We should use ALL 12 of our Picks

[franco32]

There are some opinions out there that 12 picks is too many and that somehow we should get rid of them to trade up in various rounds. I've honestly never understood this mentality.

We have so many holes on this team and we have to keep getting younger. Look at special teams alone, we lost Pierre, Killebrew, and Heyward. We need young guys. Beyond that, why on earth wouldn't we more bites at the apple?

So what if you have to cut 3 of them. This draft represents a real shot to get younger and we need to do that.

[Mick]

We would probably cut 7. I get the feeling that a lot of the time the coaches realize some of the draft picks are busts well before end of training camp, so hopefully the remaining guys would all be strong prospects. But there’s really not room on an NFL roster for 15 or so guys to ‘soak up knowledge’ while they redshirt.

[Deebo]

Feel like they should consider trading some of these out for NEXT year so they have ammo for a franchise QB for the following draft.

I don't want Ty Simpson (even though we're definitely getting him). Maybe next year's class will be deep enough where a there are a few R1 worthy QBs

[Steeldrama]

Hell yeah.

As the great Jimmy Johnson used to say, the more picks you have, the more swings you can take.

I’ve mentioned it a time or 5 that the 1987 draft was the first draft I ever watched.

12 rounds at that time

Steelers had 12 selections (extra 6, no 7th)

I was home sick in 10th grade and decided to watch this Mel Kiper character fawn all over the steal that was Rod Woodson (even though I was hoping for Jerome Brown since I never heard of Woodson).

ESPN only televised rd 1 and was on like a random Thursday afternoon.

That was all I needed.

I was hooked.

Haven’t missed a draft since save a couple day 3's for kids sporting events

Anyway, hitting on 7 of the 12 selections formed a great foundation for Cowher’s early success.

Rd 1-Rod Woodson
Rd 2-Delton Hall
Rd 4- Thomas Everett
Rd 5- Hardy Nickerson
Rd 6- Tim Johnson
Rd 6 – Greg Lloyd
Rd 10- Merril Hoge

[langer]

Watch Fat Mike draft well, no little men with potential, no reaches, no feel-good stories, no Coach Mike bullshit. I can see it.

He will still get raked over the coals.

[Rod & Wire Mill]

Hasn’t it been said for about the last five years that next year will be the year for franchise quarterbacks, this year’s qb class sucks.

[gojira5150]

Hell yeah.

As the great Jimmy Johnson used to say, the more picks you have, the more swings you can take.

I’ve mentioned it a time or 5 that the 1987 draft was the first draft I ever watched.

12 rounds at that time

Steelers had 12 selections (extra 6, no 7th)

I was home sick in 10th grade and decided to watch this Mel Kiper character fawn all over the steal that was Rod Woodson (even though I was hoping for Jerome Brown since I never heard of Woodson).

ESPN only televised rd 1 and was on like a random Thursday afternoon.

That was all I needed.

I was hooked.

Haven’t missed a draft since save a couple day 3's for kids sporting events

Anyway, hitting on 7 of the 12 selections formed a great foundation for Cowher’s early success.

Rd 1-Rod Woodson
Rd 2-Delton Hall
Rd 4- Thomas Everett
Rd 5- Hardy Nickerson
Rd 6- Tim Johnson
Rd 6 – Greg Lloyd
Rd 10- Merril Hoge

Rod is still one of my Fav All-time Steelers players (along with Lambert, Hines and a few more). Was PO'd when they let him walk to the Whiners and then wins a SB with the Rats playing Safety

[gojira5150]

Hasn’t it been said for about the last five years that next year will be the year for franchise quarterbacks, this year’s qb class sucks.

EXACTLY 100%. Tired of hearing it. This was supposed to be the greatest QB class since '83 & '04. Is TY Simpson better than Howard. If not, why draft him. Bring in Flacco and let him mentor Howard until he's ready say week 7-9. Flacco won't bitch like AR. See what we have in Howard before next years draft

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Nope. We need to bolster the OL and we cannot have any whiffs or with a 43 year old QB or red shirt rookie.

I would opt for combining 3-4-6s in various combinations to work up to low second round or third round picks.

Even with nine picks, at least three won't make the squad.

The all-time record for rookies making it was Carolina last year with 12 and they were terrible in 2024. That is the outlier.

[Steel Bingo]

Cultural turnover is needed, so as many fresh faces in camp as possible makes sense to me.

[.Kodiak]

Cultural turnover is needed, so as many fresh faces in camp as possible makes sense to me.

And turning over the bottom of the roster with guys for your "system" is just as important as the top of the roster (which is more difficult and slower to churn). Do I want this guy for ST, or do I want more of a situational specialist? Are my role players checking the boxes I need?

[lifelongsteel]

I don't see all the holes folks are referencing. it's a fairly complete team. What the team is missing are young, foundational stars. If the best path to get those is 12 swings, then ok. But I doubt that historically it works that way. I'll be hoping for trade ups when the opportunities arise.

[Ice]

This team lacks elite, difference making players across the board. Identify and acquire some by any means necessary. I personally don't think sitting pat and making all 12 picks, in the position we're in, will get it done, but that's what makes it interesting, strategically. Fun thought exercise going on in the board mock right now, and one I approve of.

[anpsteel]

I don't see all the holes folks are referencing. it's a fairly complete team. What the team is missing are young, foundational stars. If the best path to get those is 12 swings, then ok. But I doubt that historically it works that way. I'll be hoping for trade ups when the opportunities arise.

Let’s see

They have one defensive lineman that can play in a 2 gap scheme

They have no inside linebackers that can effectively play the run and performing coverage

They have a free safety who is only marginally capable of playing free safety and consistently gets caught looking in the backfield

They have unproven and or marginal players at left guard and left tackle


Their number one receiver is really a number two receiver

Their number two receiver should be playing in the slot

They have absolutely no NFL caliber receivers beyond those two

Neither tight end is a threat to stretch the field

The presume starter a quarterback is a 42-year-old with very limited upside at this stage in his career.

Their backup quarterback is a total unknown


The positions that they have solid starters and depth
RB
SS
CB
OLB

That’s it

[.Kodiak]

If they draft 12 pro bowlers, 12 guys will make the team. The number of picks is not the problem.

It's not a numbers game, except it is. The REAL reason not every pick makes the team is it's an imperfect process.

People are arguing to trade-up because you aren't as great at picking talent, which is counterintuitive. But, OK, let's science the shit out of it. If I have a 10% chance of picking a pro bowler in R2, and a 2% chance in R6. Then one R2 pick is worth about 5 R6 picks. But here's what people are missing - if I'm really good at finding Antonio Brown's in R6, then I'd trade my R2 for 5 R6 picks ALL DAY LONG.

If you're moving a bunch of picks to trade up, that's basically a vote of no confidence in your talent evaluation. And you need to make much bigger moves than swapping some draft picks.

[Gonzo]

Timely mention of Mr Woodson
He said today the Steelers need to stop this waiting game crap with Rodger’s

[anpsteel]

Timely mention of Mr Woodson
He said today the Steelers need to stop this waiting game crap with Rodger’s

I think it’s part of the smoke md mirrors attempt to obfuscate their draft intentions

[cop1211]

I think they should hold fast with their first five rounds.

If they want to trade the 7th rounders to move up in the 6th fine.

But I can see 10 picks that can make this team.

1 LG
2 ILB trade or cut Queen cut Harrison
1 S
3 WR
1CB
2 DL

Practice squad 1 RB 1OLB

That’s 12.

[lifelongsteel]

I don't see all the holes folks are referencing. it's a fairly complete team. What the team is missing are young, foundational stars. If the best path to get those is 12 swings, then ok. But I doubt that historically it works that way. I'll be hoping for trade ups when the opportunities arise.

Let’s see

They have one defensive lineman that can play in a 2 gap scheme

They have no inside linebackers that can effectively play the run and performing coverage

They have a free safety who is only marginally capable of playing free safety and consistently gets caught looking in the backfield

They have unproven and or marginal players at left guard and left tackle


Their number one receiver is really a number two receiver

Their number two receiver should be playing in the slot

They have absolutely no NFL caliber receivers beyond those two

Neither tight end is a threat to stretch the field

The presume starter a quarterback is a 42-year-old with very limited upside at this stage in his career.

Their backup quarterback is a total unknown


The positions that they have solid starters and depth
RB
SS
CB
OLB

That’s it

This team you are referring to must have gone 2-15 last year. Especially when you factor in that they had Tomlin as their coach.

Where you see holes, I see JAGS. B-/C+ players who can do the job, but aren't difference makers. This is a mid tier roster that can best be improved by an influx of high end talent, not by marginally upgrading a few positions. It'll be a shame if they miss out on a WR1 prospect or a sure fire OG because they wouldn't part with a 6th round pick to move up a few spots. I don't see a lot of upside in doing what this thread suggests and "MAKE ALL 12 PICKS!" without regard to the opportunities that will arise.

[Deebo]

I don't see all the holes folks are referencing. it's a fairly complete team. What the team is missing are young, foundational stars. If the best path to get those is 12 swings, then ok. But I doubt that historically it works that way. I'll be hoping for trade ups when the opportunities arise.

Let’s see

They have one defensive lineman that can play in a 2 gap scheme

They have no inside linebackers that can effectively play the run and performing coverage

They have a free safety who is only marginally capable of playing free safety and consistently gets caught looking in the backfield

They have unproven and or marginal players at left guard and left tackle


Their number one receiver is really a number two receiver

Their number two receiver should be playing in the slot

They have absolutely no NFL caliber receivers beyond those two

Neither tight end is a threat to stretch the field

The presume starter a quarterback is a 42-year-old with very limited upside at this stage in his career.

Their backup quarterback is a total unknown


The positions that they have solid starters and depth
RB
SS
CB
OLB

That’s it

This team you are referring to must have gone 2-15 last year. Especially when you factor in that they had Tomlin as their coach.

Where you see holes, I see JAGS. B-/C+ players who can do the job, but aren't difference makers. This is a mid tier roster that can best be improved by an influx of high end talent, not by marginally upgrading a few positions. It'll be a shame if they miss out on a WR1 prospect or a sure fire OG because they wouldn't part with a 6th round pick to move up a few spots. I don't see a lot of upside in doing what this thread suggests and "MAKE ALL 12 PICKS!" without regard to the opportunities that will arise.

Well stated. All picks aren't created equal.
They need "quality" over quantity. This isn't a team that is the dregs of the league. They have plenty of players that I would consider functional. What they don't have are star quality difference makers. That's what they need to aim for. If they swing for the fences and miss, that's sometimes the risk. BUt they need to take more risks in the draft

[Dan Smith--BYU]

yeah but no Brod Jones risks...as in what he might do if we did whatever...based on some homoerotic assessment of body type or whatever

Cignetti was very clear on this...choose people who are proven winners who may not have classic combo stats