Why we picked JuJu

[Slapstick]

Then we would be lamenting the lack of a WR in the draft...

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I would have liked to see the Steelers try to move up in the second as well. Even if they just jumped GB and Dallas, both of whom needed DBs, to grab Awuzie or Jones, I think they'd be in better shape. If they went a little higher and grabbed McMillan, Obi or Cunningham, again, I'd feel a lot better about the draft.

The Steelers rarely move, but this might have been a year to do it.

THAT was my problem. When Cunningham and Obi got to within a few picks, I would have pulled the trigger to get one of the two. Nothing wrong with JuJu and I expect he'll be GREAT for the offense. Him, AB, Bryant and Eli will be f'ing scary to face for opposing defenses. If LaDaruus Green returns, OMG...

However, I'd rather have solidified the defense. And those saying, "well, we took a CB and a S in the first 2 rounds last year" implying that we didn't necessarily need one, isn't that sorta like saying, "we'll we took an O-lineman in the first 2 rounds"... Well, yes, but, ya need 5 o-linemen... 40% of your line could be upgraded...

[Oviedo]

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Yeah, I suppose that was the case.

If Zach Cunningham or Obi Melifonwu or Chidobe Awuzie or Josh Jones were still on the board at 62, and we picked Juju over them, I would likely be complaining about the pick myself (unfortunately, they all came off the board within the 6 pick preceding ours...personally I would have been trying to trade up into the mid-50's to guarantee myself Zach or Obi, but that's just me).

Looking at who was taken in the dozen or so picks after we took JJSS, the only name I was targeting would have been Jordan Willis, but we just addressed OLB at #30 with T.J. Watt.

Seems to me that Smith-Schuster was just flat out the best player available at that time, so he was the pick.

I

agree 100% and believe the team stayed with their board. I was in agony watching those other guys disappear before #62. The reality is however we got a great player in Round 2. I'm totally OK with that.

[feltdizz]

how do we know we didn't try to move up and other teams didn't like our offer or wanted too much?

[SteelerOfDeVille]

how do we know we didn't try to move up and other teams didn't like our offer or wanted too much?

we don't. but, there's a chart... i would imagine that once you get outside of the first round that teams stay fairly close to that chart. Wouldn't think the cost would vary significantly from there. Moving up from 30 to 25 in the second round costs roughly a 4th rounder... basically you'd be trading JuJu and Josh Dobbs for one of Chidobe, Obi or Cunningham...

Will admit that I had visions of Bud, Shazier, TJ and Zach being the best LB group in the league for years to come.

[phillyesq]

Then we would be lamenting the lack of a WR in the draft...

I'd be fine going into the season with Bryant, Coates, Rogers, Hunter, DHB and Ayers competing for the spots opposite AB. Rogers should improve in year 2 and you just need one of Bryant, Coates or Hunter to be an effective complimentary option.

[Steelerphile]

I think what the critics of the pick won't acknowledge is the Smith-Schuster is a different type of receiver from Rogers, Ayers, Coates or Hunter. He is bigger and stronger and won't be rerouted as easily. He has better and more sure hands. He can post up in the middle of the field and use his strength and presence to win battles. This is what the TE generally gives the QB. Although I think Rogers Bryant and Coates all have good abilities. None of them are as similar to Smith-Schuster. There is no way Hunter, Rogers or Coates will keep JuJu on the bench if they are all healthy at the same time.

Although there is quite of bit of b*tching and moaning being expressed at this point. I am going to make the predication that JuJu will become a good player who will be praised in his first season. The only ones who will continue to be against the pick are those with the agenda of proving themselves right.

[NJ-STEELER]

we don't. but, there's a chart... i would imagine that once you get outside of the first round that teams stay fairly close to that chart. Wouldn't think the cost would vary significantly from there. Moving up from 30 to 25 in the second round costs roughly a 4th rounder... basically you'd be trading JuJu and Josh Dobbs for one of Chidobe, Obi or Cunningham...

Will admit that I had visions of Bud, Shazier, TJ and Zach being the best LB group in the league for years to come.

having the depth we heard about in this draft well in to the 2nd round, i'm sure teams wanted a shot at some of those guys, and would have required a lot more then the chart says to move down and miss on the opportunity to draft one of them

[Slapstick]

I'd be fine going into the season with Bryant, Coates, Rogers, Hunter, DHB and Ayers competing for the spots opposite AB. Rogers should improve in year 2 and you just need one of Bryant, Coates or Hunter to be an effective complimentary option.

And I would feel more confident going into this season with our current lineups at ILB and DB than I would the WR depth chart listed above...

[Shawn]

I'd be fine going into the season with Bryant, Coates, Rogers, Hunter, DHB and Ayers competing for the spots opposite AB. Rogers should improve in year 2 and you just need one of Bryant, Coates or Hunter to be an effective complimentary option.

I would have been too. I would be up in arms if we left a really good DB sitting on the board. But, looking at the DBs selected after JuJu there wasn't a single DB there warranting second round pick.

[Shawn]

I think what the critics of the pick won't acknowledge is the Smith-Schuster is a different type of receiver from Rogers, Ayers, Coates or Hunter. He is bigger and stronger and won't be rerouted as easily. He has better and more sure hands. He can post up in the middle of the field and use his strength and presence to win battles. This is what the TE generally gives the QB. Although I think Rogers Bryant and Coates all have good abilities. None of them are as similar to Smith-Schuster. There is no way Hunter, Rogers or Coates will keep JuJu on the bench if they are all healthy at the same time.

Although there is quite of bit of b*tching and moaning being expressed at this point. I am going to make the predication that JuJu will become a good player who will be praised in his first season. The only ones who will continue to be against the pick are those with the agenda of proving themselves right.

I agree to an extent. I was touting an enforcer type WR. I believed we needed a physical WR, a guy who scares DBs. I wanted a soft handed chain mover who has blow up blocking ability. I think we got that in JuJu. Just didn't want one that early. But, let me say this...the NFL slept on Noah Brown. The Cowboys got one of the best values in the draft. Him and JuJu are the same type of receiver but Brown is probably the more physical of the two while JuJu is more experienced and a better technician.

Give Brown a year and watch what happens. I think there was better value later.

[feltdizz]

Shawn likes a Buckeye more than our pick? Why am I not shocked by this.

[phillyesq]

And I would feel more confident going into this season with our current lineups at ILB and DB than I would the WR depth chart listed above...

Given that the Steelers tried to find another starting corner in the offseason, I don't think the org is particularly enamored with Cockrell. And while there are a ton of options for a slot corner, the depth on the outside is pretty thin now.

I like Vince a lot and think he will be a very good starter. But the depth at ILB is limited, and say this as a guy who really likes Matakevich.

[Shawn]

Shawn likes a Buckeye more than our pick? Why am I not shocked by this.

I wouldn't say more...but better value for sure.

[Steel Maniac]

Given that the Steelers tried to find another starting corner in the offseason, I don't think the org is particularly enamored with Cockrell. And while there are a ton of options for a slot corner, the depth on the outside is pretty thin now.

I like Vince a lot and think he will be a very good starter. But the depth at ILB is limited, and say this as a guy who really likes Matakevich.

Want to ask a question: With the reinstatement of Daryl Washington in Arizona, would it be a good idea to explore if we could give Arizona a late round pick for Daryl Washington? He was near all pro level when he was playing and he'd provide us with some depth at ILB. Just spit balling but tell me what you guys think.