Honest Evaluation of Recent Top Picks

[Litos]

I think Seumalo should have been the strength of the OL this past season and was probably 4th best of 5 when Broderick Jones was LT and then moved to 5th of 5 when Dylan Cook came off the PS to start.

Steelers need better performance first, and second, to pay reasonably for that. I do not think the 32 yr old Seumalo is likely to fit that bill.

Further, with the happy emergence of Dylan Cook at LT, why not move BJ inside to LG? He clearly needs help when playing on the edge, so maybe his natural home is at LG?

agree on Seumalo, regarding BJ, given how they have handled him trying out of position at RT then moving back when they knew he was a raw prospect, I'm not sure moving him again would be the best idea, I think he needs continuity in one position. Also leverage would be an issue at G given his height wouldn't it?

 

[Confluence]

agree on Seumalo, regarding BJ, given how they have handled him trying out of position at RT then moving back when they knew he was a raw prospect, I'm not sure moving him again would be the best idea, I think he needs continuity in one position. Also leverage would be an issue at G given his height wouldn't it?

Thanks Litos; I have no clue on leverage. Maybe he could be b/u swing T?

I do know that I have witnessed great success with Villanueva and now Cook at LT, disappointment with how BJ, Green, and Big Dot were handled, and would be quite pleased with a top 10-15 OL next season, with 3 quality b/us.

Of the two 1sts and one 2nd on the OL, only Frazier has clearly distinguished himself. Maybe that is about coaching or scheme; i don't know. Guys with lower expectations have clearly outperformed those drafted much higher

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Dylan Cook has to have the #1 slot at LT, doesn't he? one bad game beside Seumalo who was worse, but several excellent games as 4th stringer PS guy.

I’d have an open competition

Cook started hot and got worse with every game imo until he was absolutely exposed as a PS guy by the end of his short stint.

Broderick started poorly and was improving nicely until the injury. If he fully recovers (which is questionable at best) he likely obliterates Ccok with any level of decent “coaching up”.

The athletic difference between the two is pretty vast. Cook was a pleasant surprise that turned into an absolute nightmare.

That being said bringing in or drafting a LT should be on the table (at a minimum a solid veteran swing tackle).

 

[Confluence]

I’d have an open competition

Cook started hot and got worse with every game imo until he was absolutely exposed as a PS guy by the end of his short stint.

Broderick started poorly and was improving nicely until the injury. If he fully recovers (which is questionable at best) he likely obliterates Ccok with any level of decent “coaching up”.

The athletic difference between the two is pretty vast. Cook was a pleasant surprise that turned into an absolute nightmare.

That being said bringing in or drafting a LT should be on the table (at a minimum a solid veteran swing tackle).

excellent.
completely agree.
let's hope the new staff does too!

best performer gets the job until he gets hurt or performance isn't good enough, then next man up!

 

[chipped ham]

I disagree on Benton. There were times this year that it looked like he was turning the corner, and becoming a stout lineman. Then, late in the year, I saw too many instances of him being turned into the hole, and just being too easy for an offensive lineman to get out of the way. Each year we’ve been hearing about him “turning the corner,” and it seems he ends up disappointing. I think Harmon/Black are already better players (though they don’t have the pass rush Benton does offer, on occasion).

 

[chipped ham]

I think the knock on Chambliss is he only had one year with a Division I college. He only started for 2 years (Pickett did start for 4 years), and did well both years, but the first year of starting was a Div II college. First year he was redshirted, then I think he lost most of a year to injury, which I believe is the reason he is trying to argue for an extra year of college eligibility.

I don't think he's going first round, possibly worth a day three pick.

The little that I did see of him, was impressive. He made some awesome plays in the playoff game Ole Miss won, and he’s uber athletic. He’s a very interesting prospect, and one I’m excited to keep an eye on until draft time.

 

[Punxsutawney]

I disagree on Benton. There were times this year that it looked like he was turning the corner, and becoming a stout lineman. Then, late in the year, I saw too many instances of him being turned into the hole, and just being too easy for an offensive lineman to get out of the way. Each year we’ve been hearing about him “turning the corner,” and it seems he ends up disappointing. I think Harmon/Black are already better players (though they don’t have the pass rush Benton does offer, on occasion).

Benton just isn't a NT, but Tomlin and Austin insisted on using him as such too often.

He's one of those younger players who I wonder whether another defensive coach like Shula or Flores could get more out of than Tomlin did.

Herbig and Payton Wilson are players like that among the LBs.

 

[maowv]

Benton just isn't a NT, but Tomlin and Austin insisted on using him as such too often.

He's one of those younger players who I wonder whether another defensive coach like Shula or Flores could get more out of than Tomlin did.

Herbig and Payton Wilson are players like that among the LBs.

Agree completely. At 305, Benton is too light to play the nose. He should be in Stephon Tuitt's old spot opposite Cam.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I think the knock on Chambliss is he only had one year with a Division I college. He only started for 2 years (Pickett did start for 4 years), and did well both years, but the first year of starting was a Div II college. First year he was redshirted, then I think he lost most of a year to injury, which I believe is the reason he is trying to argue for an extra year of college eligibility.

I don't think he's going first round, possibly worth a day three pick.

And despite what Kiper says about the Steelers taking Ty Simpson I don't see any QB in this draft not named Mendoza that is a clear upgrade over Will Howard if we could fast forward Will Howard to coming out of college this draft. So take BPA at positions of need till third round with its multiple picks and if a guy like Chambliss us there.......sure.

 

[insaniti]

Agree completely. At 305, Benton is too light to play the nose. He should be in Stephon Tuitt's old spot opposite Cam.

The DL of the future should be Harmon, Black, Benton.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Someone online pointed out the other day that of the Steelers’ last 12 first round picks only one got a second contract with them (TJ).

 

[madinsomniac]

So lets look at the 23 and 24 drafts ( this one is wayyy too new to judge

first 2023-

1- Broderick Jones
2- JPjr
2- Keeanu Benton
3- Darnell Washington
4- Nick Herbig
7- Corey Trice
7- Spenser Anderson

Ok so i went through a bunch off redrafts of 2023..
They typically arent great indicators till 5 years later, but still...

Jones was expected to be very raw, and he was/is.. sites arent ranking him as a first round value anymore.. but he has started for the better part of 3 years now.. abd Olinenen are like gold.. so he still gets a low second to high 4th value on him, so he gets a C- grade

JPjr is a pick that probably was perfect. There are one or two that value him in that bottom of the second/ top of the third area. He gets lower ratings cause of lack of picks and a couple bad penalty games. The pick was solid, B+

Benton is another solid pick... yeah he is used weirdly by us, but redrafts had him routinely in the second with one in the first round.. so his value is probably right
B

Washington... there is no way this guy lasts till the third in a redraft. He is a top of the second/ bottom of the first guy on his blocking and mismatch potential.most of these redrafts were mostly pre-2025 and they still had him in the second round before all his highlight catch and runs
A+

Herbig.. this guy is a first rounder in all redrafts. He gets an A++ because he would be an A plus hadcwe picked him in the first...

Corey Trice ... the guy is perpetually injured, but damn he has talent... he has played in 6 games in 3 seasons.. he has 1 start and 1 pick and 2 PDs..
the majority of 7th round picks never play a meaningful snap for the team that drafts them.. most that make the team only play on ST, so he isnt a total bust, but man he is injury prone.. D- only on availability

Spenser Anderson. This dude is a great pick. Like he significantly contributed across the line. He should have been at worse a mid round pick, maybe a low second based on OL need in the league these days..
A+

 

[madinsomniac]

Someone online pointed out the other day that of the Steelers’ last 12 first round picks only one got a second contract with them (TJ).

Technically Edmunds signed a second contract with us, just years after he left

And league average is 30% of first rounders sign a second deal with their team.. so in 12 years , you should have 3-4 such players...

 

[Badcat]

Someone online pointed out the other day that of the Steelers’ last 12 first round picks only one got a second contract with them (TJ).

I get their point but they're cherry picking stats. You still have the last three picks on thier rookie contracts so you're at 9 years. 2020 Minkah was essentially our first round pick and his contract was extended. Terrell Edmunds didn't get his fifth year option, but they did extend his contract. Ryan Shazier was playing at a level that would have earned himself a second contract offer until he was injured.

 

[deljzc]

I've been studying our roster (and we will likely go into a lot more detail after a coach is picked and we get into free agency) but the offensive side of the ball is fairly straight forward:

We lost QB (Rodgers 916 snaps,/96%), RB (Gainwell 517 snaps, 50%), OG (Seumalo 762 snaps/92%), WR (Austin, 446 snaps/53%)

Depth wise, we have 24 offensive players under contract for 2026, but that includes 7 that are undrafted/minimum salary bodies.

So, at a minimum, we need to replace QB, RB, OL, WR on roster through draft or free agency.

Again, I'm not really thinking 2026 should be a "go all in" type of year. I think we have a good nucleus of talent under contract. The O-line looks promising. We probably just FA a veteran QB and expect to draft RB/OL/WR in the first 4 rounds. We might pick up Oline in free agency again (we have the money - the 24 guys under contract only are counting 100M of the 300M cap space).

I still think I am a believer in Project 2027 to get a QB in the draft as I think that is a potentially good draft class.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I’d have an open competition

Cook started hot and got worse with every game imo until he was absolutely exposed as a PS guy by the end of his short stint.

Broderick started poorly and was improving nicely until the injury. If he fully recovers (which is questionable at best) he likely obliterates Ccok with any level of decent “coaching up”.

The athletic difference between the two is pretty vast. Cook was a pleasant surprise that turned into an absolute nightmare.

That being said bringing in or drafting a LT should be on the table (at a minimum a solid veteran swing tackle).

SAME needs to be said on the new OL coach, bring in one of the best.

I watch the OL continue to under performing. They started to look better (not saying much as the low bar), and some started to say maybe it isn’t Pat Meyer, maybe he’s had bad talent all along……….

I say bull-****, Pat Meyers is hot garbage regardless of talent. This group is under-performing under his totalage.

With the new HC, we should also get an OL coach up-grade.



Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

I've been studying our roster (and we will likely go into a lot more detail after a coach is picked and we get into free agency) but the offensive side of the ball is fairly straight forward:

We lost QB (Rodgers 916 snaps,/96%), RB (Gainwell 517 snaps, 50%), OG (Seumalo 762 snaps/92%), WR (Austin, 446 snaps/53%)

Depth wise, we have 24 offensive players under contract for 2026, but that includes 7 that are undrafted/minimum salary bodies.

So, at a minimum, we need to replace QB, RB, OL, WR on roster through draft or free agency.

Again, I'm not really thinking 2026 should be a "go all in" type of year. I think we have a good nucleus of talent under contract. The O-line looks promising. We probably just FA a veteran QB and expect to draft RB/OL/WR in the first 4 rounds. We might pick up Oline in free agency again (we have the money - the 24 guys under contract only are counting 100M of the 300M cap space).

I still think I am a believer in Project 2027 to get a QB in the draft as I think that is a potentially good draft class.

Not sure who we lost but hoping Gainwell is brought back…

 

[Litos]

Not sure who we lost but hoping Gainwell is brought back…

he will gain well on that contract