Diontae Johnson & a 7th traded to Carolina for CB Donte Jackson & a 6th

[Charles Demarr]

Mack Hollins and a draft pick. Bank on it.

[Steelperch]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

They must have quite a plan at WR

We can’t go into season w:

GP
Austin III
And a rook

Boyd?
Ridley?
Reynolds?
Samuel?
Brown?

This is a deep draft for WR but I would think they are looking 1st round WR

Wouldn’t surprise me to trade up for Rome Odunze

[anpsteel]

Can we get a high quality route runner that doesn't run backwards?I It would be nice.

BYAC

Backwards Yards After Catch

LFD


Lost First Downs

[Stosh-67]

Can we get a high quality route runner that doesn't run backwards?I It would be nice.

BYAC

Backwards Yards After Catch

Good stuff

[chippedhamsandwich]

They must have quite a plan at WR

We can’t go into season w:

GP
Austin III
And a rook

Boyd?
Ridley?
Reynolds?
Samuel?
Brown?

This is a deep draft for WR but I would think they are looking 1st round WR

Wouldn’t surprise me to trade up for Rome Odunze

Seeing him being picked not only top 10 but top 5.


That’s a lot of draft capital, not sure he changes a team like a QB

[Ice]

Artie Smith connections, big WR with blocking ability. PR move would be bringing Boyd back to the Burgh and drafting a R1 WR (Brian Thomas?) That'd leave them with some work left to do on the secondary and IOL, though, along with the DL.

[Greeksteel]

I love the trade, couldnt stomach watching Clak Johnson anymore, ive also read that the Steelers LOVE Rome Odunze, maybe a trade up, if not Brian Thomas LSU should be available at our pick. I could also see us signing Tyler Boyd.

[swissvale72]

Can we get a high quality route runner that doesn't run backwards?I It would be nice.

BYAC

Backwards Yards After Catch

How about...

BTFYAC

Backward Then Forward Yards After Catch

'Cuz let's not pretend that that didn't happen as well.

[Who Dee Knee]

Give me some Tyler Boyd. And a WR at 1.20 or 2.51.

[K_C_]

who are these guys? These are the kind of moves we never saw with Colbert & Tomlin sans the Minkah trade, and that was in season.

I wouldn't be surprised if they are looking at a run at Simmons, or one of the top WRs like Ridley, Boyd, or Brown, and bringing Edmunds back as a low $$$ vet in case they don't get a starting safety in the draft.

BTW if it's not clear, I'm enjoying the FO moves in the last three days as much as I was smiling during last year's draft

I'd much rather see Eric Rowe back before freaking Edmunds.

agreed, but I'd take Edmunds over Kazee, I can't take his bad decisions/stupid gambles anymore. I always assumed/hoped they'd bring Rowe back, didn't they ?

I thought both Kazee and Rowe played shitloads better than Edmunds, who was never very fast and who now looks unbelievably slooooow on a football field.

Say no to Edmunds. Forever.

[bradshaw2ben]

I liked Jackson back when he came out. A 4.3 slot corner. He’s been a solid pro and likely our nickel corner.

Plays exclusively outside in the NFL. I think he’s probably of value, just because he improves the speed on hand but it’s not exactly a big value on paper. The supposed behind the scenes is that DJ was committed to a long holdout, so having a player that will be available to play is better than not having one.

[bradshaw2ben]

Wow isn’t Donte Jackson really good?

He’s got 14 INTs

You mean maybe DJ didn't suck like this board is always droning on about? All the excuses with the offense made for Kenny PIckens, and none of those applied to the WRs, ESPECIALLY the guys throwing them the ball most of the year?

I agree DJ was probably a malcontent that needed to go. And it's probably easier to get a quality WR early in the draft where DB is a crapshoot even late in R1.

Doesn't Arthur Smith prefer 2 TE sets, anyway? I think they'll take a WR in the first or second now, and maybe a decent vet for depth. Actually, JuJu wouldn't be a horrible fit if he comes cheap, either in the slot or until a rookie gets up to speed.


PIT is going to run the ball and play defense and hope Wilson can compensate for offensive incompetence.

i mean, diontae had like 5 times as many receiving yards in the first five games this year as Calvin Austin had in 4 games with Mason Rudolph. And…diontae was out with injury for those five games. Like him or not, diontae is light years better than the other guys in that room.

Can’t argue with this—but the offense is changing to something that doesn’t favor either Austin or DJ. They’re moving to bigger pass catchers who can block. I doubt Austin will have many touches in 2025.

[bradshaw2ben]

Should still be a few moves in FA. We need to sign a SS, C, WR, CB before the draft.

We have guys who can play center in a pinch

Not sure they address C before the draft now

We need another JPJ or Frazier. SVP worst case.

There is no starting or backup center on the roster. They don’t go into the draft with a glaring hole like that.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than James Daniels—who was described once as ‘perfect center for an outside zone scheme”.

And I actually quite like the backups they have on the roster… as backups.

[bradshaw2ben]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

They must have quite a plan at WR

We can’t go into season w:

GP
Austin III
And a rook

Boyd?
Ridley?
Reynolds?
Samuel?
Brown?

This is a deep draft for WR but I would think they are looking 1st round WR

It would be so like them to talk about bhow deep the position class is and then pick one early. Those two things are at odds.

[bradshaw2ben]

They must have quite a plan at WR

We can’t go into season w:

GP
Austin III
And a rook

Boyd?
Ridley?
Reynolds?
Samuel?
Brown?

This is a deep draft for WR but I would think they are looking 1st round WR

Wouldn’t surprise me to trade up for Rome Odunze

Wouldn’t surprise me if they decide on a WR by who blocks the best.

[Ice]

Hines Wardunze. Best of all worlds.

If you're disappointed on the return in this exchange (and I am, a little bit), I think it points to the fact that WR in the NFL is going to start going the way of the running back sooner than later. There are so many good WRs in the league, that could be 1/2s, and so many in the draft/college pipeline (I'm a Buckeye fan, trust me, I know) that the demand just isn't going to be there unless they're really, really special players. I don't think you're, as a percentage of cap, going to see another Davante Adams/Tyreek Hill level contract, or Tyreek Hill level trade compensation, for quite some time. There's just too many fish in the sea at the position now.

[PennyBacker]

I don't like this trade....while all of the specific criticims of Diontae are true, I think he was a very good route runner and made some very big plays.

Was my initial reaction as well, for the same reasons. Guy has been a target hog and a reliable source of production when on the field.

Still, like B2B points out, his risk to choose to become a malcontent was beginning to outweigh the value he might provide. Safest thing is to try to find a guy who is 100% all in, and is less of a wildcard.

But they do need to do that, because the offense struggled - even more than it did otherwise - while its top receiving target was out last season.

[Ice]

Wilson has historically done better with bigger targets than DJ, as well.

[Steelperch]

We have guys who can play center in a pinch

Not sure they address C before the draft now

We need another JPJ or Frazier. SVP worst case.

There is no starting or backup center on the roster. They don’t go into the draft with a glaring hole like that.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than James Daniels—who was described once as ‘perfect center for an outside zone scheme”.

And I actually quite like the backups they have on the roster… as backups.

Daniels is the starting RG and they already tried to sign Mitch Morse. Even if they draft a Center, I expect they’ll sign another one for depth. Don’t even look at the current CB depth chart. Still lots of moves to be made there.

[Stillchest]

There is no starting or backup center on the roster. They don’t go into the draft with a glaring hole like that.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than James Daniels—who was described once as ‘perfect center for an outside zone scheme”.

And I actually quite like the backups they have on the roster… as backups.

Daniels is the starting RG and they already tried to sign Mitch Morse. Even if they draft a Center, I expect they’ll sign another one for depth. Don’t even look at the current CB depth chart. Still lots of moves to be made there.

All these semi-flashy FA moves yet, what is the overall schematic fit for Queen?

I still don't see a healthy coverage LBer on the roster.

So many holes, especially on the O-line, with only broken down Centers available in free agency, so they're looking like starting a rookie is plausible. I don't like that approach.

Still need a legit #2 press CB, a SS, and there is little depth.

More talent on D-line is needed and Cam cannot be counted on for 17 games.

This organization still seems like a mess with no sound team building plan.

[K_C_]

Hines Wardunze. Best of all worlds.

Odunze is going in the top ten. The Steelers will not be trading up into the top 10 for a WR.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

Couldn’t agree more. Find the next AB, SH, HW, or ES.

Too much mediocrity from DJ made it detrimental to take targets away from Pickens. Find the next great WR that can complement Pickens.

They waited one year too many, which is a common theme. Waited too long on Canada, DJ, Center twice, Harvin, and MacFarland.

[jebrick]

Hines Wardunze. Best of all worlds.

If you're disappointed on the return in this exchange (and I am, a little bit), I think it points to the fact that WR in the NFL is going to start going the way of the running back sooner than later. There are so many good WRs in the league, that could be 1/2s, and so many in the draft/college pipeline (I'm a Buckeye fan, trust me, I know) that the demand just isn't going to be there unless they're really, really special players. I don't think you're, as a percentage of cap, going to see another Davante Adams/Tyreek Hill level contract, or Tyreek Hill level trade compensation, for quite some time. There's just too many fish in the sea at the position now.

There are a large number of Wr in any draft and most of them are JAGs or less. Route running is the premium skill to make an impact early on. Catching the ball is important as well ( surprised on how many college WR do not really know how to catch a ball).

I think the Steelers try to sign Boyd today. This draft class is pretty deep so they can get a decent WR in the 3rd round.

[bradshaw2ben]

There is no starting or backup center on the roster. They don’t go into the draft with a glaring hole like that.

You could do a hell of a lot worse than James Daniels—who was described once as ‘perfect center for an outside zone scheme”.

And I actually quite like the backups they have on the roster… as backups.

Daniels is the starting RG and they already tried to sign Mitch Morse. Even if they draft a Center, I expect they’ll sign another one for depth. Don’t even look at the current CB depth chart. Still lots of moves to be made there.

I’m sure there’ll be more CBs. And likely they sign a C… but they could retool the OL, particularly with a new OC and if a new run game scheme is a reality. Most likely you’re right they will sign at least a placeholder.

[Steeldrama]

It can be argued the Steelers didn't get enough value for DJ.

I know I was hoping for more, but I'm sure the Steelers are looking at this move as addition by subtraction.

What I'm also pretty sure of is the Steelers are making a concerted effort to add speed to a VERY slow team.

If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised if the Steelers trade WAY up for Rome Odunze.
Dig the player, but that would be shit-off stupid given the many unpatched holes on this roster.

Staying at 20, they can continue the add speed theme and select the now often mentioned Brian Thomas kid. Sure hope the kid likes to block.

Me?

I draft the best available offensive lineman at 20. There should be some Jim Dandies sittin there ripe for the picking.

Perusing the blur that is free agency, I couldn't help but take notice at what the Rams did.

Shelled out HUGE contracts to guards Kevin Dotson (damn that stings) and stud Buckeye Jonah Jackson.
Throw last year's stud rookie Steve Avila a center???
Whew the Rams have the best interior line in football.

Digging a little deeper, the Rams procured two more high impact rookies last year in Byron Young and Kobie Turner on the DL

Football 101

The game is STILL won or lost in the trenches

Get crackin, Omar

Still A LOT of Tombert's mess to clean up

[swissvale72]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

Couldn’t agree more. Find the next AB, SH, HW, or ES.

Too much mediocrity from DJ made it detrimental to take targets away from Pickens. Find the next great WR that can complement Pickens.

They waited one year too many, which is a common theme. Waited too long on Canada, DJ, Center twice, Harvin, and MacFarland.

You guys analyze more deeply than me, but did DJ take targets away from Pickens or did he open things up for Pickens? Hope you guys are right about Boyd, et Al. To me, this trade tempered the enthusiasm of the Wilson acquisition. Steelers have a history of giving away, or not signing good receivers, starting with buddy dial for nothing in 64, continue up g through Roy Jefferson, Frank Lewis, plaxico buress, santonio Holmes. Granted, a lot of these guys were problems. Any rate, I’m not liking this move…yet

[Mick]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

Couldn’t agree more. Find the next AB, SH, HW, or ES.

Too much mediocrity from DJ made it detrimental to take targets away from Pickens. Find the next great WR that can complement Pickens.

They waited one year too many, which is a common theme. Waited too long on Canada, DJ, Center twice, Harvin, and MacFarland.

You guys analyze more deeply than me, but did DJ take targets away from Pickens or did he open things up for Pickens? Hope you guys are right about Boyd, et Al. To me, this trade tempered the enthusiasm of the Wilson acquisition. Steelers have a history of giving away, or not signing good receivers, starting with buddy dial for nothing in 64, continue up g through Roy Jefferson, Frank Lewis, plaxico buress, santonio Holmes. Granted, a lot of these guys were problems. Any rate, I’m not liking this move…yet

i think what we saw last season was when diontae came back, we lost freiermuth, so defenses ended up switching from a lot of cover 1 to a lot of cover 2, basically pulling a safety out of the box to double both DJ and Pickens. So the running game opened up, but pickens actually got more attention from Ds.

Then freiermuth came back, and defenses actually had to decide between what they wanted to stop.

[K_C_]

Softest Steelers WR of my lifetime. The drops, the fumbles, the backwards running… and when he added in being a malcontent to being soft, fuck him and good riddance!

I’m starting to love Omar Khan

Couldn’t agree more. Find the next AB, SH, HW, or ES.

Too much mediocrity from DJ made it detrimental to take targets away from Pickens. Find the next great WR that can complement Pickens.

They waited one year too many, which is a common theme. Waited too long on Canada, DJ, Center twice, Harvin, and MacFarland.

You guys analyze more deeply than me, but did DJ take targets away from Pickens or did he open things up for Pickens? Hope you guys are right about Boyd, et Al. To me, this trade tempered the enthusiasm of the Wilson acquisition. Steelers have a history of giving away, or not signing good receivers, starting with buddy dial for nothing in 64, continue up g through Roy Jefferson, Frank Lewis, plaxico buress, santonio Holmes. Granted, a lot of these guys were problems. Any rate, I’m not liking this move…yet

Diontae Johnson was a 1 step forward, 2 steps back type of player.

For every good play he made, DJ would always find some way, nearly every game, to make a huge mistake to counteract anything good he had done.

The guy had all the talent in the world and I was a huge fan....for awhile. He lost me during the 2022 season permanently. This past season, Diontae added laziness to the already present sheer stupidity in his game.

I love this move and wouldn't have had a major problem if they simply released Johnson. Even more importantly, this trade sends a message to one George Pickens.

That message: "Fuck around and you WILL find out."

[Ice]

You can send Pickens all the messages you want, and I'm still giving it an under double digits chance he re-signs or agrees to an extension in Pittsburgh, unless they really hit it big in the draft next offseason at QB.

At the same time, shipping DJ to a serious poverty franchise with The Great Gazoo at QB and a rookie coach should definitely make for a learning experience. Jeez.

[Steeldrama]

Yeah the message Pickens is hearing is if I keep bitching and moaning I can get the hell out of here

He’s not exactly a fall in line or else kinda guy