Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down some defensive line trench play and analyze some of the draft's top prospects and fits for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We start with the Draft's top run-stuffer, then move to a physical specimen out of Clemson, before looking at another mountain of a man out of Florida, a prototypical Texas Tech NT, and a projected mid-round player with potential through the roof, then, of course, "The Big Citrus".

Lastly, we'll talk about Mike McCarthy's presser at the NFL Annual Meeting: why positional size and versatility mean so much to him, and if he actually thinks there is something special about Will Howard.

0:00-11:32 OSU DT Cayden McDonald

11:33-20:55 Clemson DT Peter Woods

20:56-30:34 UF DT Caleb Banks

30:35-37:17 TTU DT Lee Hunter

37:18-43:19 ISU DT Domenique Orange

43:20-49:32 FSU DT Darrell Jackson Jr.

49:33-61:13 McCarthy Presser Takeaways

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll evaluate Pittsburgh's need for shot callers on both sides of the ball starting with five rookie ILB prospects. First, we'll look at the most well-rounded of the bunch, and arguably the best run stuffer out in the class out of Georgia, a splash play sideline-sideline playmaker out of Texas, a scrappy undersized field general out of Texas Tech, an edge rusher turned off-ball menace out of LSU, and a rising LB/S hybrid out of Pittsburgh.

Then I'll unleash on the Steelers yet again botched handling of the ever-revolving QB situation giving all the leverage to a 43-year-old QB, becoming all to common. Listen to my take on the current situation, how it should have been handled, and the Steelers options going forward.

0:00-10:18 Georgia ILB CJ Allen

10:19-19:05 Texas ILB Anthony Hill

19:06-27:34 Texas Tech ILB Jacob Rodriguez

27:35-34:58 LSU ILB Harold Perkins

34:59-43:15 Pittsburgh ILB Kyle Louis

43:16-53:26 Waiting on Rodgers

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down some more offensive line film including another Iowa success story, a raw prospect out Kentucky, an ASU star that has played ball for just five years, a pass blocking savant out of Northwestern, and a mountain of a man out of Miami. See which players I think would suit Pittsburgh best, and why I think taking a chance on an athletic prospect would be a mistake for Pittsburgh.

Then after Pittsburgh hit the ground running at multiple positions in Free Agency, and with a clear hole at LG, do the Steelers still have to go WR at 21. I'll give you the only scenario where I could see them going another position.

0:00-7:44 Iowa LG Beau Stephens

7:45-16:24 Kentucky RG Jalen Farmer

16:25-23:49 Arizona State RT Max Iheananchor

23:50-31:08 Northwester LT Caleb Tiernan

31:09-39:40 Miami LT Markel Bell

39:41-44:43 WR Lock at 21?

On this episode of Steelers Central, we'll recap the Steelers first week of Free Agency as the team addressed several pressing needs with the additions of WR Michael Pittman and CB Jamel Dean along with some good value bargains at RB, S, and DL. Why I think Omar Khan A grade worthy FA as well!

While the team brought in some valuable players to address some keys needs that plagued them last year, they also lost some key players including Kenneth Gainwell, Isaac Seamolu, and James Pierre. I'll give you insight on the team's new biggest hole as well as some players to round out the CB, WR, and Tackle positions.

The Steelers also need to draft to address their biggest need we'll look at some of their prospects with a well-rounded mauler out of Oregon, the best pass blocking guard in this draft out of Texas A&M, a downhill run blocking beast out o Georgia Tech, and a tackle that would make a great guard out of Iowa.

0:00-26:05 Steelers FA Recap

26:06-32:51 Holes to Fill

32:52-38:28 Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon

38:29-44:42 Texas A&M G Chase Bisontis

44:43-50:09 Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge

50:10-57:22 Iowa T/G Gennings Dunker

On this episode of Steelers, we look at four potentially intriguing CB options with one of them potentially being a top pick if he was a couple inches taller, another having a surprising breakout year in Tennessee, and another one being a perfect fit for Patrick Graham's defensive scheme, see which one I think the Steelers should take in the second or third round.

Next, we'll break down the Steelers what is buzzing around the Steelers current FAs, and who they are currently linked with as the legal tampering period begins on Monday. Also, what is holding the Steelers up at the QB position, and why it eerily resembles what happened last year at this same position. Here my take on the situation, and why this MUST get figured out. Watch this and more as I discuss my favorite potential signings at the WR, RB, and secondary positions throughout this process.

0:00-6:35 Indiana CB D'Angelo Ponds

6:36-12:54 Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

12:55-18:26 Miami CB Keionte Scott

18:27-25:44 Arizona State CB Keith Abney

25:45-58:11 Steelers Free Agency Breakdown

On this episode of Steelers Central, we take some time to breakdown GM Omar Khan's Presser, and what he said and didn't say. It seems like they have an an inkling that Rodgers is coming back despite no immediate confirmation. He is excited about the team's cap situation in Free Agency and the 12 picks in the draft. He also cited the importance of signing some young core players to new contracts this offseason as well. There were some negatives though with Broderick Jones's current injury status and the lack of clarity at the WR position.

We'll also break down one WR who significantly increased his value at the NFL Combine, and just won the CFP National Championship. This guy could be a significant NFL producer with his short and mid-field production and ability to separate down the field and make contested catches. Then we have three more than capable corners, one of them coming off of a season-ending ACL injury, one of them has an NFL bloodline, and one of them from a program that just produced a hybrid safety that helped win the Super Bowl. Listen to see which one I liked best, and hope the Steelers draft.

0:00-8:45 Indiana WR Omar Cooper

8:46-19:14 Omar Khan Presser

19:15-26:29 Clemson CB Aveion Terrell

26:20-33:41 Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

33:42-41:16 South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse

On this episode of Steelers Central, we continue to look at some of the top WRs in this year's draft including Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, and Germie Bernard. See which receiver I think has the highest upside, highest floor, and which one of these guys I am just not seeing the hype around.

We'll also look at the list of free agents that the Steelers have available, and separate them into three categories of resign, see what happens, and let them walk. Hear why the Steelers should resign Kenneth Gainwell, resign one of their corners, not rush to get Aaron Rodgers back, and why I won't be mad if the Steelers don't resign Isaac Seumalo.

0:00-11:25 Washington WR Denzel Boston

11:26-21:10 Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion

21:11-28:58 Alabama WR Germie Bernard

28:59-52:59 Who Stays and Who Goes

On this episode of Steelers Central, we begin our first draft evaluations of the season with the top WRS in the class: Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, and USC WR Malaki Lemon. This is an uber-talented group of WRs that are great and consistent separators. See which one I think would be the best fit for the Steelers, and I hope they fall to them.

It's also time to begin looking at the holes the Steelers have remaining on their roster and which are most pressing. Obviously, WR remains at the top with uncertainty at the QB position being a close second. Listen to see what other positions I think will be of concern, including a couple in the secondary.

0:00-14:09 Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson

14:10-25:25 Ohio State WR Carnell Tate

25:26-38:37 USC WR Malaki Lemon

38:38-58:09 Steelers Roster Holes

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to handout grades to the defensive side of the ball. Tune in to see which position groups disappointed most, and why it was hard grading the defensive line that saw individually have good season, but together, they struggled to stop the run. Also, which group has the most potential to be great under Patrick Graham, and which room needs an overhaul after 2025.

Next, with the news of Nick Herbig wanting to be a starter even if that means not in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will have a looming decision in their EDGE rushing room. TJ Watt's 3-year $123 million extension kicks in this year while Alex Highsmith is in the middle of his 4-year $68 million extension. I said it last offseason, and I will say it again, giving TJ Watt that much money was a mistake, and they should look to get the best offer for him. Nick Herbig should be untouchable, while the Steelers should explore offers for both Highsmith and Watt even though Watt would garner more return.

Lastly, I give my thoughts on the new hires of Mike McCarthy in the last coaching update as the team officially has a new OC that could bring some new ideas to McCarthy's traditional West Coast scheme while adding a secondary coach that had his group totaling 176 INTs over nine years, a former DT in the AFC North, and a BIG 12 OLB Coach that has three notable draft prospects coming into this year

0:00-26:09 Steelers Defensive Grades

26:10-39:28 Time to trade Watt?

39:29-47:39 Rounding out the Staff

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's report card time, as we hand out grades to the offensive position groups. Tune into see which group had the best and worst grades, and if there were any As on our report card. See why I think the position group that had the lowest grade, was set up to fail by ownership.

Next, I'll have some takeaways from McCarthy's opening press conference that included a touching opening message on how much Pittsburgh means to him, and his definitive stance on if he wants Aaron Rodgers back. See what else stuck out to me in McCarthy's first press conference as the Steelers HC.

One aspect that was emphasized was the infusion of young talent into the coaching staff, and there have been signs of that with the team interviewing CJ Ah You as OLB Coach and Scott Tolzien for OC. Tune in to see what hires that I am excited about (hint Patrick Graham and James Campen top that list), and which hires that are leaving me scratching my head.

0:00-26:48 Steelers Offensive Report Card Grades

26:49-36:28 McCarthy Introductory Presser

36:29-49:28 McCarthy's Impressive Staff