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Honest Evaluation of Recent Top Picks

Litos said:
Harmon, Benton and Black are a pretry good base for the DLine core, we do have to draft another big ugly on D to complete the core. Then get a vet to guide them if Cam leaves.

On the OL the right side is set and affordable for the future. Yes Fautanu had an ugly game but this is first true season playing as injuries screwed him as a rookie. The left side is a puzzle, Bro Jones did improve but don't know if enough to sign him long term and expect high level development and drafting a mid round LG would be ideal while signing a starting vet for the front 5.

So basically at the least 2 relatively high pics must be invested at linemen. The top draft pick should be WR, and then double dip in later rounds. Another position to invest would be Safet , there's zero young talent there , get the best S/CB available in mid rounds to add to the staff.

This is how my ideal raft would look like
1- WR
3a- DL
3b- S/CB/OL/ILB
3c- S/CB/OL/ILB
4a-S/CB/OL/ILB
4b- S/CB/OL/ILB
5- WR
6- BPA
Etc

(The extra picks according to the current projected comps )
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I would take a flyer on a QB in mid rounds. Maybe someone like Allar if he drops far enough.
 
Litos said:
I'm no college football follower but I understand he only has one good year in what? 4 or 5? So a new Kenny Pickett?
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He has a lot of upside but could be a complete bust. Chances you take with QB's.
 
deljzc said:
So if I am going to get back into the Steelers, I have to know what we have in the cupboard.

What are peoples' opinion of all the recent trench guys we've drafted: Jones, Fautanu, Harmon, Frazier & Benton? Are they pulling their weight (pun intended)?

That's a lot of recent draft capital to improve our trenches and I'm curious if the investment is working. Not that I'm against drafting more big uglies, but if we do decide to trade Watt, our back-7 is looking awfully thin based on my roster analysis.

Just looking for people's opinions.
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Benton hasnt taken a leap into manhood. Still a boy in a big body.
Frazier was a win of a pick... Super happy
Harmon, hes a rookie. Cam didnt play his rookie year. Our def rushing stats suffered when he was out. The needle is pointing up big time.
Fautanu, Not much bad to say, Really hes a rookie this past year too, since he was hurt all his rookie year.
you didnt ask but Mccormick : What a great pick up . Best rated o lineman against texans. He just plays, Never looks Terrible.
Jones: Head case , like stupid. Hes Blaster,
SteelerFan448 said:
Broderick Jones - D
The approach the Steelers took with Jones was poor. He came in as a raw prospect and they should've focused on getting him ready to play LT. He's had ups and downs and we still don't know what type of player he can be.

Troy Fautanu - B+
This was basically his rookie year after missing last season. His best tape is really good--I know the playoff game was dreadful. I think he takes a step forward next year and will eventually be one of the top RTs in the league.

Zach Frazier - A+
Frazier is a standout among OL experts who consistently rate him as one of the best centers in the league.

Mason McCormick - A
I think we are getting above average play from a day 3. Excellent return on investment and he looks like a long-time starter. You don't need studs at every position, he's just going to be a good player.

Overall, this line can be very good, they just don't always play to the sum of their parts and that is on coaching/scheme.

Keeanu Benton - C+
I'm not sure if he's in the best position. He struggled early in the season and was getting dominated in the run game. We saw improvement later in the season and need that level of play over the course of an entire season. He's not a foundational piece but should get a second contract.

Derrick Harmon - B-
A few injury concerns this year. Developing as a pass rusher is a process for IDL. He's been good defending the run and I saw some progression with how he's using his hands from the start of the season. I don't think he's going to be another Cam Heyward, but he can develop into a Stephon Tuitt level player, expect more consistent.

Yahya Black - C
Depth player selected later in the draft. He doesn't offer a whole lot yet, but he's better than some of the other depth pieces in recent years.

There are some building blocks in this group, but there should be another high draft pick as Heyward isn't going to play forever.
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i agree with all of this post except for harmon.. He is an A+. Cam didnt even start his rookie year. Our stats suffered when Harmon wasnt playing..

HE gets an A + imo.
 
GMC said:
I think we have some good young lineman that have not been used properly and will look really good in black and gold with proper coaching.
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now,,? or before ,,,? Like #69 for the rams? A steeler fan his whole life and then jettisoned. And he looks better than any o lineman we have sans frazier.
 
I still think Jones is worth taking out his 5th year option right? I am relearning the contract/off-season rules from ChatGPT and it sounds like Jones' 5th year option would be based on top-20 at his position - currently $18M.

You guys also like Fautana at RT, long-term? What if Fautana and Jones anchor the right side of our line as RG/RT? And McCormick stays at LT?

That is a super young offensive line - McCormick & Fautana born in 2000 , Jones and Frazier born in 2001. And I guess Anderson at LG and born in 2000 as well?

That group could learn together, all the same age (which is never ideal long-term on cap issues) and we make a decision later on on who to keep?

McCormick - Anderson - Frazier - Fautana - Jones as our starters in 2026?

Or does McCormick just not have it? Is forcing Jones to be a LT not working out, is that the issue?
 
deljzc said:
I still think Jones is worth taking out his 5th year option right? I am relearning the contract/off-season rules from ChatGPT and it sounds like Jones' 5th year option would be based on top-20 at his position - currently $18M.

You guys also like Fautana at RT, long-term? What if Fautana and Jones anchor the right side of our line as RG/RT? And McCormick stays at LT?

That is a super young offensive line - McCormick & Fautana born in 2000 , Jones and Frazier born in 2001. And I guess Anderson at LG and born in 2000 as well?

That group could learn together, all the same age (which is never ideal long-term on cap issues) and we make a decision later on on who to keep?

McCormick - Anderson - Frazier - Fautana - Jones as our starters in 2026?

Or does McCormick just not have it? Is forcing Jones to be a LT not working out, is that the issue?
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Yes, he's tape and analysts who study offensive line have highlight elite-level pay at RT when Fautanu is at his best--he's just getting started. That doesn't guarantee he'll be an All-Pro, but at least an above average RT. I'm not bouncing Jones back over to the right tackle and McCormick's been good at RT, I don't see him succeeding at LT (a position he's never played).

Jones/Cook - Anderson/UFA/Day 3 - Frazier - McCormick - Fautanu
 
deljzc said:
I still think Jones is worth taking out his 5th year option right? I am relearning the contract/off-season rules from ChatGPT and it sounds like Jones' 5th year option would be based on top-20 at his position - currently $18M.

You guys also like Fautana at RT, long-term? What if Fautana and Jones anchor the right side of our line as RG/RT? And McCormick stays at LT?

That is a super young offensive line - McCormick & Fautana born in 2000 , Jones and Frazier born in 2001. And I guess Anderson at LG and born in 2000 as well?

That group could learn together, all the same age (which is never ideal long-term on cap issues) and we make a decision later on on who to keep?

McCormick - Anderson - Frazier - Fautana - Jones as our starters in 2026?

Or does McCormick just not have it? Is forcing Jones to be a LT not working out, is that the issue?
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McCormick has never played OT, he's always been a G prospect. Given the cap room I'd roll the dice on Broderick Jones, as they already invested a 1st round pick on him and let him battle in camp with Dylan Cook, who was serviceable as a sport starter.

For what I understand you want to move Broderick Jones to RT, but he already struggled there and Fautanu has been more than good on his true rookie season. I'd keep McCormick and Fautanu where they are, they already have a lot of snaps complementing each other and should only solidify themselves next season.
Bring a proven vet to replace Seumalo and help the green LT, draft a LG mid round to groom for the spot with Anderson too as you need depth for RG as well.
Let Bro and Dylan fight it out for the LT spot.
 
Litos said:
McCormick has never played OT, he's always been a G prospect. Given the cap room I'd roll the dice on Broderick Jones, as they already invested a 1st round pick on him and let him battle in camp with Dylan Cook, who was serviceable as a sport starter.

For what I understand you want to move Broderick Jones to RT, but he already struggled there and Fautanu has been more than good on his true rookie season. I'd keep McCormick and Fautanu where they are, they already have a lot of snaps complementing each other and should only solidify themselves next season.
Bring a proven vet to replace Seumalo and help the green LT, draft a LG mid round to groom for the spot with Anderson too as you need depth for RG as well.
Let Bro and Dylan fight it out for the LT spot.
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I think they might use free agency to bring in a G. They have a lot of needs and they are going to want an immediate starter without using a high pick on the position. Although they could double down and draft one later.
 
Black & Gold Bleeder said:
now,,? or before ,,,? Like #69 for the rams? A steeler fan his whole life and then jettisoned. And he looks better than any o lineman we have sans frazier.
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I believe there is talent in the room, but it's been held back by scheme/lack of development. During Meyer's tenure we've seen too many players regress when joining, improve when leaving and moved from their natural position. I'm tired of seeing teams with multiple backups look all-pro while our starting O line looks dazed and confused.
 
IMO, the OL is going to be solid next season even if Jones isnt back. Cook/Jones, Frazier, McCormick and Fautanu give a solid OL talent to work with for the right OL coach - and that was not Pat Meyer.

Cook showed he can handle the LT position with minimal input coming in late. So, if Jones heals up in the off-season, I let him and Cook battle it out for LT - with one moving to LG since Seumalo is a FA. Resign Spencer Anderson and bring in a guy via draft.

DL can be solid, and showed some fire late - but we need another big ugly to plug into the center. Black may be him, and training camp will show that... or not. My optimism is that the incoming coaching staff will figure out what to do with Leal. While he's a UFA, i'd be inclined to move on if I were him, but the new coaching staff might be enticing. He looked to me like he was a damn good pass rusher - seems coaching would get him to recognize the run better. But... anyway...

Benton, Harmon and Black are three young and promising DL. There's definitely room there for another DL, as Cam is not going to get any younger.

LBs look good with TJ and Highsmith and we have Sawyer and Herbig coming on. Excellent, really. Queen might need to move on, and Harrison should not return. Leaves us Payton Wilson in the middle and suddenly we draft a guy - unless we resign Holcomb. Or snag Nakobe Dean in FA. But he'll likely command a lot of capital. However, if we trade Queen, that might off-set.

CB/S - Peezy Jr has a nice little stat going, but I'd think its a bit misleading. I saw a lot of no-calls on him. But he's our #1 CB. Behind him? Samuel can be a #2. Echols can be a decent CB, Definitely a need here, and the incoming staff will need to draft a guy and bring someone in via FA. At Safety, Elliott, is as said previously, an injury waiting to happen. Ramsey will be a year older, but also might start losing more of a step. Still, a nice shift to S helped him. Chuck Clark can move on.

WR - Metcalf showed why Seattle let him go. He's talented when motivated, but is also obviously a head case. Aside from him, we have bare minimum at WR. CA3 is a slot guy pushed into 2nd WR role. And it doesn't suit him very well. Drafting a guy like Carnell Tate would be ideal - as it would give us a solid #2 who can be a 1 as he matures into the NFL.

as for QB - Howard is (to me) the de facto starter. The incoming coaching staff will have zero loyalty to Mason, and he should just get on with his life's work. He's a career backup at best. I see no QB in the FA market worthy of any attention and would ideally look for Haynes King late in the draft. He's got a similar skillset to Howard. We have Skylar signed again, so that would give us three very interchangeable QBs that would not disrupt the offensive flow (assuming we get King in the draft and our depth is Howard, Thompson and King).

RBs - need to resign Gainwell, as he and Warren worked well together. No idea what we have in Kaleb as the previous coaching staff kept him in their dog house.

Te - Muth and Washington are solid. Jonnu should not be resigned. At all.

Boz is still solid and I'd absolutely audition for a new punter.
 
slashsteel said:
Slim pickings.

Willis or trade for the backup Texan QB..
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we already have the b/u Titan QB, let's grab another......seriously won't the Texans lock him down given Stroud's issues?
 
slashsteel said:
Slim pickings.

Willis or trade for the backup Texan QB..
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With slim pickings in the draft, those 2 games Willis started for GB (which he looked very good in) is going to get someone to pay,pay,pay. I have no idea if he’s worth it. Definitely a gamble. I was hoping we would pickup the kid from USC in a later round but I see he’s returning. I think let’s see what Howard’s got while the new coach gets settled in. Training camp competition between him and Skyler.
 
deljzc said:
I still think Jones is worth taking out his 5th year option right? I am relearning the contract/off-season rules from ChatGPT and it sounds like Jones' 5th year option would be based on top-20 at his position - currently $18M.

You guys also like Fautana at RT, long-term? What if Fautana and Jones anchor the right side of our line as RG/RT? And McCormick stays at LT?

That is a super young offensive line - McCormick & Fautana born in 2000 , Jones and Frazier born in 2001. And I guess Anderson at LG and born in 2000 as well?

That group could learn together, all the same age (which is never ideal long-term on cap issues) and we make a decision later on on who to keep?

McCormick - Anderson - Frazier - Fautana - Jones as our starters in 2026?

Or does McCormick just not have it? Is forcing Jones to be a LT not working out, is that the issue?
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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.
 
Jones was improving, and was definitely on the rise...but he has A MASSIVE question mark right now.

What was once reported as a stinger, landed him on IR, and then to have surgery on his neck. There is real concern over his future ability to play, period, let alone keep improving. And there is little to no information about his injury or the surgery out there...
 
I just looked at what the Steelers have at the upcoming draft.
1 - 1st
1 - 2nd
3 - 3rds
2 - 4ths

The Steelers HAVE TO GET THIS DRAFT RIGHT. You can fill a lot of holes with 7 picks in the first 4 rounds.

We're not going to find a franchise QB in this draft. Honestly, I don't see a franchise guy anywhere in this draft. Mendoza should be a good NFL QB but I don't think he is as talented as Cam Ward was last year. We have to look elsewhere to fill the QB position but everything else can be addressed in this one draft.

In 2027/2028, we have to be able to look back and see 3-4 reliable starters from this draft.
 
deljzc said:
You guys also like Fautana at RT, long-term? What if Fautana and Jones anchor the right side of our line as RG/RT? And McCormick stays at LT?
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When did McCormick play LT? I thought it was Dylan Cook who took over when Jones was injured. I'm pretty sure McCormick has been playing RG all season.
 
Sorry, I think I messed up knowing where everyone plays. I had to find game books to see actual starting positions. Don't know how I got mixed up. That is my bad.

Last year it looked liked Jones (LF) - Seumalo (LG) - Frazier (C) - McCormick (RG) - Fautanu (RT)

Only players that missed starts were on the left side? Jones missed the last 6 games (repalced by Dylan Cook). Seumalo missed 3 (replaced by Spencer Anderson).

And Jones' injury could prevent any type of long term deal until right before the season or even prevent up from exercising his 5th year option (which is due in May). Hmm...

Who was our starting LT in 2024? I think Jones was only on the right side and Fautanu was a backup his rookie season, correct? Can Fau

Should we resign Seulamlo at age 32? He was making $8 million/year over the last 3 seasons but his contract up... He seems a versatile interior O-lineman that started 44 games for us over the last 3 years.... That's a piece that needs filled, correct?
 
deljzc said:
Sorry, I think I messed up knowing where everyone plays. I had to find game books to see actual starting positions. Don't know how I got mixed up. That is my bad.

Last year it looked liked Jones (LF) - Seumalo (LG) - Frazier (C) - McCormick (RG) - Fautanu (RT)

Only players that missed starts were on the left side? Jones missed the last 6 games (repalced by Dylan Cook). Seumalo missed 3 (replaced by Spencer Anderson).

And Jones' injury could prevent any type of long term deal until right before the season or even prevent up from exercising his 5th year option (which is due in May). Hmm...

Who was our starting LT in 2024? I think Jones was only on the right side and Fautanu was a backup his rookie season, correct? Can Fau

Should we resign Seulamlo at age 32? He was making $8 million/year over the last 3 seasons but his contract up... He seems a versatile interior O-lineman that started 44 games for us over the last 3 years.... That's a piece that needs filled, correct?
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Moore was that former LT.

They should IMO bring in a G , preferably one that isn’t over 30.
 
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?
 
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