2022 Top Priority - Quarterback or Offensive Line ?

[carbonsteel]

I really think our focus should be on :

* obtaining the BEST offensive line coach we can
* finding the BEST offensive line players through free agency or draft or both.

I believe THAT will give us the best bang for our buck and provide the best long term success.

I'd be willing to ride out next year with what we have JUST to make offensive line the priority THIS year.
Going that route, I'd look for a veteran like Ryan Fitzpatrick or a Gardner Minschew that would be amicable with our current situation - transition. Really I'm probably more on board with a Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has been in similar situations with past teams and accepts the role well. Plus veteran presence at the position would be valuable next year.

Also we already have a huge investment in a top caliber running back. Wouldn't it make sense to get him a line that can block so we can utilize that talent? A more dominant OL would better our time of possession, which would help our defense by not being on the field.

Looking at it from another angle, why would a top notch free agent quarterback come here and get killed with this offensive line ? It would make no sense for them.

Having a top notch offensive line can dramatically improve our running game AND help even a serviceable QB be successful.

Thinking about this more, the fact that the QB draft pool is so poor this year - focusing on an OL now seems to make even more sense.
Having one will make a future draft QB more stable OR make us more attractive to a free agent quarterback.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

Picking in the 2nd half again this year, they have to keep all options open. With so many holes to fill, I hope they don't fixate on one particular position, but take the best player
available in a needed position.

Personally, I hope it's a C or OG that falls to them, but can't rule out the QB Pickett if he falls to 20.

It really doesn't matter, because they'll run to the podium with a name different than what we expected.

 

[mightyguru]

I think the priority should be D-line and run-stopping. The o-line actually played better the last couple games and can be propped up via FA.

 

[slashsteel]

They have enough money to upgrade three areas,which they need to do. Not what to start with IMO it is how many you can get in the door and signed quickly. But if I had to choose one position it would be Center. As you want to get a good push up the middle to complement Najee's style of play. RT and RG and QB upgrade would follow quickly after that. Then I would quickly focus in on CB, SS, and DE/NT depending on what they do with Tuitt. NT would be addressed one way or another seeing the significant drop off when Alu isn't in there.

 

[Confluence]

OL, DL, ILB
Need strength up the center of the team or short term fix at QB (like Ben this past season) will be less likely to work.
It would be great to address at least a couple needs in FA before the draft.
They could "fix" the OL, in one offseason, like the Chiefs did
They could **** or get off the Tuitt pot, and either cut or play him.
They could find an ILB thru FA or trade, cut Schobert and relegate Spillane and Bush to the pine.
If they resolve a couple of these clear needs quickly, then the decision on how much to "bet" on a rental QB is made easier.

 

[TDX27]

I think the priority should be D-line and run-stopping. The o-line actually played better the last couple games and can be propped up via FA.

I absolutely agree. We have ignored the D-line with top prospects for too long and it bit us in the *** hard this year. If Davis is on the board at our pick in Rd. 1, he should be the pick.

 

[madinsomniac]

The oline needs a stud on it. That trumps the dline… the dline is easier to fix through free agency if they cut ties with tuitt… the kind of line anchor we need on offense isn’t as easy to find… also if alualu comes back as expected and tuitt does play, tge dline is fine… the developmental dlinemen like loudermilk should be better this year. John Mitchell and dunbar have excellent records for getting lower round picks to contribute at a high level

Now at any point if a guy they feel could be a true franchise qb comes up you grab him no questions asked… but you best be sure he is a good bet.


My fear is they will grab the best available qb and he will be just a guy and because we invested a first they won’t give up on him for half a decade…

 

[xjx]

They won't draft a qb ( but will bring in a UDFA or two). They will find a vet qb in the preseason that gets dumped from some team. And that will be it, Rudolph, haskins, Dobbs, washed up vet, UDFA. That's what we're looking at folks.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Target Ben Jones C from Tennessee in free agency. Get a later round RT prospect from a lesser known college.

Then focus on adding to the talent at CB, S, and WR in the draft.

Target ILB from Atlanta in free agency.

Roll with the rest until 2023.

 

[TDX27]

I am baffled how so many think our DL is just fine. We just got rolled for over 1,000 yards rushing in a 5 game span. Ya, I know we have some young late-round guys that might pan out. I know we have Cam but he has only a couple years left in the tank at his level. Tuitt is more than likely gone, overrated, and if he comes back this year is gone after his contract in a year. There is no way he should get a 2nd monster contract like Cam. He's not in the same league as Cam and is not a leader. And, if Alualu comes back the same from his injury is probably gone after 2022 as well. We haven't picked anyone in the top 3 rounds since Tuitt in 2014. We need top picks on the DL as it is the key to the rest of our D otherwise we will completely waste the prime years of Watt and Fitz coming up over the next 5 years or so. I'm just not good with thinking we have anywhere near what we need on the DL to be a great or even the good D we will need to be (with no franchise QB to bail us out) and should always look to be as Steelers. It's our tradition.

As I have said countless times, we need a starter caliber (not pro-bowler but legit starter) player on the OL and DL in free agency. We then need to take DL and OL as our 1st 2 picks and possibly double dip one of them if the right player is there. That solidifies both lines for years to come and makes everything else work. Ignore the DL and our D will suck even worse than this year sooner rather than later especially since Tomlin will be the one still running it no matter who the scapegoat is at D coordinator.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I think the priority should be D-line and run-stopping. The o-line actually played better the last couple games and can be propped up via FA.

No they didn't, but I am 100% with you on the second part. The OL needs propped up via FA and propped up with one stud and probably another mid-tier type player.

 

[warriors42]

The problem is that we hardly ever make a serious run at a top FA. next this being Colberts last year just how much will his head be into this draft. I just aint real excited about the offseason, sure hope I'm wrong

 

[Drink IRON City]

OL, DL, ILB
Need strength up the center of the team or short term fix at QB (like Ben this past season) will be less likely to work.
It would be great to address at least a couple needs in FA before the draft.
They could "fix" the OL, in one offseason, like the Chiefs did
They could **** or get off the Tuitt pot, and either cut or play him.
They could find an ILB thru FA or trade, cut Schobert and relegate Spillane and Bush to the pine.
If they resolve a couple of these clear needs quickly, then the decision on how much to "bet" on a rental QB is made easier.

Shobert gets 9mil currently, bring him back at 1/2 that, healed and healthy.

Need quality starting center draft or FA

High draft ILB & OT right................. NO ******* projects


Salute the nation

 

[MT~Forged]

Why is it alway said that the OL can be fixed in FA, but somehow the DL must come through the Draft?

 

[Punxsutawney]

The problem is that we hardly ever make a serious run at a top FA. next this being Colberts last year just how much will his head be into this draft. I just aint real excited about the offseason, sure hope I'm wrong

I would hope Colbert would have enough respect for the organization to leave before he was making decisions toward something he was no longer full committed to.

I'm not saying that's the case, but it does worry me somewhat.

I believe one of the beat writers said Colbert has suggested he wants to stay until the future of the QB position is set.

He considers it one last challenge, I guess.