Ep 2: Prioritizing The Defensive Line

After the Steelers used their first-round draft pick on offensive linemen in 2023 and 24, the foundation is coming together for the line to return to top-10 form and allow the front office to look at other position groups in the early rounds of this year's draft.

The Steelers used a third-round pick on Keanu Benton in 2023 and followed it up with Logan Lee in the sixth round last year. So, the team needs to look in either the first or second round in this year's draft for premium talent to help rebolster the defensive front.

The NFL Combine is happening this week in Indianapolis and there are plenty of guys to keep an eye on. Matt Stafford could be traded away from the Rams as early as this week.

Dale and Matt compare team win totals over the last 3 years versus salary cap space teams will have heading into this offseason. Additionally, the duo debate what roster moves they would like to see organizations make

The guys mock it up, take a run through the "freak list" and answer listener questions in the last hour of the week.

In the first hour of today's Drive, Matt and Dale collaborate with one another as they build their list of 21 players that they would be willing to take with the 21st pick the Steelers currently are in ownership of.

Dale and Matt analyze a first-round mock, discuss names not invited to the combine that teams may end up using draft picks on, and chat about news and headlines around the league to bring the show to a close.

We are only a week away from the 2025 NFL Combine! This week, Michael is joined by the Voice of the Steelers Rob King, who handles play-by-play duties on the Steelers game broadcasts. Rob returns to the podcast to talk about the season that was, his urge to visit Ireland - and the exciting news that the Steelers will play in Ireland later this year.

It seems that of all the quarterbacks who could be on the move in 2025, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson are two of the better options of the crop. Which of the two QBs on the Steelers roster in 2024 is truly the better option for the team in 2025.

Whoever the quarterback ends up being for the Steelers next season, the offensive line, the wide receivers, and the running backs all need to be better to make things easier on the QB.

A new trend is developing in the NFL in recent years, teams who are quick to give up on QBs feel burned once that guy moves on to another team looking for a second or even third chance and does much better compared to how they did with the team that drafted them.

The league's salary cap is getting a huge bump heading into next season, the guys break it down and chat with Bob Labriola about that and much more.

Dale and Matt take an unorthodox approach to their mock draft today, discuss the top skill sets amongst the defensive line prospects in the draft, and converse on which players will have the best combine.

Dale and Matt discuss grades given to the prospects in intriguing positions for the Steelers this upcoming draft and more in a draft centric first hour.

In the second half of today's Drive, the guys dissect a first-round mock, take a look at where last year's rookie classes rank across the league, and banter on league news and notes to wrap up the show.

Uhler and Moats discuss some of the decisions coming down the line for the Steelers as we approach the Combine and Free Agency.

The Blitz takes a look at the Free Agency market for running backs. They also get to your questions of the day during Time's Yours.

The Steelers have a lot of time between now and the NFL Draft in late April, but it's never too early to start strategizing for the first rounds by identifying the targets that should be wide receivers and interior defensive linemen.

The Steelers have seen their blitz percentages decrease each of the last few years, and coincidentally the Steelers sack numbers have also decreased. Do the Steelers need to get back to Blitsburgh or should they be more concerned with building the right talent on the defensive front to become more effective at getting pressure at opposing quarterbacks.

Which teams have the best and worst cases of total assets for the 2025 offseason. Today is the first day teams can designate players with the franchise tag, and it's being reported the Bengals will tag Tee Higgins for the second straight season.

Labs and Tom talk about the franchise and transition tag period of the offseason getting underway, then get to the questions

Matt and Dale compare where prospects in this year's draft were projected to go before this last season compared to now, and which players are likely to either be tagged or cut by their current team.

Some drafts are more top heavy than others, the guys compare this class to previous classes. Additionally, Matt and Dale run another mock and talk news and notes from around the league.

What would it take to land a headliner free agent QB? Matt and Dale break that topic down and follow it up with a deep dive conversation on what the two would like to see the NFL change in many different areas of the game.

Dale and Matt take another alternate route to complete their mock draft today, answer questions left on the message board and talk about the "fastest" player in the league.

The Eagles proved to everyone you don't need the most elite quarterback in the NFL to get to and win the Super Bowl.

Since acquiring Assistant GM Andy Weidl, the Steelers have tried to mirror his former team's strategy of building the team's foundation through the offensive and defensive line.

The Jets have informed Aaron Rodgers they are moving on from him and looking elsewhere for a new quarterback. Rumors about the Steelers trading for Trevor Lawrence yesterday vanished as quickly as they appeared. Deebo Samuel has requested a trade out of San Francisco and the Steelers should be one of the teams making a call.

Rumors and speculations of roster moves run wild this time of year, Matt and Dale separate the possible from impossible, discuss prospects and draft targets with the combine looming, and more.

Dale and Matt examine an analytically based mock draft, debate where every quarterback should rank based on their play in 2025, and chat about headlines from around the league.

The Blitz begins by discussing a report that the Steelers have inquired about an AFC quarterback.

Uhler and Moats look over the 2025 Hall of Fame class, and look ahead to who could be inshrined in 2026.

In the first half of today's show, Matt and Dale discuss the free agents the Steelers should target once free agency officially begins in March, a fun chat with Bob Labriola, and a breakdown on the importance of retooling the defensive front.

Dale and Matt take a unique angle to their mock draft run today, debate where expectations should be for teams heading into the 2025 season, and more back and forth on news from around the league.

Dale and Matt discuss mock drafts, comparisons between the Steelers' and Eagles' defenses, as well as the Saints' new head coach hire.

Matt and Dale analyze a top 100 draft prospects list and a final 2024-25 NFL power rankings list, before talking about the Steelers' new defensive backs coach hire.