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Big offseason for these ten young players

WindyCitySteel

WindyCitySteel

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New coach coming in, time for some young guys to have themselves a great offseason and hopefully impress the new staff, who will have no attachment to them, nor any biases against them.

1. Will Howard

He had a year to learn from a legend, it's a weak QB class (at least where the Steelers are picking), and he's the only QB under contract. Work your d!ck off and show up at camp ready to win the job.

2. Kaleb Johnson

I loved this pick, he just never got out of the dog house after the KO debacle. Ideally he would become the feature back with JDubs as the 3rd down guy. Not sure they'll resign Gainwell. He could be another Joe Mixon.

3. Roman Wilson

There were reports of his inability to pick up the playbook at one point, but he seemed to be getting open in his limited opportunities to play. Don't give up on this kid.

4. Yahya Black

For some reason, Tomlin and Austin didn't consider him to be a NT and instead put Benton there. This guy could be an awesome run stuffer in the mold of Big Snack. Get stronger and quicker, kid.

5. Broderick Jones

This is his last chance to stay with the Steelers, wouldn't be surprised if he's a camp cut if he doesn't improve. Has all the tools, technique is terrible at times.

6. Jack Sawyer

Nice rookie campaign in limited action, needs to get a little bigger and keep working on technique, show up to mini-camp making them think they can trade TJ for picks.

7. Nick Herbig

Doesn't get enough snaps, like Sawyer, show up and do the same thing as Sawyer. A trio of Highsmith/Herbig/Sawyer would be fine with me.

8. Payton Wilson

Work on your pass coverage, you're not the best in the NFL. This kid flashes, though, and has a ton of potential. Time to unlock it.

9. Darnell Washington

Needs to be a little quicker, he could lose 20 and still be a monster, maybe even moreso than he was this year. No more 13 or 14 personnel please, but Muth and DWash should be a fine 12 grouping.

10. Don't have a 10th, but there's no such thing as a top 9 list.
 
Unfortunately, Mason Rudolph is indeed under contract with the Steelers in 2026. He has a $3 million salary, carries a $4.6225 million cap hit, and his dead cap number is $1,622,500.

No idea what's going to happen under the new staff, but I would love to see Will Howard at least have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the starting job.
 
You guys are right, Mason has one more year. I was thinking of Skylar Thompson and Rodgers.

Still, Mason needs to move on, he has zero upside in this city.

Point remains, big offseason for Howard, he needs to make them realize it would be a waste to pick Ty Simpson at 1.21.
 
topseed said:
Unfortunately, Mason Rudolph is indeed under contract with the Steelers in 2026. He has a $3 million salary, carries a $4.6225 million cap hit, and his dead cap number is $1,622,500.

No idea what's going to happen under the new staff, but I would love to see Will Howard at least have a legitimate opportunity to compete for the starting job.
Click to expand...

Draftniks are already mocking Ty Simpson to the Steelers. He's got the double-whammy, he's old but lacks experience. One year starting but will turn 24 his rookie season.

Go grab a vet QB to help stabilize the room and mentor Will Howard and draft a weapon for him at 1.21.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
You guys are right, Mason has one more year. I was thinking of Skylar Thompson and Rodgers.

Still, Mason needs to move on, he has zero upside in this city.

Point remains, big offseason for Howard, he needs to make them realize it would be a waste to pick Ty Simpson at 1.21.
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He doesn't get a lot of time before the draft to do so. 6 April is when the new head coach can start workouts, and 23 April is draft day.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
Draftniks are already mocking Ty Simpson to the Steelers. He's got the double-whammy, he's old but lacks experience. One year starting but will turn 24 his rookie season.
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Was that before Moore declared he is staying in college? Most mocks had Moore going to the jets at 2, so with Moore out of the draft, a few of the mocks might change Simpson from going to the Steelers at 21 to New York Jets at 16 (or even 2).
 
Simpson is only an inch taller than Kenny. No mention of hand size. But he's 2 inches taller than Malik one read Willis.
 
i wonder what the market will be for DeMarvin Leal.

yes, he couldnt get on the field in the Tomlin Era and was relegated to practice squad this season.
but, that can also be argued as the previous coaching staff didnt know what to do with him. He looked like a good pass rusher when I saw him, but admit that i didnt pay a lot of attention to his play otherwise.
 
coaches and their staffs are in the W business if DL and RW couldn't get on the field with all the injuries and suspensions there were legit reasons. Wilson did flash at times but, there is something missing or he would have seen the field. I would like to see them explore a trade for J. Smith. Washington and Friermuth can handle t load. totally agree on Howard. Is there anyway to transplant HOF arm strength to Thompson. He looks like he can read and throw on time to the correct read but he has zero zip on the ball. He would be a Pb QB playing two's and three's but his throws look like lollipops.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
Draftniks are already mocking Ty Simpson to the Steelers. He's got the double-whammy, he's old but lacks experience. One year starting but will turn 24 his rookie season.

Go grab a vet QB to help stabilize the room and mentor Will Howard and draft a weapon for him at 1.21.
Click to expand...
Draftniks are purely speculating, considering the fact that they don't even know who will be coaching the Steelers.
 
Superman said:
i wonder what the market will be for DeMarvin Leal.

yes, he couldnt get on the field in the Tomlin Era and was relegated to practice squad this season.
but, that can also be argued as the previous coaching staff didnt know what to do with him. He looked like a good pass rusher when I saw him, but admit that i didnt pay a lot of attention to his play otherwise.
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this drips with sarcasm.

But true that, previous coaching staff put a team on the field to start the season , and by mid season two starters on the defense are out of football.

The guy who got cut from camp is now the starting left tackle and i guess its not even close save for jones draft spot.

Got a premier rb in the draft who couldnt get on the field to save his life.

A big money free agent was a giant liability down the stretch.

******* chuck clark was on the street to start the season and came in and was arguably the top safety.
 
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This is a good list and they are in different groups.

Can these guys play?
Wilson and Johnson haven't had many opportunities to show what they can do. Are they not cutting it in practice or are there other factors keeping them off the field? Toss Will Howard in here as well. He had no chance, but with a very thin QB crop via free agency and the draft, the Steelers won't have many options. Will we hire an OC good enough to set up a young QB for success? Is Howard up to the task?

What's the role?
Broderick Jones may have lost his job to a better and cheaper backup. However, there could still be uptapped potential and Jones could explode onto the scene and finally become the LT the Steelers envisioned when he was Khan's first-ever draft pick. Meanwhile, Herbig could potentially be a starter for a lot of teams. He's the Steelers best pass rusher and is limited by opportunities. Payton Wilson is going into his third year and checks a lot of boxes you want in an ILB. He still has upside, just maybe not best in the world. Washington developed as a receiver in addition to his blocking and could fill the TE1 or TE2 role if the new coach values Freiermuth.

Just a Backup?
Black wasn't particularly productive in college and that often translates to the NFL. For his role, he doesn't necessarily need to put up huge numbers. NT seems like his ideal role, yet in his limited opportunities, he was bad. That could've been from the lack of preparation during the offseason for the position. Meanwhile, Jack Sawyer may be limited athletically, yet he was creating big plays and flashing signs of developing as a pass rusher.
 
topseed said:
Draftniks are purely speculating, considering the fact that they don't even know who will be coaching the Steelers.
Click to expand...


Also the lollipop flavor changes multiple times between now and then.



Salute the nation
 
SteelerFan448 said:
This is a good list and they are in different groups.

Can these guys play?
Wilson and Johnson haven't had many opportunities to show what they can do. Are they not cutting it in practice or are there other factors keeping them off the field? Toss Will Howard in here as well. He had no chance, but with a very thin QB crop via free agency and the draft, the Steelers won't have many options. Will we hire an OC good enough to set up a young QB for success? Is Howard up to the task?

What's the role?
Broderick Jones may have lost his job to a better and cheaper backup. However, there could still be uptapped potential and Jones could explode onto the scene and finally become the LT the Steelers envisioned when he was Khan's first-ever draft pick. Meanwhile, Herbig could potentially be a starter for a lot of teams. He's the Steelers best pass rusher and is limited by opportunities. Payton Wilson is going into his third year and checks a lot of boxes you want in an ILB. He still has upside, just maybe not best in the world. Washington developed as a receiver in addition to his blocking and could fill the TE1 or TE2 role if the new coach values Freiermuth.

Just a Backup?
Black wasn't particularly productive in college and that often translates to the NFL. For his role, he doesn't necessarily need to put up huge numbers. NT seems like his ideal role, yet in his limited opportunities, he was bad. That could've been from the lack of preparation during the offseason for the position. Meanwhile, Jack Sawyer may be limited athletically, yet he was creating big plays and flashing signs of developing as a pass rusher.
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can these guys play?
I think the new regime would be wise to keep them and find out.
Howard,,, add skyler Thompson to that position. Looked awesome preseason,, got hurt. Havent seen him since.. They hid him on IR for a hamstring. or something.
And Mason is here to compete,, let em compete, save that #1 for a true #1 qb.

Whats the role. I agree with all you say , New regime new coach up new outlook. IM keeping them too.

Back up.
Dont forget we had 2 Defensive linemen on the IR , in loudermilk and the white guy i cant remember his name.
jack sawyer... nothing bad to say , did what he was asked.. he was slated a back up,, id keep him as such unless he somehow wows next year.
 
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