Please fix the OL in the draft

[WindyCitySteel]

I see many people are taking their eye off the ball, here and in the local media and blogosphere, talking about drafting CBs, WRs, even QBs early. Let's hope Weidl has a diamond grip on the first two picks, they cannot fudge this up again.

Trip down memory lane for those of you thinking the Steelers can once again push OL concerns to the 3rd and 4th round:

http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/showthread.php/51242-10-Reasons-to-love-the-Pittsburgh-Steelers-2021-draft-class

[Buzz]

I see many people are taking their eye off the ball, here and in the local media and blogosphere, talking about drafting CBs, WRs, even QBs early. Let's hope Weidl has a diamond grip on the first two picks, they cannot fudge this up again.

Trip down memory lane for those of you thinking the Steelers can once again push OL concerns to the 3rd and 4th round:

http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums...21-draft-class

I, too, want to see us address the OL needs early and well

not sure why you think Weidl would be any more disposed to do this than Khan

[Oviedo]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

[feltdizz]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

agreed, both need attention this year

[WindyCitySteel]

I, too, want to see us address the OL needs early and well

not sure why you think Weidl would be any more disposed to do this than Khan

Weidl was credited for building on both lines in Philly.

[WindyCitySteel]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

While age and depth is a problem on the DL, we have two GAPING holes on the OL. We need two starters. The Steelers are going all-in to win a chip this year or next, not possible with this current OL.

[Buzz]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

Well, I'd like to see the DL fixed, too, but for all we've done to fix the OL in the last several years, we've got glaring needs at a couple of OL positions (C, OT). Perhaps we can address those two OL positions and get a starting-quality DL in the first two days of the draft. But we need a WR, too. So realistically, we'll probably have to dip into FA again for a starter or two this offseason.

[Northern_Blitz]

I see many people are taking their eye off the ball, here and in the local media and blogosphere, talking about drafting CBs, WRs, even QBs early. Let's hope Weidl has a diamond grip on the first two picks, they cannot fudge this up again.

Trip down memory lane for those of you thinking the Steelers can once again push OL concerns to the 3rd and 4th round:

http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums...21-draft-class

Currently Center is mandatory because we need a day 1 starter.

OT is a nice to have, but not the same level of hair on fire need that C is.

We don't really have a WR2. But we do have a bunch of WR3/4 types. I think we'll certainly draft a WR pretty early. But if the class is deep, can we get someone who can play in round 3? This isn't as big a need a C IMO, but it still is a position where we do need a starter who can step in day 1...or we just accept rolling out Pickens (has looked good, but hasn't shown himself to be a WR1) and Austin (?). This is why the DJ trade still doesn't make sense to me. Particularly for a guy we might have been able to pick up after he got cut.

[Northern_Blitz]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

I think DL is a really big need too. Can Cam and Larry O last the season?

My understanding is that it's not a particularly good draft for DL. But I'd be happy about picking one fairly early (as long as we can take care of positions where we don't currently have starters).

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I think DL is a really big need too. Can Cam and Larry O last the season?

My understanding is that it's not a particularly good draft for DL. But I'd be happy about picking one fairly early (as long as we can take care of positions where we don't currently have starters).

Honestly, I believe what I've read about them taking OL in the first, but not in the second.

I do think they really want a WR on day 2, so it depends on how the board falls.

Lets say you get JPJ and get to the 2nd and are choosing between Leggette and a 2nd tier OT. I suspect they go Leggette and are good to roll with Dan Moore for one more season.

If all the WR worthy of being selected in that slot are gone, but say Tyler Guyton is on the board for some odd reason, they'd take him.

Some of it really depends on how the draft falls.

[Northern_Blitz]

Honestly, I believe what I've read about them taking OL in the first, but not in the second.

I do think they really want a WR on day 2, so it depends on how the board falls.

Lets say you get JPJ and get to the 2nd and are choosing between Leggette and a 2nd tier OT. I suspect they go Leggette and are good to roll with Dan Moore for one more season.

If all the WR worthy of being selected in that slot are gone, but say Tyler Guyton is on the board for some odd reason, they'd take him.

Some of it really depends on how the draft falls.

I think so too.

I think we go C and WR in the first two rounds. Probably C in the first, but maybe not.

It's a little ironic because Windy really wants us to go OT and C (which I'd like too). But the reason that I don't think we can is that we didn't do the "paper over starting positions" offseason strategy he doesn't like (I guess that would be something like signing Boyd here).

I think we've painted ourselves into a corner at these two positions where we need a day 1 starter for C and a guy who's projected to start by at least the end of the year at WR.

And I think that means we don't have the luxury of selecting someone like Mims if he falls to us. In this case, maybe we pick him but that forced us to go C in the 2nd IMO. Then pick up a WR in the 3rd.

Although who knows...last time we had a desperate need for a C who could start on day 1, we waited until round 3.

[Oviedo]

I think DL is a really big need too. Can Cam and Larry O last the season?

My understanding is that it's not a particularly good draft for DL. But I'd be happy about picking one fairly early (as long as we can take care of positions where we don't currently have starters).

Because its not a "good" or deep Def Line draft, that is why we need to get someone early.

[Buzz]

If we do draft DL, I hope we do a lot better than Isaiah Loudermilk and DeMarvin Leal
a couple of underwhelming picks

[NorthCoast]

I think you fail to recognize we may actually be worse off on the Defensive Line than we are on the Offensive Line

We've done much more to fix the OL than the DL the last several years, both in free agency and the draft.

They might have done more with the OL but those fixes were marginal in success. Green? Nope. Cole? No long term fix. Dotson? Outta here. Turner the turnstile?? Um, no. Need fixes that will stick.

[Northern_Blitz]

They might have done more with the OL but those fixes were marginal in success. Green? Nope. Cole? No long term fix. Dotson? Outta here. Turner the turnstile?? Um, no. Need fixes that will stick.

Worth mentioning that some of these fixes do look like they will stick: Jones, Seumalo, Daniels.

And while he's not a fan favorite, Moore has started every game since he was drafted. My guess is that's better than what you'd expect from a 4th round pick (128 OA). Even if at least some of that playing time is because there wasn't a better option available.