Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

2026 is a long time from now. But if you’re going to get a room I would start looking for it now. I want to see the Steelers in a game at Pittsburgh but the draft seems a bit over the top. It would be kool if you guys could post pics and comments from the draft live though.

 

I’ve checked sites and latest we can book out is October of 2025.

 

I bet as soon as the time comes you can book, the rooms will be gone in less than eight hours.

 

I have a reminder set in my phone.

 

Well I’m in for a
Meet and greet/ hangout with you Yinzers

 

GMiller is in

 

Listening to the talk coming out of camp, makes me think that Payton Wilson could be one of the best LBs in the league. He has the potential to make our LBer room the strongest in the league with him and Queen. This defense could really shake up the league this year.

 

Anyone else think Joe Scarborough looks like Kiper’s cousin ?

 

Looks high to me

 

So Mel Kiper has written countless books, made millions, and I still contend he's a putz. No GM, coach, or scout has ever bought or quoted his books to my knowledge. I know that Nationally he came in 55th in mock draft accuracy in 2023, would be interested to see how he fared in 2024. I think we can expect similar results.

2025 board I mean I have to look harder at the 30 team visits. Ryan Watts didn't visit, however, not too may 6-3 DB's were available end of round 6. Look at the DB room, guys 6-2+, Trice, Rush, Porter Jr., Watts.
They also have a size they are looking DT5. This leads me to watch a lot of Jordan Burch (6-6 290 Oregon) and Riley MIlls (6-5 298, Notre Dame) this fall.
That whole East Coast Power 5 Conference is out the window. Sure Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin are usual first rounders, with Kahn you have to look coast to coast. Looks like Fantanu was a great pick.
I'm doing 4-5 simulators a week, to familiarize myself with prospects. I mean getting Graham and Burden at 14 is not realistic, neither is PIttsburgh drafting that high. I think the National Pundits are sleeping on this team. They went 10-7 with Kenny Fucking MIttens PIckett starting 12 games. I supported PIckett as a Steeler but was not thrilled with the pick. Beach hated the pick, I called him jelly bean hands. For me the team that did it right was the Titans, I think Will Levis has some upside, but they did not reach like Pittsburgh did the previous year.
Will be an interesting 2024, obviously they have to see if Wilson or Fields is the one they give a second contract too.

 

I hope we get to see both and use the bed one. I really like Fields running abilities but passing has to improve. So who are they throwing to?

 

I am fairly confident it will not be JuJu Smith-Schuster, he lost his mojo and I don't think he is in the plans for New England. I would not say hard pass, but a slight window if there are a lot of camp injuries and NE cuts him.
The Bengals WR are waiting for new contracts per Depot, they really didn't participate in OTAs 2025 draft, huge gap between top 50 players and then everyone else, they would have to pick rounds1,2 to get a projected blue chipper.
Great breakdown on Logan Lee over on Depot, they seem skeptical of him making the roster, I am confident he will be on the 53.
At some point I think Steelers will draft an OLB in 2025, not a real deep class, not thin either, average is what I am seeing. TJ Watt might be their best player, he just turned 30. Colbert ignored OL too long and it cost them, get another Herbig.

Another target in 2025 will be Safety, there are some really good, long players coming up. Keep an eye on these dudes. Also pay attention to where they play, all highly targeted schools by Pittsburgh.
Maliki Moore Georgia 6-1 205 top 20 pick
Kevin Winston Jr. Penn St. 6-2 204 top 50 pick
Xavier Nwankpa Iowa 6-2 210 top 50 pick
Hunter Wholer Wisconsin 6-2 211 3rd round
Sonny Styles Ohio State 6-4 230 4th round
Keon Sabb Alabama 6-1 210 4th round

I am also hoping Ryan Watts excells, and you may have another long safety already on the roster. The same goes for Logan Lee, and them drafting 5 techniques in 2025, rooting for this young man, I think as a group we are higher on him than Depot.
The one area I don't see them investing in is ILB, especially if Payton Wilson does well, stays healthy, and Holcomb returns from his injury.
The camp RB's are not just fodder, Tomlin wants competition, and you got a blend of really good players, Najee not getting his option picked up was not popular with fans, but smart from a business perspective. The one I would keep my eye on is Peron, tons of experience, good ST player, comes from KC where he is used to winning and his odometer isn't turning over.

 

RIght now there are several QB's rated in the 30-80 range, Steelers will have a slim at them if this crazy reach in round 1 for day 2 talent continues.
Skipping over the top 5 rated QB's here is the balance. guys who I think might make it to their second pick. I know Dart is pretty good, Allar inconsistent, but nobody knows shit until the 2024 season is over, some of these dudes will have evolved, regressed, or gotten inured. The one I saw the most of was Allar, like his size, didn't see elite, but again, he was only a Sophomore, so he could leap up in confidence, fix his reads, etc.. Not to be a Debbie Downer but for me I would wait and see who falls, personally I like Allar and Leornard's height to be able to see downfield in the pocket. Also Allar and Leonard are two of the younger guys, always good to get a young QB on your team. Remember when the Idiot Browns drafted Brandon Weeden, a 28 year old rookie???? That is why they are the Browns.

Cameron Ward Miami 6-2 223
Jaxston Dart Mississippi 6-2 220
Riley Leonard Duke 6-4 212
Drew Allar Penn St. 6-5 243

with all this new informaton and my general thinking I am going to run a simulator and see what I get.

 

not realistic, but here are my picks in the Simulator. Don't laugh, I know it's not realistic.
14. Luther Burden WR Missouri top 5 pick
46. Drew Allar QB Penn State size and youth
78. Kevin Winston Jr. S Penn State length and production
142. Riley Mills DL Notre Dame has the 5 technique measurables
146. Jonah Monheim OT USC underrated player, good candidate to replace Dan Moore Jr
184. John Pius OLB Wisconsin William & Mary Transfer, this is a Tomlin connection and at 6-5 260 a good piece of clay to mold.
196. Jaydn Ott RB Cal size and speed, cannot have enough RB talent
204. Terrance Furgeson II OG FSU Alabama transfer, he is a phone booth guy who likes hitting people. His pass pro needs work, but he's a 7th round pick with Daniels entering the last year of his contract it was an easy choice

I didn't like the TE group, especially where I picked. I see them going TE in 2026 however. Also it was tough to find tall CB's in this draft with value where I picked, so here's hoping at least one of the guys on the current roster develops to start opposite JPJ. And there is always Free Agency too, 2025 draft is 11 months away.

 

They had a couple of articles interviewing Casey Hampton on Steelers depot and we can’t call him big snack no more, he lost at least one hundred pounds. Totally ruined my perception of him.

 

Some OTA camp notes.
Fantanu is hitting the speed of the NFL shock, but I think he adjusts. He is wearing #76 hope he isn't the next Chuks.
Corey Trice is still working his way back into football shape.
Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson are looking very good. P. Wilson is absorbing everything well and Patrick Queen who complemented the rookie. R. Wilson is snatching the ball out of the air on contested catches.
Pickens and Porter Jr. are bigger and better.
R. Wilson is throwing well, Fields not so much.
Darius Rush is starting to play better, had some PBU's in practice.
UDFA Beanie Bishop will probably make the roster as SLCB. he is twitchy and instinctive.

I have not heard much about Watts or Lee, or McCormick, I'm still reading and filtering articles. Did see something about the starting Center might be Nate Herbig, will have to look into that.

 

Have no clue to all the folks bites does know but as a PSU fan since '68 I can tell you I really like Allar and would be pleased if his game continued to improve I think 2024 has some sincere possibilities for the Steelers but QB play has to be there for any hope of playoffs. Still in hopes for DK some time shortly after June 1 we'll know if it might happen I also agree RB current situation is not fodder. We have picked up some talent and with Smith's proclivity to the run game I see 4 RB held to the 53

 

Reports coming in that Deshon Elliot is “the guy” . Not flashy but he makes over 90% of the tackles he’s supposed to. At his presser he said he likes hitting people. I like his vibe .Running another simulation let’s see who I can grab.

 

14. Luther Burden WR LSU
46. Drew Allar QB PSU
78. Nazir Stackhouse DT Georgia
142. Jerimiah Alexander OLB Alabama
146. Donovan Edwards’s RB Michigan
178. Anthony Belton OT NC State
196. Dane Key WR Kentucky
206. Monsoor Delane CB VaTech

 

^ latest simulator run

stackhouse is just a run stuffer with a high motor , Alexander is a day 2 edge rusher I got on day 3 Belton is a good prospect and a swing tackle. Edwards is another Michigan RB that I think can play in the NFL Key and Delane have length and production. Still learning new players for next April