HR2: Possible New Steelers Draft Approach and NFL News

0:00We see you. Your calendar's color coded. Your outfit for tomorrow is already laid out. You have everything in top-aware labeled in your fridge. You buy in bulk. You meal prep. You know what you're doing in 2027. You're a planner. And we're here to say you don't have to do it all. S&T Bank makes banking easy. From our friendly team to our online and mobile solutions, we do more so you can do less. Stop by your local branch. Visit STBank.com or call 800-325-2265 S&T Bank. Member FDIC. Radio on the Steelers Audio Network busy day around the league. Matt a lot of news that we've

1:00been a lot of ground moving cover and a lot of news flying around that will continue today and throughout the week. But some significant news across the timeline that is not free agency specific but is NFL draft related as the compensatory picks for this year's NFL draft that will be held at the end of April on the North Shore. I'm surprised they released today. Same. They're so good at spacing out news. I was going to say it's almost like it's getting buried. Give it like two weeks and that'll be a headline for a day. Yeah, right. Friday of last year. But regardless, the NFL compensatory picks have been finalized. Steelers, Ravens, Eagles, lead the way with four compensatory picks each. Here's exactly what it looks like. Four compensatory picks in the third round going to Minnesota 97 overall Philadelphia 98 overall Pittsburgh 99 overall Jacksonville 100 overall. So four third round picks handed out and the Steelers do get one of those. The Steelers

2:03also get a fourth round pick nice hundred and thirty fifth overall. So there are one two three four five six seven eight fourth round comp picks in total. Real folks, all these comp picks will add up to 32 total picks. So it's like there's eight rounds of the draft not seven. They do that every year on why that they decided to do that. It's kind of cool. Okay. Next year, they'll be 32. The year after they'll be 32. So yeah, that's how they weight them symmetrically. It fits. Yeah, yeah. And everything that's going on there. So and they are tradable now. A couple of years ago, you were on a trade. That's made me nuts. Correct. Like the Jacksonville compensatory pick 100 overall at the end of the third round is from Detroit. Trying to think who that's from, but I'm sure we could figure it out. Yes. I was trying to think the same thing to it. I was drawing a blank. A lot of different names and bullets flying today. So the Steelers get third round ninety nine overall, fourth round one thirty five overall. Nice. None in the fifth for the Steelers two in the sixth, 214th and 216th. It's a great haul. It's a fantastic haul. That's a great haul. I mean,

3:06we've started the show talking about the comp game probably more than we should. They don't get anything close to that. But anytime you get extra draft picks, man, especially starting fourth rounders. Exactly. I mean, none of these teams hit 60% on their draft picks. I mean, so the whole key is just make a lot of picks. Right. Just make a lot of picks. It's a lot of ways it can be a volume game. Yeah. Yeah. And we saw that, you know, this is all because damn more junior walked and signed a big deal in free agency. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson signed substantial deals and free agency. And it would have been better if both would have had 17 stars. Yeah. Exactly. Tons of snaps and all that. You may end up with multiple thirds. Yeah. Right. Like spoiler alert, the Baltimore Ravens are going to get a really nice third round comp pick next year out of the title. Well, I guess depending on what money they spend here, but the Baltimore Ravens, like that Linderbomb exit would favor very well into this formula for them. Yeah. Like Crosby coming in doesn't hurt them. Linderbomb going out helps them. Right.

4:08Yeah. Yes. So that is what we know in the in the compensatory pick game. Not unexpected. Not unexpected. Nice to know. But now now officially official. Some of these cap guys have gotten so good. I remember when comp picks are out. It was a total mystery of the world of how they they get awarded this time of year and be like, oh, I don't know how they got them. But that's great. Yeah. That's how we were early. But now some of these people have absolutely figured out the formula and get it almost exact every pretty. It's on as big a news as it used to be. It's almost like these people now. It's almost like bracketology and March madness. I don't know enough about it, but yes. You know, there's the people out there in the world that can tell you 90% accuracy. What the bracket's going to look like. I know what qualifications are and I know what the formula is. There's only 32 of these picks. I know where they're going. You know, right. Matt, some more movement at you mentioned busy day for center movement around the league. The past day or two. The packers releasing Elgin Jenkins two time. That's kind of like pitman for me that I've been kind of biting my tongue hoping it happens because he's also a very, very good guard. And that to me,

5:16especially if this comp I keep harping on the comp game, but they sure seem to be relevant with it. If you let Isaac walk and you sign him, you'd be better at the position and you make money in the comp game. I mean, that could be a fourth round pick you get in the trade because I like to see him all who's going to make a legit track. Like how old's Jenkins? You mind pulling it up? Yeah, I bet he's 29 30. That a really good career. He just turned 30 the day after Christmas a few months ago. I'd love to grab that dude. I mean, oh, by the way, Steelers O line coach coached him at some point. They definitely overlapped quite a bit. That to me would be maybe the next shoe to drop and steal. I would imagine he's worked with Aaron Rogers in the past as well. Had to have. I mean, he's been a packer since 2019. So yeah, yeah, he's played a little bit of tackle, but he's totally versatile, you know, leader type. They all kinds of problems. They gave

6:16away were Sean Gary, basically, for nothing to the packer or to the cowboys. We didn't touch on that. So the packers are just really up against it. I'd been a film with him now. Yeah, yeah. Is that of all the different possibilities for adding a veteran. That's what I was hoping would be is that right age cost every all all in everything including the type of player you're getting. Yeah, I mean, that's almost like pitman where I've been waiting and hoping it gets to that point, you know, like you needed something to happen with the former organization. And when they when they traded Gary, I thought, ah, they'll probably just keep Jenkins now. They'd opened enough room. But I'm glad they didn't because I'd be all over that. We have the terms now for Jalen Thompson signing with the cowboys doing some some business business. They can win now. Three year 36 million dollar deal for Jalen Thompson. No, I'm big D. So these couple I haven't seen cooks contract, but a couple of these safeties that could be out there. They're making decent money.

7:17They're making a little more money. I thought. Yeah. Yeah. And and it is funny how that works, right? How some of these guys are making more money than we thought some are making a little bit less than we thought. Um, but I guess that's how you can handle it if you're the Steelers is Ramsey, you're a safety. And to other and to further notice because we're pretty decent in the corner room now. And we might draft one the first round and you're not a safety anymore. You know, I mean, I mean, yeah, the Ramsey versatility does give you options. You know, you doesn't have to be pigeonholed right now one or the other. It's a good option or even toward the season. Yeah, we've seen a move already. Yeah. Yeah. So the Steelers will essentially has me as the radar up. Yeah, we'll keep we'll keep the we'll keep the antennas up and see if there's any movement here before we get out of here today. The Steelers will have 12 picks this year as we've anticipated. First round, second round, three third three third rounders, Dallas's guys, Dallas's for the pickage trade, their original and a comp pick, two fourth rounders Steelers original and a comp pick, their fifth round pick, two sixth round comps, a seventh from the Kyle Dugor pick swap and

8:22their seventh. So that's the 12th for you. You probably don't know this answer, but is that after the pitman trade? I think the Steelers gave up a it was never announced what the pick swap was. That's actually a very good point. But it most there's a little change in the sixes and sevens. Yes. I mean, I assumed that the Steelers gave up a six and got a seven back with pitman. Oh my goodness, Matt. Via Adam Schefter Dolphins quarterback to a tag of Iola planes to sign a one year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. This was rumored early in the day. Two South paws there in Atlanta. That's like the only thing they have in common. They play so differently. I don't understand this one to be honest with you. I mean, I assume two assigns the same deal that Wilson and Kyler will that the old teams is going to pay the whole deal. So you get them for a million a year or whatever. I mean, that almost has to be the case because when these dudes are released and they take a massive dead money hit, the new team's not going to give them any money because they're getting paid by the old folks. You know, why would you do that? I guess to Fanski

9:26likes them. But why I say he's different to Penex is Penex is a hold the ball drive the ball down the field. Yes. He ran a really good 40 Penex, but he doesn't play that way. They're both pocket passers, but one of them is a old school 80s Bradshaw hold the ball in the pocket, get drilled in the tee three seconds. And that was great when you were Washington and had a couple first or several offensive line and a couple first round picks it wide receiver. And I might doubts about Penex, but if this is his only competition, he might be better than two. I mean, he's coming off an injury too, but two is again, get the ball out now. You know, it's just way different. They are vastly different. Yeah. I think they signed a wide out too. Not a huge one, but they signed something. Yeah. Okay, we'll have to look at the moonies leaving. I think they signed Zacchaeus back and maybe somebody else. So that offense, they lose out year. I'm curious how different it looks was to Fanski. Uh, Quitte Pay is on the move. The Raiders continue to spend some eight.

10:27The Raiders and the Titans Raiders want to just do it. Raiders and Titans. You got money spend it. Yeah. Uh, former Colt Quitte Pay, three year, 48 million dollar deal, 32 million guaranteed with the Raiders. Recent first round pick. He's never going to be Batman, but he's an okay, two-ish type guy has him quite live up to expectations, but a quality player. I'm saying he's bad. Yeah. You know, I mean, he'll start for them immediately. Yes. Yes. I mean, his best days might be ahead too. He was like an extreme tester. It's combined. It's funny. There's a lot of people on Twitter that are like, I can finally breathe easy now that two is not going to be a stealer. I don't think that was ever. I don't think that was ever. If I was keeping up at night, you should not have let that keep you up. Yes. Correct. Oh, I should have mentioned too, speaking of dolphins. I got a lot of why did the sealer trade for Minka? Well, they weren't allowed. I mean, yes. I'm glad I actually meant to say that. I'm glad brought that up because on the surface, that seems like a seventh round pick for Minka. Yeah.

11:30Do the same thing. You do have Batman. Right. I mean, you only have so many dollars. You can only do that so many times, but I mean, he's a way better player than a seventh round pick, but they are not allowed to because of the trade rules. Yes. According to Connor Hughes, who covers the jets and the giants for SNY TV in New York City, both the jets and the giants calling the Jags, who are entertaining offers for wide receiver Brian Thomas. Interesting. He's another name that we mentioned a little bit. He had a little bit of a down year, but he's still so young and so versatile. Would you still consider for the Steelers? Because basically what you weigh is, I'm guessing he's a second round pick. Now, if the jets or giants offer a second round pick, you're not going to get them for your second round pick. Sure. Steelers go lower. What's his contract? Is he going to need a new contract right away? No, because he's just finished year two as a first round pick. So you get him this year, next year on a rookie deal plus a potential

12:32potential potential fifth round option. But basically, all that comes down to, like, I only bring it up because I assume that was totally off the table after the pitman move. Just draft one, get younger, but he's going to want to even consider that I know what I'm buying as opposed to. His capits under five million bucks for the next two seasons. He's super valuable. I think he gets moved because the Jags don't have a first round pick because of the Hunter deal. So they just need more draft capital in general. And he doesn't really fit the new offense. And Hunter would just go back to playing wide receiver if he leaves, which is what they really want him to do. Yes. And that's maybe a little bit of a risk because he's still an unproven commodity at the NFL level. But he could be. It was a second round pick overall for. Yeah. Yeah. Would you. All right. Let's do the hypothetical game then, Matt Williamson. Would you give up the Steelers 53rd overall pick second round pick for Brian Thomas Jr. Right now. I think I might. I mean, boy, he's different than the other guys. Then you're done. Oh, you're done. You're done. You're done in your own receiver room. Maybe add a

13:36late one of those six round compensatory picks or something like that. I mean, it's overkill in terms of trades. But I know what I'm buying. He, he isn't the phenomenal fit here. If we're going to, if you're looking at it from a West Coast offense, 23 years. I know he's a puppy. He's big fast. I mean, he's coming off a great rookie year in a subpar second year because he didn't fit as well. But he got a lot better than he went on. Maybe, maybe. I mean, that's a lot of resources all go into wide receiver. But being strong fast down the field player. Why I say he's not a great fit is he's not a get open now. West Coast slant you to death guy. I think that's more the pitman role. And Metcalf's good at the slants and stuff like that too. But he's a little different than what you got. I think there'll be a market for him. I don't know if 53 gets it done though. I mean, if you're fighting the Jets or Giants or something like that, 23 years. I know. That's a

14:36thing. You get 23 year old. That's you mentioned it with Linda bomb the way you phrase it's like it's rare to have the opportunity to get a guy like that at that age at that age. It doesn't kill your cap. You know, interesting thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But have any moves? Let's talk about let's what we're going to keep an eye on everything that's going on here. And we're going to continue to to obviously rapid fire all the breaking news. We're going to talk to Christian Coons about 20, 30 minutes from now. But when we come back on the other side, what's what's today mean for let's look at it through the lens of the Steelers draft and how maybe what we thought last week has started to shift here in what could still change in the in the coming days and weeks. Plenty more to get to as we roll along. You'll hear Williamson. It's the drive Steelers Nation radio on the Steelers Audio Network. What's up NFL fans? The NFL draft is finally here. And while you might not know who your team is drafting this year, you do know your watch parties number one pick. Bud Light, the clean crisp taste that has all the scouts talking. Guess that's why it's been the

15:40groups go to draft beer season after season. Be sure to order around for the table before your teams on the clock. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly and heiser push Bud Light Beer St. Louis Missouri. Any other breaking news or significant announcements we will get right to we're going to have Christian Coons join us in about 15 minutes here to talk about a fun project that he's doing on the history of football in Western Pennsylvania. Matt and I we still got to go see the football town. We got to do that one of these one of these weekend. We got to get there and take all the wives and everything

16:41and check that out at the Cayman Science Center. Combine kind of got in the way there. Sure did, but that's okay. We don't mind the combine getting in the way of some things. Matt. Pick 21 for the Steelers. It's funny how just in the short span of a couple of weeks, everything you think changes. Yeah. What would you say is the most likely and I think it's a small piece of the pie at this point, but what would you say is the most likely outcome at pick 21? I don't know that there is one now. I mean, obviously they go with the most likely outcome was a wide out. Yes. Lemon or, you know, whoever. Now, let's just do this real quick. I mean, like I could see any of these scenarios. I'm not condoning any or I'm just saying these are would be the something I could buy. Bam a quarterback. Why don't you name it? Tyson. That's on the table. There's some people think he's a top 15 pick. I'm not there yet, but whatever. That's on the table

17:42now. Vega would be really, really hard to pass up. Yes. He would. Yeah. And a lot of people thought he'd just go to the Ravens. Well, they don't know. First one, pick any more to. Can he fall to 21? I don't know. But to the Raiders slide in there and say, thanks. We'll take them. Yeah, but they said Linda bomb and they, you know, maybe they would coincidentally, we're recording this tomorrow, a next mock. And I put you talking for Steelers, first years I'll come tomorrow with Max and Pursuda. But I had, I didn't even do this to make it easy on myself. I had Vega go into the Raiders with that or with the Ravens to that pick. And then Max Cosby trade happened. I'm like, I'd still take him for the Raiders for the Raiders. Yeah. But that was before Linda bomb. But still, he could definitely land a lot of different spots. But I would consider that would you consider a tackle? If you made me like, freelling or if you made me do the, oh, I thought you meant

18:43defensive tackle, but you're talking about my misguilded position. I'll get there. Yeah. I still think. So right now, I would bump wide receiver, obviously down a little bit and cornerback down a little bit. I'd bump cornerback down a lot. Yes. I so right now, I'm going to go in position by position. Right now, safety defensive line, offensive line, feel like the big three. Yeah. Let me talk through it, though. Simpson. I love it. Vega. Yes. I think both those I would understand if they're both there at 21. Yeah. And am I not even one Simpson? I mean, that might be next year's project, like always, but it's on the table still. Yes. Would you consider the left tackle the future that might be a guard this year in the meantime? With the business they've done today. Yeah, consider pretty much anything. Because if you can draft it, if you can put yourself a position to draft a tackle, I know Broderick didn't work out splendidly, but it's such a good financial move. It is. You know, I mean, because you might be you don't want to have to take one next year,

19:44especially if you have to take a quarterback next year, you know what I mean? Like you'd love to check that box. I still think lemon or Tyson could happen, but I lean towards way less likely. I think that's a day to receiver. Is there a detaco you like enough? To me, that's only banks. Same to this point. That is point at 21. Yeah. And I'd love to be in that position. Would the two dreaded words trade down enter your lexicon at all for all these. Because if I'm thinking about a receiver, there's probably three or four you like. If I'm thinking about a tackle, there could be two or three you like. Unless it's the one guy at 21 that you, this is our guy at tackle. Yeah. Freelings still there. Something like that. The butcher's name. It's why I'm avoiding it, but like if Arizona State use it. Yeah, if you give him a 26, put him a guard and then he goes to left tackle next year. You can just call him Mad Max from now. Yeah. I'm a big fan. There's I know there's going to be receivers. Yes. Banks. Banks to be the only defensive tackle you can. At 21. Yeah, that that makes sense.

20:49But boy, it'd be nice to put yourself in a position to do that. As it stands today, I can't see an off-the-ball linebacker. I can't see an edge. I can't see a corner anymore either. Safety, safety just safety's high list. The Vegas odds for safety just got a little bit less. Meaning more. Well, they don't pay as well. They don't pay as well. Yeah. Yeah. Dylan Phenomen. But I think he's the only one for me. You're not a, a man will make me all warm guy. He's just more strong than free. Yeah. So if I'm just thinking of names, it's Simpson, Vega, Banks, Thiniman, offense tackle receiver. Yeah. And the short of it is you just laid it out. They have five picks in the top three rounds. Let's say you don't go quarterback this year. Okay. You're definitely tailed still taking a receiver at some point. Sure. I think you're definitely taking a safety at some point. Absolutely. I think you're definitely taking an offensive lineman.

21:52You better. And maybe two. And maybe an offensive lineman. I mean, like you're set up with you're with five premium picks to address those if you don't do anything in free agency. Pretty well. And folks, this is an accident. This is what teams do. I mean, they'd lay this stuff out to set up the next move. It's all chess. It's only right. But the board changes. It's on a nice flat board boards like this. And they're going to add something else in free agency. They're not done. There's no, there's no chance. They're done. They have another running back. Whether it happens in the next 24, 48 hours or whether it happens a week from now, it might be the second week. Stop it on my big driving home. There's going to be a lot happening tonight. Yes. You know what? Don't do it while we're driving home. Okay. Save, save it for, but, but no, I give you something to talk about. Give us something to talk about tomorrow. But they, that's this free agency happens in waves, big names first, big money first. Then you have that second wave that's probably going to hit tomorrow Wednesday time for him. And then there could even be some moves in the following week.

22:53They'll then you start your bargains like, oh, we don't really need that guy, but we'll pluck them off the wire. You know, right? Yes. And I'm, if they, if they sign anyone between now and tomorrow, do you think it's a safety? Yeah. Yeah. Or maybe like see him all. That's a good call. I was going to say I was going to say one of those nosy-ish 32-year-olds that we've discussed. They usually aren't super hot commodities. Right. Usually you can wait on them, you know. I'm trying to remember, but I think one of either DeShawn Elliott or Kenneth Gainwell was like late in like a couple weeks into the free agency process. I don't think it was, I don't think it was to be the one was right off the bat. But yeah, but this is normal. Oh, yeah. And a lot of these, a lot of the guys that won't be signed for a few more days, they're on the phones with their agents and having conversations. And they'll be nervous in two days. Then becomes a buyer's market. Exactly, right? Oh, yeah. Exactly right. And they become worse players in the last two days. Now a lot of these guys are, a lot of these guys are kind of hoping to get that offer that they want,

23:57still holding out hope for another day or so or two. But that will change eventually as well. Man, the, they're set up pretty well. They're in what picks they have. I'm sure they have a lot. I don't know how much cap space they have left, but I'm sure it's substantial. Some good numbers here who just sent me these Andrew on Twitter. Thanks to Andrew, new Steelers cornerback, Jamel Dean. We've done this in the past when we talk about cam Hayward and what he means to the Steelers run game and the splits with the Steelers run defense of him on the field versus him off the field. Jamel Dean, last year on the field, verse off the field when he played for the box when he was on the field, verse when he wasn't, they had the 11th best EPA per pass attempt when he was on the field, 30 second when he was off the field, 14th best past defense success when he was on the field, 31st when he was off the field. They gave up just seven yards per attempt when he was on the field, 12th best in the NFL, 31st best when he was off the field. And their secondary was rated number 10 in the league with him on the field, number 32 in the league

25:03with him off the field. Some on off splits, I can take with the grain of salt. But when they're that drastic, they mean something. It's like the cam Hayward that we used to talk about two years ago. Right. I mean, it'd be different if you were talking about like a packer and oh, by the way, that's also when Michael Parsons got hurt. You know, like sometimes you can massage those things, like maybe there was another reason the defense got worse. It wasn't the corner, you know, but that's not the case here. And the splits are so drastic. That means something. Yes. Of course. If you're just jumping in the car, if you're just joining us and tuning in and you've been busy today, those are pretty darn happy that two guys you had. Jamel Dean and Michael Pittman, Jr. Pittman, Jr. for a we're still trying to find out exactly what they, but a late draft pick for the Steelers, those two on the way in a 28 year old wide receiver, 29 year old cornerback. James Pierre has signed a two year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Kenneth Gainwell has signed a two year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those are the only two that have departed. I kept talking kept kept talking kept the other corner.

26:09It's on the same old junior. Yeah. Yes. Yes. So right now still need a still need a decision at quarterback. Still need a decision for another running back. Still need a decision on wide receiver three. And that left side of the offensive line. But Jalen Warren, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Jr. You're two tight ends and Friar Mooth and Washington and then obviously Frazier McCormick, Faltanu on the right side of the center and right side of that offensive line. We've got our final segment to get to. We're going to talk to Christian Coons when we return on the other side and we'll kind of cross any final T's and dot any eyes of the days for E agency proceedings. All of that as we wrap this thing up, Les Euler, Matt Williams, and it is the drive Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. What's up NFL fans? The NFL draft is finally here. And while you might not know who your team is drafting this year, you do know your watch parties number one pick. Bud Light, the clean crisp taste that has all the scouts talking. Guess that's why it's been the groups go to draft beer season after

27:13season. Be sure to order around for the table before your teams on the clock. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, enjoy responsibly and hyzer push Bud Light beer St. Louis Missouri. You're tuned to the drive on your 24 seven home of the black and gold Steelers Nation Radio. Back on the drive, it is our final segment of this free agent frenzy first day folks. It's only going to continue. There's going to be more. It is. It's a lot of fun. This is perhaps and we have a lot of these days, Matt, but this is perhaps the easiest content day of the year. You can't keep up. You don't have to create anything. There's a million signings I want to talk about. We haven't even wait on the list. Exactly right. It'll be like next week till we get to them. Yes. And we are efforting our buddy Christian Coons here. I'm going to try and get him on in this

28:18final segment. If not, we will catch up with him sometime soon. He's doing a really cool new podcast series on the football legacy of Western Pennsylvania. Kind of in tandem with the NFL films, the football town showing now with the Cayman Science Center. Make sure you're checking that out ahead of I mean, Matt, it's it's easy to kind of throw on the back burner because we were just at the combine and free agency and so much happening. But like six weeks from now, one of the biggest football events and just events in general ever in the history of Pittsburgh. It's going to be a few miles away from us on the North Shore. Yeah. It's all happening real quick. Yeah. I mean, like I always get geared up for the draft and all that. And today's not even the day to think about what's come in the future. It's hard enough to keep up with the present. But that's massive, man. Oh, I mean, just like you said, in the history of Western PA football is the draft is here. What's only been like six or seven cities ever? I mean, it's always was New York, my whole life. Radio City Music Hall for the longest time. Forever. Yeah. I'd cut school and I'd watch it on,

29:201985, you know, you can admit that now. I've told the story many times. Yeah. It's the one day your mom would let you school. I have 104 fever. She'd be like, take an aspirin and go to school. But I mean, draft day, I was not going. That's a fair, that's a fair balance. That's got more on that draft day than I did geometry class. Oh, my career. I certainly did. Look where you're sitting right now by Joni Williams. Big shout out to Joni. Matt, speaking of one of the moves that we have not discussed, James Conner, another one of these running backs that we've mentioned as a potential for the Steelers. I think the Cardinals are all of a sudden got interesting. They might have one running back too many and one quarterback too many and one quarterback too many. Yes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they have now were set Jimmy G sounds like they sounds like they're agreed to a deal with Jimmy Garoppolo after they kind of struck out with Malik Willis and an injured Yes. I don't know how injured he is, but I mean, he got hurt late in the year, filling in from my homes. They're not going with you talking Arizona or Kansas City. Arizona. Okay. So not

30:22meant you. Now, I think I think all three are there. Is meant you a Cardinal? Oh, that's right. That's right. Sorry. Yeah. I mean, no team goes in with like three. Good Lord. I totally forgot about that. So they have three backup retrains. There's no way all three are going to be there. They also have three running backs too and James Connors and Tyler Algier and Benson and Benson. So if you signed out year today and you restructure Carter, yeah, resize those two are going to be there. Jimmy G and Mint you are going to be there. Yes. Which then leads me to is Trey Benson going to be there? Hmm. Is Berset going to be there? Now, I'm not from a Steelers lens. I'm a big Jacobi Berset fan, but that can't be your answer for the Steelers. Yeah. I mean, I mean, even if you sign Rodgers, I don't want to miss back up. I mean, but maybe he's the Jets guy or somebody like that. I would think Berset now is on the move because you don't go in the season with just three old retread quarterbacks and nothing else. Wouldn't make sense. Even for even for a franchise

31:23like Arizona who does some wonky stuff. That would be a Simpson to the mix. I would understand it or something like that. But still, you don't get that's a weird quarterback room as it stands today. And it's a weird running back room. I mean, I don't love Benson, but he's big and fast and he's coming off an injury too. Yeah. They're all big backs. I mean, the Cardinals want three 225 plus pound guys. Maybe they are looking at it. The Benson was banged up last year. James Conner only played three games last year. Maybe they're kind of looking at it as we need all these options because they were the running back room in the room. Now she might be the only one who plays the full 17 games. Maybe, but it's just two weird rooms all of a sudden in Arizona. It seems like they've got. And if they could turn Benson or Berset into a pick, picks would have to be the most valuable thing for that team, you know. Would you be interested in Benson or no? Yes, but at a discount. He was an early second round pick from what I remember. Real good size speed, dude. Combined was strong, but I didn't love him then.

32:24And he's shown some flashes since, but I'm offering you like a fifth round pick. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that type of move, which again, in the comp world doesn't hurt you at all as opposed to signing somebody else, you know what I mean? He did just, he's 23 years old. We'll turn 24 this summer. And he doesn't have much tread off of his tires, but partially because he's struggled to stay on the field a little bit. I think he was kind of a one year wonder Florida state from what I remember. But he's big and he's fast and he would be a nice compliment. You know, Warren would be my one and he'd be my bigger back slash breakaway ability. We always talk about explosives. He can create explosives, you know. Oh, uh, absolutely. I think you're right. If the, if you're getting them for pennies on the dollar, if it's a discount, yeah, it's just weird for them to make those moves that those two positions. They can't, they can't be done with that. That's the writings of the wall there. Let's get to some tweets. Uh, we will see we, we could still potentially have our, our buddy Christian Coons calling in. If not, we'll, we'll audible with him and find some time

33:26that works here. Uh, but in the meantime, we will, uh, we'll get to some of your reaction from the day and over the weekend. We've got a backlog of tweets. We'll continue to get to these giants are resigning aluminum or two that just happened one minute ago. The, he was the best offensive tackle on the market. He's the 15th best right tackle in the league who keeps getting better, but that has a lot of value, you know, also looks like D Alfred is signing with the bills cornerback three years, uh, 21 million dollars. Wow. Okay. It's a lot for him too. And that's a lot of bills are a little, I don't know what the bills do. A little desperate out here, Matt Williams. I'm starting to question organization more and more. I just know, uh, the Rams, whenever Matt Stafford finally does retire, they're going to have some, we trade five first round picks for Joe Barrow trade five first round picture. Josh Allen who's going to be out there for us that's disgruntled accrued with what their franchises is doing. Um, all right. Let's get to, uh, let's get to a couple tweets here as we, as we round out the show, uh, T Mac tweets and says he loves

34:27the idea of second round pick for Brian Thomas, Thomas junior and, uh, selecting Dylan Thenderman at 21. And I assume this came after the pitman news. Yes. Yes. It's pretty nice and fusion of talent. That would be, it would be about as aggressive if we've seen the Steelers get in a long time. That is aggressive for sure. And I'm with you, I'm still might throw a fifth round pick at a receiver. I mean, that's greedy, but there's so many. There's so many. Yeah. Yeah. And you want to, again, it's that, that would start to look like a really nice nest for whoever your future franchise quarterback is. Yeah. So you know how I like to think from all angles on this stuff. If you were to make the Thomas move, you could even trade Metcalf. Well, I don't think that would be the cards at all, but if they weren't thrilled with how he handled himself on the sidelines of, you know, I'm just saying there's always options. There's all these options. Like I don't think it's a thousand percent chance. Friar move doesn't get

35:30traded or queen or, you know, I mean, like the things still can happen, you know. Interesting one here from Smooth Dave. Smooth Dave tweets and says since the Steelers aren't losing any high dollar free agents, does it make sense to chase comp picks this year? Why not just sign all the best talent we can and not worry about some extra six or seventh round comp picks? Yeah, this has been a big topic today just because I didn't see it coming and all their moves have indicated that it's important to them. And I'm sure, and since Omar has taken over, it's been important to them. And I think that's something they were lagging behind. And now they're at the top of the, the league in terms of utilizing that tool. But I don't think it should be the end all be all. You know, I mean, if there's, if there's some running back, they love that's going to screw up their comp pick or some tackle or whoever. Great. Sign them because to the point of chasing six and seventh round picks doesn't have that much value. But for example, Elgin Jenkins gets cut today.

36:33He hasn't affected at all. I would have loved them if he was a free agent period. But now if he's a cut can't, if he's a cut guy, I like him even more. It breaks all ties, I guess. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Fair, fair, fair. That's a good way to put it. Yeah. That's a good way to put it. If you're between Dean and Elante Taylor, one of them crushes your comp game and one doesn't even affect it. Will you take the other guy? Ian tweeted us this morning, 936 and said happy tampering day, Western Matt. I hope by the time you guys go on air, we have a veteran wide receiver. If we don't, how concerned are you with the wide receiver group? Well, guess what? Yeah. Check done. I think the wide receiver group has, I think I expect now when we get to camp, we'll say the wide receiver group is a strength of this team. We haven't said that for Antonia Brown. Yeah. Yeah. He's gonna be in Warris and the manual Sanders. Like this is a, or maybe that year with Juju where Juju was really good and maybe in 2018. I mean, like Bryant was really good in some of those dudes too, but that's been a while.

37:35Yes. Juju hasn't been here for a long time. Let's see here. JPA tweets this and says, according to Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles are indeed fielding trade calls for Jalen Carter. Should we have interest or no? I don't think so. Because he'd be really expensive. He will not be cheap. They gave Jordan Davis a big contract, and I don't think they'll be able to do both. So I definitely think there's a chance Carter moves. Here's the problems with Carter. When he's right, he's unbelievable. I think he's one of the best young defensive. He's a force. He is a force. He had two shoulder surgeries during the season yesterday, which, or the last year, which he came back and played after. So I'm sure they were minor, but I don't like two shoulders for a defensive tackle. You know, he's got some off the field stuff. At least going back to the draft, that's documented. He's been clean ever since. But the fact that the Eagles gave Davis such a big contract means

38:36they picked him over Carter, and they know best. But he's one of the best elite. Certainly. He certainly is. He's an interesting case. Yeah. Because there's some injury stuff. There's some. Yeah, you definitely know. But I could wash all those things away. The injuries might not even be a thing anymore, right? Can Hayward take some under his wing? Stealonation 920 tweets. But that's first round pick plus. Yes. Yes. That's not a pennies on a dollar type. Stealonation 920 wants to know. JK Dobbins gone. Algier gone. Do we still need a banger at running back? What's the plan? I'm having a hard time seeing this plan. Yeah. I think that's starting to drive that market dried up pretty quick. Yeah. Now I'd never overspend for running back unless it was a super superstar. Yeah, you know, I get in. That's not happening, folks. I'm not big on taking like price out of Notre Dame in the second round or, you know, another rookie and discounting on them. So I don't know where that'll come. But that position

39:39opportunity always, always, always presents itself. You know, someone will get caught or someone will become a trade candidate. I don't know. We're excited about like signing Pacheco, you know, yeah, I mean, there might be another another like that's not a hammer in the industry. That doesn't do much for me. Lew tweets and says with the acquisition of pitman, does this change the type that you are looking for for the Steelers to acquire as a wide receiver in the draft? Are you looking for someone who's a little more slotty? Is it someone who's going to settle in as a third wide receiver? Someone like Casey concept she own. I think I get what Lew's asking. Yeah, yeah. And this is something you've kind of been harping on all off season. If you're going to do this smaller, twitchier, shiftier wide receiver, fine, but you better have two big bodies on the boundary. Now they have two big bodies on the boundary. Does that does that say yes? Can you cast a wider net of the other wide receiver looking to add? I think that's going to be putting it like now I don't think there's anything off the table. Let's assume they make

40:43no more free agent wide receiver moves or trades or Brian Thomas or anything like that. And they're pigeonhole and best available wide receiver in round two or day two. I almost don't care what shape and size he is. It could be the little dude from Georgia, the little dude from Oklahoma, where before that wasn't going to be my first investment. Pitman can also play a lot of slot. Yes, yeah, versatile guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So even if it is a Brian Thomas outside the numbers, dude, well, Pitman's your slot. Peasy junior season tweets us and says, this is all great, but when are they going to announce the Joey Port of junior contract extension? Not for a while. Yeah, that's probably training camp that's same with July or August. We've talked about this a little bit before, but the Steelers like to in the dog days of summer. Yeah, when you've been beaten each other up and sleeping in dorm rooms for a couple of weeks and everyone's getting a little agitated and getting a little on each other's nerves and all those cheer everybody up cheer everybody up bang with a with a big contract extension. This could be you in a year to keep it up, you know,

41:47exactly right, exactly right. Annie tweets. That's wait on all those extension stuff. Yeah, they're because you don't even save any cap space now. Those guys aren't making enough money to and you want to get your draft picks in and have a real kind of holistic picture of the cap in the roster and all that. There was times like when's the what extension happening? Well, because that would open a lot of cap space for this year, you know, like when the rookies it doesn't get you anywhere. Annie tweets us and says, uh, is Max Crosby to the Ravens a bigger problem for the Steelers or the Bengals also does Patrick Graham's familiarity help at all when game planning against him. Probably, you know, I mean, I doubt that Patrick Graham's being consulted on that now. I would think Ravens week will walk over to the offensive side of the building or eat lunch with the offensive coordinator or whoever, you know, and Max doesn't like this. He does like that, you know, whatever. And they might be watching 10 games of tape in the Ravens uniform and be like,

42:50now he's nothing like that now or you're 100% right or it's just another resource. I'm sure he knows them well. RJ tweets us and says two questions for you guys. One, are you doing anything special with the show for the draft since it's in Pittsburgh and two, how much realistic spending can the Steelers do in the rest of free agency factoring in the money they will need for draft picks? Well, I definitely am not up to date with the exactly where the cap is. Yeah, that's going to take us. That's going to take a little time here to come fully into picture. The Steelers, by no way, are they filled up? No, they still have money. I don't think they can go out and sign a $30 million player or something like that. No, right. They're keeping money for a quarterback. They're keeping money for their draft picks. Yeah, they're still going to add. I would at least another piece or two. I would think in the coming days and weeks. So yeah, realistic spending. They're not handcuffed at all. No, they're not handcuffed at all. They can't go out and spend like the Titans and the Raiders have today, but they've still got they've still got plenty of

43:50options. I also think they could if they wanted to desperately, they could restructure Ramsey. They could restructure KM or Watt or somebody like that too or Heismith or you know, and make some money if needed. And in terms of if we're doing anything special for the draft, just stay tuned. Don't know. Wait, wait, let's get let's get through this week first. Yeah, yeah, let's get through this week first. But yeah, we're still trying to finalize all that. Let's see here, Matt. I think we got time for like one more team act tweets and says, you know, you mentioned the possibility of moving someone like Patrick Queen. What would that take for you to make that deal? Yeah, it's a hard one because I don't I don't want to necessarily because you would downgrade from Queen to Holcomb as a starter and you'd have to add at least one more guy there if not two. But I would like to add a linebacker in the draft because it's a good linebacker class and they still could with or without a queen move. I would think it's like a third like that. I'm not dumping them for a five. I think Queen and a new defense could be very fruitful. Yeah,

44:54that would take a lot of convincing. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I know the team loves them and respects them. And he's got all the toughness and attitude they want. And that stuff matters. That's what matters a lot. And he's reading dog guy. That's stuff certainly matters. Matt, couple, couple last news and notables here. The Broncos resigning Alex Singleton, two year deal, 15 and a half million dollars. Okay. That's two linebackers they have that they brought back. And it is now, well, I guess again, because this is all still in the then none of this becomes official. These are all reports and agreements. You mentioned Jermaine Illuminaur three years, 39 million to stay with the giants. And it sounds like we have the answer that Travis Kelsey, yes, will return for one more season one year, 12 million dollar deal with some extra incentives according to Adam Schaefter. Okay. This morning, they said that they think he's coming back and they didn't mention because he was a true free agent, too. It wasn't just

45:57a retirement type situation. Right. I mean, he can't imagine how it would ever happen, but he could have signed with Seattle if he wanted. Sure. Sure. Yeah, I don't think that that's ever that that's ever going to happen. But for us, his mind, right. Yeah. So listen, a lot, covered a lot of ground today. Had a lot of things happen and a lot of bullets flying, a lot of information all over the place. We'll continue that tomorrow. I think it's down. We'll go around division. We'll go. Absolutely. Absolutely. And we'll we'll have more thoughts on today's business by the time we're in here and another and another 22 hours. And so yeah, but that was that was a lot of fun today, Matt. I love this day. Yeah. A lot of fun. Hopefully everybody enjoyed it too. Thanks for rocking and rolling with us. Thanks for everybody that was chiming in on Twitter. We'll get to more your tweets as as the week rolls along. Big thanks to Nathan on the ones and twos. Mr. TV Tyler V. Producing on the video side of things. For Matt Williams and I'm West Euler. Take care everybody. And we will talk to you tomorrow. As always, you know where to find us. It's on your 24 seven home of the black and gold Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. We see you.

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