Changed my mind. No first round center

[Shawn]

I once believed a first round center was a no brainer. Now not so much. First JPJ is a one year wonder with numerous questions about his health and longevity. He is falling like a rock in most mocks. Barton is an OG and only played 6 games as a center as a freshman. He lacks the experience. Frazier is a second round talent and would be a massive reach in the first. Pran is being listed as a 2-3 rounder but I have him as a second. So I don?t have anyone listed as a first round center any longer. So I think the first round pick will be DB or OT and hopefully it?s OT. My hope is Fuaga or Latham.

[Northern_Blitz]

I just heard a pretty interesting opinion I hadn't heard before on the "Scout's Eye" podcast.

He was making the point that the 5th year option is a disincentive to draft a C in the first.

Option prices are done by position.

So when a position like RB gets devalued, the option price goes down (like Najee's ~ $6.xMM deal this year).

But the stupid thing about the way the NFL does positions is that "OL" is one position. So to put the option on a C, you end up essentially paying the tackle price.

This year, I think the prices are:
Tier 0 - $12.6MM
Tier 1 (playing time) - $14.2MM
Tier 2 (1 probowl) - $16.7MM
Tier 3 (multiple PB) - $18.2MM

The top center contract by AAV this year was Kelce at $14.25.

So if you draft a C and he makes the playing time tier for the 5th year option, you basically make him the highest paid center in the league.

To get this contract, he would have had to play over 75% in 2 / 3 seasons, an average of 75% across all 3 seasons, or 50% or more in each of his first 3 seasons.

That's not a high bar to be the highest paid player at your position IMO (it's the same level Najee got...Kenny would have gotten that if he played 50% of snaps this year).

[Oviedo]

I once believed a first round center was a no brainer. Now not so much. First JPJ is a one year wonder with numerous questions about his health and longevity. He is falling like a rock in most mocks. Barton is an OG and only played 6 games as a center as a freshman. He lacks the experience. Frazier is a second round talent and would be a massive reach in the first. Pran is being listed as a 2-3 rounder but I have him as a second. So I don?t have anyone listed as a first round center any longer. So I think the first round pick will be DB or OT and hopefully it?s OT. My hope is Fuaga or Latham.

I've been saying all along to go OT in Round 1. A Center has to be really, really special to take in Round 1

[Flasteel]

RT-OC is the way to go! Might need a little luck and a dance partner to get Frazier, but I'm hoping the Steelers are cool with Van Pran as a fallback. You'd have to think that how they rate him has a huge impact on any decision to go for a RT (or DB) at Pick 20.

[WindyCitySteel]

I've been saying all along to go OT in Round 1. A Center has to be really, really special to take in Round 1

You've also been saying all along that Moore is fine. Pick a lane.

[WindyCitySteel]

The Steelers don't have a starting center on the roster. If they dick around and end up with another Green it would be disastrous.

[Buzz]

The Steelers don't have a starting center on the roster. If they dick around and end up with another Green it would be disastrous.

need to make sure we get a bona-fide starter at C, either through the draft or acquiring a veteran

[Iron City Inc.]

I still believe Williams is a viable plan B for us. Still only 26 so we do have options if we can't upgrade our center issue through the draft.

["BuzzNuter"]

I just heard a pretty interesting opinion I hadn't heard before on the "Scout's Eye" podcast.

He was making the point that the 5th year option is a disincentive to draft a C in the first.

Option prices are done by position.

So when a position like RB gets devalued, the option price goes down (like Najee's ~ $6.xMM deal this year).

But the stupid thing about the way the NFL does positions is that "OL" is one position. So to put the option on a C, you end up essentially paying the tackle price.

This year, I think the prices are:
Tier 0 - $12.6MM
Tier 1 (playing time) - $14.2MM
Tier 2 (1 probowl) - $16.7MM
Tier 3 (multiple PB) - $18.2MM

The top center contract by AAV this year was Kelce at $14.25.

So if you draft a C and he makes the playing time tier for the 5th year option, you basically make him the highest paid center in the league.

To get this contract, he would have had to play over 75% in 2 / 3 seasons, an average of 75% across all 3 seasons, or 50% or more in each of his first 3 seasons.

That's not a high bar to be the highest paid player at your position IMO (it's the same level Najee got...Kenny would have gotten that if he played 50% of snaps this year).

Can't you just sign the Center after his 4th season to a long term contract? You don't have to pick up his option? If the player doesn't want the contract then he is a free agent. You have to specify going into the 4th year of a player that you are picking up his 5th year right? Can you offer a player a long term contract going into his 4th year?

There are ways to financially navigate the situation. The Steelers need a Center. You cannot have a sustainable run game without a good center.

[WindyCitySteel]

Can't you just sign the Center after his 4th season to a long term contract? You don't have to pick up his option? If the player doesn't want the contract then he is a free agent. You have to specify going into the 4th year of a player that you are picking up his 5th year right? Can you offer a player a long term contract going into his 4th year?

There are ways to financially navigate the situation. The Steelers need a Center. You cannot have a sustainable run game without a good center.

Yes, and "but if he's really good we'll have to pay him" is a good problem to have.

[Northern_Blitz]

Can't you just sign the Center after his 4th season to a long term contract? You don't have to pick up his option? If the player doesn't want the contract then he is a free agent. You have to specify going into the 4th year of a player that you are picking up his 5th year right? Can you offer a player a long term contract going into his 4th year?

There are ways to financially navigate the situation. The Steelers need a Center. You cannot have a sustainable run game without a good center.

Yes. If they want to.

But then you lose the "benefit" of the option. Although I thunk the options have much less value since the made them guaranteed and increased the numbers.

Still, if you wanted a center and could trade back to 33, you aren't really losing anything of the guy is still there. Because the option basically has no value for a C.

I dont think this is the number one concern when drafting. But it probably is something gms think about

[NorthCoast]

Yes. If they want to.

But then you lose the "benefit" of the option. Although I thunk the options have much less value since the made them guaranteed and increased the numbers.

Still, if you wanted a center and could trade back to 33, you aren't really losing anything of the guy is still there. Because the option basically has no value for a C.

I dont think this is the number one concern when drafting. But it probably is something gms think about

Actually disagree. I think Kahn in particular is very focused when it comes to the pick and the "numbers". Another position example is TE in Rd1. ATL drafted Pitts very high and will have to make him a top paid TE if they option him even though he has been far from the guy they were hoping.

[feltdizz]

Can't you just sign the Center after his 4th season to a long term contract? You don't have to pick up his option? If the player doesn't want the contract then he is a free agent. You have to specify going into the 4th year of a player that you are picking up his 5th year right? Can you offer a player a long term contract going into his 4th year?

There are ways to financially navigate the situation. The Steelers need a Center. You cannot have a sustainable run game without a good center.

lmao.. love how we have no problem paying guys in defense but as soon as its the offense folks start pinching pennies.

[NorthCoast]

lmao.. love how we have no problem paying guys in defense but as soon as its the offense folks start pinching pennies.

Yea, that Killer B offense brought them so much success....

[feltdizz]

Yea, that Killer B offense brought them so much success....

it did bring us success. Didn’t get us a SB but got us much closer than wild card blowouts or completely missing the playoffs.

What exactly is your solution since we had some of the highest paid defenses in the league lately and nothing to show for it?