Mock Draft: Steelers select WR Emeka Egbuka

[Northern_Blitz]

That explains an expensive defense, not the most expensive defense in the league (even after the obvious cuts in Larry O, Holcomb, and Preston Smith). And certainly not the most expensive defense in the league for 3, coming up on 4 years in a row. And if the most expensive defense in the league needs another 1st round pick this year, at a non-premium position, with the obvious problems on offense, then maybe they should consider how they're deploying their capital. Especially since they're like the 8th - 10th best defense in the league. Just sayin'.

They do need to find some balance. I'll agree with that. I think they've read their own press on drafting WRs. We had some flashes from Martavis, two good seasons from JuJu, a decent season from Claypool, and I guess some good seasons from GP and Diontae. They haven't drafted an actual, good, long term WR since freakin' 2010.

Of course, I don't know that any of it matters until they find a QB...

How would you propose to make the defense cost less?

I agree re: QB.

We opted to draft offensive guys and fill the D with UFAs. But so many of those offensive guys aren't worthy of 2nd contracts (or didn't even finish their 1st).

I wish that more of our high pedigree offensive players ended up being worth spending more cap space on. If these OTs don't work out...man will it ever be disappointing.

[Northern_Blitz]

[QUOTE-"hackjam"]Of course, I don't know that any of it matters until they find a QB...[/QUOTE="hackjam"]

Yep. Bigger need than WR is QB.

Unfortunately, there's very little chance that gets fixed in the short term IMO.

[hackjam]

How would you propose to make the defense cost less?

I agree re: QB.

We opted to draft offensive guys and fill the D with UFAs. But so many of those offensive guys aren't worthy of 2nd contracts (or didn't even finish their 1st).

I wish that more of our high pedigree offensive players ended up being worth spending more cap space on. If these OTs don't work out...man will it ever be disappointing.

The five years prior to that showed a similar investment in defense. Bush, Edmunds, Burns, Sean Davis, and Golson were all misses. Dupree and Hargrave didn't get their 2nd contracts here. This problem is 10-15 years in the making. We're just seeing the swing toward the defense now. The offense was the #3 and #1 most expensive in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

How do they make the defense less expensive? They have to make some tough decisions. It's personnel, it's scheme, it's determining need vs luxury.

Is Minkah at $22MM an efficient deployment of capital? Is Highsmith at $18MM a need or a luxury, especially when you have Watt at roughly $30MM.

Is the defense you're running allowing you to invest in the right places across the team? Like if you really need a Top 5 and Top 20 paid EDGE, a Top 5 MLB, a Top 5 Safety AND you can't (at least somewhat) consistently recycle those positions through the draft, maybe it's time to start thinking about making a change there. And oh, by the way, you're not even a top tier defense in the league. Sure, some of that is related to offensive ineptitude but they're just good, not great.

So what would I do?

1. Make the obvious cuts in Larry O, Preston Smith, and Cole Holcomb
2. Start listening to offers on Watt. His contract is up after 2025. He's gonna be almost 32 by the time a new contract kicks in. The decline is inevitable. It's a tough call but I don't see how extending him helps the team in the long run and given the QB situation I don't think they'll be competing for a championship in 2025. I don't know that it'd be a Herschel Walker trade, but it could certainly be a franchise altering trade.
3. Think you have to sit tight with Minkah, at least for this year. Benefits of moving him aren't that great. Consider trading him before 2026. He'll be going into the last year of his contract, coming up on 31 years old. Again... Decline is inevitable.
4. We'll see where Cam is at in 2026 but I think that one will eventually take care of itself. His contract is actually pretty reasonable at this point and he certainly outplayed it this year.
5. Commit to Benton, PQ, and Desean Elliot up the middle. Highsmith (thru current contract) and Herbig as the EDGE guys. JPJ at corner. Payton Wilson is certainly promising. That's 6-7 spots filled with young, high quality players. Add another high quality corner in the draft (too expensive in FA). And build the defense around the strengths of your players.
6. Continue adding depth in the draft and with mid-level FAs. Gotta get a few hits on day 2 to supplement your core.

The excess draft capital from Watt and Minkah trades would allow them to get aggressive on both sides of the ball in the draft. Or potentially get aggressive in pursuit of that QB.

Ultimately, the system is broken. That's what they need to address. The manic swings between offense and defense. It started in 2012 or so. Defense in decline, Ben dragging them to 8-8 for a couple years. Then offensive firepower and eventually paying for that, then that offense in decline. Doesn't help that they paid a lot for past performance. Especially with Ben. Even Heyward. While the result has been positive, I don't know that it was a tactically sound decision to extend him. It's sort of the nature of the beast, but there was a time when guys just did not get 3rd contracts with the Steelers. It seems that they've been reactive rather than proactive. I'd rather they go 6-11 with a roster building plan than 9-8, 10-7 while reacting to needs and trying to plug holes as the leaks appear.

[Northern_Blitz]

The five years prior to that showed a similar investment in defense. Bush, Edmunds, Burns, Sean Davis, and Golson were all misses. Dupree and Hargrave didn't get their 2nd contracts here. This problem is 10-15 years in the making. We're just seeing the swing toward the defense now. The offense was the #3 and #1 most expensive in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

How do they make the defense less expensive? They have to make some tough decisions. It's personnel, it's scheme, it's determining need vs luxury.

Is Minkah at $22MM an efficient deployment of capital? Is Highsmith at $18MM a need or a luxury, especially when you have Watt at roughly $30MM.

Is the defense you're running allowing you to invest in the right places across the team? Like if you really need a Top 5 and Top 20 paid EDGE, a Top 5 MLB, a Top 5 Safety AND you can't (at least somewhat) consistently recycle those positions through the draft, maybe it's time to start thinking about making a change there. And oh, by the way, you're not even a top tier defense in the league. Sure, some of that is related to offensive ineptitude but they're just good, not great.

So what would I do?

1. Make the obvious cuts in Larry O, Preston Smith, and Cole Holcomb
2. Start listening to offers on Watt. His contract is up after 2025. He's gonna be almost 32 by the time a new contract kicks in. The decline is inevitable. It's a tough call but I don't see how extending him helps the team in the long run and given the QB situation I don't think they'll be competing for a championship in 2025. I don't know that it'd be a Herschel Walker trade, but it could certainly be a franchise altering trade.
3. Think you have to sit tight with Minkah, at least for this year. Benefits of moving him aren't that great. Consider trading him before 2026. He'll be going into the last year of his contract, coming up on 31 years old. Again... Decline is inevitable.
4. We'll see where Cam is at in 2026 but I think that one will eventually take care of itself. His contract is actually pretty reasonable at this point and he certainly outplayed it this year.
5. Commit to Benton, PQ, and Desean Elliot up the middle. Highsmith (thru current contract) and Herbig as the EDGE guys. JPJ at corner. Payton Wilson is certainly promising. That's 6-7 spots filled with young, high quality players. Add another high quality corner in the draft (too expensive in FA). And build the defense around the strengths of your players.
6. Continue adding depth in the draft and with mid-level FAs. Gotta get a few hits on day 2 to supplement your core.

The excess draft capital from Watt and Minkah trades would allow them to get aggressive on both sides of the ball in the draft. Or potentially get aggressive in pursuit of that QB.

Ultimately, the system is broken. That's what they need to address. The manic swings between offense and defense. It started in 2012 or so. Defense in decline, Ben dragging them to 8-8 for a couple years. Then offensive firepower and eventually paying for that, then that offense in decline. Doesn't help that they paid a lot for past performance. Especially with Ben. Even Heyward. While the result has been positive, I don't know that it was a tactically sound decision to extend him. It's sort of the nature of the beast, but there was a time when guys just did not get 3rd contracts with the Steelers. It seems that they've been reactive rather than proactive. I'd rather they go 6-11 with a roster building plan than 9-8, 10-7 while reacting to needs and trying to plug holes as the leaks appear.

I think we mostly believe the same thing. That we have to turn the defense over. That's why I think we need to spend early picks on the D.

But we're kind of screwed now because we also have to rebuild the offense now because the rebuild in the table above looks like it's close to a complete failure with the skill position guys (except hopefully on the OL).

I agree that we suffered from the same (or at least similar) problem on D with Dupree, secondary guys that didn't work out, Edmunds. Then we hit on Watt, Fitz, and Highsmith with Heyward still being in his prime (somehow still is?).

I think those misses combined with the Shazier injury (and Tuitt retirement) probably cost us a championship (or at least a really good shot at one). Because if we hit with some / most of those guys and 50 stays healthy and Tuitt keeps playing, then I think our O and D would have been peaking at the same time.

I think we'll mostly do what you say, with the exception of trading Highsmith / Minkah / Watt. The Steelers won't burn everything down all at once (for better and worse).

I'd be open on Minkah. I think his name recognition is more than his impact on the field. So it feels to me like selling high. Edited to add: I know you understand the cap enough to know that his $22M cap hit is about the restructures and not the contract he signed. This is also the reason that I don't think we'd trade him this offseason (net negative on the cap). Maybe the following year (net positive on the cap).

My guess is that trading Watt would really hurt season ticket sales. Especially if we also trade Minkah at the same time. That's tanking. And we aren't going to do that.

But we do need new blood on D. I think the parallel here is what we did to the previous OL. With Shazier getting hurt and the misses on D, we said a few prayers and hoped those guys could keep playing at a reasonable level while we tried a quick rebuild on the D. Now, we're kind of forced to a similar situation but the hats are flipped. Do we try another quick rebuild on O with the aging D? Or do we dry a more balanced approach were we rebuild the whole team at once?

I don't know what's better. Probably depends on who's available when we're on the clock.

[hawaiiansteel]

I don't see us drafting a WR in Round 1.

IMO...our Def Line is a much bigger need. Larry O is no better than a back-up at this stage of his career. Expecting Cam to continue to beat father time like he did this season is unrealistic.

For you Ovi...


2025 NFL draft: Steelers updated 7-round mock draft for Wild Card week

Mon, Jan 6, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers might be backing into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak but we are still excited for the next game and what promises to be a very busy offseason. Here's our updated seven-round mock draft for the 2025 NFL draft for the Wild Card.

First round - DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Perfect understudy for Cameron Heyward and an elite prospect in his own right.

Second round - WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

The more we watch Ayomanor, the more we think his game would work really well with George Pickens, thanks to Ayomanor's advanced route tree.

Third round - CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M

Elite length and measurables from a sticky man-coverage cornerback.

Fourth round - WR Savion Williams, TCU

A hybrid running back/wide receiver was just too good to pass up this late in the draft.

Fifth round - RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

The best comparison to Sampson's game is Jaylen Warren except Sampson has elite breakaway speed to go with his agility and vision.

Seventh round - S Billy Bowman, Oklahoma

Smart, experienced player who could vault up draft boards if he tests well in the offseason.

Seventh round - OT Myles Hinton, Michigan

Massive, powerful right tackle prospect who is surprisingly athletic and agile for his size.

https://sports.yahoo.com/2025-nfl-dr...060000327.html

[NorthCoast]

For you Ovi...


2025 NFL draft: Steelers updated 7-round mock draft for Wild Card week

Mon, Jan 6, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers might be backing into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak but we are still excited for the next game and what promises to be a very busy offseason. Here's our updated seven-round mock draft for the 2025 NFL draft for the Wild Card.

First round - DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Perfect understudy for Cameron Heyward and an elite prospect in his own right.

Second round - WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

The more we watch Ayomanor, the more we think his game would work really well with George Pickens, thanks to Ayomanor's advanced route tree.

Third round - CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M

Elite length and measurables from a sticky man-coverage cornerback.

Fourth round - WR Savion Williams, TCU

A hybrid running back/wide receiver was just too good to pass up this late in the draft.

Fifth round - RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

The best comparison to Sampson's game is Jaylen Warren except Sampson has elite breakaway speed to go with his agility and vision.

Seventh round - S Billy Bowman, Oklahoma

Smart, experienced player who could vault up draft boards if he tests well in the offseason.

Seventh round - OT Myles Hinton, Michigan

Massive, powerful right tackle prospect who is surprisingly athletic and agile for his size.

https://sports.yahoo.com/2025-nfl-dr...060000327.html

Without studying the players in detail, from a position standpoint I would not be unhappy with this draft.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Without studying the players in detail, from a position standpoint I would not be unhappy with this draft.

Lol,

Sampson in round five? Nope, he's not going to last that long.

When the season ends, I'll post my own mock draft. It wll be detailed. As as time passes, players work out, as free agency happens, it will chage things.

[WindyCitySteel]

Second round - WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

The more we watch Ayomanor, the more we think his game would work really well with George Pickens, thanks to Ayomanor's advanced route tree.

Wait, the Raiders are drafting Ayomanor?

[hawaiiansteel]

Sampson in round five? Nope, he's not going to last that long.

Mel Kiper has Sampson rated as the #10 RB in this draft class.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Mel Kiper has Sampson rated as the #10 RB in this draft class.

That is his thinking. Not mine. IMO, Sampson is a top 6 RB in the draft with real upside.

[hawaiiansteel]

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

The Steelers badly need more receiving talent.

In 2024, Burden had 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Burden played really well as a sophomore in 2023, putting up 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. As a freshman, he flashed with 45 catches for 375 yards and six scores. He also ran the ball somewhat that season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden is an explosive playmaker and could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft.

https://walterfootball.com/draft2025charlie_1.php?rbBot

[hawaiiansteel]

We are selecting #21 in the first round:

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft picks

Round 1, Pick 21

Round 2, Pick 52

Round 3, Pick 83

Round 4, Pick 122

Round 5, Pick 157 (from LAR)

Round 7, Pick 223 (from NO)

Round 7, Pick 229 (from ATL)

Round 7, Pick 242 (from WAS)

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/news/steelers-2025-nfl-draft-pick-set-full-list-pittsburghs-selections/8a193cfc7635313355bb1c9d

[SteelerOfDeVille]

If they continue to do like the eagles, that means building in the trenches and they got manhandled by Balt.
Cam's only got a year or two left in the tank, Larry O should be gone. Benton's a keeper.

2024 seems to have been a hit with 3 o-linemen (Fauntanu TBD, but promising). If they don't get 2 d-linemen in the first 4 rounds, they're doing it wrong, IMO. The agile guys look a lot better with capable guys in the trenches.

[Northern_Blitz]

If they continue to do like the eagles, that means building in the trenches and they got manhandled by Balt.
Cam's only got a year or two left in the tank, Larry O should be gone. Benton's a keeper.

2024 seems to have been a hit with 3 o-linemen (Fauntanu TBD, but promising). If they don't get 2 d-linemen in the first 4 rounds, they're doing it wrong, IMO. The agile guys look a lot better with capable guys in the trenches.

I think we'll get a DL in the first 2 rounds. I wouldn't mind another later...but their mid to late round DL picks haven't been all that inspiring lately.

I think we'll probably get 2x WRs in the draft. One before the end of day 2.

Need at least one CB. Probably two. One outside. One slot. I guess depends on if we think Trice is more than a backup outside guy.

RB is supposed to be deep and we'll need someone to pair with Warren (ideally someone that be the lead in the tandem IMO).

Do we need to insurance at Tackle? Not early. But somewhere mid to be a depth guy?

I'm sure there's more.

Need a QB...but I doubt there will be someone worth taking. Maybe we'll do the 3rd or 4th round type guy (which I think is mostly a wasted pick).

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I think we'll get a DL in the first 2 rounds. I wouldn't mind another later...but their mid to late round DL picks haven't been all that inspiring lately.

I think we'll probably get 2x WRs in the draft. One before the end of day 2.

Need at least one CB. Probably two. One outside. One slot. I guess depends on if we think Trice is more than a backup outside guy.

RB is supposed to be deep and we'll need someone to pair with Warren (ideally someone that be the lead in the tandem IMO).

Do we need to insurance at Tackle? Not early. But somewhere mid to be a depth guy?

I'm sure there's more.

Need a QB...but I doubt there will be someone worth taking. Maybe we'll do the 3rd or 4th round type guy (which I think is mostly a wasted pick).

Not that the team will do it, but my early mark would look more like:

1. Derrick Harmon, DE, Oregon
2. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
3. CB/RB/iOL/WR/QB

I think those 2D lineman fit perfectly for what the team wants to do.

I don’t like the quarterback class enough to invest. I do think the team needs another CB to pair with Porter.

Everyone wants a receiver, but, “that guy“ is not available around 2 or 3… go get Darius Slayton, pair him with Pickens, Roman, Wilson, and Calvin Austin and call it done (until next year).