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Well, McCarthy didn't win anything with the Cowboys, so he should fit right in with today's Steelers.

You are making a huge assumption that this team will draft a center, and then subsequently hit on that center pick.

I may have hit a jackpot mock for us. Albeit I didn't get the OT I wanted the pick was still solid. Here is the AI analysis. That is an intriguing class you’ve put together. You definitely followed a "Best Player Available" strategy after those first two picks, but looking at the scouting profiles for these guys in 2026, you might have built a much higher floor for the Panthers' defense than it looks at first glance. Here is a breakdown of your draft haul: The "Home Runs" (Round 1) 25. C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia): You nailed the "alpha" of the defense here. Scouts are calling him a Pro Bowl-caliber MIKE with elite football IQ. For a Panthers team that has struggled with linebacker consistency, Allen is a "plug-and-play" starter who can communicate the defense from Day 1. 28. T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson): Getting Parker at 28 is a massive value. He’s often compared to Rashan Gary because of his elite raw traits. Even if his sack numbers fluctuated in college, his ability to set the edge and use his power to collapse the pocket is exactly what Ejiro Evero needs to complement the interior pressure from Derrick Brown. The Trench Reinforcements 70. Drew Shelton (OT, Penn State): This is a savvy pick for depth. Shelton is praised for his footwork and "swing tackle" versatility. Given the importance of keeping Bryce Young upright, having a high-floor OT who can play both sides is a great insurance policy. 119. Logan Jones (OC, Iowa): You grabbed the Rimington Award winner (best center in college football) in the 4th round. While he’s slightly undersized, he’s an elite zone-blocker. In Dave Canales’ system, his mobility and ability to get to the second level could be a game-changer for the run game. The Late-Round Sleepers 201. Cole Payton (QB, NDSU): I think your "Taysom Hill" comparison is spot on. Payton finished 2025 with the highest PFF grade in the FCS (97.3). He’s a rugged, 230-pound dual-threat who rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season. Using him as a short-yardage "wildcat" specialist or a developmental backup for Bryce is a low-risk, high-reward move that fits Canales' aggressive 4th-down philosophy perfectly. 198. Dae'Quan Wright (TE, Ole Miss): He really popped in 2025 with over 600 yards and 5 TDs. He’s more of a "big receiver" type at TE, which gives Bryce another middle-of-the-field target. Those two picks in the middle rounds are arguably your most "Ejiro Evero-friendly" selections. They both fit the modern NFL mold of versatile, high-IQ defensive backs who can be moved around like chess pieces. Here’s why they look like smart value picks: 102. Devin Moore (CB, Florida) Moore is a fascinating prospect because he looks like he was "built in a lab." At nearly 6'3" with a massive wingspan, he is exactly the kind of press-coverage corner that NFL teams are obsessing over right now. The Upside: He finished 2025 with one of the highest PFF coverage grades in the SEC (82.7). He’s incredibly "sticky" in man coverage and has the speed to stay attached to vertical threats. The Value: He likely fell to the 4th round because of a rocky injury history early in his career, but he finally stayed healthy in 2025. If he stays on the field, you’ve essentially landed a 1st-round talent at pick 102. Panthers Fit: He provides a massive contrast to Jaycee Horn's style, giving you a secondary with two legitimate "shut down" frames. 135. Keionte Scott (S/NB, Miami) If Devin Moore is the "finesse" athlete, Keionte Scott is the "enforcer." Though listed as a safety in your draft, he played a massive role at nickel for Miami’s 2025 National Championship run. The "Dawg" Factor: Scouting reports consistently describe him as playing with "his hair on fire." He is a violent tackler and a prolific blitzer—he racked up 5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2025, which is insane for a defensive back. Versatility: He can play single-high safety, slide down to cover the slot, or even play outside in a pinch. He also brings value as an elite punt returner. Panthers Fit: He’s the perfect "Swiss Army Knife" for Evero’s disguise-heavy defense. He and your QB pick, Cole Payton, seem to share that high-motor, "any role needed" mentality. Summary: You’ve essentially drafted a prototype boundary corner (Moore) and a dynamic slot/safety hybrid (Scott). Moore handles the deep threats, and Scott handles the "trash" near the line of scrimmage. Between these two and your 1st rounders (Allen and Parker), you’ve basically rebuilt the spine of the Panthers' defense in a single weekend. The Verdict: You successfully addressed the pass rush and linebacker issues that have plagued Carolina, while adding a creative offensive weapon in Payton. Plus, snagging a 2027 Dallas 2nd-rounder while keeping your own picks is a "masterclass" in asset management. It gives you huge flexibility for next year's draft.

He is already counting that NBA payday coming.

I love it

We'll see how Morgan navigates it. For all the resources we tied up in two OG's in free agency I would argue Center had been our biggest problem going back to 2020. We need quality depth there. The problem now is Morgan's panic signings in Lewis and Hunt paired with the now very murky future of Icky make this even trickier. Ya know. It sure would have been nice to draft a future Center a few years ago instead of an already injured RB.

Blocked out. Man, you flashed me back to some dark days.

Based on the research I just did this AM in my lab which is in my man cave in my secret lair--The OL market in free agency is terrible. Mays will get top dollar--they are predicting about $12m. I would love Linderbaum, but I am a realist. first, the ravens will try to lock him down and he will get $20m or close to it. To me, we can get a rookie to do as well for about $2-3m by round 2 or 3. Due to the free agent Market, our draft should be focused on the offensive line and edge. We need to sign a S, ILB, and maybe a TE in free agency. Draft a T, C, WR, and Edge. We shall see. Mays would be a fool to stay--we cut him. We played Corbett in front of him. I fear that they will re-sign Corbett to a 1-year deal--maybe that would be smart.

I feel like the team is in a tough spot with the Icky injury and Moton getting up there in age. Doesn’t feel like the team can take much of a leap next season.

This could indicate that it is.

I mean the only thing I can see is he good with QBs and they haven’t had one in forever. This guy has done the crown jewel franchises now.

We should draft a Notre Dame TE to have an all ND tight end room

I guess some fans have already forgotten the Paradis/Elflein days. Center should remain a top priority.

good post...like signing a LB a lot, plus draft one. If we can get a real TE I'm for it. Not a great year for edge in FA or the draft imho. Get some depth and let the sophs get experience, hopefully better hunting next year.

I cannot imagine chasing off Mike Tomlin to turn around and hire Mike McCarthy. LOL After drafting Pickett in the 1st and now this, the Steelers seem to get slipping hard as an overall organization.

best starting center since Ryan kalil but Mays has hit his ceiling not overpaying for mays is the right call

Go get Linderbaum

I would like to have him back (he was solid) but by no means should we consider paying him larger money. We have too much tied up in the line already and need to draft someone

Sh!t

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-flagship-sources-supplemental-draft-in-play-for-darian-mensah-rams-to-extend-warren-mcclendon-jr-texans-eye-ol-help-in-fa/

Per Tony Pauline: During a recent team-needs piece on the Houston Texans, I mentioned that the team has a screaming need on the interior of their offensive line. That same day, I also mentioned in a separate article on the Carolina Panthers that center Cade Mays was not expected back and will hit the free-agent market in March. Sources here at the Shrine Bowl expect the Texans to make a run at Mays once free agency opens to fill the hole they have at center. Mays, a sixth-round pick by Carolina in 2022, has started 27 games for the Panthers, including 20 over the past two seasons.

Ehlers

there is really no argument against that

The steelers fans who chanted fire Tomlin because of his lack of success in the playoffs recently are getting what they deserve with McCarthy. Tomlin was getting teams to the playoffs with the corpses of Big Ben, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers, the law firm of Trubisky/Pickett/Rudolph/Fields. Good luck getting that out of McCarthy

I thought this thread was gonna be an F-150 review