson isn't that good, he and mccormick made some money from last year.

https://steelersdepot.com/2026/03/pair-of-steelers-among-nfl-leaders-in-2025-bonus-money/

 

It wasn't everybody I saw none of the big name NFL guys report that, his pre-draft visits will be more important than some Combine interview.

 

who from USC ???

 

Who
Is on first base