The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new head coach.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting the draft starting Thursday night.

The Steelers have twelve picks —five in the top 100– in this year’s draft.

All eyes will be on the city and the team starting Thursday. The question still remains as to who the Steelers really are and what they are trying to do.

Mediocrity has been king in Pittsburgh for at least a decade now.

The owner clearly doesn’t want to rebuild, but winning with a 42 —soon to be 43– year old quarterback doesn’t exactly scream Super Bowl contender. Despite the coaching change, the direction of the team is still murky. Drafting a quarterback typically gives fans hope for the future. Picking any of the quarterbacks that will be available to the team this year would require a developmental period. And what about the bleak wide receiver position? Are the Steelers still delusional enough to think defense wins championships in 2026?

So, I ask again, who and/or what are the Steelers?

Regardless of the answer to that question, the Steelers aren’t terrible  and they do have some solid pieces to work with. So what will be the approach come Thursday night?

A guard to replace the departed Isaac Seumalo is a must. Will left tackle Broderick Jones be around after this season? The team signed wide receiver Michael Pittman in the offseason, but at least one more wide receiver will be needed. Secondary depth seems like a good idea. Then there are the rumors swirling that the Steelers may look to trade Alex Highsmith or Nate Herbig during the draft. Does that mean the Steelers have their eye on a certain player that they want to move up to get? Or are they looking to gather future draft capital?

The NFL Draft is far from an exact science, and with the Steelers currently hanging somewhere in the abyss it really makes this process difficult to predict.

This column is called Tim’s Two Cents, however, so clearly I have my opinions on the Steelers draft.

Let’s dig into the Steelers first three rounds, where they currently hold five picks.

First round

There are a few ways the first round could go, barring a trade up to grab someone the team really wants to grab. Wide receiver is the sexy route, and if somehow Makai Lemon falls to pick 21, the Steelers should sprint to the podium with his card and then wait for the roar from the home crowd.

Another receiver that could be available when the Steelers pick is Omar Cooper from Indiana. Would the Steelers like Cooper enough to take him over an offensive lineman and then take a guard in round two?

Nobody knows how the draft will play out, but my guess is the Steelers will not like any of the receivers available at pick 21 enough to choose one over a lineman.

My choice for the Steelers in round one is Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane. Ioane is a brut, a mauler, a power blocker, and that is perfect for the Steelers who need a plug and play left guard. In a perfect world, Ioane would be the last piece of an elite offensive line.

The backup plan is to take a receiver here and hope Emmanuel Pregnon is available in round two. Pregnon would be another plug and play mauler of an offensive guard.

  • Pick: OG Olaivavega Ioane
  • Option 2: WR Omar Cooper

Second Round

Here is where I think The Steelers go receiver. DK Metcalf is the big receiver that can get down the field. Michael Pittman is a big body possession receiver. They need at least one more receiver, and dare I say, preferably a shifty quick receiver who can use speed to get open in space. They simply lack speed at the receiver position.

With that in mind, I would love to see the Steelers draft Zachariah Branch. Branch is pint size, but tough. He has elite speed and would give the Steelers an ideal slot receiver with good hands and great run after the catch. Branch would also become the team’s best punt/kick returner.

This is the Steelers we are talking about. A team waiting on a 42 year old quarterback to return. They may prefer to take a safer bet at receiver. I am not sure he will be there in round two when the Steelers pick, but if he is the Steelers will select Geramie Bernard. The Alabama grad doesn’t have high end speed, but he is an elite route runner in the short and intermediate routes. He would be the perfect safety blanket for Aaron Rodgers.

  • Pick: Geramie Bernard(prefer Zachariah Branch)
  • Option 2: OG Emmanuel Pregnon

Third Round

The Steelers have picks 76, 85, and 99.

I think the Steelers take a quarterback in round three. Additionally they may look for safety help and possibly a linebacker.

I think Drew Allar or Garrett Nussmeier will be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Whether Aaron Rodgers comes back or not, the Steelers need to find a future quarterback at some point. Year after year it is a black hole for Pittsburgh, and let’s face it, Will Howard ain’t it.

I actually like Allar. He has the size and arm strength you can’t coach. The rest of the package needs work, but those things are coachable. Mike McCarthy is supposed to be a quarterback whisperer, so let him whisper out the kinks in Allar’s game.

The safeties I hope the Steelers target in round three are Kamari Ramsey from USC and Bud Clark from TCU. Ramsey is not very good in run support, so I think Clark is the better fit. This will allow the Steelers to freelance Jalen Ramsey.

The problem with selecting a linebacker here is finding the best fit. In my opinion, you are looking for a Patrick Queen replacement. The best bet is trying to be in position to draft Deontae Lawson from Alabama. Lawson is one of the few linebackers left at this point that can be a three down player. If the rumors come true that the Steelers are entertaining trading Alex Highsmith, then an edge rusher could be the call in this round.

  • Picks: Drew Allar, Bud Clark, Deontae Lawson
  • Option 2: Garrett Nussmeier, Kamari Ramsey, Kyle Louis

For how the Steelers are presently constructed, I think this draft would be the most beneficial to their current situation. The problem is nobody knows truly what direction the Steelers are going. The rudderless aspect of this team is mainly due to the quarterback position. Banking on a third round project to become the next guy could be a fool’s errand, but what other choice do they have.

As they say, the pick is in. Will it make a difference?

Tweet of the Week

Matt Fitzpatrick with the perfect response to the idiots chanting “USA, USA” at a non Ryder Cup event. Good for him shoving the fake patriots in a locker.

 



The Weekly Shiny Penny

This one was easy, as Pirates Jake Mangum makes a lifetime memory for a brother and sister in Pittsburgh.

 


A Penny For My Final Thoughts…

How about some thoughts on the Pennsylvania Stanley Cup playoff series between the Pens and Flyers.

  • Flyers up 2-0.
  • Flyers putting on a defensive master class, completely frustrating the Pens.
  • Having said that, the Pens dominated the bulk of play for the last 4 periods. But they missed the goal 22 times with shots in game two.
  • The Flyers not allowing any second opportunities.
  • Dan Muse waited until period three of game two to put the lines back to the way they should be.
  • Pens power play is putrid, even allowing a shorthanded goal AND a 2 on 0 that Skinner stopped for Pens. Just abysmal.
  • Flyers capitalized every time the Pens make a turnover or let up for a minute.
  • Flyers faster and stronger to the puck.
  • Pens have to try and win two in Philly. Odds aren’t good at all.
  • Skinner has been outstanding. Rest of team has looked old and slow.
  • Maybe coasting to end the regular season wasn’t the best strategy for Pens.
  • Rick Tocchet is taking Dan Muse to the woodshed right now.
  • Despite the Pens controlling offensive zone time the last game, this hasn’t felt close. The Flyers feel dominant, while the Pens feel hopeless.
Just my two cents…