Ridder Rising; Pickett Sliding

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think drafting mid-round QBs is not a great use of draft capital.

There are enough failed guys around the league that it shouldn't be too hard to get a cheap guy to come in and be a 3rd or 4th QB.

This is why I disliked the Dobbs and Mason picks when we made them. I think it's better to use those midround picks to make the team better.

We saw that there wasn't really all that much difference between playing Duck and Mason.

I agree. If they don't draft the QB of the future and are looking for an advanced clipboard holder then go FA, 7th round, or UDFA. A mid (3rd - 6th) rounder can be a Loudermilk type pick who is not expected to step in to a position right away but possibly develop into a player when a starter moves on. Guys like that are unlikely to hit, but finding them is what keeps rosters turning over without having to always start over and rebuild.

[WindyCitySteel]

I think drafting mid-round QBs is not a great use of draft capital.

There are enough failed guys around the league that it shouldn't be too hard to get a cheap guy to come in and be a 3rd or 4th QB.

This is why I disliked the Dobbs and Mason picks when we made them. I think it's better to use those midround picks to make the team better.

We saw that there wasn't really all that much difference between playing Duck and Mason.

Agreed, grooming mid-round QBs is largely a myth, unless you just want a career backup. You can get starters at other positions. As far as 6th/7th round goes, I'd draft RBs every single year. Bound to hit on one that can be a starter for a while, or part of RBBC.

[D Rock]

I like Pickett's style of play, but I don't think there is any reason to draft him with Trubisky in the fold now. Give Mitch a year to prove himself one way or another, and stockpile picks as best as possible to make a move int he next year or two for someone with a higher ceiling (and floor) than anyone available this year.

[Northern_Blitz]

Agreed, grooming mid-round QBs is largely a myth, unless you just want a career backup. You can get starters at other positions. As far as 6th/7th round goes, I'd draft RBs every single year. Bound to hit on one that can be a starter for a while, or part of RBBC.

I think Dave at the Depot says that he'd bring several UDFA RBs to camp every year to see if one sticks.

While guys like Najee are super talented and aren't likely to be replaced by UDFAs, it seems like a good way to get complimentary guys or spot starters. Just keep throwing lots of (cheap) darts.

[flippy]

I think Dave at the Depot says that he'd bring several UDFA RBs to camp every year to see if one sticks.

While guys like Najee are super talented and aren't likely to be replaced by UDFAs, it seems like a good way to get complimentary guys or spot starters. Just keep throwing lots of (cheap) darts.

I can't think of many recent late round RBs that have been great. Elijah Mitchell and James Robinson come to mind, but that's about it that I can remember and I think one is a 6th or 7th rounder and the other is a UDFA.

[Bawb the Revelator]

I can't think of many recent late round RBs that have been great. Elijah Mitchell and James Robinson come to mind, but that's about it that I can remember and I think one is a 6th or 7th rounder and the other is a UDFA.

Agree totally. I HATE going for ANY 2022 QB except Brady Zappe in Rnd 3. if Colbert wants to leave a legacy, do it on DEFENSE with either Kyle Hamilton or Jordan Davis. Saving Matthieu [sp] or Terrelle Edmunds salary money allows the Steelers to sign TWO FAs instead of just one. I know NTs are very out of date but it seems brighter to me. Besides, what does a Left Coast old fart know

[WindyCitySteel]

I can't think of many recent late round RBs that have been great. Elijah Mitchell and James Robinson come to mind, but that's about it that I can remember and I think one is a 6th or 7th rounder and the other is a UDFA.

Nobody said "great", though. You can build a RBBC with late round picks.

[Shawn]

One the most underrated movies of all time. I found What Dreams May Come in the 5 dollar bin at Wal-Mart many years ago. It's still one of my favorite movies. If we end up grabbing Pickett I wouldn't be mad. And secretly I would be hoping you are clairvoyant.

[feltdizz]

One the most underrated movies of all time. I found What Dreams May Come in the 5 dollar bin at Wal-Mart many years ago. It's still one of my favorite movies. If we end up grabbing Pickett I wouldn't be mad. And secretly I would be hoping you are clairvoyant.

Took my wife to see this back when we first started dating.

[Northern_Blitz]

I can't think of many recent late round RBs that have been great. Elijah Mitchell and James Robinson come to mind, but that's about it that I can remember and I think one is a 6th or 7th rounder and the other is a UDFA.

Do you need a great RB?

And is it maybe better to have two good RBs in case one gets hurt?

I don't know.

I think Najee was a reasonable pick for us even though I'm not a huge fan of 1st round RBs. I do think having a good running game should help as we look for our next QB.

I think I'd generally rather use high draft capital on OL than RB, but you can only pick from the players that are available and I think it's not unreasonable to argue that Najee was BPA.

[WindyCitySteel]

Do you need a great RB?

And is it maybe better to have two good RBs in case one gets hurt?

I don't know.

I think Najee was a reasonable pick for us even though I'm not a huge fan of 1st round RBs. I do think having a good running game should help as we look for our next QB.

I think I'd generally rather use high draft capital on OL than RB, but you can only pick from the players that are available and I think it's not unreasonable to argue that Najee was BPA.

Low round picks, UDFAs, and former high picks on the back 40. You could literally remake the RB room every year.

[Captain Lemming]

Low round picks, UDFAs, and former high picks on the back 40. You could literally remake the RB room every year.

Absolutely correct. Easiest position to replace.

SB winning QBs that won without the All Pro backs they played with:

Ben
Eli
Manning
Mahommes

Started multiple SB wins in recent years?
1. Blount
2. Fast Willie

The last "great back" to do that was being handed the ball from John Elway.

[NorthCoast]

Here it is; Pickett or bust....

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...nny%20Pickett.
NFL Rumors: 'A Lot of Chatter' Steelers Aren't Sold on Any QB Besides Kenny Pickett
TIM DANIELS
APRIL 22, 2022

John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly aren't "sold" on any of the 2022 NFL draft class' quarterbacks other than Pitt's Kenny Pickett.

ESPN's Matt Miller reported Friday there's "a lot of chatter" suggesting Pickett could remain in the city where he played college football, and Miller noted it's possible the team could select an offensive tackle if he's off the board at No. 20.

"In conversations with league sources this week, one told me that Pickett to the Steelers at No. 20 is the only Round 1 quarterback on which he would bet," Miller wrote.

It's been hard to get a firm grasp on where the top QB prospects will land because this year's class doesn't feature a surefire Pro Bowl signal-caller, but Pickett to the Steelers is the one link that's been consistent, likely because of the city connection.

Pickett is coming off a senior season with the Panthers in which he completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 13 games. He added 241 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.

Those numbers represented a vast improvement over his first four years at Pitt when he compiled a mediocre 39-25 TD-to-INT ratio, so whichever team ends up with the 23-year-old New Jersey native will be betting he'll continue that growth in the coming years.

"It's a crazy process," Pickett told reporters in March. "Every day I wake up and there's some news going on, guys getting traded. But I'll be right where I'm supposed to be at the end of April. So I'm excited to get there."

The Steelers took one step toward replacing longtime starter Ben Roethlisberger, who retired in January, when they signed Mitchell Trubisky in free agency.

Trubisky spent last season as the backup to Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills after four up-and-down years leading the Chicago Bears offense. In February, he told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler his time in Buffalo was a valuable learning experience.

"You can't be afraid to make mistakes," Trubisky said. "When guys are playing free, you can be at your best. I wanted to learn how [the Bills] helped Josh, and I saw that firsthand."


Trubisky will likely open training camp as the Steelers' No. 1 QB, which would create a pressure-free environment for Pickett to start his NFL career.

If he shines throughout camp and the preseason, it'll be possible for him to overtake Trubisky to win the starting job. If he needs development time, he can spend a season behind the former Bears starter, and the team can reassess the situation next summer.

There are other franchises still searching for a quarterback, so it's no guarantee Pickett will still be on the board at No. 20. If he is, it would be a surprise if the Steelers pass on him.

[WindyCitySteel]

Dave and Alex on the Terrible Pod ripped Miller to shreds on that report. Well, more Dave, Alex is too nice. Called him a "fraud".

[Ernie]

As a WVU fan.. Pickett just reminds me of Will Grier coming out..
And I'm not sure how to feel about that...