His ability to not only track down the deep ball (thanks to his background as a baseball outfielder), but also to adjust to the ball with timing and anticipation and go up and get it, really stands out.

So, of course the Travis Hunters and Jahdae Barrons of the world sound nice, but thinking that they’ll be playing in the black and gold this fall feels like a pipe dream at this juncture. Jacob Parrish from Kansas State, though, feels like a reasonable place to start when thinking about corners that could be Pittsburgh Steeler(s) this fall. 

There is a slight bit of upside to all this, though. If this report came out under the Kevin Colbert regime, we would’ve never even considered the validity of this rumor, and we would’ve shot it down immediately. It’s refreshing that, under Omar Khan, we’re becoming known as a team that’s active in the trade market and free agency.

Grant is not the polished prospect that his Michigan partner in crime (Mason Graham) is, and that’s why Mason Graham is probably not going to be available when the Steelers are on the clock at 21st overall in the draft. Don’t be surprised, though, if the Pittsburgh Steelers take a chance on Kenneth Grant with that pick.

With that being said, the 2024 season marks the 3rd year in a row that Kupp has missed at least 5 games with an injury. The last time he played a full season, he fell just 17 yards short of the single season receiving yards record.

Johnson is a strong, workhorse type back like Najee Harris, except he has the one-cut ability and acceleration to break big runs, which is something that Harris struggled to do consistently.

But, man, how critical was I of Donte Jackson this year? I, like many other fans, saw right through those INTs. He was burnt toast far too often, especially in the back half of the 2024 season.

 No doubt, Mike Tomlin’s fingerprints are all over this defense, which is something that also needs to change, but if he’s not going anywhere we need to at least get another defensive guru with a headset, and Teryl Austin just isn’t that guy to me, unfortunately. It’s still such a damn shame to me that we had Brian Flores in the building on our defensive staff, and we let him get away.

…what has happened to us in recent years has been absolutely miserable, and unfortunately, there’s nothing that they’re going to add this offseason that’s going to make the result any different or any less disappointing next season. We are in purgatory, and will be until we find a real difference maker at the QB position, and put enough weapons around them.