DeVille Does 2025

[SteelerOfDeVille]

For the first time in a while, I think this team is further away from being a contender than I care to admit.

It’s QB and play calling.

We can criticize lots of things about the team and the players, but in many cases, they are more talented than some of the teams that won.

Until they bring the offense into the 21st-century, it’s going to be hard to contend in this league.

Anyway, I’ll add to this thread and put my offseason thoughts here. As you all recall, I write it down because when I say, I told you so, I have proof…

NEXT UP: 2024 recap by unit

[Northern_Blitz]

I agree that we're pretty far from being in a position to compete for more than a playoff berth. And maybe a lucky WC win.

I don't think you can argue that we're more talented than any of the teams that were in the divisional round. The attempt to rebuild the offense was close to a total failure (Frasier looks like he'll be good and hopefully with the team for a long time). And the D is getting older, with our best players (1) already older than you can reasonably expect someone to contribute substantially and (2) starting to age out of his prime.

[Buzz]

Looking forward to reading what you'll be posting

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

This is always one of the best threads of the year.....but you changed the name!!

[SteelerOfDeVille]

This is always one of the best threads of the year.....but you changed the name!!

Dude, I couldn’t remember what I called it.

I was too lazy to go back, because life has been lifing.
(Mom passed a few weeks back. She’d been sick, so was not unexpected. That still doesn’t make it easy.)

Anyway, writing up my personal assessment for the units now on notepad lol

[SteelerOfDeVille]

2024 recap (with looks ahead)

Coming into the season most of us picked them at 9-8 or 10-7. That’s where they finished.

In the words of the late Dennis Green, “They were who we thought they were”. We just didn’t like it.

OFFENSE:

QB

Fields could run fast but his processing was slow. Russ ran slow, but his mental processing was fast.

Both were too conservative. If Fields were a better passer, he has the wheels to be a threat. At the moment, I don’t see either making the team a contender next fall.

RB

Najee - if he ran even a 4.5, he’d be a top five back in the league. Good vision, runs hard, WANTS it and is fun to see him get to the secondary and run over a DB. Just doesn’t give you explosive plays

Warren – he is a very good RB2. Also not blazing, but relative to Najee he appears fast. Has ball security issues.

WR

Pickens is a beast. Pickens is also a problem-child. Like the hot chick/crazy ratio, the hotter, the chick, the longer you tolerate crazy. He ain’t THAT hot.

CAIII is very underrated, and should be a WR 3/4 for this team for years to come.

Let’s not forget Roman Wilson was a “highish” draft pick… looking forward to fall.

Oline

A damn good young unit is emerging. I think C, RG and RT (Fautanu) are set for the next few years. Hopefully Broderick does better at LT.


High level plan on offense:

Keep Fields (because of salary); draft a QB late day 2 early day 3 (Dart?)

Keep Warren (because of salary); draft and RB round 2-4 (Judkins?)

Much like last year with McCormick, draft a Round 3-5 LG since Seumalo is in final year (Hayden Conner)

WR is where it gets real to me. I don’t think the team is a contender this fall with either of their current QBs. I wouldn’t full-on tank, but I’m going to intentionally weaken this unit (with an eye toward Arch Manning).

I trade Pickens for a 2026 pick. If he’s worth a 2025 3rd, that = a 2026 2nd. If you come into 2026 with a first and 2 seconds, you now have the assets to move pretty high.

I fill in this year‘s team with a day 2 WR and sign a “good” vet. You would have CAIII, Roman Wilson, round 2 rookie and say Darius Slayton.

If someone develops, great… If they don’t, you fix it next year. (I think Roman Wilson could use a Darius Slayton to learn from)

Moreover, they don’t want to be the Bengals… They want to be the Eagles so, this would be sufficient for one season.

Next up: defense recap/plan

[Northern_Blitz]

Dude, I couldn’t remember what I called it.

I was too lazy to go back, because life has been lifing.
(Mom passed a few weeks back. She’d been sick, so was not unexpected. That still doesn’t make it easy.)

Anyway, writing up my personal assessment for the units now on notepad lol

I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom DeVille.

Prayers to you and yours.

I haven't had to deal with that yet...everyone I've talked to about it says that it's really, really hard. Both my parents are in their 70s now. We didn't get to see them much over covid (different countries). And when we saw them again, it was the first time it really felt like they were getting old to me.

Trying to make a point of seeing them more...but there never seems to be much time.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom DeVille.

Prayers to you and yours.

I haven't had to deal with that yet...everyone I've talked to about it says that it's really, really hard. Both my parents are in their 70s now. We didn't get to see them much over covid (different countries). And when we saw them again, it was the first time it really felt like they were getting old to me.

Trying to make a point of seeing them more...but there never seems to be much time.

Appreciate it.

Mom had dementia, so you knew it was coming.

i told my wife it was the “universe allowing ME a transition”. We were close - she would regularly refer to me as “her best friend”.

So that whole situation has kept me kinda quiet around these parts for the last year or so… bigger priorities and stuff.

These write ups will be a welcome distraction

[Northern_Blitz]

Appreciate it.

Mom had dementia, so you knew it was coming.

i told my wife it was the “universe allowing ME a transition”. We were close - she would regularly refer to me as “her best friend”.

So that whole situation has kept me kinda quiet around these parts for the last year or so… bigger priorities and stuff.

These write ups will be a welcome distraction

Sounds like you had an amazing relationship with her. That's pretty special.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Dude, I couldn’t remember what I called it.

I was too lazy to go back, because life has been lifing.
(Mom passed a few weeks back. She’d been sick, so was not unexpected. That still doesn’t make it easy.)

Anyway, writing up my personal assessment for the units now on notepad lol

My sincerest condolences Deville. If I knew you better I'd say something like...that still shouldn't keep you from your priorities man...but I don't, so I won't. Haha. I lost my dad in '99 and it still hurts, but with the passage of time, many of those moments of tears become smiles.

Now let's get back to what's important!!!

[WindyCitySteel]

Sorry to hear, SoD. My mom has had dementia for years to some degree, but still knows us, even if we have to remind her lately.

[hawaiiansteel]

(Mom passed a few weeks back. She’d been sick, so was not unexpected. That still doesn’t make it easy.)

You and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers, may God provide you with the love and strength you need during this difficult time.

Wishing you peace and comfort, your Mom is very lucky to have had a great son like you. May you always cherish the wonderful memories of her.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever would like someone to talk to.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

OKay, let's get back to it
I usually break this down into several posts assessing the prior year offense, prior year defense, the coming year outlook, etc.
But, this year is gonna be a brain dump

Right now, this is all fairly high level - i will wait until Free agency finishes before doing a real mock.


Offense

QB
First they low-ball Fields. I see 2 years, $25 mil TOTAL (i.e., $12.5 per year). I see a short deal - gives him a chance to prove it to the team and re-up... but also doesn't lock them in long-term if they see that it isn't working.

AFTER they have Fields in hand, it wouldn't shock me to see a low-ball offer to Russ.

I wouldn't be upset with Stafford, but hard no to Rodgers

I'd be mad at a first round draft pick, but anything between say 2-5 I'd be okay with.

Pre Draft QB Depth: Fields, Kyle Allen, Skyler Thompson

RB
No free agents needed here. I presume Najee is gone. And Cordarelle.

Warren gets the RFA tender, 1-year deal. Between injuries and fumbles, he's simply not dependable enough to make a long-term commitment to.

Moreover, if the aim is to replace Najee, you're looking for a guy who gets more touches than Warren, but will make less money. I suspect this is likely Warren's last year with the team. Why re-up him next year when guys better than him are a dime a dozen?

If they managed any of Jeanty, Kaleb, or Omarion, jackpot. All the other backs have flaws - they either have the speed and no power or have good power and no speed.

My personal favorite of the mid-rounders is RJ Harvey - runs like Lev Bell, but is only 210. Super patient, good speed and nice jump cuts.


WR
Based on Rooney's message, there will be a new veteran in the building this fall of some significance. I just don't know if they're going the trade route like Deebo Samuel or a FA pickup like Darius Slayton. I don't see both. I

They've also got a day 2 pick showing up in Roman Wilson. Calvin Austin had really good stretches.

In my mind, the "addition" of Wilson and a worthy Trade/FA would take WR off the draft board for the first 2 days - this year anyway.


OL
Center and RG are set for years. I get the impression Fautanu looked good in camp. That's 3 of 5 starters in a single draft.

Seumalo is in his final year. LG needed in this draft.

I'm torn on trusting Brod at LT. For that reason, I'm not opposed to bringing back Dan Moore on a 1-2 year deal if it was reasonable.

And while I'm re-signing our guys, if Nate Herbig is healthy, re-sign him. He can backup at C and G

TE
I'm not sure why they're all out looking. I guess they want the 3rd to be a normal size TE, not Heyward.

DEFENSE
DL
I fully expect the upcoming DL draft to look like last year's OL draft with the team targeting that position and fixing it NOW. They're trying to duplicate Phillys success and them winning the SB only further proves that it's the correct path to take.

Larry O gotta go. Cam is 800 years old. I wouldn't be shocked with DL picks in rounds 1 & 3 if the right guys are there.

Besides, if you're going with the small tandem of Queen and Wilson, it is imperative to get some meat to keep them clean.

ILB
Queen and Wilson are both Macks (weak-side, speed ILB). They need a Buck(strong-side, run-stuffer). This is how the 3-4 is designed, so re-signing Elanden Roberts is a must - its a nice 3-headed monster. Cut Holcolmb. Draft another buck on day 3 - they last because they're slower (see vince williams)

OLB
TJ, Alex an Herbig is a solid trio. Expect another Markus Golden/Preston Smith. Is Bud Dupree a FA again? lol

CB
Porter, Trice, Beanie. I wanna see that be the #2, 3, 4 CB and someone better to show up as #1 and that won't happen in the draft. They may take a swing at a FA (personally like DJ Reed and would pay to get him).

S - Despite what a lot of folks think, Minkah is still damn good. He's just being asked to do different stuff that doesn't result in interceptions. I like Eliot a lot, too. I wouldn't mind seeing a day 3 swing on a safety for depth (Craig Woodson, son of Charles?).

Summary

• I'm going to save a mock draft until FA is underway.
• Like I said earlier, I expect 2 DL in this draft. One to start this fall, the other in the rotation as Cam's eventual successor.
• I LOVE Walter Nolen and would do a Broderick-esque trade up of a few picks to secure him. He seems to be moving up mock boards without playing any games.
• Alfred Collins is my Fav Day 2 DL pick for the team.
• With one significant WR in trade/free agency market, I think WR drops off the draft board.
• I expect a QB in rounds 2-5. How early is an indication of how the feel about Fields as their guy.
• The thing about RB in the draft these days is there's some good talent in the middle rounds.
• I expect a OG in the middle rounds as well.
• This is a good year for a trade down - a lot of the positions they are looking for are abundant in rounds 2-4. I could see a lot of moving down/up in those rounds