Steelers Focus On Both Sides Of The Line In First Mark Kaboly's First Mock Draft Of 2024

[Steeler Nation]

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[Greg Lloyd]

Most mocks I see do NOT put enough emphasis on the need we have at DL. We have soon-to-be 35 year-old in Cam, and a good looking rookie from 2023 in Benton and....and...? What else? Nothing. What about a legit NT that Shades has never drafted in 17 years?

 

[slashsteel]

Most mocks I see do NOT put enough emphasis on the need we have at DL. We have soon-to-be 35 year-old in Cam, and a good looking rookie from 2023 in Benton and....and...? What else? Nothing. What about a legit NT that Shades has never drafted in 17 years?

It would be a solid idea to look at DE early, even round 1. BPA could between that and RT with C and CB being the dark horse in the race. I would think the first two selections would be 2 out of the 4 listed. Unless in round 2 they dip into a QB if one slides to them they like..


With a new OC I think RT or C will ultimately be the round 1 pick if things are relatively equal value wise.

 

[SteelerFan448]

It would be a solid idea to look at DE early, even round 1. BPA could between that and RT with C and CB being the dark horse in the race. I would think the first two selections would be 2 out of the 4 listed. Unless in round 2 they dip into a QB if one slides to them they like..


With a new OC I think RT or C will ultimately be the round 1 pick if things are relatively equal value wise.

While the Steelers want to invest in the lines, I don't think they want to spend 3 premium draft picks on the OL in two years. Right tackle is the spot I assume they'll target in free agency so they can focus on center in the draft. From there, I'd assume some combination of at least two the three positions C, DL, or CB will be drafted in the first three rounds.

 

[slashsteel]

While the Steelers want to invest in the lines, I don't think they want to spend 3 premium draft picks on the OL in two years. Right tackle is the spot I assume they'll target in free agency so they can focus on center in the draft. From there, I'd assume some combination of at least two the three positions C, DL, or CB will be drafted in the first three rounds.

True. They probably will address something. Maybe corner in free agency too. As they really don't want to depend on a rookie or Peterson. My money is on a corner being one of their priorities.

 

[SteelerFan448]

True. They probably will address something. Maybe corner in free agency too. As they really don't want to depend on a rookie or Peterson. My money is on a corner being one of their priorities.

Peterson had a lot of ups and downs last year. I agree he is not a player you want to depend on next season.

 

[slashsteel]

Peterson had a lot of ups and downs last year. I agree he is not a player you want to depend on next season.

Wallace underperformed too and Pierre isn't a long term solution. Both are free agents and they should show Pat Pete the retirement suite.

 

[steelhurt]

Wallace underperformed too and Pierre isn't a long term solution. Both are free agents and they should show Pat Pete the retirement suite.

If they retain Pat Pete at his cap hit then they are truly delusional. That would be a very stupid egotistical move and I know who would be responsible for it.
Also, they simply must do something with Cam.They cannot bring him back with this cap hit and last year of his contract hit. He’s a shell of what he was and locker room presence doesn’t justify this.
Be smart Steelers!

 

[Greg Lloyd]

If they retain Pat Pete at his cap hit then they are truly delusional. That would be a very stupid egotistical move and I know who would be responsible for it.
Also, they simply must do something with Cam.They cannot bring him back with this cap hit and last year of his contract hit. He’s a shell of what he was and locker room presence doesn’t justify this.
Be smart Steelers!

True dat, whoop, whoop. Take it to da bank! Let Cam run his mouth about ot takig a dollar less than his contract states and walk. He simply does not deserve that $ for his production, wake the F up. Oh, but he's "buddies" with Shades so that trumps all. How embarrassing.

 

[TDX27]

I love those first two picks. Addresses the big uglies on both sides of the ball.

 

[Coryea]

I love those first two picks. Addresses the big uglies on both sides of the ball.

Now if we can just get Tomlin to use the big uglies on the Dline, instead of constantly putting us at a physical disadvantage with only 2 DLinemen.

 

[TDX27]

Actually, I meant first 3 picks but I doubt Van-Pran lasts to the 3rd.

 

[Greg Lloyd]

True. They probably will address something. Maybe corner in free agency too. As they really don't want to depend on a rookie or Peterson. My money is on a corner being one of their priorities

There's "priorities" and then there's "priorities." Do you think they'll consider CB day 1? I think we can get a real keeper OC day 2. So we don't need a 1st rounder on a C. I wouldn't be against a real blue chipper at DL day 1, we've been ignoring the position for YEARs (unless you think taking a "tweener" in the 3rd round in Leal is an honest attempt at upgrading the DL). I'd say either CB or DL in the 1st, whoever is the best player of those 2.

 

[slashsteel]

There's "priorities" and then there's "priorities." Do you think they'll consider CB day 1? I think we can get a real keeper OC day 2. So we don't need a 1st rounder on a C. I wouldn't be against a real blue chipper at DL day 1, we've been ignoring the position for YEARs (unless you think taking a "tweener" in the 3rd round in Leal is an honest attempt at upgrading the DL). I'd say either CB or DL in the 1st, whoever is the best player of those 2.

That O-line needs a C upgrade. We might be able to get 1 day 2 sure. But the longer you wait the longer you gamble. I wouldn't wait past round 2 for a C that is for sure. Our team's best years always have come with solid C play. CB day 1 could be in play if it is clearly BPA. But knowing what the assistant GM likes I think DE,C,RT are strongly in play in round 1. Then a new OC a team tends to like to give him things he desires. The new OC desires big boys. Which makes me shelf DE and think RT could be the pick if all things are equal.

 

[Superman]

Shades doesnt WANT a true NT. Look at our D from just a few years ago - Tuitt and Heyward were our OL, with the OLBs playing DE.
We have Benton. Now Tomlin is trying to find lightning in a bottle in the late rounds and undrafted. Doing so has, IMO, ****** Leal (as well as moving him around).

in doing mock drafts, automatically rule out any DE/DT until the 3rd round or so. as there's no emphasis on stopping us getting trucked up the middle on 3rd and 4.

 

[ExUSAF]

Anyone know why we let Hargrave go? Was it money or we thought Tuitt would stay?

 

[slashsteel]

Anyone know why we let Hargrave go? Was it money or we thought Tuitt would stay?

They didn't have hindsight with Tuitt. I think it was that in a nutshell.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Anyone know why we let Hargrave go? Was it money or we thought Tuitt would stay?

They already paid Heyward and Tuitt. It was at the time when Tuitt at his best was the best DL on the team, he just didn't give that max effort all the time. Regardless, it was hard to argue because the combo of Heyward and Tuitt were excellent. I think the Steelers and Hargrave would've like to have reached a deal, it just wasn't possible at the time.

 

[Ike Kelly]

If they retain Pat Pete at his cap hit then they are truly delusional. That would be a very stupid egotistical move and I know who would be responsible for it.
Also, they simply must do something with Cam.They cannot bring him back with this cap hit and last year of his contract hit. He’s a shell of what he was and locker room presence doesn’t justify this.
Be smart Steelers!

True dat, whoop, whoop. Take it to da bank! Let Cam run his mouth about ot takig a dollar less than his contract states and walk. He simply does not deserve that $ for his production, wake the F up. Oh, but he's "buddies" with Shades so that trumps all. How embarrassing.

The cap situation is easily resolved. With the new mechanisms being used by GM’s and Cap Specialists approved by the CBA. Cam will get a restructure with voidable years. It will spread out the remaining salary on his contract. He’s got another year or two left and his production the prior couple years were at All-Pro levels with double digit sacks. He was playing on one leg practically after coming off IR and came back too soon, but wanted to help his position group (like the Captain he is). They could do the same with Pat Pete and move him to back up safety, which he was doing anyway after losing three safeties the last 1/4 of the season. We still need to lock up Eric Rowe as he fit in nicely after he was activated.

 

[Ike Kelly]

That O-line needs a C upgrade. We might be able to get 1 day 2 sure. But the longer you wait the longer you gamble. I wouldn't wait past round 2 for a C that is for sure. Our team's best years always have come with solid C play. CB day 1 could be in play if it is clearly BPA. But knowing what the assistant GM likes I think DE,C,RT are strongly in play in round 1. Then a new OC a team tends to like to give him things he desires. The new OC desires big boys. Which makes me shelf DE and think RT could be the pick if all things are equal.

Definitely the plan Omar and Andy probably has in store. OL/DL in the first couple rounds. Definitely a C by round two if all three C’s do well at the combine. I can see getting another DT/DE at some point with a DB and WR in the middle rounds. And no, I doubt we draft another punter. There are too many FA available on the cheap.

 

[Ike Kelly]

They already paid Heyward and Tuitt. It was at the time when Tuitt at his best was the best DL on the team, he just didn't give that max effort all the time. Regardless, it was hard to argue because the combo of Heyward and Tuitt were excellent. I think the Steelers and Hargrave would've like to have reached a deal, it just wasn't possible at the time.

They wanted Hargrave back, but PHI gave him such a huge contract on day one of FA, we had no chance to even come close.

 

[steelhurt]

The cap situation is easily resolved. With the new mechanisms being used by GM’s and Cap Specialists approved by the CBA. Cam will get a restructure with voidable years. It will spread out the remaining salary on his contract. He’s got another year or two left and his production the prior couple years were at All-Pro levels with double digit sacks. He was playing on one leg practically after coming off IR and came back too soon, but wanted to help his position group (like the Captain he is). They could do the same with Pat Pete and move him to back up safety, which he was doing anyway after losing three safeties the last 1/4 of the season. We still need to lock up Eric Rowe as he fit in nicely after he was activated.

 

[steelhurt]

I really liked Eric Rowe and would be nice to keep him.
The other two Cam and Pat Pete I just think we need to get younger and move on. Just my take but they most likely will do what you say with Cam.