Steelers Central

Draft Reaction and UFA Tender Thoughts

On this episode of Steelers Central, we break down the Steelers 2026 Draft Class. Hear my thoughts on the team's first round drama, where does this draft rank among Omar Khan's Draft Class, and did the team did get appropriate value overall, or did they reach for some of their selections. Next, I discuss what holes still remain on the team's roster including one defensive position that the team did a lot of pre draft work on, but chose to pass up with some contracts ending in the next two years. Also, a room that was depth-heavy last year will need some receiving juice this year. The Rodgers dilemma continues as the team placed a UFA Tender on the veteran QB giving the team some security and draft compensation on the rare scenario he leaves. Honestly I'd rather him leave and the Steelers try out the alternate options and secure a top draft pick. Lastly, as expected, Broderick Jones fifth-year option will not be picked up as a mix of poor play, and a neck injury factored into the Steelers drafting a first round tackle for the third time in four years sealing his fate. Why I think the team failed him, and this could similar to a Mekhi Becton situation from a couple years ago that got him a pay day. 0:00-33:00 Steelers 2026 Draft Breakdown 33:01-38:41 Steelers Remaining Holes 38:42-48:35 UFA Rodgers 48:36-56:11 Declining Jones' Fifth-Year Option

Steelers Mock Draft

On this episode of Steelers Central, it is finally mock draft time with the draft just one day away, and the Steelers picking at 21. I'll give you my prediction on what the Steelers will do throughout the weekend, what they prioritize, and all while not trading picks. WR in Round 1 and Guard Round 2? Does the team take a QB, and just how much offensive line depth does the team go with? Then we'll get into some my bold predictions on what the Steelers do in this draft. Tune in to see what how aggressive the team moves up to get their guys, and just how many WRs does the team take in this draft! Lastly, I'll give my takeaways on what Mike McCarthy talked about on Tuesday regarding his plans for implementing his offense, and why I think it is a good shakeup from having a defensive minded coach the way he is doing it. 0:00-24:04 Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (No Trades) 24:05-31:32 Steelers 2026 Draft Bold Predictions 31:33-37:35 Mike McCarthy Pre-Draft Presser Takeaways

Throwing a Mid-Round QB Dart

On this episode of Steelers we begin by evaluating some of the top QBS in this draft class starting with a a first-year mental processor from Alabama, then a potential Top-10 pick hampered by injuries in his final season at LSU, and a four-year battle tested veteran from the runner-up Miami Hurricanes. Then we get to the physical specimens: the most gifted thrower of this class when he is right from Penn State, the most-athletically gifted QB of this generation, and a one-year FCS starter with an intriguing NFL skillset. Then we'll get into what the Steelers new coordinators said about what the offense and defense might look like headed into the 2025 season including some talk about multiple personnel on both sides of the ball, the QB situation, how they plan to develop plans on both sides of the ball, and lastly could we see some Dick LeBeau type defensive schemes from Patrick Graham. 0:00-12:16 Alabama QB Ty Simpson 12:17-20:48 LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier 20:49-28:20 Miami QB Carson Beck 28:21-37:57 PSU QB Drew Allar 37:58-46:46 Arkansas QB Taylen Green 46:47-54:10 NDSU QB Cole Payton 54:11-70:13 Coordinator Takeaways

Scouting Some Versatile Backend Talent

With the NFL Draft just under two weeks away, we begin to scout a safety room with some intriguing depth. We start with the do-it-all chess piece who transferred to Oregon his senior year. Then, another transfer known for his heavy hitting and ball skills at LSU, a sleeper transfer from USC with exceptional coverage ability despite a slight frame, a surprisingly effective coverage, hair-on-fire type player who brings some pop with a smaller frame from TCU. Lastly, a well-built Penn State safety who bet on himself and improved his coverage ability, and a BIG 12 player with exceptional coverage skills, but run commitment concerns. Then it's time to see why I think this is about as unpredictable a draft in recent memory for a number of reasons. 0:00-12:07 Oregon S Dillion Thieneman 12:08-17:40 LSU S AJ Haulcy 17:41-24:56 USC S Kamari Ramsey 24:57-31:47 TCU S Bud Clark 31:48-40:02 PSU S Zakee Wheatley 40:03-45:47 Arizona S Genesis Smith 45:48-51:08 Unpredictable Draft

Beefing up Defensively and McCarthy Presser Takeaways

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