To those rooting for a high draft pick

[hawaiiansteel]

I'm rooting for a high 2nd round draft pick from the Bears.

the good news is they lost again today to go to 3-8

[pfelix73]

I wouldn't say that I'm hoping for a high draft pick.

I would much rather have a competitive team.

But if the team is not competitive, I'd rather that we have a better chance at getting a superstar player. And I think the chances of that are much better toward the very top of the draft.

I think in sports with a cap, it's probably better to bottom out when you're bad vs. hang out at just below average for a long period of time. Never competing to win and making it harder to rebuild because you think you're close.

I think Rooney needs to see that we're bad for us to embrace a rebuild. And I think we need a real rebuild.

I think you are TOTALLY completely wrong. A complete rebuild? Laughable. They have a good core of young players on both sides of the ball, and I think many of you are again going to be disappointed in the 2023 draft. They have a young OL and the only position they really could think about an upgrade would be at LG. The Tackles, Center, and RG are now set. Just need time playing together to get better. You want to rebuild that and you just put the team farther behind in 2023. DL, DB, LB is where I'd be looking in the draft early.

[Northern_Blitz]

I think you are TOTALLY completely wrong. A complete rebuild? Laughable. They have a good core of young players on both sides of the ball, and I think many of you are again going to be disappointed in the 2023 draft. They have a young OL and the only position they really could think about an upgrade would be at LG. The Tackles, Center, and RG are now set. Just need time playing together to get better. You want to rebuild that and you just put the team farther behind in 2023. DL, DB, LB is where I'd be looking in the draft early.

I didn't say "total rebuild". Just "rebuild". Ownership likes to pretend that we're going to compete for the SB every year. But that wasn't true last season or this season. I could believe it the year before last because the D was so good in the Mason/Duck year and it seemed reasonable to think Ben could be better than that coming back.

Re: Rebuilding

I think the D is OK because it has 2 elite players. But it still needs lots of work and Cam seems to be declining IMO.

And there is almost no one I wouldn't replace on O (Freiermuth, DJ, Pickens [hopefully], Najee?).

Edited to add:
- Although even on the D, we need at least 2/3 of a DL (hopefully when Leal comes back he can play...and hopefully Cam can keep beating back father time).
- We need at least 1 ILB.
- What's going on at CB?

On offense.
- I think Freiermuth is one of the guys I wouldn't be looking to upgrade.
- Pickens also looks to be good (although will his rookie year be better than Claypool's?)
- DJ is here until at least the end of his contract.
- There isn't anyone I'd not upgrade on the OL. Daniels and Chucks are probably the most secure.
- We will probably have Harris play out his contract, but it's not like he's been all that impressive this year. Looked good against NO...and so far playing well in the 1st half of the Bengals game. So hopefully he's figured out whatever what holding him back early in the season.
- We don't really have a 3rd WR. Hopefully Austin is a player once he can play.

Hopefully ownership sees that there are lots of issues with this team that need fixing and don't think we just need another early WR to compete for a SB.

[pfelix73]

I didn't say "total rebuild". Just "rebuild". Ownership likes to pretend that we're going to compete for the SB every year. But that wasn't true last season or this season. I could believe it the year before last because the D was so good in the Mason/Duck year and it seemed reasonable to think Ben could be better than that coming back.

Re: Rebuilding

I think the D is OK because it has 2 elite players. But it still needs lots of work and Cam seems to be declining IMO.

And there is almost no one I wouldn't replace on O (Freiermuth, DJ, Pickens [hopefully], Najee?).

Edited to add:
- Although even on the D, we need at least 2/3 of a DL (hopefully when Leal comes back he can play...and hopefully Cam can keep beating back father time).
- We need at least 1 ILB.
- What's going on at CB?

On offense.
- I think Freiermuth is one of the guys I wouldn't be looking to upgrade.
- Pickens also looks to be good (although will his rookie year be better than Claypool's?)
- DJ is here until at least the end of his contract.
- There isn't anyone I'd not upgrade on the OL. Daniels and Chucks are probably the most secure.
- We will probably have Harris play out his contract, but it's not like he's been all that impressive this year. Looked good against NO...and so far playing well in the 1st half of the Bengals game. So hopefully he's figured out whatever what holding him back early in the season.
- We don't really have a 3rd WR. Hopefully Austin is a player once he can play.

Hopefully ownership sees that there are lots of issues with this team that need fixing and don't think we just need another early WR to compete for a SB.

Yea, I still don't agree with you that a complete or a simple rebuild is in order. And I doubt they feel that way too. They are always competing for a championship. Thats the goal for any team at the beginning of the year. Just never know if/when someone gets hurt for a long time, etc.

I think with a change of pace at Offensive Coordinator, that that change alone, might really help them.

As I'm writing this, Pickens scores a TD...... I think from here on out, we will see weekly improvements, however, I still think their OC is not more than a div 1 college coach. Tomlin needs to bring in an established offensive minded guru. Who that is, I'm not sure. (for lack of another name, maybe someone like a Jason Garrett. I don't want to see another college guy come in here and think they know how to run an NFL offense. Some of these formations/ blocking schemes, are just dumb.

As far as drafting goes, Cam isn't getting any younger. A big time top tier DLineman or gamble (I know their track record on drafting corners sucks) and take a CB early on..... Long way to go til April though.

[Captain Lemming]

"Unlikely?" Sure. But the league is replete with "unlikely" later round draft picks, so your odds increase when you take some position you really need more often than not. I do KNOW that if you take less swings, on an OT, for instance, you have a lesser chance of landing one who can play. THAT much I KNOW. It seems a lot of posters in here feel like the way the Steelers staff does: after round 3, picks are worthless and not worth spending much effort on. I wonder who is even making those picks, full of players who could have been taken in UDFA, like the QB who was so lightly regarded he didn't even get a snap in preseason. Or Heyward, who's brother was on the team and likely wasn't going to be drafted by ANY other team to begin with.

So, late picks on day 3 are irrelevant? Well, I DO think the OL NEEDs to be composed of JUST late round picks, as it kind of currently is (and is experiencing little success). But wasting later draft picks on obese punters, nobody QBs and cutsie brothers ain't cutting it. Later draft picks who were worthy?

Jesse James, TE, 5th round
Vince Williams, ILB 6th round - wish we had a young VW today, right now.
Kelvin Beachum, OT, 7th - not a world beater but not trash, been a starter in the league for 12 years
Antonio Brown, WR 6th round - one of the best WRs in the NFL
Chris Scott OT/OG 5th round
A.Q. Shipley C, 7th round - stuck around in the NFL for 8 years, playing
Chris Kemoeatu OG, 6th - started for 4 years in Pgh
Brett Kiesel DE, 7th - was a key player on DL for years
Clark Haggans LB, 5th - started on SB team
Deshea Townsend, CB 4th - steady starter for years
Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala RB 6th - good back up for 7 years
Darren Perry S 8th - a very solid starter for years, started as a rookie
Barry Foster RB 5th - at one time one of the best RBs in the history of the franchise

I won't even bother going back to the 70's & 80's where we know plenty of later draft picks made huge contributions. The point is, wasting later draft picks how they have lately is foolish and unwise. And their frivolous attitudes and behavior have gotten us where we are now, 3-6. But Shades sure looks good dancing to hip hop in the locker room.

You do realize I agreed with your point right?

I disagree with you 99 percent of the time and I get THIS kinda love when I take your side.

"I" think we could have gotten Heyward as a free agent and thus I would not draft him. Why?

For the reason that you just gave. You do hit "sometimes".

Nevertheless, it is "unlikely" and thus I'm not losing sleep over it.

I'm not going to act like a late round pick that I might not make destroyed our draft.

[whisper]

I think you are TOTALLY completely wrong. A complete rebuild? Laughable. They have a good core of young players on both sides of the ball, and I think many of you are again going to be disappointed in the 2023 draft. They have a young OL and the only position they really could think about an upgrade would be at LG. The Tackles, Center, and RG are now set. Just need time playing together to get better. You want to rebuild that and you just put the team farther behind in 2023. DL, DB, LB is where I'd be looking in the draft early.

You think the LT is set? Good God, what games have you been watching? It's Moore's 2nd season as starter and he is still the worst LT in the NFL, but you think we are "set" there? Even the commentators were ripping our OTs in today's game.

[Terrapin]

I think you are TOTALLY completely wrong. A complete rebuild? Laughable. They have a good core of young players on both sides of the ball, and I think many of you are again going to be disappointed in the 2023 draft. They have a young OL and the only position they really could think about an upgrade would be at LG. The Tackles, Center, and RG are now set. Just need time playing together to get better. You want to rebuild that and you just put the team farther behind in 2023. DL, DB, LB is where I'd be looking in the draft early.

Who exactly are these good young core players? Here's my list:
Pickett
Pickens
Muth
TJ
Minkah

Cam isn't young so I"m not including him. I also didn't include Najee because it's doubtful he gets a 2nd contract here.

But other than those guys, everyone else on this roster can, and probably should be replaced

[NJ-STEELER]

We have no idea how Kahn and Weidl will affect the process.

im less worried about them two then you know who

[NorthCoast]

Who exactly are these good young core players? Here's my list:
Pickett
Pickens
Muth
TJ
Minkah

Cam isn't young so I"m not including him. I also didn't include Najee because it's doubtful he gets a 2nd contract here.

But other than those guys, everyone else on this roster can, and probably should be replaced

Jury isn't even in the first hour of deliberations on Pickett being good. Right now he's not even average.

[Bawb the Revelator]

Jury isn't even in the first hour of deliberations on Pickett being good. Right now he's not even average.

If so, Pickens should be on the "AVAILABLE" list too. WTF are you defending Artie's Benign Neglect crapola?
Artie can 86 Tomlin today. Why not? Isn't 10 straight years of entertaining pressers and Meh coaching enough?

FIX THE STEELERS OR **** 'EM.
THEY'RE NOT "YOUR TEAM" OR MINE

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Remember that the greatest draft in NFL history followed a 10-4 season. It's more about who's drafting than where they are drafting.

https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/w...doesnt-matter/

Different times. There is a famous story about there being only one video of John Stallworth at Alabama A&M and the Steelers scout who had it didn't send it to another team who'd requested it. Imagine that. That kind of thing can't happen anymore. Draft position is a big advantage, and the Steelers (currently will likely still be top 15 even if they do go on a run. That would be the highest pick since 2014 (Shazier) without moving up. This will be a huge draft.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Remember that the greatest draft in NFL history followed a 10-4 season. It's more about who's drafting than where they are drafting.

https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/w...doesnt-matter/

They also had like 14 rounds and fewer teams selecting.... more chances, and more frequently...

[WindyCitySteel]

They also had like 14 rounds and fewer teams selecting.... more chances, and more frequently...

Point is, Swann wasn't a "top 5 pick" that everyone seems to covet.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Point is, Swann wasn't a "top 5 pick" that everyone seems to covet.

True - he was a first rounder, but iirc it was late teens, early 20's...

All first rounders aren't HOF players and you can find a stud or bust anywhere in the draft. But, generally speaking when it comes to the draft, the higher the selection, the better chance of success. That's why the excitement.

[WindyCitySteel]

True - he was a first rounder, but iirc it was late teens, early 20's...

All first rounders aren't HOF players and you can find a stud or bust anywhere in the draft. But, generally speaking when it comes to the draft, the higher the selection, the better chance of success. That's why the excitement.

I get it, but if a healthy roster gets a top 5 pick with this remaining schedule, one guy isn't going to fix what ails them. Unfortunately, the OL and ILBs and CBs all look to be problems. Maybe one elite guy at each position can stabilize the group.