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What Did the Steelers Draft Tell Us About the Team?

tapeANaspirin2it

tapeANaspirin2it

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The draft usually tells you what the team actually thinks about themselves. Last year the steelers told us that getting a coverage LB wasn't a need, it was an emergency as they traded up for Devin Bush.


What did this year tell us?

1 Steelers correctly saw that the 2020 Safety class was not great and Minkah was a far better player than anybody they would get with a first rounder

2. They think Ben will play 2-3 more years and they think Rudolph is a better prospect than anybody they could have had in this draft. It seems they had no interest in a QB in the draft and did not sign anybody. Jameis would have made a ton of sense if the steelers thought Ben only had 1 year left. That's why the Saints signed him and it's why Jameis picked the Saints.

3. JuJu may not be signed long term so WR was a big enough need to spend a #2 pick

4. They believe in Dionte Johnson but are not sure about James Washington. Claypool has a similar game to Washington and JuJu to an extent. They also have Cain in the mix who is similar. But Johnson seems all alone as that quick AB type playmaker. If they weren't sold on him, I think they may have gone for a different type WR

5. They still think Edmunds can be a good coverage guy. They needed a #3 safety. They went for a guy best suited to be a box player, a hybrid S/LB. I think Edmunds could handle that role quite well and if they took more of a coverage safety, that may have been the plan, but by taking a box safety, it says they still think Edmunds is that guy to play deep.

6. They feel good about Conner and Snell as workhorse RBs. McFarland is a role player. A role the steelers needed but if they weren't satisfied with COnner and Sneel then they would have taken a lead back like Cam Akers, Dobbins. It also shows that Samuels and White are not in their plans.

7. The TE class was horrible. Steelers didn't even add a UDFA. They must have really thought the class sucked.

8. They no longer see NT as a starting position. The steelers sit the NT when they go nickel. That will not change. It's not even clear who will play NT. Wormley? McCullors? They seemingly have an open position and fixed it with Wormley who has not played NT and a 7th round draft pick.

9. Possibly the most important takeaway. The biggest focus of the offseason was to get better in the redzone. Their major acquisitions, their top 2 free agents and top draft pick are all redzone players. Watt as a FB is obvious. Ebron has been a very good redzone target. Claypool likewise is a good blocker to help in the run and his size makes him a redzone threat.
 
Good analysis. Thank you
 
I wonder if they think Paxton Lynch might be something at QB, which also may have led to their decision to stay away from the position. He must have shown something to be a 1st rounder.

The loudmouth Madden seems to think JuJu is gone after this year. Why? Is there something else besides on field production? If it is just that, how can anyone make any conclusions after the mess that was last year.

I don't know about their conclusions about nose tackles. I still think a space taker up front is needed to keep lineman of their lighter backers. The coaching staff seems to outsmart themselves sometimes, and here is an example.
 
diver said:
I wonder if they think Paxton Lynch might be something at QB, which also may have led to their decision to stay away from the position. He must have shown something to be a 1st rounder.

The loudmouth Madden seems to think JuJu is gone after this year. Why? Is there something else besides on field production? If it is just that, how can anyone make any conclusions after the mess that was last year.

I don't know about their conclusions about nose tackles. I still think a space taker up front is needed to keep lineman of their lighter backers. The coaching staff seems to outsmart themselves sometimes, and here is an example.
Click to expand...

Probably will come done to $$$$$$.
 
Nice write up Tape, thank you


You hit some good topics. JuJu has the CAP hit and other high profile players to compete with for a BIG payday. Namely, TJ WATT. If only we could funnel money (under the table) to our QB so as he would work for way less. I highly doubt there is a character issue with JuJu.





Salute the nation
 
from juju character he loves the city can se him taking a discount, dont think he will care if Jonson and Claypool get in the way of his targets as long as he contributes.
I think in thr 6-7 mill range we can keep him long term.
 
when its time to pay tj ben and Pouncey will have 1 year left on their deals at time time AV might be a cap causality if if his play doesn't improve. Vince could be a cut cut next year as well. could be replaced by a 3 down lb.
my priorities as of now for next years draft
1 OT
2 CB
3 C
 
Excellent analysis. In regards to the Minkah trade and the draft, I'm not sure they play that much chess. I'd say it was more like Davis was hurt, they didn't want to give up on the season and to some extent they felt he was at least as good a player as what they had in the draft. Now there is good and bad in that. While you certainly are not getting that player at 20 in this draft, probably not in the top ten either, if they had not got Minkah (we won't use the word tanked) they are say 6-10 and lose to the Chargers, then Tua and Hebert are in play. I wouldn't trade Minkah for anyone but a franchise QB of the future. But a QB is just too inviting.
 
F83 said:
from juju character he loves the city can se him taking a discount, dont think he will care if Jonson and Claypool get in the way of his targets as long as he contributes.
I think in thr 6-7 mill range we can keep him long term.
Click to expand...

I think that is a very optomistic thought. If he puts up another 1000 yards season on say 80+ recs and 7+ TDs there is no way he will sign for 6-7 million.... that would mean there are about 40 receivers in the league making more than him. Someone will offer him way more than that.. You have guys like Larry Fitzgerald making 11.5 million in the twilight years of his career. JuJu is no Julio Jones, Michael Thomas or D Hopkins but these guys will all be garnering 20+ million a year and are bringing up the salary of 2nd tier WRs . I can't see JuJu accepting anything that doesn't start with a double digit unless he has a horrible showing this year
 
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Great analysis. The only thing I will say is I think a lot of people are making this about Juju and won’t be resigned. I actually think the opposite that he will be resigned but I think IF Claypool can come and at least stretch the field and make some big plays then it will open up for him. I think the player that could be the most affected by Claypool is Washington.
 
F83 said:
from juju character he loves the city can se him taking a discount, dont think he will care if Jonson and Claypool get in the way of his targets as long as he contributes.
I think in thr 6-7 mill range we can keep him long term.
Click to expand...

you must be joking, Juju is a ProBowl WR that sells Shirts like the best players in the NFL, is a media and fan darling and you expect to pay him like he were Mohamed Sanu? Juju's next contract will be top 20 even if he has a regular year, expect it to be above 10M, probably about 15M avg
 
the draft also told us that they brought Wisniewski to start at LG.
 
diver said:
I wonder if they think Paxton Lynch might be something at QB, which also may have led to their decision to stay away from the position. He must have shown something to be a 1st rounder.

The loudmouth Madden seems to think JuJu is gone after this year. Why? Is there something else besides on field production? If it is just that, how can anyone make any conclusions after the mess that was last year.

I don't know about their conclusions about nose tackles. I still think a space taker up front is needed to keep lineman of their lighter backers. The coaching staff seems to outsmart themselves sometimes, and here is an example.
Click to expand...

IMO, we'll do what we can to bring Juju back. Looking at the free agents next season, he's the youngest with the most upside. Keep in mind, he's only 24 this season. If we draft someone next season, that guy will likely only be 3-4 years younger and a lot less experienced. Juju may not be the #1 we were accustomed to with AB. Speaking of AB, Juju's around the same age when we gave AB his first big contract. Not that that should have much merit, since the two are (or seem to be) polar opposites of one another. Again, just my opinion, Juju seems more akin to a Keenan Allen. Not quite elite, but a guy whom the defense must take into account for on every play - and I'd rather have Juju on my team than Keenan. I'd consider Keenan's contract (prorated, of course) to be the middle ground for the talks between Juju's agent and the FO.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2021/all/wide-receiver/

As for Lynch - we'll see how well Canada can coach the QBs, as well as who learns what from being around Ben in the locker room, practice field, etc. Mason was only around him for one season, Duck hasn't been and neither has Lynch. Regardless of that, the only QBs in the draft who'd have supplanted Mason/Duck/Lynch would be Barrow or Herbert. So, good thing we didnt dip into the QB pool this draft.
 
First impact Claypool has is in the redzone. He doesn't need an entire polished routed tree right now...just a fade and a cross with strong hands. That gives a RZ threat. Agree his is a bigger threat to Washington than the others.

McFarland is another run at scat or speed back...can hit a home run at anytime. he isn't going to bang between tackles on his own, but he may run well behind newly acquired FB. He may also may well return kicks/punts. Could be electric there.

I am still out to lunch on Highsmith. Developmental guy for sure, but he seems to be a filmroom and tactician junkie so that is good sign. He has the measurables. going to take time to develop against NFL talent. Pretty clear Tomlin prefers high athletic guys to mold...Highsmith fits that. Does that tell us anything on Dupree though. My answer is it says absolutely nothing about Dupree. I know we like to make links and connections as fans, but i think they took their highest rated player at a position of need. nothing more.

A lot seem down on Dotson but he may bring a good bit of nasty the team needs. i know i am old school with my OL sometimes...modern game is about mobility but I still have a soft spot for an OG that will line up and just knock you in the teeth. Havent' watch enough tape on the guy, but he sounds just like that.

Most intriguing guy they took may well be the S...we all know team is moving to more 3 safety sets and this guy looks to be what they wanted out of Baron. A thumper in the box...but still able to get back and help in coverage. Which...BTW is what is making the NT much less in demand. Oh, don't get me wrong - i have railed against that damned 2 BIG DL set as much as anyone, but with Watt and Dupree playing close to the line and the third safety in the box, it is still a seven man surface just from a flex personnel package. This is what this pick indicates...more and more flexD in a continued evolution against spread and high speed O.
 
Great job Tape!

Yes, they love their QBs, and want to see what Lynch has, since they were considering drafting him that season. In the first....

TEs weren't a need, so it means they may be high on CSW's development as well. This is 3 years of development. It has to show this year, or he's gone. His measurables and athleticism would make him the biggest, fastest TE on the team. Really want to see him compete in training camp.

I'm not sure Wis is the starter with all of the talk of moving Feiler there to compete this training camp.

We only have 1 NT. It's Big Dan. I spoke with Wormley and Davis on podcasts. They are 3 techs. Davis said he'd play where ever, but he's interested in being a 3 tech, wich is what our team is full of...
 
Cope said:
We only have 1 NT. It's Big Dan. I spoke with Wormley and Davis on podcasts. They are 3 techs. Davis said he'd play where ever, but he's interested in being a 3 tech, wich is what our team is full of...
Click to expand...

That is the thing with this 2-Big DL formation...they play the 3-tech and let the OLB's come up and play DE as if in a 4-3. But they play it like a wide tackle 6 so the middle is soft. They try to loop and stunt to close down the middle. That is fine from time to time, but I also think if you are going to play that 4 man front like that you have to play a DT in the A gap from time to time as well. Doesn't have to be pure 0-tech...an old school tilt or just straight up in the gap or inside shade of OG would be fine to put some more big man pressure inside.
 
The steelers would love to keep JuJu but it may not be possible. You never know what he may command on the open market. As i mentioned, WR takes time to develop so it's smart to prepare now for possibly not keeping JuJu.

I think the bottom may fall out of the market on WRs in the next few years. The draft was loaded with WR and it has been for a few years and it will be next year. It makes sense. Most college teams are now some version of spread with multiple WRs. It won't take long for supply to outweigh demand and prices to drop.


I did not like ANY of the QBs in this draft. That includes Burrow and Tua. Burrow had an amazing year but he doesn't have a great arm. He can be good in the right situation but can he lift a bad team? Tua is a major injury concern. Hip injuries are tough. Love is a project who could be great or could be a bust. Those are the only 3 QBs i would have even considered taking in this draft.

I like Rudolph and even Lynch better than all the other QBs. Herbert seems a bit robotic to me. Even if the steelers had not made the Minkah trade and ended up picking top 10, i don't think they would have taken a QB. They would have taken Simmons or Kinlaw.
 
my take.

Claypool has nothing to do with JUJU. It has everything to do with Washington. Hes big and fast and physical. Red zone target, stretch the field.

3rd Highsmith. Tells me anything after round 2 is for depth and or development. They have glaring depth needs and besides big dan don't have a starting NT on the roster, yet they skipped it. I know they need an OLB for next year and as depth now. But Highsmith will take some time. Hell we are 3 or 4 yrs in and STILL waiting on OLA. We could have taken another weapon for ben, or shored up our safety position here, And through out the rest of the draft until round 6. BPA was a dude out of Univ of Charlotte,,,

4th. McFarland This is a head scratcher. Kerrith white is practically the same guy as far as measureables. He wont start. he wont be 2nd man in the game. Could he be a situational guy. ? yeah.. but not likely. Dionte was / is our punt return. BPA was a sophomore out of Maryland who has had some injuries.

4 b. Dotson. Yeah we need depth. This guy will need some time to develop. Small school, good gradings on his blocks. He will be a rookie, and wisnewski will be the #1 back up at C/G I like the guy. Odd how the steelers didn't take the bigger names. He must be quite good. BPA was a guard who has never played center from the Sun Belt conference ,, the rajun Cajuns

6. Antoine brooks. Another Maryland tweener . WTF is going on. Hope he works out. But from what I understand he is a box guy. To either replace or develop into the Mark Barron spot. So,,, who exactly will be playing that spot this year? The 6th round rookie? Maybe bush plays barron spot and Gilbert takes the other,, IDK.

If this is the case,, I guess Dangerfield is still the back up at S.

7.Carlos Davis DT . Is he an NT? If not , we still have 1 NT on the roster. Lots of project DT's behind Heyward, Tuit, and Wormley and Alualu. Wonder when one of them makes the leap. BPA? or anther late round DT we just take a flier on, ,,,,


other than the Fitz, Claypool ,,, whatever.. its a crap shoot, but during and after the draft, im feeling like the Tombert is going old school and relying on gut feelings and Tomlins sons advice, and the Ravens are kicking our *** with professionals. I HOPE IM WRONG. I want our picks to succeed. Im just not left overly optimistic.

Wait bleeder, our coaches will coach em up! I don't have a lot of confidence that will happen. Bud came around when porter leaves,, but it was also a contract year. I digress and will go down a rabbit hole.
 
I believe Buggs can play NT and should easily push Big Dan off the roster coming into his 2nd year. But, Big Dan should have been gone years ago.
 
I think the Steelers attacked this draft three fold.

1 They wanted to get Olivia Newton John physical. Claypool , Bigdot, and Brooks lead this train of thought as Olivia's stretch pants lead mine.


2. They wanted to add an element of speed to their offense and pass rush. KW doesn't show the breakaway threat that McFarland has showcased on game tape. I get why that comparison is made but I believe McFarland will be a depth upgrade. Somewhat in the sweet titty Willie Parker mold. Claypool brings deceptive speed to the position and Highsmith brings quick get off to the position.

3. Depth was severely severed on the roster with the exit of Chickillo. Barron, Foster, etc. That depth was replenished and with it brought sup package players that can contribute this year, as well as a G that can possibly start this season. On offense between free agency and the draft the team really improved its capability to throw out different looks within creating match up difficulties for opposing defenses. The Steelers should be able to effectively attack a team rotating in different looks without a drop off of talent.
 
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