Draft thoughts

My entire outlook at drafts has totally changed after this year. I've been a fan for over 50 years, and it's the first time I've ever had to consider the idea of "trades". If there was someone you really wanted, you threw a bunch of picks out there and went and got them. But this year's class was a masterclass in trading, and not just for the Steelers. The whole first round was amazing.

The trade up for #1 sets up the Bears for the next couple of years. Got back their second this year, A first next year, A second the year after that, and a stud wide receiver. As for Carolina, if you have a chance at a franchise QB, you pay whatever it costs.
At #3, you had a team desperate to trade out (the Cardinals) and a team desperate to trade up. Houston overpaid, but both teams got what they wanted. A first and third next year, plus #s 12 and 33. Houston gets a 4th and the top defensive player in the draft. It seems like a bad trade on Houston's part, but as someone pointed out, if they had taken Anderson at 2 and traded up for Stroudt, everyone would be talking about the great move they made.
At 6, you have the Cardinals, who desperately wanted Paris, and the Lions, who desperately wanted the guy taken at 5. If you honestly believe the next guy on their list was Jaymer Gibbs, it only made sense to trade down.
At 9, there was word of the Steelers trading up for Carter, but the cost would have been too high. The Eagles make a token offer even though they know no one is trading up for him. Bears pick up a 4th rounder next year for, well, absolutely nothing.
The Steelers/Patriots trade was a thing of beauty. The Steelers wait until there is one left tackle left. The Patriots know exactly who they want, and they know who the Steelers want. The Steelers know who the Jets want. They also know that A) the Jets don't need a corner, and B) Washington really, really, really liked Emmanuel Forbes. So they trade down at a discount, still get the guy they wanted, and stick it to the Jets. Steelers get the guy they want at a minimum.
The headscratcher is the Giants trading up one spot with the Jags. The Jags were locked in on Anton Harrison, who was a borderline first round talent, but the best T on the board by far. They needed to trade down. They weren't going to pick a CB. But I guess the Giants were afraid someone is going to jump them, so they offer a 5th and a 7th. Not a lot, but they didn't need to spend anything.
The Bills trade up with the Jags next. Once again, the Jags want to trade down, and the Bills want to jump the Cowboys, who they believe are looking at the TE they want. They toss out a fourth, the Jags jump, and both teams win. And get Harrison at 27, much closer to his value.

One last thought- The Cards are preparing to move on from Kyler Murray next year. They have an extra first, two extra thirds, and probably a third and fourth or fifth in compensatory selections. If they stink next year, they may eat the smurf's contract and try to move up for Caleb Williams.

 

With our FA signings and players drafted and undrafted we have improved our roster
to compete with the upper echelon teams. We may not be done yet.
We have some players that may be marketable come camp time. Barring injuries I will
be disappointed if we do not make playoffs.