OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: New Quarter Backs for the Handball team!

[Peat]

They talk about it a lot in the series on youtube, but the USA doesn't have a monopoly on freaks of nature. A lot of these guys would've been top college prospects if they were simply born here instead of Europe or Africa. Link to the videos if you want to check it out, Clayton was one of the guys they featured a lot.

I'm from the UK. I spent twenty years playing rugby. I know first hand.

Most of the translations from rugby to the NFL haven't worked yet because we've been talking skill players and there's just a huge amount of specialised knowledge there that you just can't learn overnight. But for the lines? I can see a time where the NFL is just hoovering up these guys from around the globe. Maybe I'm underestimating how tough it is to to learn how to play OL/DL but it does not look stupidly hard.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Steelers Address Number Of Needs In Dane Brugler's 7-Round Mock Draft

One week after releasing his annual draft guide, perfectly labeled “The Beast”, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler followed up Wednesday morning by putting a bow on the 2024 NFL Draft season with his seven-round mock draft. All 257 draft picks. In his seven-round mock draft, he has the Steelers...

steelersdepot.com

1st: Graham Barton
2nd: Roman Wilson
3rd-1: Blake Fisher
3rd-2: Bralen Trice
4th: Jarvis Brownlee
6th-1: Kitan Oladapo
6th-2: McKinnley Jackson

I like the first 3 picks. I took J P-J for the Steelers in the HFBoards Mock, Barton works as well. I wanted Roman Wilson in the 2nd but he went before our pick, I went with Lassiter because I liked the CBs more than the WR available. But I do think the Steelers take a WR in the 2nd. I picked Fisher at 3rd-2.

I like Dane but he is out to lunch on the Bralen Trice pick. The Steelers haven't scouted or brought in any Edge guys this offseason and they take one in the 3rd round? Nah dog! Walking the mock they would be better off taking Cam Hart or Brownlee at 3rd-2 and then double dipping at WR and taking Jalen McMillan in the 4th. Or even going with a Jeremiah Trotter JR.

Oladapo and Jackson, I like them. But if Brugler had done a deeper dive into who the Steelers have looked at from the Combine and Pre-draft meetings he would have had, Logan Lee or Crumedy and a double dip at WR or an ILB with the 6ths.

 

[WickedWrister]

I'm from the UK. I spent twenty years playing rugby. I know first hand.

Most of the translations from rugby to the NFL haven't worked yet because we've been talking skill players and there's just a huge amount of specialised knowledge there that you just can't learn overnight. But for the lines? I can see a time where the NFL is just hoovering up these guys from around the globe. Maybe I'm underestimating how tough it is to to learn how to play OL/DL but it does not look stupidly hard.

Yeah I would think OL/DL and maybe blocking TE would be the easiest positions to pick up. There's just certain minimum physical height and weight requirements at those positions that would eliminate like 99% of the population. A "Goon position", to use a Tomlinism. It's not rocket science, you're just mainly moving a guy from point A to point B.

I don't really follow rugby, but I read that this Louis Rees-Zammit guy is probably the most talented guy to try and make the switch to the NFL? Definitely has a weird gait watching him run. Short strides and a lot of forward lean. Just going to assume rugby players have good contact balance.

 

[xlm34]

The Brugler mock would be a very whelming draft. Hits the needs (outside of the EDGE pick in round 3) but most mocks I see that go center round 1 leave me wanting more.

Also, Wilson seems like a good prospect but I wonder about his fit in a Smith offense. Mainly played the slot at Michigan so can he move outside and be successful?

 

[Peat]

Yeah I would think OL/DL and maybe blocking TE would be the easiest positions to pick up. There's just certain minimum physical height and weight requirements at those positions that would eliminate like 99% of the population. A "Goon position", to use a Tomlinism. It's not rocket science, you're just mainly moving a guy from point A to point B.

I don't really follow rugby, but I read that this Louis Rees-Zammit guy is probably the most talented guy to try and make the switch to the NFL? Definitely has a weird gait watching him run. Short strides and a lot of forward lean. Just going to assume rugby players have good contact balance.

Yes, although with a bit of a caveat.

Louis Rees-Zammit is 100% the most talent rugby player to make the jump. But I dunno that he's a more talented athlete than Christian Wade. Wade's height meant he struggled to hit the top levels of rugby as the nature of the game means there's only so much you can hide the smallest guy on the pitch from competing for a high ball/having to tackle, but his change of direction is electric. I think if Wade had been born in America and spent his whole life as a running back/returner, he'd have stuck.

Rees-Zammit is quick and big, and his ability to change direction at pace is nothing to sniff at, but is it NFL good? Can't help but notice how he didn't do the agility tests. He's one hell of a rugby player and should be a good kick returner, but I dunno how he's going to do in a league that is far more specialised athletically. Plus in an ideal world you want him to run routes, do pass protection, all that stuff that takes a while to learn...

Also I'd never really thought to compare how rugby players run to how NFL players run tbh. I wonder if there's generic differences with how the games are. I wouldn't really know, as I hate running and only did it when I got to hit people when I arrived.

 

[JTG]

Steelers Address Number Of Needs In Dane Brugler's 7-Round Mock Draft

One week after releasing his annual draft guide, perfectly labeled “The Beast”, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler followed up Wednesday morning by putting a bow on the 2024 NFL Draft season with his seven-round mock draft. All 257 draft picks. In his seven-round mock draft, he has the Steelers...

steelersdepot.com

1st: Graham Barton
2nd: Roman Wilson
3rd-1: Blake Fisher
3rd-2: Bralen Trice
4th: Jarvis Brownlee
6th-1: Kitan Oladapo
6th-2: McKinnley Jackson

I like the first 3 picks. I took J P-J for the Steelers in the HFBoards Mock, Barton works as well. I wanted Roman Wilson in the 2nd but he went before our pick, I went with Lassiter because I liked the CBs more than the WR available. But I do think the Steelers take a WR in the 2nd. I picked Fisher at 3rd-2.

I like Dane but he is out to lunch on the Bralen Trice pick. The Steelers haven't scouted or brought in any Edge guys this offseason and they take one in the 3rd round? Nah dog! Walking the mock they would be better off taking Cam Hart or Brownlee at 3rd-2 and then double dipping at WR and taking Jalen McMillan in the 4th. Or even going with a Jeremiah Trotter JR.

Oladapo and Jackson, I like them. But if Brugler had done a deeper dive into who the Steelers have looked at from the Combine and Pre-draft meetings he would have had, Logan Lee or Crumedy and a double dip at WR or an ILB with the 6ths.

That's actually not bad. Barton and Wilson probably start immediately. Good change Fisher is a rotational guy. Jackson...no reason why he couldn't immediately be used as a situational run stuffer.

Trice, Brownlee, and Oladapo, I don't have a feeling

 

[Peat]

The Brugler mock would be a very whelming draft. Hits the needs (outside of the EDGE pick in round 3) but most mocks I see that go center round 1 leave me wanting more.

Also, Wilson seems like a good prospect but I wonder about his fit in a Smith offense. Mainly played the slot at Michigan so can he move outside and be successful?

Yeah.

I think for me at this point its simple. The Steelers need a Tackle. Tackle is the second most premium position in the draft after QB. This draft is stacked with Tackles. Ergo, I want a Tackle.

I'll understand if the draft removes all of the Tackles prior to Guyton before they pick and Khan can't/won't trade up and he pivots. But it won't be my favourite.

Brugler's draft still had Mims on the table. I'm not super high on the guy but Barton's going to have to be hella good to justify that one if that's what happens.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

 

[Ryder71]

Great, so why did it take THIS long for that to come out? All this back and forth nonsense could have been quelled then.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Great, so why did it take THIS long for that to come out? All this back and forth nonsense could have been quelled then.

Because its the off season and people need to write and talk about things. If the 49ers would rather have a 4th round comp pick in 2026 then a 2nd in 2025 thats on them

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Yeah.

I think for me at this point its simple. The Steelers need a Tackle. Tackle is the second most premium position in the draft after QB. This draft is stacked with Tackles. Ergo, I want a Tackle.

I'll understand if the draft removes all of the Tackles prior to Guyton before they pick and Khan can't/won't trade up and he pivots. But it won't be my favourite.

Brugler's draft still had Mims on the table. I'm not super high on the guy but Barton's going to have to be hella good to justify that one if that's what happens.

I think you can pretty much book their 1st pick wherever it lands as either cb or ot unless they really love Thomas from lsu. With guys like jvp and Nourzad you can go c in round 3

 

[Jaded-Fan]

And you probably forgot about this guy, but he's close to back.

CB Cory Trice Jr. Back On Field For Steelers Offseason Program

Want something super-positive related to the Pittsburgh Steelers on this Wednesday? If so, you should be happy to know that with the Steelers’ 2024 offseason program now underway that second-year CB Cory Trice Jr. is taking part in it in some capacity. On Wednesday, the Steelers posted some...

steelersdepot.com

 

[MrBrightside]

Because its the off season and people need to write and talk about things. If the 49ers would rather have a 4th round comp pick in 2026 then a 2nd in 2025 thats on them

You mean if the 49ers a 4th round comp pick AND have an elite WR for the 2024 season in a go-for-it season or a 2nd in 2025...

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I don’t think Roman Wilson is a difference making receiver. He’s good and could have a good career as a reliable depth guy who plays for 3-4 teams over a decade but you should be able to get a generally equivalent player in round 4.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Anybody saying the Steelers will select Brian Thomas Jr with the 20th pick are off base. Thomas was not in for a Pre-Draft visit and Khan and Tomlin were not at his Pro Day. While the non-visit at a Pro Day can be explained especially when some of the pro days happened right when Free Agency was starting or during league business days. Weidl, Dunbar and Ike Taylor were at LSUs Pro Day.

Not having him in for a Pre-Draft visit is a huge telltale. If they were interested in taking him they would have brought him in for a visit.

2024 Steelers Pre-Draft Visit List: Final Conclusions And Analysis

Put a bow on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 pre-draft visitors. While I was initially worried the team wouldn’t announce its visits like years past, leaving us with an incomplete list, we know all 30 players who came into Pittsburgh, excluding the local visits. In fact, we know too many. Based on...

steelersdepot.com

If you look at the the Pre-Draft visits. It is pretty obvious they are going OT or C at 20 and then WR or C at 51.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

And you probably forgot about this guy, but he's close to back.

CB Cory Trice Jr. Back On Field For Steelers Offseason Program

Want something super-positive related to the Pittsburgh Steelers on this Wednesday? If so, you should be happy to know that with the Steelers’ 2024 offseason program now underway that second-year CB Cory Trice Jr. is taking part in it in some capacity. On Wednesday, the Steelers posted some...

steelersdepot.com

It's nice he's recovering, but I would not expect any snaps from him this season. His knock was health during college and that appears to be the same trend.

 

[JTG]

Trice needs to prove he can stay healthy. Until he does so, my excitement pertaining to him on this team is limited. He has been hurt more than he has been healthy.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Anybody saying the Steelers will select Brian Thomas Jr with the 20th pick are off base. Thomas was not in for a Pre-Draft visit and Khan and Tomlin were not at his Pro Day. While the non-visit at a Pro Day can be explained especially when some of the pro days happened right when Free Agency was starting or during league business days. Weidl, Dunbar and Ike Taylor were at LSUs Pro Day.

Not having him in for a Pre-Draft visit is a huge telltale. If they were interested in taking him they would have brought him in for a visit.

2024 Steelers Pre-Draft Visit List: Final Conclusions And Analysis

Put a bow on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 pre-draft visitors. While I was initially worried the team wouldn’t announce its visits like years past, leaving us with an incomplete list, we know all 30 players who came into Pittsburgh, excluding the local visits. In fact, we know too many. Based on...

steelersdepot.com

If you look at the the Pre-Draft visits. It is pretty obvious they are going OT or C at 20 and then WR or C at 51.

Unless the view Thomas as someone they don’t think will fall. Decastro they didn’t think would fall so never scouted him

 

[Peat]

The majority of boards have Thomas ranked around 20 though. It'd be pretty whacky for the Steelers to think he wouldn't be around.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Trice needs to prove he can stay healthy. Until he does so, my excitement pertaining to him on this team is limited. He has been hurt more than he has been healthy.

Agreed.

But unless they take a highly rated DB in the first round anyone they take will be a dice roll.

Talent was never an issue with Trice.

Good to have another roll of that dice.

I only posted because many probably forgot about him.

 

[Empoleon8771]

According to Antonio Brown (who may actually have some connections), the Steelers are signing Boyd.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

The majority of boards have Thomas ranked around 20 though. It'd be pretty whacky for the Steelers to think he wouldn't be around.

Right but they have to act intrigued to get teams to trade up for him at 20.

According to Antonio Brown (who may actually have some connections), the Steelers are signing Boyd.

They probably gave him a cheap offer and he wasn’t getting paid elsewhere. It will be like wallace and Witherspoon both got the same contract

 

[T1K]

Anybody saying the Steelers will select Brian Thomas Jr with the 20th pick are off base. Thomas was not in for a Pre-Draft visit and Khan and Tomlin were not at his Pro Day. While the non-visit at a Pro Day can be explained especially when some of the pro days happened right when Free Agency was starting or during league business days. Weidl, Dunbar and Ike Taylor were at LSUs Pro Day.

Not having him in for a Pre-Draft visit is a huge telltale. If they were interested in taking him they would have brought him in for a visit.

2024 Steelers Pre-Draft Visit List: Final Conclusions And Analysis

Put a bow on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 pre-draft visitors. While I was initially worried the team wouldn’t announce its visits like years past, leaving us with an incomplete list, we know all 30 players who came into Pittsburgh, excluding the local visits. In fact, we know too many. Based on...

steelersdepot.com

If you look at the the Pre-Draft visits. It is pretty obvious they are going OT or C at 20 and then WR or C at 51.

Isn’t the predraft visit mostly used for medical reasons?

 

[Peat]

Right but they have to act intrigued to get teams to trade up for him at 20.

... but the Steelers aren't acting intrigued?

Isn’t the predraft visit mostly used for medical reasons?

Often. I think a former Steelers exec said they're often smokescreens or further questions.

I think given how much they value seeing prospects again and again in person, I do think it's going to be important for guys who they couldn't see at pro days for whatever reason this year. Khan/Tomlin didn't do a bunch of them.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Isn’t the predraft visit mostly used for medical reasons?

No, it is so the organization can meet the player. So for Thomas, it provides the opportunity for Rooney, Khan, Weidl, Tomlin, Smith and Azzanni at the very least to talk with the player and see what they are like from a personality perspective, do they understand concepts, what do they like to do outside of football, what do they want to do in the community and how do they answer those types of questions, eg...are they someone that will be a good investment for the team.

Plus if a player has question marks, it gives them a more intimate setting to ask about those issues.