With and without Watt: a case for drafting an OLBer.

[slashsteel]

The drop off without Watt screams a lack of OLber depth. With 3 picks in the top 50 how do you attack the draft? Obviously trenches, CB, and WR is in play. I am advocating that OLber should be in play as well. A strong case can be made if Watt wasn't injured the Steelers would have been in the playoffs. A T, a WR, and a OLber would make it that Sutton, Edmunds, and Kaz could be resigned making the secondary a lesser concern if they fortified their pass rush.

BPA of need sure but I think OLBer should be added to the need list.

 

[BLITZ]

If thier was someone of Watts caliber there at 18 I would agree. not sure if there is.
we have so many holes and so few draft picks. gotta pick BPA at position of need

 

[slashsteel]

If there was someone of Watts caliber there at 18 I would agree. Not sure if there is.
We have so many holes and so few draft picks. Gotta pick BPA at position of need.

Do you agree OLBer should be added to the need list?

I won't include the positions I expect to be resigned. My list is as follows (not in any particular order):

T
WR
NT
OLBER
CB (Maulet and Spoon could be upgraded even with a Sutton return)
G
C

 

[Troglodyte]

Much of this was coincidental in 2022. The Steelers reasons for losing most of their games extend well past the absence of Watt.

 

[slashsteel]

Much of this was coincidental in 2022. The Steelers reasons for losing most of their games extend well past the absence of Watt.

Of course there is other factors. But that doesn't take away from them having virtually no pass rush help behind Highsmith and Watt.

 

[BLITZ]

Do you agree OLBer should be added to the need list?

I won't include the positions I expect to be resigned. My list is as follows (not in any particular order):

T
WR
NT
OLBER
CB (Maulet and Spoon could be upgraded even with a Sutton return)
G
C

I think we need to go oline dline and cb with 1st 3 picks. I think we need to focus on the trenches more than anything.
I am hoping we fix ILB and safety in free agency. mostly resigning our own safeties.

But to your point Highsmith has 1 more year left, he is probs going to bud derpee his way out. we will need to draft someone fairly high this year and get them ready

 

[slashsteel]

I think we need to go oline dline and cb with 1st 3 picks. I think we need to focus on the trenches more than anything.
I am hoping we fix ILB and safety in free agency. mostly resigning our own safeties.

But to your point Highsmith has 1 more year left, he is probs going to bud derpee his way out. We will need to draft someone fairly high this year and get them ready

By that statement it would mean that it is a need. I love tackling the trenches but the value would have to be there.

I think value at corner and WR should be there as teams tend to attack QBs and trenches early.

 

[BLITZ]

By that statement it would mean that it is a need. I love tackling the trenches but the value would have to be there.

I think value at corner and WR should be there as teams tend to attack QBs and trenches early.

If a total no brainer stud at OLB is there at 18 or 32 then yeah I would consider it. but it would also have to depend on who is there at OL DL and CB.

 

[Troglodyte]

Of course there is other factors. But that doesn't take away from them having virtually no pass rush help behind Highsmith and Watt.

But I think the Steelers have too many needs at starting positions, unless those needs are addressed in FA (which I doubt), the drafting of another OLB will likely have to wait.

 

[slashsteel]

If a total no brainer stud at OLB is there at 18 or 32 then yeah I would consider it. but it would also have to depend on who is there at OL DL and CB.

Hard decision to make if all things are equal. Glad I am not the GM. (said by cooch and the snowflake never)

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Going to have to consider an OLB anyway because Highsmith is due a new contract soon and I'm not sure they'll be able to afford him

 

[BLITZ]

Hard decision to make if all things are equal. Glad I am not the GM. (said by cooch and the snowflake never)

I was just thinking the same thing.

I can tell you we 100% need an upgrade at LT and NT. If drafting a OLB in 1st or 2nd means moore is the starting LT then I think I pass on OLB until later.

but thankfully, I am just a fan sitting at my desk. you guys are so lucky I have nothing to do with the draft

 

[slashsteel]

But I think the Steelers have too many needs at starting positions, unless those needs are addressed in FA (which I doubt), the drafting of another OLB will likely have to wait.

Possibly.

But what position could come in and start right away. Slot WR? ILber? Maybe T..

Two first round picks ...wish the draft was tomorrow.

 

[TDX27]

And, if Highsmith wants a huge payday, we very well may let him walk. They will offer him something but nowhere in the realm of a Watt contract - probably less than half of what Watt is making.

 

[madinsomniac]

Look we keep 4 olbs most years, typically the starters, a vet backup, and a special teams ace.. i hate that… id rather either keep 5 adding a developmental pass rusher so we always have extra depth or just not keep the ace and teach the developmental guy to play special teams… super important position, super shallow depth every year…

 

[Coach]

Do you agree OLBer should be added to the need list?

I won't include the positions I expect to be resigned. My list is as follows (not in any particular order):

T
WR
NT
OLBER
CB (Maulet and Spoon could be upgraded even with a Sutton return)
G
C

Watt and Highsmith are excellent pair and we have greater needs than OLB. A free agent for depth will due, not spending a draft pick.

 

[madinsomniac]

Id definitely look at a couple guys who may fall… Carter from ARMY is one of them… due to new rules from the Biden Administration, military players may no longer get an exemption for pro athletics and defer their service time if drafted…

Now many in congress and the military recognize the total hypocrisy of the current players all being promised the ability to do that, then having it stripped away without notice after they signed up, so there is a large contingent trying to pass legislation to grandfather current players to be allowed to play if drafted…

The uncertainty around his predicament is most likely going to drop a borderline first round talent much lower in the draft. He would definitely be worth a pick if he falls…

 

[Coach]

Hard decision to make if all things are equal. Glad I am not the GM. (said by cooch and the snowflake never)

Well, if I were the GM we don't give Johnson what we did and let him test the market. How's that working out? I also don't pick Pickett is round one and take Devin Lloyd one of the best rookies this year instead. Having said that I was for Pickens! Who I would have taken and what would have done can be found in the archives. Not a hard decision to make. Just like we don't need anther OLB in upcoming draft.

 

[slashsteel]

Well, if I were the GM we don't give Johnson what we did and let him test the market. How's that working out? I also don't pick Pickett is round one and take Devin Lloyd one of the best rookies this year instead. Having said that I was for Pickens! Who I would have taken and what would have done can be found in the archives. Not a hard decision to make. Just like we don't need anther OLB in upcoming draft.

Yep if you were a GM we would still need a QB, whew we dodged a bullet. And we would have had a declining Claypool and a raw rookie and a not good enough in the slot WR... whew another bullet dodged.

This time I would like to be thankful that you cooch owner of a luxury vehicle, who never met a big head that he liked, isn't our GM.

Proof that God does indeed exist.

Hallelujah

 

[Coach]

Yep if you were a GM we would still need a QB, whew we dodged a bullet. And we would have had a declining Claypool and a raw rookie and a not good enough in the slot WR... whew another bullet dodged.

This time I would like to be thankful that you cooch owner of a luxury vehicle, who never met a big head that he liked, isn't our GM.

Proof that God does indeed exist.

Hallelujah

Was very for the Claypool trade. We got good value for him. We still need a QB by the way. Steelvag. Keep thinking that we don't. Glad to see you are a believer in god.

 

[madinsomniac]

There are several project edge guys that would be worth a later pick IF we actually develop them and not banish them to the doghouse as soon as they make a mistake

 

[slashsteel]

Was very for the Claypool trade. We got good value for him. We still need a QB by the way. Steelvag. Keep thinking that we don't. Glad to see you are a believer in god.

We need you to become a smarter poster but apparently that is off the table

 

[madinsomniac]

Was very for the Claypool trade. We got good value for him. We still need a QB by the way. Steelvag. Keep thinking that we don't. Glad to see you are a believer in god.

Regardless of how you feel about Pickett, the Steelers will not spend another top four draft pick there for another year or two regardless… its just not typically what they do… I think after taking Dobbs/Rudolph back to back they learned a lesson about trying to develop two qbs at once… they may take a late round project guy… but they aren’t doubling up with premium picks… tgey will give Pickett another year or two then decide if they want to move on or not

 

[steel dino]

Exactly a good example of why you should always draft BPA early in draft...

And fortunately for us...we have 3 "early" picks this year.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I would draft an EDGE defender every draft. The position is just too valuable not to, IMO. I also would like to see the Steelers sign Highsmith to a long-term deal this offseason. They've done a great job developing him and he's shown he can be an all-around linebacker.