Steelers / Draft

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Just makes folks happier since he’s a 3rd round pick version of Najee ..

Well a 3rd round pick version of Najee is much, much better than a first round pick version of him.

If the Stillers had drafted Harris in the 3rd round I would think that most people, or at least most of the sane people, would have been pretty happy with the way that pick turned out. But spending a 1st round pick on him didn't make any sense at the time, and it doesn't make any more sense today. As evidenced by the fact that the Stillers didn't even offer him the 5th year option.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Just makes folks happier since he’s a 3rd round pick version of Najee ..

Sure, at 1/4 the cost, 5 years younger, and under control for the next 3-4 years

If he's Najee, you couldn't ask for a bigger win.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Well a 3rd round pick version of Najee is much, much better than a first round pick version of him.

If the Stillers had drafted Harris in the 3rd round I would think that most people, or at least most of the sane people, would have been pretty happy with the way that pick turned out. But spending a 1st round pick on him didn't make any sense at the time, and it doesn't make any more sense today. As evidenced by the fact that the Stillers didn't even offer him the 5th year option.

Yeah, it's like a huge win. We replaced you and your $5m salary with a 3rd round pick at 1/4th the cost.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Well a 3rd round pick version of Najee is much, much better than a first round pick version of him.

If the Stillers had drafted Harris in the 3rd round I would think that most people, or at least most of the sane people, would have been pretty happy with the way that pick turned out. But spending a 1st round pick on him didn't make any sense at the time, and it doesn't make any more sense today. As evidenced by the fact that the Stillers didn't even offer him the 5th year option.

Well we know why he was drafted , trying to give Ben some weapons for a last gasp .
I mean. That and for &3.4mil a year you got a reliable 1000+ rusher who never missed games .

I hope this guy can be nearly as good and healthy.

I’d point out we are paying Jaylen Warren over $5mil this season along with gainwell for &1.78m- which is why I’m not sure why he was picked .

 

[PittPharm2002]

Yeah, it's like a huge win. We replaced you and your $5m salary with a 3rd round pick at 1/4th the cost.

Well we replaced Najee’s $5 mil with Jaylen Warren’s $5mil for next year -
Then replaced warrens $825k a year with Gainwell’s. $1.7m
So - it’s not as though it’s about saving cap space .

 

[pittdan77]

This is taking on the feel of a bad draft.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Well we replaced Najee’s $5 mil with Jaylen Warren’s $5mil for next year -
Then replaced warrens $825k a year with Gainwell’s. $1.7m
So - it’s not as though it’s about saving cap space .

The discussion you initiated was about Najee Harris and Johnson, not Warren or Gainwell.

 

[BreakingPitt]

Patterson won't be on the team. The salary cap goes up every year. Harris sucked. Reason after reason this was a good pick.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Patterson won't be on the team. The salary cap goes up every year. Harris sucked. Reason after reason this was a good pick.

Even if Najee was a 5th round pick, he sucked. Anyone can rush for 3.9 years per carry and have no home run hitting ability.

The only thing that could make me waiver for my strong anti Najee sentiment is that he was durable and mostly took care of the football. I guess that counts for something.

 

[NCanton Panther]

Yeah, it's like a huge win. We replaced you and your $5m salary with a 3rd round pick at 1/4th the cost.

I think it’s a huge win only if you narrow the assessment to Johnson and his salary vs Harris and his salary.

Looking more at the overall or big picture, we’ll have to see what type of runner Johnson turns out to be. As of now, most everyone is saying he’s another Harris type runner. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but not any big positive either. When Harris was here most everyone complained that he was nothing special, he’ll get you your 3-4 yards a carry but no game-changing speed or threat to take it to the house.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I think it’s a huge win only if you narrow the assessment to Johnson and his salary vs Harris and his salary.

Looking more at the overall or big picture, we’ll have to see what type of runner Johnson turns out to be. As of now, most everyone is saying he’s another Harris type runner. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but not any big positive either. When Harris was here most everyone complained that he was nothing special, he’ll get you your 3-4 yards a carry but no game-changing speed or threat to take it to the house.

While not a home run guy, Johnson has a high explosive (20+ yards) rate as a percentage of his carries. Of course, I'm taking that with a grain of salt in college. It's likely that Najee's explosive rate was also high.

However, I think we need to see what Johnson brings to the table rather than just writing him off as being exactly what Najee averaged in his time here. Najee looked like a completely different back the first half of last season, before mostly reverting back to his mean.

I think Smith wants to play big and wants guys who will pick up positive yardage and move the pile qlmost every time, rather than guys who are going to get tackled for a loss semi-frequently and also pop the occasional home run.

Another thing to consider is that Najee mostly ran behind shit lines here. You'd like to think that unit will improve with the investments we've made.

 

[Burgh15]

While not a home run guy, Johnson has a high explosive (20+ yards) rate as a percentage of his carries. Of course, I'm taking that with a grain of salt in college. It's likely that Najee's explosive rate was also high.

However, I think we need to see what Johnson brings to the table rather than just writing him off as being exactly what Najee averaged in his time here. Najee looked like a completely different back the first half of last season, before mostly reverting back to his mean.

I think Smith wants to play big and wants guys who will pick up positive yardage and move the pile qlmost every time, rather than guys who are going to get tackled for a loss semi-frequently and also pop the occasional home run.

Another thing to consider is that Najee mostly ran behind shit lines here. You'd like to think that unit will improve with the investments we've made.

From what I've read from draft analysts, the only thing comparable about their game is their size. Everything has been Johnson is the perfect fit for this run scheme and he has excellent vision--Harris did not.

 

[Richard A]

While not a home run guy, Johnson has a high explosive (20+ yards) rate as a percentage of his carries. Of course, I'm taking that with a grain of salt in college. It's likely that Najee's explosive rate was also high.

However, I think we need to see what Johnson brings to the table rather than just writing him off as being exactly what Najee averaged in his time here. Najee looked like a completely different back the first half of last season, before mostly reverting back to his mean.

I think Smith wants to play big and wants guys who will pick up positive yardage and move the pile qlmost every time, rather than guys who are going to get tackled for a loss semi-frequently and also pop the occasional home run.

Another thing to consider is that Najee mostly ran behind shit lines here. You'd like to think that unit will improve with the investments we've made.

Hopefully the Oline will improve this year. It usually takes about 3 years for O linemen to develop. We will see if the investment works.

 

[BreakingPitt]

Ayomanor from Stanford would be my pick here at 123.

 

[BTisinDC]

Double up on d line?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

While not a home run guy, Johnson has a high explosive (20+ yards) rate as a percentage of his carries. Of course, I'm taking that with a grain of salt in college. It's likely that Najee's explosive rate was also high.

However, I think we need to see what Johnson brings to the table rather than just writing him off as being exactly what Najee averaged in his time here. Najee looked like a completely different back the first half of last season, before mostly reverting back to his mean.

I think Smith wants to play big and wants guys who will pick up positive yardage and move the pile qlmost every time, rather than guys who are going to get tackled for a loss semi-frequently and also pop the occasional home run.

Another thing to consider is that Najee mostly ran behind shit lines here. You'd like to think that unit will improve with the investments we've made.

Yeah but again, the kid from Auburn just went to the Rams, and he’s a hard nosed short yardage guy who also has breakaway speed. RBs are a dime a dozen and should be reserved for day 3.

 

[pittbb80]

Love the Jack Sawyer Pick. Solid draft so far for not having a second round pick

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Love the Jack Sawyer Pick. Solid draft so far for not having a second round pick

“ It’s obvious the Pittsburgh Steelers have no idea what the draft is all about”

Personally I think this draft sucks.

 

[Burgh15]

Love the Jack Sawyer Pick. Solid draft so far for not having a second round pick

I'm pretty sure DK Metcalf is going to be way better for the Steelers than anyone they would've got in the second round.

 

[WpialHSFB]

Nobody will know for a few years, but I couldn’t disagree more. If you add DK as a 2nd rounder, this is looking very good IMO. I like all theee picks so far

 

[Burgh15]

“ It’s obvious the Pittsburgh Steelers have no idea what the draft is all about”

Personally I think this draft sucks.

Why? They addressed their second biggest need on defense with Harmon, got the much-needed 1A to pair with Warren on offense (they actually have a nice set of skill positions heading into 2025), and added the important 4th edge rusher (only Herbig backing up Watt and Highsmith is not enough).

 

[BTisinDC]

Syracuse qb in the 5th?

 

[BTisinDC]

Nobody will know for a few years, but I couldn’t disagree more. If you add DK as a 2nd rounder, this is looking very good IMO. I like all theee picks so far

Yeah, I’m warming up to the rb pick, and that tilts it positive for me.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Why? They addressed their second biggest need on defense with Harmon, got the much-needed 1A to pair with Warren on offense (they actually have a nice set of skill positions heading into 2025), and added the important 4th edge rusher (only Herbig backing up Watt and Highsmith is not enough).

I hate the RB pick. I just feel like it’s a shade better than wasting a draft pick on a typical kicker or punter.

I can be talked into the Jack “Swagger” pick. He provides good TJ Watt insurance, provided he’s as good as some had him. PFF is wrong about a lot of things, but they had a 1st round grade on him a month ago.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Not sure how I feel about that pick. Them saying he has a thin lower base and not much twitch kind of soured me on him a bit. I know the "crazy white guy motor" is also a thing, so let's just hope he's closer to Maxx Crosby than Cassius Marsh.

 

[pittbb80]

“ It’s obvious the Pittsburgh Steelers have no idea what the draft is all about”

Personally I think this draft sucks.

I think they addressed needs. It’s not a great draft but a decent one. Then again drafts are measured a year or two later.

Would be interesting to hear who you thought they should have picked instead. ?

 

[joeydavid]

Does he have any kind of separation that Najee didn’t have?

This is funny to me. They don't pick up Najee's option and then draft another RB who is Najee-lite.

 

[pittbb80]

I hate the RB pick. I just feel like it’s a shade better than wasting a draft pick on a typical kicker or punter.

I can be talked into the Jack “Swagger” pick. He provides good TJ Watt insurance, provided he’s as good as some had him. PFF is wrong about a lot of things, but they had a 1st round grade on him a month ago.

Yeah. I don’t hate the RB pick but I think they could have addressed other needs. I don’t think it’s an awful pick though For what it’s worth I believe he was rated the best RB on the board when they picked him.

 

[BreakingPitt]

Pretty obvious Aaron Rodgers is coming to Pittsburgh. They said he was calling people looking for a golf club to join.
Love the RB pick and they pick a LB every year no matter what.

 

[CJsE]

This is funny to me. They don't pick up Najee's option and then draft another RB who is Najee-lite.

Najee's option was almost $7 million. Caleb Johnson will make less than that over the entire 4 years of his rookie contract.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I don’t think running backs are *quite* as dime a dozen as they're being made out to be. Keeping it somewhat recent...

Rounds 1-3: Najee, Bell, Conner

Clearly a cut above:

Snell (4th round)
McFarland (4th round)

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I think they addressed needs. It’s not a great draft but a decent one. Then again drafts are measured a year or two later.

Would be interesting to hear who you thought they should have picked instead. ?

Just thought that there are needs greater than your 4th OLB. But again, I can get behind it if he’s as good as some thought.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

The Shedeur prank from a dorm room

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Just thought that there are needs greater than your 4th OLB. But again, I can get behind it if he’s as good as some thought.

I don't hate the pick, but I might have went DL, DB, or WR. Seems like another pass rushing specialist, a la Herbig, as I doubt he's going to hold the edge at the next level.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

The Shedeur prank from a dorm room

View embedded media

I hope what Sanders said when he answered the phone was also a prank. No wonder he's still available!

 

[WpialHSFB]

This is funny to me. They don't pick up Najee's option and then draft another RB who is Najee-lite.

I think he hits the line of scrimmage harder with a lower pad level than Najee, which was one of Najee’s problems IMO. I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong if he doesn’t pan out, but I feel a lot better with this pick in the 3rd round and potential floor/ceiling.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I don't hate the pick, but I might have went DL, DB, or WR. Seems like another pass rushing specialist, a la Herbig, as I doubt he's going to hold the edge at the next level.

I read that they thought he did that well. So we shall see.

Just my initial reaction was that there has to be a WR, DL or DB out there who is more impactful than the 10th player out of tOSU.

Then again, we like 3 stars out of Florida better than 4 stars out of other states so…

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I hope what Sanders said when he answered the phone was also a prank. No wonder he's still available!

Yeah what did he say?

I did hear the word “legendary” , which to me was disrespectful when he thought he was talking to the GM. Drop the act, kid.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I read that they thought he did that well. So we shall see.

Just my initial reaction was that there has to be a WR, DL or DB out there who is more impactful than the 10th player out of tOSU.

Then again, we like 3 stars out of Florida better than 4 stars out of other states so…

I don't think these things are always on the money, but I don't love when a guy's motor is the best thing you can say about him.

Overview​

Dense-framed, even-front defensive end whose game is built for power but not speed. He has short arms and slow power to neutralize and overcome run blocks. However, he lacks a quick-win first step or twitchy stack-and-shed move. He locates the football and racks up tackles when runners near his gaps. He’s a force-based rusher using strong hands, a relentless motor and a pocket-caving charge to run up pressure totals, but his rush lacks quickness. He could see more interior rush opportunities for shorter trips into the pocket. Sawyer is suited for box-based football, which could cap his pro ceiling, but his demeanor, toughness and activity level provide a higher floor.


... but he was highly productive, so maybe he's just an example of paralysis by analysis.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Yeah what did he say?

I did hear the word “legendary” , which to me was disrespectful when he thought he was talking to the GM. Drop the act, kid.

That's what I was talking about. I only heard him say that, and it was enough.