Now that we have QB clarity...

[SteelerMaine83]

From Colbert's comments (deep at OT shallow at interior OL) I could see it go either way.

OT's are deep. So picking one late in the first (where we usually end up picking) means that we'd probably be getting a good value at that pick because guys that good aren't usually available then.

IOL is shallow. So there's a big drop off in OC if you don't get one early.

I think it should probably come down to who's actually available, but I don't want to go through another "does he play center" period.

And Colbert is spot on. Humphrey and Dickerson can start day one. After that, Myers, Meinerz, Jackson and Hill May take a year or two. I actually like Hill the best of that group (but I like big road graders, anyway, so I’m biased). Jackson is good but too small right now, IMO, to hold up. He measured in at around 6’1” and 290 at the Senior Bowl. Needs a year or two of bulking, and at that height it may not be easy. Myers could be good, or could be the next Billy Price from OSU (ouch). Meinerz played at a small school, but showed great things at the Senior Bowl. Problem is, everyone in the NFL is Senior Bowl (or better) quality. Two PA guys, Morrissey and Menet may be sleepers that start in a year or two, or may just be career backups.

So, get one of the top two C and roll the dice with the deeper OT class?

[whatever]

I think we have RBs we could run with next season though it wouldn't be ideal. We need to find 2 starters on the OL.

We currently have one OT under contract, one OC who isn't a starter, and 2 starting guards. We need at least 2 starters on the OL and I think that has to be the priority.

I'd rather have below-to-average RBs behind a good line than a good RB behind a below-to-average OL.

But I also think that there are probably too many holes on the roster to really be competitive in our division next season.

Agreed. I wanted oline drafted last year. We wasted picks on rbs several years now and haven’t given them a chance to play or haven’t come up with some offense to maximize the talents that they have or were drafted for.

[Oviedo]

And Colbert is spot on. Humphrey and Dickerson can start day one. After that, Myers, Meinerz, Jackson and Hill May take a year or two. I actually like Hill the best of that group (but I like big road graders, anyway, so I’m biased). Jackson is good but too small right now, IMO, to hold up. He measured in at around 6’1” and 290 at the Senior Bowl. Needs a year or two of bulking, and at that height it may not be easy. Myers could be good, or could be the next Billy Price from OSU (ouch). Meinerz played at a small school, but showed great things at the Senior Bowl. Problem is, everyone in the NFL is Senior Bowl (or better) quality. Two PA guys, Morrissey and Menet may be sleepers that start in a year or two, or may just be career backups.

So, get one of the top two C and roll the dice with the deeper OT class?

I'd be scared to death of Dickerson's injury history and durability

I expect that we could see BJ Finney back and maybe Kelvin Beachum. IMO that would open up the draft for us a bit which is what the front office likes to do...remove desperation before the draft to give flexibility.

[hawaiiansteel]

So, get one of the top two C and roll the dice with the deeper OT class?

I think that's exactly what Colbert plans on doing, unless we sign a center in free agency.

[SteelerMaine83]

I'd be scared to death of Dickerson's injury history and durability

I expect that we could see BJ Finney back and maybe Kelvin Beachum. IMO that would open up the draft for us a bit which is what the front office likes to do...remove desperation before the draft to give flexibility.

Yeah, only drawback with Dickerson. Absolute destroyer and great leader, but will he be durable enough. Talents there and sometimes you roll the dice. Only reason I rate Humphrey higher than him is injury history.

Finney would be some insurance and I can see him coming back. That said, I don’t really like him as a starter for 16 games. We may not have a real choice, though, depending on how the chips fall.

[SteelBucks]

I think that's exactly what Colbert plans on doing, unless we sign a center in free agency.

If the center isn’t there at 24, I wouldn’t mind trading down a few spots to get more picks. We could really load up on the OL with some good players.

The mocks I’ve seen have been all over the place. From linebacker to trading up to get Derrisaw to staying put and grabbing the tackle from Michigan. Things should get more clear after FA and the combine.

[steeler_george]

Great post I was think about this for a few days now...

Not to bust your bubbles, but I don't think we will draft a center earlier than the 4th maybe 6th.

We are going to sign a vet center FA (maybe 2 if we bring an swing IOL back up like Finney- we have no back up guards either folks) They are usually affordable, and there are going to be many cap cuts.

They will go a combo of RB, OT, and sure up the loses from FA or cap cuts on the defense side of ball like replacing VW, Hilton, back up Edge, back up NT-DE ( Wormely)

[pfelix73]

I think the consideration is if you pass on Harris is there another RB in Rounds 2-3 near his level. Same equation for OL. If you pass on a Creed Humphrey in Round 1 is there another Center close to him in 2-3.

I'm fine with however they work it out, but I think Harris is an elite Saquon Barkley like talent where the multiple OL guys available are pretty close.

I'd pass on Creed, and go after Dickerson from Alabama. He'll start day 1. Just like Pouncey did, and he's great at run blocking. They may sign a Center or Tackle in Free agency, according to some in the media, so if they do, then perhaps we're only drafting 1 OLineman. I'd still like to see them try and trade down in the 1st, pick up an extra pick, then take Dickerson at end of 1st round. I'd pick up a OT later in the draft for depth, competition.

If they re-sign Banner at cheap deal because of his injury, he could compete at LT, along with a FA/ draft pick. Dotson at LG, Dickerson at C, DD at RG and Okorafor at RT. Maybe sign Feiler for depth. and we have the other Center from Alabama.

They still gonna need some depth on Defense. Safety, CB, LB

[Ernie]

I kinda think getting a "bell cow" RB early might help more than young, inexperienced OL. We can get those in Round 2-4

No way... I'll take stud OL's all day long. There are guys in rounds 1-4 thatll step in and start for us. Thank goodness we picked up K. Dotson last year in round 4.. or else wed really be in trouble.

[Starlifter]

I know many here are looking at RB - but I still maintain our O-line was such a disaster this year and combined with Ben being unable to throw deep consistently and defenses swarming the LOS with 9 guys we really don't know just how effective the guys we have are. I think Conner has shown he's too injury prone, but I really believe an upgraded/repaired O-line along with Ben (hopefully) strengthening his arm to bring back a deep threat will pay dividends to the run game and give us a better assessment of what we currently have. If there is a stud no-brainer RB on the board, fine - but I hope Colbert doesn't reach and really focuses on the 5 up front.

[Ernie]

That and less predictability from the offense. I think I read here that we run 88% of the time when Ben is under center and 76% (or close) when Ben is in the shotgun.

This makes it easy for the defense to stop the run and defend the pass. Need to be less predictable. Obviously.

The predictability is due to Ben's limitations.. and precisely why bringing him next year with a lesser roster makes little sense.

[Northern_Blitz]

I'd be scared to death of Dickerson's injury history and durability

I expect that we could see BJ Finney back and maybe Kelvin Beachum. IMO that would open up the draft for us a bit which is what the front office likes to do...remove desperation before the draft to give flexibility.

I think we'll do something like this too.

When / if that works out, I'll be more open minded about other positions early.

Should be an interesting draft because we have a lot of potential needs

[Joel Buchsbaum]

And even though it's a deep OT class, how many are going to make it to our second pick?

I think 5 OT's will be picked in round one, however there are plenty of good ones in round two.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I know many here are looking at RB - but I still maintain our O-line was such a disaster this year and combined with Ben being unable to throw deep consistently and defenses swarming the LOS with 9 guys we really don't know just how effective the guys we have are. I think Conner has shown he's too injury prone, but I really believe an upgraded/repaired O-line along with Ben (hopefully) strengthening his arm to bring back a deep threat will pay dividends to the run game and give us a better assessment of what we currently have. If there is a stud no-brainer RB on the board, fine - but I hope Colbert doesn't reach and really focuses on the 5 up front.

I honestly think Steeler fans have forgotten what a good back can do.

Conner was a limited in-between the tackles back with next to zero big play ability. This combined with too many short passes and timely drops killed the offense. The OL was an issue. But even with a good one Conner's limitations are still there.

[NorthCoast]

I honestly think Steeler fans have forgotten what a good back can do.

Conner was a limited in-between the tackles back with next to zero big play ability. This combined with too many short passes and timely drops killed the offense. The OL was an issue. But even with a good one Conner's limitations are still there.

Conner has shown in the past that he can do it. But I don't know what has changed other than I don't think he has the same burst and power through the line. Whatever he is now, he's not enough. I would offer a RB#2 contract at say $2M. Remember, he can still block on pass plays and catch the ball as well.
oh btw, L Bell is a free agent...