What are the real biggest 'needs' in Pittsburgh?

[Chadman]

The need for certain positions as we close in to the draft has been debated across the board.

My thoughts vary slightly from the mainstream:

OC- I think James Daniels moves inside & Herbig steps in. The value of this draft's best OC's has started to waiver. And the rumour the Steelers would look at a mid- round selection adds weight to my thinking. McCormick might be the best schematic & physical fit. If Daniels does move to OC & Herbig steps in at LG, the interior OL strength concerns are highly overrated.

OT- Not sure the Steelers want to move the much maligned Dan Moore on as much as the fan base. But they are clearly looking at options. There is a solid group of Top 30 visits that are mid round type OT- would not surprise me to see that as the option. I doubt the Steelers will want to sink another 1st round OT money into the OL which is already filled with a couple of pricey FA's at OG.

DT- Probably a bigger need than the fanbase gives it credit for- but starting to suspect the team will try to squeeze as much out of what they have for 1 more year, simply because the physical 'type' that fit the Steelers DL are not that abundant in this years draft.

WR- Bigger need than I gave it credit for early. If Pickens goes down- we are in trouble. Could be in play in Round 1 IMO. Jefferson & Watkins are vying for WR2 right now & if Pickens gets hurt- those 2 are fighting for WR1...could double-dip here. A sure handed slot WR would help.

CB- For mine, the biggest need. Sullivan, Peterson & Wallace removed & Jackson coming in. Not exactly filling me with confidence. A couple of interesting CB's are predicted to land around that #20 range. A starter opposite JPJ & with Minkah & Elliott at S....this could go from shakey to elite quite quickly.

ILB- I'd say it's a target, but Queen probably pushed it from an early need to mid-late. I feel a return to the traditional strengths of the team- strong line play, running & a nasty Defense are on the return.

[Northern_Blitz]

Nice analysis Chadman.

I think we need an OC, a WR2 (I also won't be surprised if / when we take two WRs), and a slot CB.

I think we really want an OT, a DT, and an ILB.

If there's a OT that falls to us in the 1st (e.g. Mims), I think we should probably take him or trade back (if we feel like we can't exit round 1 without a C).

I think we'll end up taking a WR in the 1st or 2nd. Then another later (maybe even as early as the 3rd if someone drops that far because the value is really good).

This is why I'm worried that we won't draft a C. Let's say one of the top 5 tackles falls to us in the 1st (e.g. Latham or Mims). You almost have to draft them because of the positional value. Then a WR we really like is available in the 2nd (especially if the Barton, JPJ and Frasier are off the board). Now, what do we do?

I think we have too many immediate needs this draft. Which makes it harder to take a tackle if one falls to us (and still have NFL starters on offense - C and WR2).

It will be interesting to see how we juggle things after the draft. Because I think we'll still have important positions to fill after round 7.

[Oviedo]

Biggest need: Fans who don't lose their minds and act like petulant children when things don't go the way the want

[Oviedo]

The need for certain positions as we close in to the draft has been debated across the board.

My thoughts vary slightly from the mainstream:

OC- I think James Daniels moves inside & Herbig steps in. The value of this draft's best OC's has started to waiver. And the rumour the Steelers would look at a mid- round selection adds weight to my thinking. McCormick might be the best schematic & physical fit. If Daniels does move to OC & Herbig steps in at LG, the interior OL strength concerns are highly overrated.

OT- Not sure the Steelers want to move the much maligned Dan Moore on as much as the fan base. But they are clearly looking at options. There is a solid group of Top 30 visits that are mid round type OT- would not surprise me to see that as the option. I doubt the Steelers will want to sink another 1st round OT money into the OL which is already filled with a couple of pricey FA's at OG.

DT- Probably a bigger need than the fanbase gives it credit for- but starting to suspect the team will try to squeeze as much out of what they have for 1 more year, simply because the physical 'type' that fit the Steelers DL are not that abundant in this years draft.

WR- Bigger need than I gave it credit for early. If Pickens goes down- we are in trouble. Could be in play in Round 1 IMO. Jefferson & Watkins are vying for WR2 right now & if Pickens gets hurt- those 2 are fighting for WR1...could double-dip here. A sure handed slot WR would help.

CB- For mine, the biggest need. Sullivan, Peterson & Wallace removed & Jackson coming in. Not exactly filling me with confidence. A couple of interesting CB's are predicted to land around that #20 range. A starter opposite JPJ & with Minkah & Elliott at S....this could go from shakey to elite quite quickly.

ILB- I'd say it's a target, but Queen probably pushed it from an early need to mid-late. I feel a return to the traditional strengths of the team- strong line play, running & a nasty Defense are on the return.

I don't think they move Daniels inside but I do agree that their plan may be to look at someone like Nourzad (PSU) or Limmer in the middle rounds. Spencer Anderson is the wild card. The team may really like him and all the Center watching has been a smokescreen

I've always said the Steelers don't hate Moore as much as some fans do

I've been saying for a long time that the defensive line could become a real issue sooner than most admit

WR--I agree and a trade for Aiyuk or Courtland Sutton wouldn't shock me. IMO Tyler Boyd is still a possibility despite what talking heads say. The market isn't moving in Boyd's direction and won't after teams get WRs in the draft

Need at least two more at CB so I agree.

[feltdizz]

Center, WR, DL and OT.

In that order.

[whatever]

I think we need all Steelers type guys, steals and instant starters.
We also need fans who agree with every pick(even though they don’t know the player) and cry when someone questions the picks.

[dreegking]

I’m not far off in agreement. I’m round one and two - centre and tackle. In either order. Depending who’s taken prior. Round three - double dip at WR.

I think these picks meet greatest needs.

[Northern_Blitz]

Biggest need: Fans who don't lose their minds and act like petulant children when things don't go the way the want

I think the only draft pick I really complained about was PF instead of CH.

I usually don't get too invested in the individual players because I don't follow NCAA football.

[feltdizz]

I think we need all Steelers type guys, steals and instant starters.
We also need fans who agree with every pick(even though they don’t know the player) and cry when someone questions the picks.

We can always count on you to tell us what all the fans think!!!

[WindyCitySteel]

I think we need all Steelers type guys, steals and instant starters.
We also need fans who agree with every pick(even though they don’t know the player) and cry when someone questions the picks.

I've already graded the draft an A+. They are the experts with six trophies and know more than us!

[papillon]

My thoughts are that there is no way the Steelers should come out of this draft without a guy that is a potential starter at center for the next 7-10 years. They want to recommit to running the ball and have a 35 year old QB penciled in, the last thing they need is a guy playing center that doesn't get a push in the run game and can't handle stunts, twists and bull rushes. I have no idea if Daniels can or can't but why risk it? There are 3 very good center options and a 4th that is probably at least a good option, get one of them please. They may have to over draft one of them or try and move back to late first or top of the second but that's easier said than done.

This could be more complicated if a player unexpectedly slides in the first like Arnold or Mitchell, then what?

Pappy

[Northern_Blitz]

We can always count on you to tell us what all the fans think!!!

It's like the winning record thing.

Said on here mostly by the people complaining about other people saying it "all the time".

[Northern_Blitz]

My thoughts are that there is no way the Steelers should come out of this draft without a guy that is a potential starter at center for the next 7-10 years. They want to recommit to running the ball and have a 35 year old QB penciled in, the last thing they need is a guy playing center that doesn't get a push in the run game and can't handle stunts, twists and bull rushes. I have no idea if Daniels can or can't but why risk it? There are 3 very good center options and a 4th that is probably at least a good option, get one of them please. They may have to over draft one of them or try and move back to late first or top of the second but that's easier said than done.

This could be more complicated if a player unexpectedly slides in the first like Arnold or Mitchell, then what?

Pappy

I don't think they'll move Daniels either way.

If we don't get a guy that can start Day 1, I think we'll promote Herbig or bring in whatever UFA is left (Mason Cole probably).

[Jooser]

As a WVU homer, of course I'm hoping they take C Zach Frazier. Guy was a rock solid 4 year starter at WVU and I think he'd come right in and contribute. As Chadman noted, we need some CB talent. Interesting enough, the Steelers brought in CB Beanie Bishop along with Frazier for a visit. Bishop projects to be a 3-4 round slot CB, might be worth noting he led the NCAA in interceptions most of the year and was an All-American.

[Flasteel]

As far as "needs", I think it starts with OC, followed by WR2 and slot CB. Those are the positions where there currently is no starter. However, I'm hoping for a RT in the first, then the OC, then WR, then CB. This is not about the coaches loving Moore more than the fanbase. This is about moving Jones to LT and having a dominant player at all 5 spots and building a dominant line. It might take some time for a rookie RT to start, but I say it's the way to go, if it unfolds that way.