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Like every year... Use this thread to talk about draft prospects, post your player wish lists, mock drafts, highlight vids, etc. For those that don't follow college football then this is a good place to learn about players entering the draft.
Current picks (7 total):
1st Rd (30th overall)
2nd Rd
3rd Rd
4th Rd
5th Rd
6th Rd
7th Rd
Compensatory picks: Don't believe the Steelers a due any compensatory picks. I believe the loss of Beachum gets cancelled by Ladarius Green. They also added Ricardo Matthews, so he could displace the loss of McLendon. And the loss of Spence offset by the addition of Steven Johnson. If those cancellations are the case, then the only other losses that could potentially earn them comp picks are Antwan Blake & Will Johnson. Blake was a good ST contributor for the Titans, and W-Johnson hit IR before the '16 season began. In other words, don't expect any comp picks this season.
Here is a quick rundown of the needs (in no particular order - feel free to add more):
OLB/edge: Deebo is past his prime, but still contributing. I know he said he wasn't done after the AFCCG, but they need fresh blood. You cannot depend on Harrison's body at age 39 to hold up for another season, even if he is defying all the odds. Dupree is still on the rise. Jarvis Jones is a FA and that experiment should be viewed as a failure. IMO he should only be resigned for a league minimum contract. Moats is still UC, but he was demoted to a pine-rider this season. Chickillo is fun to be optimistic about, but I don't know if he will ever be a full-time depth guy, plus he has an injury history. They need new blood to add competition to the group, and potentially push for starting duties.
RB: We all know the contract situation with Bell being a FA will gather the main storylines in the NFL. The franchise tag is a very viable option should the Steelers not strike a deal. But let's assume Bell stays in Pittsburgh, what does that leave? DeAngelo Williams is turning 34 and is a FA. He still has plenty left in the tank, but could be contemplating retirement. Even if he does sign a 1-2yr deal, do you really want to rely on an aging vet to be the primary backup to a feature RB (Bell) with an extensive injury history? 34 years old might as well be in his 50's as far as RB ages go. Without D-Will, that leaves the overweight pothead Karlos Williams as the only other viable candidate. Toussaint is a FA. Yikes. I think with or without Bell the justifications to drafting a RB are very high.
CB: Primarily they need a slot guy. Willie Gay is still UC, but was burnt toast at that position. His age indicates that he will be battling for a roster position next season. And there's no way they can put all their eggs in Golson's basket until he proves he can survive a training camp. But it wouldn't be completely absurd to see them bring in another outside CB to provide more competition. Cockrell & Burns are still very young and continuously improving. And the schematic problems could be indicative of a group that doesn't necessarily believe it could win man-to-man battles. Whatever the case is, the secondary is still the problem with the defense. Who knows what they have planned for Gilbert.
ILB: Timmons is a FA, and we have had many discussions on what the Steelers should do. Originally we were all under the assumption that he is playing his last year in the black & gold, but he flipped the script on us with a very impressive stretch on the '16 season. He most deservedly earned another contract, but his age is concerning. At 35 next season, much like Deebo he'll be tough to rely on. Vince Williams is the heir-apparent, and after him is Tyler Matakevich. Steven Johnson is a FA and only contributed on ST, so he's replaceable.
TE: Grimble & Johnson are FAs. Green's injury history has me concerned. The Steelers don't gain anything by cutting ties with Ladarius. They would have to eat some dead money if that were the case. He will likely be with the Steelers next season. If he can stay healthy, he could obviously help out the offense in many ways. There was talk of retirement, so maybe his lingering issues will push him out the door. That would leave Jesse James as the only TE UC next season. Quite the gamble with or without Green, unless they resign one of their FAs.
OT: A-Vill is a FA. I don't think the Steelers can afford to let him go. He hasn't mustered up the resume to raise his price tag, but he is certainly a valuable contributor. Hopefully the Steelers can get him signed for relatively cheap. If not, that leaves Ryan Harris & Jerald Hawkins. Both have an injury history.
WR: The return of Martavis Bryant will be something to keep an eye on this offseason. If he can prove to keep himself clean, then we would surely welcome him back with open arms. But who knows what he'll look like on the field after a full season off. Do the Steelers want to put all their eggs in that basket? His last year under contract is next season, and he is just 1 more violation from being suspended indefinitely. Coates & Hamilton have proven to be unworthy of trustworthy contributions, DHB will be 30, and Rogers & Ayers are better suited in the slot. That 2nd option across from AB needs to be secured. At the very least they should be looking at this position for insurance should Bryant fail them once again.
S: Arguments can be made that outside of Davis, there isn't a whole lot to be excited about with this group. Mitchell is what he is... He’s middle of the pack, lays the wood but also makes lots of mistakes in coverage that are completely inexcusable for a guy who’s been in the league for nearly a decade. He'll be 30 next season, so he's not getting any younger. Aside from him, there's Dangerfield, Golden, Ventrone, & Hagen. I think its safe to say that they know the ceiling for all of those guys. Dangerfield & Golden are capable, but aren't going to improve the unit. Not even going to talk about Shamarko because that sinking ship is finally going to set sail this offseason (FA). Adding another "Davis" to this group could vault this secondary to the next level.
QB: Mettenberger is the sole backup UC in '17, currently. Landry Jones likely earned himself a new contract, but we all know how we feel about that. Ben's window is getting narrower by the year, so it will be interesting to see how Colbert & Tomlin play it. Will they continue to ignore it, and ultimately wait until the right prospect comes around? Or will they bring in new blood to groom? We've been asking ourselves this question in the offseason going on about 2 years now. At Ben's age, and taking into account his weight on those oft-injured knees, its a valid concern.
DISCUSS!!!
Current picks (7 total):
1st Rd (30th overall)
2nd Rd
3rd Rd
4th Rd
5th Rd
6th Rd
7th Rd
Compensatory picks: Don't believe the Steelers a due any compensatory picks. I believe the loss of Beachum gets cancelled by Ladarius Green. They also added Ricardo Matthews, so he could displace the loss of McLendon. And the loss of Spence offset by the addition of Steven Johnson. If those cancellations are the case, then the only other losses that could potentially earn them comp picks are Antwan Blake & Will Johnson. Blake was a good ST contributor for the Titans, and W-Johnson hit IR before the '16 season began. In other words, don't expect any comp picks this season.
Here is a quick rundown of the needs (in no particular order - feel free to add more):
OLB/edge: Deebo is past his prime, but still contributing. I know he said he wasn't done after the AFCCG, but they need fresh blood. You cannot depend on Harrison's body at age 39 to hold up for another season, even if he is defying all the odds. Dupree is still on the rise. Jarvis Jones is a FA and that experiment should be viewed as a failure. IMO he should only be resigned for a league minimum contract. Moats is still UC, but he was demoted to a pine-rider this season. Chickillo is fun to be optimistic about, but I don't know if he will ever be a full-time depth guy, plus he has an injury history. They need new blood to add competition to the group, and potentially push for starting duties.
RB: We all know the contract situation with Bell being a FA will gather the main storylines in the NFL. The franchise tag is a very viable option should the Steelers not strike a deal. But let's assume Bell stays in Pittsburgh, what does that leave? DeAngelo Williams is turning 34 and is a FA. He still has plenty left in the tank, but could be contemplating retirement. Even if he does sign a 1-2yr deal, do you really want to rely on an aging vet to be the primary backup to a feature RB (Bell) with an extensive injury history? 34 years old might as well be in his 50's as far as RB ages go. Without D-Will, that leaves the overweight pothead Karlos Williams as the only other viable candidate. Toussaint is a FA. Yikes. I think with or without Bell the justifications to drafting a RB are very high.
CB: Primarily they need a slot guy. Willie Gay is still UC, but was burnt toast at that position. His age indicates that he will be battling for a roster position next season. And there's no way they can put all their eggs in Golson's basket until he proves he can survive a training camp. But it wouldn't be completely absurd to see them bring in another outside CB to provide more competition. Cockrell & Burns are still very young and continuously improving. And the schematic problems could be indicative of a group that doesn't necessarily believe it could win man-to-man battles. Whatever the case is, the secondary is still the problem with the defense. Who knows what they have planned for Gilbert.
ILB: Timmons is a FA, and we have had many discussions on what the Steelers should do. Originally we were all under the assumption that he is playing his last year in the black & gold, but he flipped the script on us with a very impressive stretch on the '16 season. He most deservedly earned another contract, but his age is concerning. At 35 next season, much like Deebo he'll be tough to rely on. Vince Williams is the heir-apparent, and after him is Tyler Matakevich. Steven Johnson is a FA and only contributed on ST, so he's replaceable.
TE: Grimble & Johnson are FAs. Green's injury history has me concerned. The Steelers don't gain anything by cutting ties with Ladarius. They would have to eat some dead money if that were the case. He will likely be with the Steelers next season. If he can stay healthy, he could obviously help out the offense in many ways. There was talk of retirement, so maybe his lingering issues will push him out the door. That would leave Jesse James as the only TE UC next season. Quite the gamble with or without Green, unless they resign one of their FAs.
OT: A-Vill is a FA. I don't think the Steelers can afford to let him go. He hasn't mustered up the resume to raise his price tag, but he is certainly a valuable contributor. Hopefully the Steelers can get him signed for relatively cheap. If not, that leaves Ryan Harris & Jerald Hawkins. Both have an injury history.
WR: The return of Martavis Bryant will be something to keep an eye on this offseason. If he can prove to keep himself clean, then we would surely welcome him back with open arms. But who knows what he'll look like on the field after a full season off. Do the Steelers want to put all their eggs in that basket? His last year under contract is next season, and he is just 1 more violation from being suspended indefinitely. Coates & Hamilton have proven to be unworthy of trustworthy contributions, DHB will be 30, and Rogers & Ayers are better suited in the slot. That 2nd option across from AB needs to be secured. At the very least they should be looking at this position for insurance should Bryant fail them once again.
S: Arguments can be made that outside of Davis, there isn't a whole lot to be excited about with this group. Mitchell is what he is... He’s middle of the pack, lays the wood but also makes lots of mistakes in coverage that are completely inexcusable for a guy who’s been in the league for nearly a decade. He'll be 30 next season, so he's not getting any younger. Aside from him, there's Dangerfield, Golden, Ventrone, & Hagen. I think its safe to say that they know the ceiling for all of those guys. Dangerfield & Golden are capable, but aren't going to improve the unit. Not even going to talk about Shamarko because that sinking ship is finally going to set sail this offseason (FA). Adding another "Davis" to this group could vault this secondary to the next level.
QB: Mettenberger is the sole backup UC in '17, currently. Landry Jones likely earned himself a new contract, but we all know how we feel about that. Ben's window is getting narrower by the year, so it will be interesting to see how Colbert & Tomlin play it. Will they continue to ignore it, and ultimately wait until the right prospect comes around? Or will they bring in new blood to groom? We've been asking ourselves this question in the offseason going on about 2 years now. At Ben's age, and taking into account his weight on those oft-injured knees, its a valid concern.
DISCUSS!!!
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