Who is your sprint to the podium?

[PennyBacker]

My sprint at 1.20 would be for Troy Fautanu. He is a vocal leader, an emotional leader, and most importantly, he leads with his exceptional play. I am enchanted with his talent / leadership potential.

There are no sure things in the NFL draft, but I would sprint to the podium for the chance to find out if Fautanu’s success from college will translate to the NFL. I believe he could successfully play center or tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Also, this does not have to be at 1.20. If you covet Malik Nabers and want to concoct an alternate universe that sees him fall to #10, then what is your realistic trade up scenario that meets the speculative draft concept of “value” in order to sprint to the podium to obtain your guy for the Steelers roster?

[K_C_]

Roman Wilson in round 2.

[Steelperch]

Rome Odunze would be it for me if he somehow fell to 20. Anyone else I’m willing to wait on or trade back. Would struggle to trade away from Fuaga.

[bradshaw2ben]

Rome Odunze would be it for me if he somehow fell to 20. Anyone else I’m willing to wait on or trade back. Would struggle to trade away from Fuaga.

Agree with that.

One of you dudes is going to have to explain Roman Wilson to me. He seems like a super fast guy with good hands but almost nothing else. He is like a alternate universe version of Malachi Corley, who is a big guy with good hands... who does nothing but catch screens and then run like Forrest Gump. Are either of those skill sets sustainable/transferrable to the NFL? Do with fit with what Arthur Smith has been running for the past 5 years? Help me understand, because I want to have appreciation for your appreciation for this player that other seems to dig so much.

[tbsteel]

I think Barton is going to be a stud, so even though I'd love a trade back... if he's there at 20, I'd at least walk with some pace up to the podium.

Quinyon Mitchell is one of those guys you just pull the trigger on and figure out the rest later.

[bradshaw2ben]

For the first time this draft season I'm starting to move into running to the podium for BTJ category. But, I guess if the goal is to build towards a new QB in 2025, Fuaga/Fatanu/Mims/Barton would all be wonderful choices. They can draft a future WR3 later and get them through 2024.

[tbsteel]

For the first time this draft season I'm starting to move into running to the podium for BTJ category. But, I guess if the goal is to build towards a new QB in 2025, Fuaga/Fatanu/Mims/Barton would all be wonderful choices. They can draft a future WR3 later and get them through 2024.

Do you think we could nab BTJ on a small trade down?

I think my preferred scenario as of 4/23/24 at 11:01 p.m. EST:

Draft Barton if he makes it to 20.

If Barton is gone, work a small trade down and take BTJ.

I'd be fine with BTJ at 20 though.

[K_C_]

Rome Odunze would be it for me if he somehow fell to 20. Anyone else I’m willing to wait on or trade back. Would struggle to trade away from Fuaga.

Agree with that.

One of you dudes is going to have to explain Roman Wilson to me. He seems like a super fast guy with good hands but almost nothing else. He is like a alternate universe version of Malachi Corley, who is a big guy with good hands... who does nothing but catch screens and then run like Forrest Gump. Are either of those skill sets sustainable/transferrable to the NFL? Do with fit with what Arthur Smith has been running for the past 5 years? Help me understand, because I want to have appreciation for your appreciation for this player that other seems to dig so much.

Wilson, to me, is a super fast guy with GREAT hands who runs precise routes and gets open with ease , but who also excels at improvisation. If Justin Fields is going to be the Steelers QB most likely at some point in the near future, you want an improviser at WR and Wilson is about as good as it gets in that department. Wilson can play inside or outside. Could move inside when Freiermuth’s regularly scheduled injury happens, since they’re talking about making Pat a slot receiver.

Lastly (and I think this is very important) Wilson is very high character. Zero red flags and would be a great, hard working kid to pair with an idiot like Pickens. Great work ethic and he reminds me a lot of Hines Ward. I saw Wilson get a flag, I believe it was against IU, for knocking the living shit out of a linebacker with a crackback block.

[Steelperch]

Rome Odunze would be it for me if he somehow fell to 20. Anyone else I’m willing to wait on or trade back. Would struggle to trade away from Fuaga.

Agree with that.

One of you dudes is going to have to explain Roman Wilson to me. He seems like a super fast guy with good hands but almost nothing else. He is like a alternate universe version of Malachi Corley, who is a big guy with good hands... who does nothing but catch screens and then run like Forrest Gump. Are either of those skill sets sustainable/transferrable to the NFL? Do with fit with what Arthur Smith has been running for the past 5 years? Help me understand, because I want to have appreciation for your appreciation for this player that other seems to dig so much.

Wilson, to me, is a super fast guy with GREAT hands who runs precise routes and gets open with ease , but who also excels at improvisation. If Justin Fields is going to be the Steelers QB most likely at some point in the near future, you want an improviser at WR and Wilson is about as good as it gets in that department. Wilson can play inside or outside. Could move inside when Freiermuth’s regularly scheduled injury happens, since they’re talking about making Pat a slot receiver.

Lastly (and I think this is very important) Wilson is very high character. Zero red flags and would be a great, hard working kid to pair with an idiot like Pickens. Great work ethic and he reminds me a lot of Hines Ward. I saw Wilson get a flag, I believe it was against IU, for knocking the living shit out of a linebacker with a crackback block.

I like Wilson as a fit, wouldn’t say I love him. He’s explosive and fast, although more of a straight line guy in college than a pure route runner. I think he can be a better pro as his route running gets more advanced. It’s more about projection with him for me. You need that Dionte Johnson, AB, Santonio Holmes, Emmanuel Sanders type on the roster who can get separation with speed and quickness. They really don’t have that type of guy right now.

[bradshaw2ben]

For the first time this draft season I'm starting to move into running to the podium for BTJ category. But, I guess if the goal is to build towards a new QB in 2025, Fuaga/Fatanu/Mims/Barton would all be wonderful choices. They can draft a future WR3 later and get them through 2024.

Do you think we could nab BTJ on a small trade down?

I think my preferred scenario as of 4/23/24 at 11:01 p.m. EST:

Draft Barton if he makes it to 20.

If Barton is gone, work a small trade down and take BTJ.

I'd be fine with BTJ at 20 though.

Draft 101: never trade away from a player. The answer is: I wouldn’t. Buffalo is going to walk out of round 1 with either BTJ or Legette and so once BTJ goes, you risk getting jumped for Legette as well. You already have 4 top 100 picks and tire going to get a starter quality NCB or OT at 4.119. Why trade down? Just seems greedy and risky.

[bradshaw2ben]

Agree with that.

One of you dudes is going to have to explain Roman Wilson to me. He seems like a super fast guy with good hands but almost nothing else. He is like a alternate universe version of Malachi Corley, who is a big guy with good hands... who does nothing but catch screens and then run like Forrest Gump. Are either of those skill sets sustainable/transferrable to the NFL? Do with fit with what Arthur Smith has been running for the past 5 years? Help me understand, because I want to have appreciation for your appreciation for this player that other seems to dig so much.

Wilson, to me, is a super fast guy with GREAT hands who runs precise routes and gets open with ease , but who also excels at improvisation. If Justin Fields is going to be the Steelers QB most likely at some point in the near future, you want an improviser at WR and Wilson is about as good as it gets in that department. Wilson can play inside or outside. Could move inside when Freiermuth’s regularly scheduled injury happens, since they’re talking about making Pat a slot receiver.

Lastly (and I think this is very important) Wilson is very high character. Zero red flags and would be a great, hard working kid to pair with an idiot like Pickens. Great work ethic and he reminds me a lot of Hines Ward. I saw Wilson get a flag, I believe it was against IU, for knocking the living shit out of a linebacker with a crackback block.

I like Wilson as a fit, wouldn’t say I love him. He’s explosive and fast, although more of a straight line guy in college than a pure route runner. I think he can be a better pro as his route running gets more advanced. It’s more about projection with him for me. You need that Dionte Johnson, AB, Santonio Holmes, Emmanuel Sanders type on the roster who can get separation with speed and quickness. They really don’t have that type of guy right now.

If Mike McDaniels were our head coach, I’d be done with any of these guys.

I’ve seen the Mike Tomlin show before and I’ve seen the. Arthur Smith show, too. When I imagine the two of them together, I imagine they fantasize about a world without slot receivers. Do I think you should have guys like that in your roster? Yes. Do I think they will need guys like that? Yes. Do I think they will see it that way? No I don’t. Maybe on 3rd and long but they’re think right now they’ll never be in 3rd and long if they can just get some big WRs who can block on the outside.

@K_C_ character part of it is no small thing but I’m with Perch and other evaluators I respect: Roman Wilson has a long way to go to be an effective weapon in any offense that doesn’t scheme him open with the kinds of stuff Miami and LAR do. That’s not us, even on a good day.

To me, the really crafty route running, beat press on the outside, and not tiny guys in this class are… who exactly? Not just pimping him like a broken record but after the top 10, it might be Javon Baker when he’s on.

If you don’t care about him being McConkey’s size, Calvin Austin was like 2nd in his class at beating press man coverage on the outside. He’s already buried on the depth chart and Arthur Smith hasn’t even started yet.

[Steeldrama]

Full sprint for best football player in the draft:

My guy

Cooper Dejean

[gojira5150]

If Brock Bowers drops, I would run to the podium in a New York minute to draft him. Who wouldn't want a Kelce, Sharpe type TE who can play in the slot as well.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Interesting article by Michael Lebowitz at RIA advice, a financial site about the mediocrity of first round QB picks. Excerpt:

"Overconfidence In The NFL
Four of the first five picks in the draft are expected to be quarterbacks. Not only is the quarterback the most important position on the field but this year’s draft is hyped as having several future greats.

Based on data from Warren Sharp, an NFL analyst, most of the quarterbacks taken in the early rounds will be average. His Fox Sports article entitled The success rate of first round QBs makes Lamar Jackson’s case for him, quantifies just how poor the odds are of drafting the next Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

There have been 38 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2011, the year the NFL changed the collective bargaining agreement.

These 38 first-round quarterbacks have made a total of 1,909 starts. Their record? 1034-1035-7.

He claims that of those 38 quarterbacks, only one, Patrick Mahomes, has won a Super Bowl. Furthermore, of the 28 from that group who are no longer on their initial contracts, the average time they were a starter was a mere 3.4 years.

Despite the proven mediocrity of quarterbacks taken in the first round, we have little doubt that overconfidence will be on full display by the GMs drafting quarterbacks with their top picks after they make their selections."

I am glad the Steelers are not involved in this at all.

[franco32]

I'd sprint for Fuaga, Mitchell, or Bowers for sure.

[Greeksteel]

BTJ or Latham...if |Mitchell is there hed be worth a sprint as well

[LakecrestSteeler]

Interesting article by Michael Lebowitz at RIA advice, a financial site about the mediocrity of first round QB picks. Excerpt:

"Overconfidence In The NFL
Four of the first five picks in the draft are expected to be quarterbacks. Not only is the quarterback the most important position on the field but this year’s draft is hyped as having several future greats.

Based on data from Warren Sharp, an NFL analyst, most of the quarterbacks taken in the early rounds will be average. His Fox Sports article entitled The success rate of first round QBs makes Lamar Jackson’s case for him, quantifies just how poor the odds are of drafting the next Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

There have been 38 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2011, the year the NFL changed the collective bargaining agreement.

These 38 first-round quarterbacks have made a total of 1,909 starts. Their record? 1034-1035-7.

He claims that of those 38 quarterbacks, only one, Patrick Mahomes, has won a Super Bowl. Furthermore, of the 28 from that group who are no longer on their initial contracts, the average time they were a starter was a mere 3.4 years.

Despite the proven mediocrity of quarterbacks taken in the first round, we have little doubt that overconfidence will be on full display by the GMs drafting quarterbacks with their top picks after they make their selections."

I am glad the Steelers are not involved in this at all.

XLVI February 5, 2012 (2011) New York GiantsN
(5, 4–1) 21–17 New England PatriotsA
E. Manning

XLVII February 3, 2013 (2012) Baltimore RavensA
(2, 2–0) 34–31 San Francisco 49ersN
Flacco

XLVIII February 2, 2014 (2013) Seattle SeahawksN
(2, 1–1) 43–8 Denver BroncosA
Wilson

XLIX February 1, 2015 (2014) New England PatriotsA
(8, 4–4) 28–24 Seattle SeahawksN
Brady

L
[sb 17] February 7, 2016 (2015) Denver BroncosA
(8, 3–5) 24–10 Carolina PanthersN
P. Manning

LI February 5, 2017 (2016) New England PatriotsA
(9, 5–4) 34–28 (OT) Atlanta FalconsN
Brady

LII February 4, 2018 (2017) Philadelphia EaglesN
(3, 1–2) 41–33 New England PatriotsA
Foles

LIII February 3, 2019 (2018) New England PatriotsA
(11, 6–5) 13–3 Los Angeles RamsN
Brady

LIV February 2, 2020 (2019) Kansas City ChiefsA
(3, 2–1) 31–20 San Francisco 49ersN
Mahomes

LV February 7, 2021 (2020) Tampa Bay BuccaneersN
(2, 2–0) [W] 31–9 Kansas City ChiefsA
Brady

LVI February 13, 2022 (2021) Los Angeles RamsN
(5, 2–3) 23–20 Cincinnati BengalsA
Stafford

LVII February 12, 2023 (2022) Kansas City ChiefsA
(5, 3–2) 38–35 Philadelphia EaglesN
Mahomes

LVIII February 11, 2024 (2023) Kansas City ChiefsA
(6, 4–2) 25–22 (OT) San Francisco 49ersN
Mahomes

If you eliminate Brady, and Mahomes, and Archie got a vasectomy, there would be much better odds picking QBs!

[Charles Demarr]

Roman Wilson in round 2.

I concur. Others have said he doesn't fit our biggest need at WR. Don't care, he's a baller.

[K_C_]

Roman Wilson in round 2.

I concur. Others have said he doesn't fit our biggest need at WR. Don't care, he's a baller.

Yep. Right with you.

Tough as fucking nails and he gets open about as good as anybody in this draft.

Nobody in this draft has better hands.

Also a high character guy. After DJ and Pickens, that will be a breath of fresh air.

I agree that he might not be the perfect fit for Arthur Smith's offense but the guy plays bigger than he is.

[Steel Bingo]

Ready here to see the Steelers leaky run defense fixed. Too many teams are pushing Pittsburgh around up front. That has to stop.

With so many opposing offenses utilizing 3 and 4 wide receivers, that lends itself to more smaller players having to see the field. It would be great to acquire big players that excel at defending the run, as well as rushing the passer, in order to take pressure off of the smaller defenders. Guys with that potential look to be limited in this draft.

If Ruke Orhorhoro is there at 2.51, I'd be about him.

There are no sure things in the NFL draft, but I would sprint to the podium for the chance to find out if Fautanu’s success from college will translate to the NFL. I believe he could successfully play center or tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fautanu will be 24 in October. That is rather old for a rookie. Also, the medical issue about his knee, sorta obscure, if not cryptic.

[PennyBacker]

I see that he will turn 24 in October, but am less and less enamored with trying to find players who will still be in the prime of their career after a decade in the league. The window opens and closes inside of 4 years for most teams. The Steelers can use as many great players as possible right now, regardless of age. Sure, all things being equal, it is more exciting to have a 20 or 21 year old stud prospect, but with free agency seemingly have become a season in itself, successful team building is less about finding 10 year cornerstones, and more concerned with finding players who can begin reaching their potential by the end of year 1. Fautanu is my best bet in terms of finding value in Round 1 for Pittsburgh.

As for the knee, right, sorta obscure / cryptic given that he has no history of knee problems. Not sure what it could be. You see the majority of lineman wearing bulky braces, and Fautanu does not. Maybe that is what it is all about. He does not want to wear the big braces.

[Steelersfan]

Stallworth, I mean BTJ, I'm fucking knocking people over while in a full sprint. The 6 TD a season Fictner/Canada offensive shit show needs FIXED.

Cooper Dejean, if your convinced he's last years Brian Branch good (my draft crush last year. Not as ecstatic for Cooper, but close), I'm sprinting.

Brisk fucking jog for Barton, Bowers.

Quick shuffle for Mitchell, Fauiga, maybe Murphy

[Dan Smith--BYU]

I will sprint to the podium for a trade down

[CzechSteeler]

My sprint at 1.20 would be for Troy Fautanu. He is a vocal leader, an emotional leader, and most importantly, he leads with his exceptional play. I am enchanted with his talent / leadership potential.

Also, this does not have to be at 1.20. If you covet Malik Nabers and want to concoct an alternate universe that sees him fall to #10, then what is your realistic trade up scenario that meets the speculative draft concept of “value” in order to sprint to the podium to obtain your guy for the Steelers roster?

Barton at 1.20. Obvious, I know.

[Steelafan77]

I would say my run to the podium moment would be for a player that fits in the plan on Oline.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Surprise!

Physical specimen with natural athletic ability, fluidity, strength and football IQ.

Excels in both run blocking and pass pro and oh yeah, doesn’t allow sacks.

With just 627 snaps of experience he has shown consistent solid development at left tackle.

I believe he excels under nfl coaching and will become even better at the tackle position.

[Gonzo]

brian thomas
or
bowers

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Nate Wiggins who I never thought would be available

[Deebo]

I will sprint to the podium for a trade down

That's where I was last night: hoping for a trade down. Such a deep draft where you can get another pick? Hell yes

Still open to a slight trade down in R2

[pickarooney]

Wilson to Wilson baby!

[Charles Demarr]

Roman Wilson in round 2.

I concur. Others have said he doesn't fit our biggest need at WR. Don't care, he's a baller.

Yep. Right with you.

Tough as fucking nails and he gets open about as good as anybody in this draft.

Nobody in this draft has better hands.

Also a high character guy. After DJ and Pickens, that will be a breath of fresh air.

I agree that he might not be the perfect fit for Arthur Smith's offense but the guy plays bigger than he is.

Hell yeah! Khan and Weidl having another great draft.