2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. Banged up team loses to Buffalo. Looking ahead to 2024 now (3 Viewers)

[steelers1080]

I agree.  

They must feel confident they will get him because they haven't disguised interest.  The part about them openly interviewing Malik's family is what made me think this isn't a smokescreen.  

Willis is interesting.  Huge upside.  

It would be weird if it's another Fields situation, where if he falls to a certain level they'll be ready to jump up. It feels like Devin Bush deja vu, but I'm not excited about it this time. I just hope it's not a Devin Bush or Artie Burns scenario, please don't trade up and please don't freak out and take another QB just because. 

Let's do the TJ Watt route and pick a player that is the best at their position in the entire NFL. NBD

 

[steelers1080]

I'm happy the Rams won.

As a Steelers' fan I hope this causes a crack in the Bengals and they spiral like the Falcons. A lot of Steelers and Ravens fans I know were rooting for the Bengals because they like Joe Burrow and Evan McPherson, it's fine to like those guys. They have moxie and they were the underdogs that people didn't expect to beat the Chiefs. But I won't be rooting for a division rival to win a Super Bowl, ever. I want the Browns and Bengals to remain Super Bowl-less as long as possible, so that they know that the Steelers and Ravens are still the owners of this division. We might be down for a bit, but we'll be back on top and they'll still have 0 Super Bowl championships. 

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I'm pleased the Rams won because i'd like Mike Brown to remain Lombardi-less.

 

[fred_1_15301]

I was rooting for the Bengals until that first play of the 2nd half.  After that point I didn’t really care about who won.  Just needed the Bengals to cover the spread 

 

[Godsbrother]

I was rooting for the Rams mostly because of Stafford and Donald.   

I know a bunch of people that wanted the Bengals to win but I have a feeling we're going to get pretty sick of Burrow and company in upcoming years so might as well get a head start on disliking them.

 

[Godsbrother]

Mock draft for Steelers from Cam Mellor:

• Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
  
• Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
  
• Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
  
• Jerreth Sterns, WR, Western Kentucky
  
• Noah Elliss, DT, Idaho
  
• Luke Fortner, G, Kentucky
  

Here is another from drafttek.com

• Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
  
• Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
  
• Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
  
• Qwuantrezz Knight, S, UCLA
  
• Micah McFadden, ILB, Indiana
  
• Jerrod Clarke, DL, Coastal Carolina
  

 

[steelers1080]

Mock draft for Steelers from Cam Mellor:

• Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
  
• Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
  
• Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
  
• Jerreth Sterns, WR, Western Kentucky
  
• Noah Elliss, DT, Idaho
  
• Luke Fortner, G, Kentucky
  

Here is another from drafttek.com

• Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
  
• Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
  
• Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
  
• Qwuantrezz Knight, S, UCLA
  
• Micah McFadden, ILB, Indiana
  
• Jerrod Clarke, DL, Coastal Carolina
  

Don't hate the positions, but wouldn't have necessarily gone with those players. 

After watching the Super Bowl and the Titans game against the Bengals I'm more convinced than ever that we need to reload the D-line. The Titans should have won and the Rams did win because they were able to get pressure up the middle against the Bengals with a 4-man rush or 5-man rush. Too often last year we would rush 4 and the QB would have all day in the pocket because Heyward was double teamed and Watt was chipped by a TE. Highsmith is still coming into his own and definitely improved throughout the season, but the other 2 D-linemen were not often a threat. Wormley and Adams had flashes, but no consistency. 

If we get Alualu and Tuitt back, and if both are fully healthy, they will provide that spark we need. But both of them will be free agents in 2023 and are getting older, as is Cam. It's time to reload and strengthen the line in what appears to be a very strong D-line class. While it won't happen, if we got Jordan Davis AND Perrion Winfrey to play NT and DE, I think that our defense would be incredible. Having a disruptive front 4-5 covers a ton of warts on the back end, and I'm convinced that a front 5 of Highsmight - Heyward - Davis - Winfrey - Watt would be unstoppable. At least 3 of those players warrant double teams, and teams can't afford to have that many people assigned pre-snap. Also, our run defense would probably go from dumpster fire to elite in 1 draft.

Again, won't happen, but maybe should happen? Could get OL help in free agency, draft WR/CB in the 3rd and 4th. Would not address the QB issue, but why draft/sign bad QBs when we already have bad QBs. 

 

[steelers1080]

Rumors that Colts going to move on from Wentz before March 18th to avoid the guarantees and cap hit, and already rumors that he's the "perfect fit for the Steelers". WTF. Why is a QB that has been abandoned by 2 franchises in need of a QB a great option for us? He struggled so bad in the 2nd half of the season that the team that used a 1st round pick to get him already wants to cut bait. Give me a break. 

Just because they're technically a QB in the NFL does not mean they're the "perfect fit" for the Steelers. Like I've said before, we already have 2 bad QBs, we don't need to spend more picks or money on other bad QBs. 

 

[belljr]

If the Steelers end up with Wentz I won't watch a game

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Just because they're technically a QB in the NFL does not mean they're the "perfect fit" for the Steelers.

Clicks generate revenue.  Any available QB with a pulse at all is gonna be "mocked" to the Steelers by any and every talking head from now until training camp, I'm afraid.

 

[Godsbrother]

Clicks generate revenue.  Any available QB with a pulse at all is gonna be "mocked" to the Steelers by any and every talking head from now until training camp, I'm afraid.

Agreed.  I think we all expect the Steelers to bring in a QB to compete with Rudolph, whether by draft or FA.  It is doubtful the Steelers will go after Rodgers/Wilson/Watson so that means any other veteran FA that might come available is instantly "a perfect fit".

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Did a Mock on Profootballnetwork.com

20. Tyler Linderbaum, OC Iowa

52. Carson Strong, QB Nevada

84. George Pickens, WR Georgia

138. Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin

223. Akayleb Evans, CB Missouri

239. Devin Cochran, OT Georgia Tech

 

[steelers1080]

Agreed.  I think we all expect the Steelers to bring in a QB to compete with Rudolph, whether by draft or FA.  It is doubtful the Steelers will go after Rodgers/Wilson/Watson so that means any other veteran FA that might come available is instantly "a perfect fit".

A recent mock had the Steelers trading a 3rd and future 1st to move up from 20 to 9 to get Sam Howell. Please no. There does not appear to be a player worth trading a future 1st for in this draft. 

If you look at most Big Boards there's a lot of players that are projected to go after pick 20 that are listed as top 15 players, how about we just target those guys instead? Top tier WRs or ILBs or IOL or DL prospects. 

Also, I'm not amazing at breaking down tape, but I'm wondering if Nakobe Dean's success is more due to Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis than I initially realized. Dean is only 6 ft 215 lbs, but he was able to work sideline to sideline, make tons of plays in the run game, and add pass rushing. With the current state of our D-line, he could get washed out like Bush and Schobert do. Though he does seem to be better in coverage and have better instincts than either of those guys. 

 

[steelers1080]

Did a Mock on Profootballnetwork.com

20. Tyler Linderbaum, OC Iowa

52. Carson Strong, QB Nevada

84. George Pickens, WR Georgia

138. Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin

223. Akayleb Evans, CB Missouri

239. Devin Cochran, OT Georgia Tech

I'd be a fan of this if Tuitt and Alualu are coming back fully healthy and we can sign a RT in free agency. 

 

[Godsbrother]

I'd be a fan of this if Tuitt and Alualu are coming back fully healthy and we can sign a RT in free agency. 

I expect Alualu back but the situation with Tuitt is a complete mystery.  Mr. Rooney said they were going to meet with him so maybe we'll know sooner rather than later.

 

[steelers1080]

I expect Alualu back but the situation with Tuitt is a complete mystery.  Mr. Rooney said they were going to meet with him so maybe we'll know sooner rather than later.

Plus, even if they both come back, their contracts expire after next year. 

 

[steelers1080]

Mark Madden posted his typical doom and gloom Steelers article about how this rebuild isn't going to be quick, and I agreed with some items (like no QB answer this year) but definitely disagreed with some others. He pointed out that the Bengals have way more cap space than us so any O-line talent would sign with them over us, but hopefully we're going after different tiers of players. They can afford Armstead and Scherff who are among the best at their positions, but are also around 30. The Bengals are, or should be, in win-now mode while Chase/Burrow/Higgins are on cheap contracts so they could go after the older group of players that are right in their prime to help them get back to a SB. They also have a couple free agents they're probably going to re-sign, but they'll probably cut Trae Waynes who will clear like $10 mil extra. 

We should be chasing the players that aren't quite as good, but also not as expensive and a bit younger, like Corbett and Allen, the guard and center for the Rams. They didn't dominate the Bengals D-line in the run game, but they gave Stafford a lot of time in the passing game and they're both 26 years old, not 30. I'm sure the Rams will want to bring them back, but they're over the cap, they need to re-sign Miller and Beckham, it's probable that they can't afford both or either. 

Other options include Cam Robinson and Connor Williams. Kendrick Green is working out with Pouncey this offseason to try and improve at Center. If the Steelers are planning to give him another shot at Center then RG and RT would become the priority. 

 

[steelers1080]

Steelers hire Pat Meyer as OL Coach. He was most recently on the Panther's staff but was let go after 2021. The Panthers were one of the few teams to have a worse O-line than us in 2021, but they also invested almost nothing in their O-line the previous offseason. 

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Used PFF for this one.  Glaring mistake is that I did not get an interior offensive lineman:

20:  Bernhard Raimann, T - Central Michigan

52:  George Pickens, WR - Georgia

84:  Kerby Joseph, S - ILL

138:  Darrian Beavers, ILB - Cinci

207:  Isiah Thomas, EDGE - OK

221:  Tyler Davis, DT - Clemson

237:  Jaylen Watson, CB - WSU

 

[crushedspirit]

Rumors that Colts going to move on from Wentz before March 18th to avoid the guarantees and cap hit, and already rumors that he's the "perfect fit for the Steelers". WTF. Why is a QB that has been abandoned by 2 franchises in need of a QB a great option for us? He struggled so bad in the 2nd half of the season that the team that used a 1st round pick to get him already wants to cut bait. Give me a break. 

Just because they're technically a QB in the NFL does not mean they're the "perfect fit" for the Steelers. Like I've said before, we already have 2 bad QBs, we don't need to spend more picks or money on other bad QBs. 

Honestly, if Reich dumps the guy after being his OC in 2016 and 2017, plus gives away high draft picks so he can bring him to Indy on a reclamation project, there is NO WAY anyone should go near Wentz.

 

[steelers1080]

I used Pro-Football Network for this one which I love but is not going to happen in any way lol

• 29 - Malik Willis - QB - Liberty
  
• 52 - Jalen Pitre - S - Baylor
  
• 86 - Christian Watson - WR - ND State
  
• 164 - Obinna Eze - OT - TCU
  
• 223 - Connor Heyward - RB - Mich St
  

Traded back twice in the first round and ended up with Tenn 2nd 2023 and Miami 2nd 2023. Was able to get the QB that most people mock to us in the top 10 at the end of the 1st. Completely unrealistic but probably the only way I'd be ok with taking Willis...

A bit more realistic using the Mock Draft Database:

• 20 - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
  
• 52 - Perrion Winfrey, DE, Oklahoma
  
• 84 - Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
  
• 137 - Obinna Eze, OT, TCU
  
• 222 - Dontario Drummond, WR, Ole Miss
  
• 238 - Cameron Jurgens, IOL, Nebraska
  

Got a game changing D-line and cleared $9 mil in cap space within the first 2 picks because the team can move on from Tuitt and be just fine. Strong fell to the 3rd which seems crazy but also not crazy? Grabbed a flyer on an OT prospect and IOL prospect in 2 of the last 3 picks. Both have potential but with late round picks nothing is guaranteed. Took best WR left with the 222 pick, it's a crap shoot that late in the draft but Drummond has production and reps with one of the better QBs in this draft. 

 

[steelers1080]

I'm not sure he'll last til the 3rd round, but in a deep WR class it's possible, but David Bell could be an interesting WR target. Unlike Claypool and Diontae, he has fantastic hands. He would project as almost a perfect replacement for Juju assuming he signs elsewhere. I think my ideal so far is:

20 - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

52 - Perrion Winfrey, DE, Oklahoma

84 - David Bell, WR, Purdue / Christian Watson, WR, ND State

137 - Obinna Eze, OT, TCU

222 - Dontario Drummond, WR, Ole Miss

238 - Cameron Jurgens, IOL, Nebraska

People might think this is overkill at WR, but we only have 2 signed for next year. If we go hard on OL in free agency we might not have a lot to sign WRs. Also, adding these pieces I think will instantly upgrade our Linebackers and Secondary because opposing offenses will have less time to pass due to the interior pressure. 

 

[menobrown]

In a really surprising move, to me at least, the Steelers just signed Brian Flores.

I would guess at some point this will lead to dot connecting about Watson going to the Steelers.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

In a really surprising move, to me at least, the Steelers just signed Brian Flores.

I would guess at some point this will lead to dot connecting about Watson going to the Steelers.

Well they needed a LB coach to replace Butler. And now if he gets an HC gig we get two 3rds. 
 

Maybe he can get production out of Bush, Highsmith and whoever else. Plus, as assistant, maybe he helps on the play calls too. 

 

[menobrown]

Well they needed a LB coach to replace Butler. And now if he gets an HC gig we get two 3rds. 
 

Maybe he can get production out of Bush, Highsmith and whoever else. Plus, as assistant, maybe he helps on the play calls too. 

Forgot about the potential comp picks though I will remain very dubious his days of being a head coach are not a thing of the past I'll now have a reason to hope I'm wrong.

Great hire anyway, basically we got someone highly overqualified for the job due to circumstances. 

 

[menobrown]

Wonder what Minkah Fitpatrick thinks of the hire?

 

[irish eyes]

In a really surprising move, to me at least, the Steelers just signed Brian Flores.

I would guess at some point this will lead to dot connecting about Watson going to the Steelers.

This franchise has become a laughingstock. Perfect way to alienate a fan base. I can't believe anyone would hire this idiot for ANY kind of job.

 

[steeler6]

This franchise has become a laughingstock. Perfect way to alienate a fan base. I can't believe anyone would hire this idiot for ANY kind of job.

Why would hiring Flores alienate the fan base? 

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

This franchise has become a laughingstock. Perfect way to alienate a fan base. I can't believe anyone would hire this idiot for ANY kind of job.

He is the perfect guy to unlock Bush. 

 

[steelers1080]

Why would hiring Flores alienate the fan base? 

Because hiring someone who is an exceptional defensive coach is so out of character. He might improve our linebackers and secondary, and that's just not acceptable. /s

He is the perfect guy to unlock Bush. 

100% He's a great defensive coach. I joked that we should hire him as DC when the lawsuits were announced because I thought he'd never come here if Tomlin kept control of play calling. To get him as the LB/Secondary coach is definitely a win. Hopefully he can develop Bush, Buddy Johnson, and whatever ILBs we get to replace Schobert. 

His lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices and tanking have 0 correlation to his ability to coach up defensive players. The only impact I see from this is that some old white coaches might not be as happy with Art II. Who cares. 

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Amazing hire

 

[GROOT]

This is a Rooney rule backlash hire. I wonder who he is going to sue on the Steelers?

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

This is a Rooney rule backlash hire. I wonder who he is going to sue on the Steelers?

This is completely ridiculous. He is clearly way over qualified for this position. The Steelers are incredibly lucky to have got him.

The insinuation that his lawsuit is meritless is equally ridiculous. It is impossible to see the NFL doesn't have a problem with racial bias in head coach hires.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I dont have a super strong opinion either way about the Flores hire, but the notion that Pittsburgh's organization is remotely "a laughingstock" because of it is "special."

 

[GROOT]

This is completely ridiculous. He is clearly way over qualified for this position. The Steelers are incredibly lucky to have got him.

The insinuation that his lawsuit is meritless is equally ridiculous. It is impossible to see the NFL doesn't have a problem with racial bias in head coach hires.

Give me some evidence

 

[Godsbrother]

This franchise has become a laughingstock. Perfect way to alienate a fan base. I can't believe anyone would hire this idiot for ANY kind of job.

I don’t want to turn this into a political thread  (there’s already a thread for that).

Taking color and racism out of the equation and just looking at his resume this seems like a great hire.

 

[Godsbrother]

I dont have a super strong opinion either way about the Flores hire, but the notion that Pittsburgh's organization is remotely "a laughingstock" because of it is "special."

Have you ever heard Irish eyes say something good about the Steelers?  
 

The Ravens and Browns fans here are more complimentary towards the Steelers.

 

[Steeler]

The only potential problem I see with the Flores hire is if the lawsuit, or questions about the lawsuit, somehow become a distraction for the Steelers.

 

[steelers1080]

The only potential problem I see with the Flores hire is if the lawsuit, or questions about the lawsuit, somehow become a distraction for the Steelers.

He's a great coach and will help our linebackers/defense. I trust that Tomlin won't let it become a distraction within the locker room, no matter what is being said outside it by Owners/Pundits. 

 

[menobrown]

The only potential problem I see with the Flores hire is if the lawsuit, or questions about the lawsuit, somehow become a distraction for the Steelers.

I agree and I cooled a bit on the hire when I read a tweet from Josina Anderson replying to Tomlin throwing Flores a life raft and she said it was what was expected, it's what many coaches behind the scenes were calling for Tomlin to do.

That may seem like nothing to most but to me there is a big difference between Tomlin/Steelers discussing how bringing in a coach like Flores makes them a better team and what he can add versus saying let's hire him to throw him a lifeboat and then we'll just see how it all works out. If that's how it went down.

 

[crushedspirit]

Great hire if it's just due to his defensive resume, but why he was brought on is the question. If this is a political-type hire conducted behind the scenes, then I'm not a fan of it. Also, will this be an unwelcomed distraction?

 

[HellToupee]

Have you ever heard Irish eyes say something good about the Steelers?  
 

The Ravens and Browns fans here are more complimentary towards the Steelers.

He’s the fan bases ultimate curmudgeon 

this was said with the utmost respect 

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Have you ever heard Irish eyes say something good about the Steelers?  
 

The Ravens and Browns fans here are more complimentary towards the Steelers.

I have had them on mute for several years and don't understand why anyone  else doesn't.  I only see that tripe when one of the rest of you quotes it.

 

[Godsbrother]

I agree and I cooled a bit on the hire when I read a tweet from Josina Anderson replying to Tomlin throwing Flores a life raft and she said it was what was expected, it's what many coaches behind the scenes were calling for Tomlin to do.

That may seem like nothing to most but to me there is a big difference between Tomlin/Steelers discussing how bringing in a coach like Flores makes them a better team and what he can add versus saying let's hire him to throw him a lifeboat and then we'll just see how it all works out. If that's how it went down.

Tomlin has a lot of pull but it is Art Rooney II that is running the show.  He wouldn’t approve this decision if he didn’t think it would help the team.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

This move probably goes a long way of garnering respect of players past, present, and future.  For a team that often asks guys to take a discount to play here (or restructure their contracts to death) that matters (having cap space these next few years as well could help this be a quick rebuild).

 

[steelers1080]

From most of the recent mock drafts the Steelers are either going O-Line, ILB, or QB in the first 2 rounds. Many analysts/team reporters don't seem to see D-line as a need except Gerry Dulac. Are they just convinced Tuitt returns and Alualu is fully healthy? Or do they just see the surface with Heyward/Tuitt/Alualu under contract and not dig any deeper?

I'm very concerned that if we add a new ILB but we lose Tuitt and/or another D-lineman to injury that the ILB could be phenomenal, but we still wouldn't know it because O-linemen would be able to take them out. I don't think Bush or Schobert is excellent at this point, but being behind 3rd string D-linemen does not help. 

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

From most of the recent mock drafts the Steelers are either going O-Line, ILB, or QB in the first 2 rounds. Many analysts/team reporters don't seem to see D-line as a need except Gerry Dulac. Are they just convinced Tuitt returns and Alualu is fully healthy? Or do they just see the surface with Heyward/Tuitt/Alualu under contract and not dig any deeper?

I'm very concerned that if we add a new ILB but we lose Tuitt and/or another D-lineman to injury that the ILB could be phenomenal, but we still wouldn't know it because O-linemen would be able to take them out. I don't think Bush or Schobert is excellent at this point, but being behind 3rd string D-linemen does not help. 

They could add a NT in free agency pretty easily. I do think there are a couple  of interesting 3-4 DEs. Wyatt and Travis Jones both intrigue me. 

 

[5-ish Finkle]

They could add a NT in free agency pretty easily. I do think there are a couple  of interesting 3-4 DEs. Wyatt and Travis Jones both intrigue me. 

Last time I looked at the likely available guys that reeeally kill vs the run, the better ones were older IIRC (Joseph, et al).  Nothing wrong with bringing in older guys who can still play, but it doesn't solve the issue they have along the DL long-term.  Their best guys there are already old.  I should take a look at the list again. Maybe I am forgetting someone.

As far as the draft goes, conceptually I wouldn't hate Wyatt or Jones for them as a DE at all.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

FWIW, I expect them to address OL in FA and probably CB too, since they're usually so bad at drafting them.

If they plan to do that with alacrity, it could really open up their options for the top of the draft.  Sign a bankable replacement for Haden and bring in a OT/interior guy for the OL via FA?   Could let them truly consider DL, LB and maybe even S a lot earlier than they may be able to otherwise.

Really wish they'd stick with FA for a veteran QB to compete with the two jobbers they have, but I get the feeling they have already decided that they're gonna burn a high pick on a QB come hell or high water this year.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Last time I looked at the likely available guys that reeeally kill vs the run, the better ones were older IIRC (Joseph, et al).  Nothing wrong with bringing in older guys who can still play, but it doesn't solve the issue they have along the DL long-term.  Their best guys there are already old.  I should take a look at the list again. Maybe I am forgetting someone.

As far as the draft goes, conceptually I wouldn't hate Wyatt or Jones for them as a DE at all.

There are some late round NT prospects. Elliss might fit