OT: Steeler Lbr's...

[BBrown]

So I see they let the, waste of a draft pick, Jarvis Jones go to the Cardinals. Good.
Jones had lost his starting spot anyway but couple that with the loss of Timmons and
what do the Steelers do?
Go the FA route? That would be very atypical of the Steeler Front office.
So does this mean that now the #1 priority in the draft is a LBr?
Given their past "drafts" I don't have a lot of confidence in them in selecting one.
Will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[lionroar88]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

 

[PennStateNate]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

Hightower visited yesterday.. If they can get him, which would be about 10Mil a year, less then Timmons who was about 12-14Mil, he is a ton better then Timmons.

Are they still looking at Dre Kirkpatrick, if they could get him and Hightower they may become super bowl contenders.

 

[nittnee]

So I see they let the, waste of a draft pick, Jarvis Jones go to the Cardinals. Good.
Jones had lost his starting spot anyway but couple that with the loss of Timmons and
what do the Steelers do?
Go the FA route? That would be very atypical of the Steeler Front office.
So does this mean that now the #1 priority in the draft is a LBr?
Given their past "drafts" I don't have a lot of confidence in them in selecting one.
Will be interesting to see what they do.

Not really atypical for the Steelers to sign a FA LB. Farrior, Foote and Greene come to mind.

They don't throw huge dollars at any position in FA. That has always been their approach. I did not, and do not, anticipate the signing of Hightower.

I think they go with Williams as the replacement for Timmons (kind of like Foote -- not expected to be spectacular, but should hold down the position next to Shazier) and may very well go OLB in round 1.

 

[PennStateNate]

Jones was done when he let Elliot run past him for the GW TD vs Dallas, I believe he was getting pretty good playing time and then was benched the remainder of the season after that.

I also could see him going to Arizona and being awesome LOL

 

[BBrown]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

Those would be my picks as well, although I might change the QB out if there is no one left that justifys that high a pick for a QB and really I didn't see any that did.

 

[BBrown]

Hightower visited yesterday.. If they can get him, which would be about 10Mil a year, less then Timmons who was about 12-14Mil, he is a ton better then Timmons.

Are they still looking at Dre Kirkpatrick, if they could get him and Hightower they may become super bowl contenders.

I'd like to see them take a shot at Brandon Bell. I figure he's going to go late in the draft, if at all.

 

[BBrown]

Not really atypical for the Steelers to sign a FA LB. Farrior, Foote and Greene come to mind.

They don't throw huge dollars at any position in FA. That has always been their approach. I did not, and do not, anticipate the signing of Hightower.

I think they go with Williams as the replacement for Timmons (kind of like Foote -- not expected to be spectacular, but should hold down the position next to Shazier) and may very well go OLB in round 1.

Good call. I forgot all about Farrior, Foote and Greene.

 

[GregInPitt]

Hightower visited yesterday.. If they can get him, which would be about 10Mil a year, less then Timmons who was about 12-14Mil, he is a ton better then Timmons.

Are they still looking at Dre Kirkpatrick, if they could get him and Hightower they may become super bowl contenders.

Wrong on Timmons. Timmons got $12MM TOTAL for 2 years. Not $10MM each year. So signing Hightower would by all indications be much more expensive.

 

[GregInPitt]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

Obviously the Steelers believe they can be a better team without Timmons, even though Timmons signed for $12MM for 2 years, or an average of $6MM per year although his Dolphins contract is only $3.75MM for 2017 season.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/lawrence-timmons-3609/

The Steelers coaches must feel that after analyzing the season's film that they can get better production from another ILB for the same or a lesser cap hit. For all we know they believe that V. Williams ($2.5MM cap hit for each of 2017 and 2018) is just as good as Timmons and that they will try and upgrade during free agency or the draft but are also content to use their cap space to upgrade another position and then draft for the future at ILB with another later round pick. The Steelers will play it close to the vest and be mostly conservative in free agency. Or they may draft a LB high that can play both inside and outside (not likely).

Reportedly Hightower was at Steelers headquarters 8 hours yesterday. But he has lots of teams after him and as the Steelers won't get into a bidding war he will only be in Black & Gold if he has a real desire to leave NE specifically for the Steelers.

We'll just have to wait and see how free agency plays out. Are they bringing in any FA Safety's to try and sign one that would fit their system? That would be another scenario.....

 

[lionroar88]

While I would love to see Hightower in Black & Gold, I just don't see it happening. I saw one mock draft that had them taking Watt in the first round. That to me would be a wasted pick.

Bell would be a solid option in rnd 3 or 4 (if still available). Still think they need CB/S, OLB, CB/S... forgot that they locked Landry Jokes in for 2 years, so my guess is they pass on a QB this year and look for one in next year' draft. They're also going to need depth along the OL and DL... tough situation for them to be in if they don't get a LB and or DB in FA.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

They can get all 3 (CB/S/LB) in first round by picking Peppers.

 

[Pocono Lion]

Hightower visited yesterday.. If they can get him, which would be about 10Mil a year, less then Timmons who was about 12-14Mil, he is a ton better then Timmons.

Are they still looking at Dre Kirkpatrick, if they could get him and Hightower they may become super bowl contenders.

Kirkpatrick re-signed with the Bengals a few days ago. Hightower is supposed to decide today between the Patriots, Steelers and Jets. The tea leaves have him returning to NE, but who knows for sure.

 

[BBrown]

While I would love to see Hightower in Black & Gold, I just don't see it happening. I saw one mock draft that had them taking Watt in the first round. That to me would be a wasted pick.

Bell would be a solid option in rnd 3 or 4 (if still available). Still think they need CB/S, OLB, CB/S... forgot that they locked Landry Jokes in for 2 years, so my guess is they pass on a QB this year and look for one in next year' draft. They're also going to need depth along the OL and DL... tough situation for them to be in if they don't get a LB and or DB in FA.

I like Bell a lot but I don't see him going anywhere close to round 3 or 4.
He does have a history of injuries and no combine workout.

 

[BBrown]

They can get all 3 (CB/S/LB) in first round by picking Peppers.

NOOOOOO!!!
Unlike, unlike oh where is the unlike button.

 

[PennStateNate]

I'd like to see them take a shot at Brandon Bell. I figure he's going to go late in the draft, if at all.

Love him, but outside of being a Penn Stater, blah.. I wish him the best, but for what the Steelers need, not sure he is the guy.

 

[hereforthebeer]

Hightower had an expiring offer. That is to say that if he left town without a deal, there won't be one. He left town yesterday.

 

[GregInPitt]

I like Bell a lot but I don't see him going anywhere close to round 3 or 4.
He does have a history of injuries and no combine workout.

And Bell is very small for an NFL LB. Looks good in a college game, but would look small as an OLB or ILB in a 3-4 defense and he would not hold up the way Timmons has, for example. Shazier excels due to his exceptional speed and instincts, but not many LB's can perform the way he does at his size. If Bell makes it in the NFL I see it as an OLB in a 4-3.

 

[dbsteel]

No Bell please- especially in a 3-4.

They think Williams can hold down the spot if nothing better falls in their lap.

 

[BBrown]

And Bell is very small for an NFL LB. Looks good in a college game, but would look small as an OLB or ILB in a 3-4 defense and he would not hold up the way Timmons has, for example. Shazier excels due to his exceptional speed and instincts, but not many LB's can perform the way he does at his size. If Bell makes it in the NFL I see it as an OLB in a 4-3.

Yea its not like Shazier has been the picture of health either but you are correct.
TImmons has been a rock as far as playing and not being hurt.

 

[BBrown]

No Bell please- especially in a 3-4.

They think Williams can hold down the spot if nothing better falls in their lap.

Is it true that I heard they were moving away from the 3-4?

 

[dbsteel]

Is it true that I heard they were moving away from the 3-4?

Not that I heard of. They play a lot of different packages, but I think they are primarily a 3-4.

 

[rjg82]

Kirkpatrick re-signed with the Bengals a few days ago. Hightower is supposed to decide today between the Patriots, Steelers and Jets. The tea leaves have him returning to NE, but who knows for sure.

Hightower re-signed with NE about an hour ago

 

[BBG65]

When they signed Williams to that contract before last season, the writing was on the wall for Timmons. Odd decision for the Steelers as Timmons is an excellent LB who has been very durable. He wanted to return to the Steelers, but it wasn't mutual for some reason. They will most likely draft an OLB in the 1st rd.

 

[GregInPitt]

When they signed Williams to that contract before last season, the writing was on the wall for Timmons. Odd decision for the Steelers as Timmons is an excellent LB who has been very durable. He wanted to return to the Steelers, but it wasn't mutual for some reason. They will most likely draft an OLB in the 1st rd.

Yep, and an ILB for depth later in the draft, especially if they don't sign any FA LB's.

 

[lionroar88]

They aren't going after Peppers. He is not, and will never be, another Troy Polamolo.

With Kirkpatrick and Hightower off the market now I see them taking an OLB in the 1st round, if no one is available that justifies a 1st rnd salary then they go either CB or Safety. Really think it will be OLB, S, DB, ILB in the 1st 4 rounds. After that it is drafting for depth and the future.

 

[ras5051]

Their #1 priority still has to be CB/Safety.

Rd1 - CB/Safety
Rd2 - OLB
Rd3 - QB or CB/Safety

Why the let Timmons go is beyond me... unless they go outside their comfort zone and sign a solid CB/Safety or LB in FA.

I for sure agree with round 1 and round 2.

If healthy, a starting front 7 of Heyward, Hargrave, Tuitt, Dupree, Shazier, Williams and Harrison is pretty decent. Harrison isn't going to rack up the sacks that he got earlier in his career, but I expect a big year from Dupree. Also, the front 3 of Heyward, Hargrave and Tuitt all have the ability to get after the passer. Could definitely use a 2nd rounder on an OLB to hopefully take over for Harrison next year and to spell him some this year. Chickillo (sp?) is not great, but he is an okay player for depth at OLB.

I like Burns and Davis in the secondary. I don't like Mitchell, but don't think he's coming out of the starting lineup. Cockrell is a RFA, don't think he's really a starter in the league. If we could use a first rounder to plug in the starting lineup on the opposite side of Burns that would be ideal. Hopefully Golson can get healthy and take over the slot corner. That would allow Cockrell to be our 4th corner.

 

[palehorse]

They aren't going after Peppers. He is not, and will never be, another Troy Polamolo.

With Kirkpatrick and Hightower off the market now I see them taking an OLB in the 1st round, if no one is available that justifies a 1st rnd salary then they go either CB or Safety. Really think it will be OLB, S, DB, ILB in the 1st 4 rounds. After that it is drafting for depth and the future.

They have 5 picks in the first 4 rds, but I see your point. I could see 2 DB, 2 LB and either a TE or DL as the 5th pick rds 1-4. I think they go RB, WR, and OL late.

 

[GregInPitt]

Don't discount the possibility of the Steelers taking a WR in rounds 2 or 3. I just don't see them going all defense with those first 5 pickes (in rounds 1-4) and if they see value they will jump on a WR. The Steelers have done as some predicted early in the past few years, but they also regularly do the unexpected.....

 

[BBrown]

Don't discount the possibility of the Steelers taking a WR in rounds 2 or 3. I just don't see them going all defense with those first 5 pickes (in rounds 1-4) and if they see value they will jump on a WR. The Steelers have done as some predicted early in the past few years, but they also regularly do the unexpected.....

One thing this Steeler front office has done well is draft WR's in the later rounds.
That I have full confidence in them....not so much in drafting LB'rs in early rounds.
Hope they improve on that.

 

[ras5051]

Don't discount the possibility of the Steelers taking a WR in rounds 2 or 3. I just don't see them going all defense with those first 5 pickes (in rounds 1-4) and if they see value they will jump on a WR. The Steelers have done as some predicted early in the past few years, but they also regularly do the unexpected.....

Don't think they may even draft a WR period. WRs on roster this year.. no way they can keep 8 on the roster:
Antonio Brown (signed thru end of 2021)
Martavis Bryant (signed thru end of 2017)
Eli Rogers (signed thru end of 2017, RFA in 2018)
Justin Hunter (signed thru end of 2017)
Sammie Coates (signed thru end of 2018)
Cobi Hamilton (signed thru end of 2017)
Darius Hayward-bey (signed thru end of 2018)
Demarcus ayers (signed thru end of 2017, rfa in 2018)

 

[BBG65]

They just signed Justin Hunter as a FA, so that means they are unlikely to draft a WR. On offense, they need depth at TE, RB and OL. They really need to draft a RB, but probably 3rd rd. at the earliest.

 

[GregInPitt]

Don't think they may even draft a WR period. WRs on roster this year.. no way they can keep 8 on the roster:
Antonio Brown (signed thru end of 2021)
Martavis Bryant (signed thru end of 2017)
Eli Rogers (signed thru end of 2017, RFA in 2018)
Justin Hunter (signed thru end of 2017)
Sammie Coates (signed thru end of 2018)
Cobi Hamilton (signed thru end of 2017)
Darius Hayward-bey (signed thru end of 2018)
Demarcus ayers (signed thru end of 2017, rfa in 2018)

Of those 8 exactly 1 was productive. Bryant may be back for next season. Lots of candidates coming back but not much proven. Steelers have to know that Brown needs more help at WR if he is to be effective enough to get them to the Super Bowl. I'm not sold on them taking a WR in first 3 or 4 rounds, but it would not surprise me if they did either.....

And here are Hunter's career highlights:
Hunter was the 34th overall player selected in the 2013 draft. But he underachieved in three years with the Titans and was cut before the 2016 season.

Miami signed Hunter but cut him after one game. He traveled to Buffalo, where he spent the rest of the season. In 12 games with the Bills that included five starts, Hunter had 10 catches for 189 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 18.9 yards per reception.

He has 78 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career.

Not the type of production that is likely to keep the Steelers from bringing in a talented WR if they see one of value .

Of the Steelers 7 picks in last year's draft, 6 of them had been among the 30 potential draft eligible players that were invited for a visit leading up to the 2016 draft. The Steelers have Godwin coming in for a visit.

 

[ras5051]

Of those 8 exactly 1 was productive. Bryant may be back for next season.

Of the Steelers 7 picks in last year's draft, 6 of them had been among the 30 potential draft eligible players that were invited for a visit leading up to the 2016 draft. The Steelers have Godwin coming in for a visit.

Not so sure I agree. Sammie Coates had 421 yards in the first 5 games of the season before he was hurt.

Eli Rogers had 594 yards and didn't even play in 3 of the regular season games. He looks to be a pretty solid slot receiver

If Martavis Bryant is eligible to play, I don't even need to say anything there.

Justin Hunter has all of the potential in the world, 6'4", 4.44 forty at the combine to pair with a 39.5" vertical. He's been a bit of a dud at this point, but who have his quarterbacks been? Jake locker, Tyrod Taylor, Fitzpatrick.. I'm sure I'm missing some greats.

While I'm not a big fan, the steelers love heyward bey for what he brings on special teams.

I imagine Demarcus Ayers will go to the practice squad

Hamilton, I could see getting released

That leaves 5 receivers on the active roster which is the norm

 

[lionroar88]

I'll throw this out there... Derrell Revis had all charges against him dropped yesterday, and word on the street is he is very interested in The Steelers. So would you sign him, of course he isn't going to get top salary at this point in his career? I'd do it if he comes in at a low salary cap hit, say 2 years at $2.5 mill per year? He would provide some depth and would free up a draft pick for additional depth at a position of need... maybe draft a RB in Rnd 2?

 

[ras5051]

I'll throw this out there... Derrell Revis had all charges against him dropped yesterday, and word on the street is he is very interested in The Steelers. So would you sign him, of course he isn't going to get top salary at this point in his career? I'd do it if he comes in at a low salary cap hit, say 2 years at $2.5 mill per year? He would provide some depth and would free up a draft pick for additional depth at a position of need... maybe draft a RB in Rnd 2?

I've heard that he graded out as the worst or at least one of the worst CB's in the league last year. Could you put him in Davis' safety spot? That would allow you to move Davis to CB (he played both CB and S in college, and was practicing some last year at CB). If he doesn't look good at safety in training camp you could always cut him.

I also think he could have just had a bad year. He's 31, so he's old, but he's not ancient. Maybe he could still have a year or 2 at corner. Lawrence Timmons had a down 2015 season, but had a pretty good 2016 season. Even older players can bounce back from a bad year.

 

[lionroar88]

I've heard that he graded out as the worst or at least one of the worst CB's in the league last year. Could you put him in Davis' safety spot? That would allow you to move Davis to CB (he played both CB and S in college, and was practicing some last year at CB). If he doesn't look good at safety in training camp you could always cut him.

I also think he could have just had a bad year. He's 31, so he's old, but he's not ancient. Maybe he could still have a year or 2 at corner. Lawrence Timmons had a down 2015 season, but had a pretty good 2016 season. Even older players can bounce back from a bad year.

That was my thinking too ras. Give him a shot at CB/S in preseason and see how he does. He will be practicing against a pretty damn good receiving corps so that will be a good gauge on his abilities as well. Sign him to the league minimum with incentives... upside for all involved. The Jets' defense was rather pathetic last year as well.

 

[BBrown]

I'll throw this out there... Derrell Revis had all charges against him dropped yesterday, and word on the street is he is very interested in The Steelers. So would you sign him, of course he isn't going to get top salary at this point in his career? I'd do it if he comes in at a low salary cap hit, say 2 years at $2.5 mill per year? He would provide some depth and would free up a draft pick for additional depth at a position of need... maybe draft a RB in Rnd 2?

Yes I would take Revis if the price is right. He's older and not nearly as good as he used to be but he's still better than anything the Steelers have.

JMO but there are only 2 maybe 3 RB's in the draft that are worth picking in the first 3 rounds.
Cook, Fournette and McCaffrey. I would take my chances on picking up a RB in rounds 5 and up.

 

[PSUAlum]

And Bell is very small for an NFL LB. Looks good in a college game, but would look small as an OLB or ILB in a 3-4 defense and he would not hold up the way Timmons has, for example. Shazier excels due to his exceptional speed and instincts, but not many LB's can perform the way he does at his size. If Bell makes it in the NFL I see it as an OLB in a 4-3.

Bell is roughly 6'1" 225. I have seen him listed at 233. NaVorro Bowman was about the same size when he entered the NFL and he put on weight to be 6' 240 ILB during his rookie season. Bell and Bowman also have roughly the same speed. I never pictured Bowman being a MLB/ILB in the NFL. He was arguably the best MLB/ILB in the game passing his teammate Patrick Willis (6' 240) before Luke Kuechly. Gerald Hodges is another smaller LB at Penn State that played ILB in the NFL for SF. I would not be surprised to see Bell get drafted by a 3-4 team like the Steelers/Chiefs and get moved inside. The question is what round would an organization be willing to use a draft pick on him with his injury history.

 

[PennStateNate]

Bell is roughly 6'1" 225. I have seen him listed at 233. NaVorro Bowman was about the same size when he entered the NFL and he put on weight to be 6' 240 ILB during his rookie season. Bell and Bowman also have roughly the same speed. I never pictured Bowman being a MLB/ILB in the NFL. He was arguably the best MLB/ILB in the game passing his teammate Patrick Willis (6' 240) before Luke Kuechly. Gerald Hodges is another smaller LB at Penn State that played ILB in the NFL for SF. I would not be surprised to see Bell get drafted by a 3-4 team like the Steelers/Chiefs and get moved inside. The question is what round would an organization be willing to use a draft pick on him with his injury history.

Bell is no Bowman