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Thoughts on Khan's first draft?

There was a time when we were cutting about half our draft class before the season even started, not this time tho. ALL these players with the exception of our very last pick should all stick. And the ones that do stick should contribute at some point this year if not starting. This draft gets a A+++ Khan killed this Draft
 
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fogdoctor said:
Overall grade: A, top 3 drafts of 2023

Main players
Broderick Jones: A - immediate starter
Joey Porter Jr.: B - starter by year 2, should see time in year one
Keeanu Benton: A - should be starting or see significant time in year 1
Darnell Washington: B - risk/reward pick. If his cleaned-out knee works out then he will be seeing significant time by year 2

Camp bodies
Nick Herbig: C - special teamer
Cory Trice Jr. - D - unless we are going to a mostly press coverage system or we move him back to safety

Things I would have done differently: I would have traded a pick to get Israel Abanikanda when he fell to the 5th.
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I think you are way off on Herbig. I think he will be a really good player. Maybe even special.
 
This is the most excited I have ever been for a draft. Moved up, moved back, grabbed guys later than expected, and banked a NCB when we had 2 rounds off?

Weidl's MO is draft D and OL late. Cory has JPJ size and is faster. He can develop on the PS if need be for a year. Anderson played every position in college on OL except LT. Dude is position flexible and has a shot of making the team as a multi positional backup, and if not, can be on the PS for a year to season and get better before being rostered.
 
On paper, it was a very good draft. The first 3 picks weren't just our top areas of need but the best on the board. I give all three an A. The TE wasn't something we necessarily needed as he will probably be TE3 or TE4 to start (depending on where Heyward plays) and Gentry is a good blocker who has only gotten better each year. He will come in as a blocker and not much else. But, he was considered one of the top 3 guys on the board at the time so the value as far as BPA was there. I'd give him a B as he does have some nice upside as he can catch but didn't do it much at GA because they already had a stud pass-catching TE who was their No. 1 receiving option. The other guys are developmental but Trice could be a diamond if they truly want to get more physical at corner like they have been saying. He wasn't 100% this year but should be heading into his first NFL season. With the picks we had and how Kahn maneuvered around, you have to love this draft. We won't know for a few years what we really got but on paper, I give this no worse than an A- and after reviewing the guys some more, that might bump up to an A.
 
fogdoctor said:
Will they be on the roster in 3 years? I'm going with no.
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You could say that about the majority of 7th round prospects. Hell the QB they drafted last year barely made it onto the field before being cut.
 
Litos said:
I loved how they worked through the first and second day:
- moving up just a few spots to secure their man
- holding on to get their CB instead of rushing and repeating the burns fiasco. And let's be clear, I didn't want Porter Jr at 1.17, but at 1.32? I'm very pleased.
- getting a DL that can become a 3 down player but he is an immediate help against the run so he will see the field early.

Right at this point we are talking about OL, CB and DL with our first 3 picks? Can it get any better? Well yeah, they trade down and still get Darnell Washington (dont care about the minor injury, its worth the investment), who I wanted in pre draft at 2.49 if CB and OT were already addressed. I think the kid will be a serious difference in the running game and help Pickett a lot as a consequence, he is a dual threat without a doubt and I'm eager to see the 2 TE set nightmare he and Muth will be for opposing Defenses.

In the trade back we get a 4th round pick we had lost with the 1st round move so I'm happy and giddy but then they get Herbig which yo be completely honest I didn't like there. I mean the kid has a motor and that's great but his size won't help him be a factor at edge so why draft him? You wanted an Edge guy? Get KJ Henry. You wanted an ILB ? Well there were Sewell if you wanted an old school type or Pappoe if you wanted a coverage LB. If neither convinced you then you could go l for WR Dontavion Wicks who I think was very good value there. You wanted to double at CB ? There was Rush ripe for the taking.
I just don't like Herbig, not for the player he is, but for being a tweener that won't make it as a rusher while there was a shitload of value at other positions. The couple of 7 rounders I guess I'm ok with.

Still after the great value taken in the first 3 rounds I won't be pissed for this pick but honestly it's what changes my grade from A+ to A-.
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He won't make it as a rusher.... He is taller than Deebo. Deebo was fine against the run and was a top end pass rusher. So sure the shorter than desirable measurements will always bring a certain element for concern. But time and again there has been players succeed in the NFL that were undersized. So he will be tried first on the outside and hopefully bring some pass rush effectiveness. Something an ILber wouldn't have offered. Steelers have a big pass rush depth need. Herbig just offers a potential option. Doesn't stop the team from bring in a vet for additional depth....
 
fogdoctor said:
I don't hate the player. In a different system, I think he would be a fringe NFL player (special teams, dime) for years. It's also my only minor concern over Porter Jr.
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I think this is a truth of this draft there was no top ten of players that the talkers said had super huge ceiling and high floor. EVERYONE had some concerns. I mean look how much Carolina paid to get Bryce Young and if you do not have concerns there. You are stupid. It was just that draft.
 
slashsteel said:
He won't make it as a rusher.... He is taller than Deebo. Deebo was fine against the run and was a top end pass rusher. So sure the shorter than desirable measurements will always bring a certain element for concern. But time and again there has been players succeed in the NFL that were undersized. So he will be tried first on the outside and hopefully bring some pass rush effectiveness. Something an ILber wouldn't have offered. Steelers have a big pass rush depth need. Herbig just offers a potential option. Doesn't stop the team from bring in a vet for additional depth....
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I really hope I'm wrong. To me it was easier to get a guy with the prototypical size, in any position, than a project in the 4th round.
 
Litos said:
I really hope I'm wrong. To me it was easier to get a guy with the prototypical size, in any position, than a project in the 4th round.
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The position in general isn't easy and on top of it is one of the most important skill sets. To be able to rush the passer. Many of flops. As Tomlin alluded to Wisconsin does some of the things with their players that the Steelers do. I think they see potential not only in his pass rush but in coverage. At that point of the draft the 4th late 4 it is even harder to get what a team wants.

You might find a bigger player sure but maybe they are a bigger pass rush question mark or a bigger coverage question mark or a bigger scheme question mark. I think Herbig has the potential to cover those questions.

I could be wrong too, but with his style of play I think he has a good chance to impress.
 
Yeah I get it, same school, great hands usage, fast 40, etc. The big difference is about 2" in reach and height, plus 12 more pounds, 240 vs 252.

Again, I hope he makes it as a rusher but odds stack against him
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
I think you are way off on Herbig. I think he will be a really good player. Maybe even special.
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I hope so. I actually like making predictions and I don't care if they are correct. I hope is turns into a player and my prediction is wrong.
 
The tone of Khan's 1st draft offered some significant differences from Colbert's last few. What stood out to me was that Khan's first draft had no glaring "reaches". No, "we're picking this guy because we need to fill this position." Sure, he filled areas of need. But, he did so while getting them in spots that represented significant value for the player selected.
 
Litos said:
Yeah I get it, same school, great hands usage, fast 40, etc. The big difference is about 2" in reach and height, plus 12 more pounds, 240 vs 252.

Again, I hope he makes it as a rusher but odds stack against him
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Odds are stacked against most 4th rounders. His pluses gives him an even chance. Gives him a higher floor again IMO.
 
He made quality value picks and took the best players available and moved up and down the draft board as needed. No reach picks or Tomlin project pet picks, well maybe except Anderson-to me, there’s always room for more beef for depth for the offensive line. He could develop into a solid backup.
I give this draft an A. Looking forward to seeing what other moves are made this off-season
 
slashsteel said:
Odds are stacked against most 4th rounders. His pluses gives him an even chance. Gives him a higher floor again IMO.
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Agreed. Anyone in the fourth you are hoping for solid SP teams, that he can play 10-15 downs and if someone gets hurt he can fill in for two weeks.
 
Almost every "expert" concludes the Steelers had a great draft. Yeah, rating a draft before the guys have put on the uniform is silly but I think we can all agree the Steelers needed to upgrade the following:
  • Left tackle. Dan Moore Jr. improved but is not a top-tier LT, will never be. Check.
  • CB. Losing Cam Sutton triggered this needs. JPJ - physical, very quick-twitch, a guy who can match up one-on-one with big WR's. Check.
  • DT, particularly 0-tech. Need youth, a 0-tech who can stuff the run and big plus if he has some pass rush skills. Check.
  • Help with the RT spot/running game on the right. I suggested getting the best blocking TE in college football in 2022. And 2021. And arguably since Gronkowski. Oh, and he's massive and ran a 4.64. Check.
  • Edge player. Watt and Highsmith should not be expected to play 65 snaps/game. The player sought needs to have pass rush skills, ability to turn the corner. Check. Oh, he's 240 lbs. with 31.5" arms and will have problems standing up against the run? Jesus Christ, if he was 6'4", 255 lbs. with 33" arms, with that production, and ran a 4.65 (he did), you think he is there at 132???
  • Legit developmental players with the 7th round picks. A 6'3", 210 lb. CB with 33" arms, ran a 4.47, 1.56 10-yard split, and produced 10 PD and 2 picks? A 6'5", 3025 lb. G/C with 32 college starts at multiple OL positions, who gave up 4 sacks in 3 seasons, did 29 reps? Check and check.
All in all, a superb draft. And as mentioned, some sources say the draft may have been the best in the NFL.

 
Shane Falco said:
He made quality value picks and took the best players available and moved up and down the draft board as needed. No reach picks or Tomlin project pet picks, well maybe except Anderson-to me, there’s always room for more beef for depth for the offensive line. He could develop into a solid backup.
I give this draft an A. Looking forward to seeing what other moves are made this off-season
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But, were those really TOMLIN project pet picks? Only 1 of the "Big Three" has changed from last year. That's the GM.
Not arguing. Just wondering if it's possible that some of the crazy picks of drafts past weren't influenced by Colbert.
 
MTC said:
Maybe it’s the Wisconsin uni. But I see similarities to TJ.

Hopefully he plays like him
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I saw a few times he dipped on the edge rush that it reminded me of TJ. I realize he won't be on that level, most never will be. But if he can sprinkle some of that pass rush our teams way that could be a good relief pitch.
 
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Paul G said:
(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)
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If you are hitch-hiking, I’ll be swinging by in the LS 10 soon, I’m just finishing up giving Lunar basic skills test (he is failing miserably but don’t tell him).


Salute the nation
 
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