2017 Draft

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

FA...Timmons...with the Bell tag, and AB deal it has to effect the amount they can pay LT...word I'm hearing is they will get something done, but imo it's in LT's court because there will be a team that can pay more. If he leaves they have to think about another ILB in this draft.

Mathews...He was a productive body...and DL is not a place they can afford to lose depth...LT Walton showed something, but they need another big that can rotate. If Mathews is not retained, that should effect the draft.

DWill...either way I think RB will be taken 3 thru 5.

I'm not sure of another FA that will effect the draft much.

In terms of priority your list pretty much marries up with mine. Largely depends what BPA looks like.

OLB...my early pool are names we've already floated out there....Chris Harris might still be my favorite...the kid from Auburn Carl Lawson seems to be climbing in the minds of some Steeler draft heads. In some ways I hope Tim Williams is off the board by 30...part of me doesn't want to touch the kid, another part of me feel like he might be a high ceiling guy you regret leaving on the board. Taco Charlton looks like a 4-3 DE, but some reports show him as an athletic freak type player. Takkarist McKinley may not be the best edge rusher of the group, but I think will be gone by 30 if he runs in the 4.6 range...I'm leaving off a guy or two I'm sure , but if this grouping is gone, I would consider CB at 30.

All great points...

Yep, once the FA signing finish up then my priority list will likely get shuffled a tad.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

So @ATL96Steeler with the combine approaching, FA around the corner, and the draft creeping into view... How soon until we throw out our yearly draft predictions by position? lol. Lots to shake out until we get a better picture... but I'm bored


My early thoughts:
1. OLB
2. CB
3a. RB
3b. S
4. QB
5. TE
6. WR
7. ILB

CBs I would consider at 30...assuming the edge rushers thinned out early.

Sidney Jones, WAS
Garcon Conley, OH St
Teez Tabor, FL
Quincy Wilson, FL

These are guys that I think would be better than Gay pretty much from day 1, and possibly could give Cockrell a run for his money outside.

If they are fortunate and get a good prospect on the edge at 30...at 62 these are a few guys I would consider.

Cameron Sutton, TN
Tre'Davious White, LSU
Chidobe Awuzie, COLO

These guys might be a notch behind the top 4, but I would be thrilled to land either one of these kids at 62. All 3 can play the slot and with maybe 5 or 6 games could be ready to take Gay out as CB3.

The breakdown on AB's deal is not nearly as toxic as one might think...initially I thought it might kill the opportunity to keep LT and he might still leave, but AB's cap hit for '17 was pretty much unchanged. I would keep ILB fairly low until we see what happens with LT.

Antonio Brown

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

CBs I would consider at 30...assuming the edge rushers thinned out early.

Sidney Jones, WAS
Garcon Conley, OH St
Teez Tabor, FL
Quincy Wilson, FL

These are guys that I think would be better than Gay pretty much from day 1, and possibly could give Cockrell a run for his money outside.

If they are fortunate and get a good prospect on the edge at 30...at 62 these are a few guys I would consider.

Cameron Sutton, TN
Tre'Davious White, LSU
Chidobe Awuzie, COLO

These guys might be a notch behind the top 4, but I would be thrilled to land either one of these kids at 62. All 3 can play the slot and with maybe 5 or 6 games could be ready to take Gay out as CB3.

The breakdown on AB's deal is not nearly as toxic as one might think...initially I thought it might kill the opportunity to keep LT and he might still leave, but AB's cap hit for '17 was pretty much unchanged. I would keep ILB fairly low until we see what happens with LT.

Antonio Brown

Haven't dove into the CB prospects yet so I'm still pretty unfamiliar with them. Been reading a few mocks that had us take Jones or Tabor in the 1st Rd. But seeing the OLB/DE guys still on the board during those mocks made me dismiss the mock in general. I just can't justify taking a CB in the 1st unless a prospect really leaps out at me on paper & film. Maybe once I start to do some homework on those guys I'd feel better about it.

AB... Thanks for the link. Was curious about the structure. It was about what I expected overall. Glad to see they tapered off the cap hits so they eat the larger chunks of it during his prime years rather than risk it later on when he's in his 30's.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Haven't dove into the CB prospects yet so I'm still pretty unfamiliar with them. Been reading a few mocks that had us take Jones or Tabor in the 1st Rd. But seeing the OLB/DE guys still on the board during those mocks made me dismiss the mock in general. I just can't justify taking a CB in the 1st unless a prospect really leaps out at me on paper & film. Maybe once I start to do some homework on those guys I'd feel better about it.

AB... Thanks for the link. Was curious about the structure. It was about what I expected overall. Glad to see they tapered off the cap hits so they eat the larger chunks of it during his prime years rather than risk it later on when he's in his 30's.

CB...yeah, I'm in the same camp. I wouldn't leave an edge rusher on the board that I've posted (or one that I haven't that could have some impact) to take a CB.

I was chatting with one of the draft heads who really likes Riddick from Temple and would take him in the 1st rd even if LT is retained...his theory is the Steelers must become a better 3rd down team somehow...obviously they need to be able to dial up more pressure, but they also need better coverage. He thinks this kid is already better than LT in coverage and is a plug and play guy at least in 3rd down coverage.

More than anything, the FO needs a plan B. I don't want to see them reach for need and end up with another J. Jones. The beauty of this draft is supposed to be depth on the edge. Guys like Smoot, Fields and others should be on the board at 62 in case the top guys are gone at 30.

If they are really a BPA team...a guy like Njoku (TE MIa) could be that guy at 30.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

CB...yeah, I'm in the same camp. I wouldn't leave an edge rusher on the board that I've posted (or one that I haven't that could have some impact) to take a CB.

I was chatting with one of the draft heads who really likes Riddick from Temple and would take him in the 1st rd even if LT is retained...his theory is the Steelers must become a better 3rd down team somehow...obviously they need to be able to dial up more pressure, but they also need better coverage. He thinks this kid is already better than LT in coverage and is a plug and play guy at least in 3rd down coverage.

More than anything, the FO needs a plan B. I don't want to see them reach for need and end up with another J. Jones. The beauty of this draft is supposed to be depth on the edge. Guys like Smoot, Fields and others should be on the board at 62 in case the top guys are gone at 30.

If they are really a BPA team...a guy like Njoku (TE MIa) could be that guy at 30.

I like all the reasoning behind ILB... Makes a lot of sense if the edge guys they are enamored with aren't there at 30. And as history shows CB's in the 1st round are a huge gamble, more so than edge guys. You guys are onto something!

I know its a rarity, but they have some ammo they could deal with that 3rd Rd comp pick should they want to move on someone. I'd be curious to hear Colbert's thoughts on that. Doubt it would happen, especially with how decently deep this draft appears. That 3rd Rd pick would be great value should they hold onto it.

Not really on board with TE in the 1st. With how enamored we were back in '14 with Ebron, I felt that pick would have been a waste. IIRC, LB was a complete afterthought for the both of us that year! Ebron is a decent talent, but he hasn't really turned out to be the game changer we thought he would be. And the TE's this year don't jump out at me.

 

[Psych-Ward]

How Adrian Peterson’s release impacts the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell

This time I got the article.
So now talk is Bell may hold out on his tag, which would suck.
But also they could offer Bell 9 million and make him the highest paid back in the NFL with AP homeless as of now.
It's a catch 22 type thing, let's just hope we make out ok in this deal.

 

[MISKO]

How Adrian Peterson’s release impacts the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell

This time I got the article.
So now talk is Bell may hold out on his tag, which would suck.
But also they could offer Bell 9 million and make him the highest paid back in the NFL with AP homeless as of now.
It's a catch 22 type thing, let's just hope we make out ok in this deal.

well before we give him the big payday lets see if he gets popped again for the wacky tobacky .. if he doesnt get popped then give him the money

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I like all the reasoning behind ILB... Makes a lot of sense if the edge guys they are enamored with aren't there at 30. And as history shows CB's in the 1st round are a huge gamble, more so than edge guys. You guys are onto something!

I know its a rarity, but they have some ammo they could deal with that 3rd Rd comp pick should they want to move on someone. I'd be curious to hear Colbert's thoughts on that. Doubt it would happen, especially with how decently deep this draft appears. That 3rd Rd pick would be great value should they hold onto it.

Not really on board with TE in the 1st. With how enamored we were back in '14 with Ebron, I felt that pick would have been a waste. IIRC, LB was a complete afterthought for the both of us that year! Ebron is a decent talent, but he hasn't really turned out to be the game changer we thought he would be. And the TE's this year don't jump out at me.

I remember, the Ebron deal...lol...seems to be coming into his own now, but hardly what we expected.

With so many DEF players with 1st rd grades, I seriously doubt TE will be the pick @ 30 as both Njoku and the Bama TE are expected to be gone before 30. My point is...BPA can be any position. Heck, I saw a mock last week the guy had a OT going to PIT....I'm like WTF is this guy smoking! So I clicked on his mock to see how the other 29 picks went and he had every last edge rusher gone by 30. That's not the 1st mock I've seen with all the top edge rushers gone, so I think it's possible that could happen.

Extra 3rd rd...yeah, it's not really in their DNA to wheel and deal much, but this is the 1st yr you can trade sup picks so who knows.

CB...after seeing how Burns turned out with a lot of people saying this kid wasn't ready for the NFL yet, I'm not going to write off CB being the pick at 30. At the same time it will be interesting to see how they go about this draft...particularly the 30th pick.

 

[Psych-Ward]

well before we give him the big payday lets see if he gets popped again for the wacky tobacky .. if he doesnt get popped then give him the money

Agreed. But he can and may hold out because of the tag.
I'm hoping the F/O is smart enough to put a clause in his contract about his problems.

 

[MISKO]

Agreed. But he can and may hold out because of the tag.
I'm hoping the F/O is smart enough to put a clause in his contract about his problems.

he is going to test the waters so we shouldn't be shocked when he does .. he is considered to be the best in the league .. he is going to try to get the most money that he can .. I would rather pay him than let him go and end up with AP

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

he is going to test the waters so we shouldn't be shocked when he does .. he is considered to be the best in the league .. he is going to try to get the most money that he can .. I would rather pay him than let him go and end up with AP

He has until July 15th to sign the tag, so we could be in for a long wait. But Colbert will operate under the assumption that he signed, therefore they will continue to work on the long-term deal.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers and James Harrison reach agreement on two-year contract

 

[Psych-Ward]

Steelers and James Harrison reach agreement on two-year contract

I like this, but still hard to believe he got the 2 years after the infamous head smack!!!!

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Steelers and James Harrison reach agreement on two-year contract

$3.5 over 2 yrs is not bad at all even if all of it is guaranteed.

Now...find his successor while he can still teach them something!!!

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Combine has officially started...it should have the Steelers brass full attention from day one as they have needs for Day1, Day2, Day3 and Day4 arrivals.

For our purpose..the on field performances

Day 1 Arrivals, RBs, Friday
Day 2...QB/TE, Saturday
Day 3...DL/LB, Sunday
Day 4...DB, Monday

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Chris Hubbard receives right of first refusal tender from Steelers

Right of refusal tender offered to Hubbard. Ball is in his court now. Other teams can make an offer but the Steelers will have 5 days to match any offer. If not, Hubbard can play for the Steelers for $1.8mil in '17. Since he was a UDFA, there is no compensation should he leave.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

RB 40s.

NFL Events: Combine Top Performers

I'm on record saying I like the Kamara kid...not a blazer...some wiggle, some power.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Harris announces his retirement 

With this move, the swing OT job is basically Hawkins to lose...still not likely to effect the draft...I'm not expecting a OL player taken early if at all.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I haven't watched any of the combine, but I'm certainly following the results...Sat the QBs, WRs and TEs were on the field. Probably not in round 2 or 3, but I'm still thinking the Steelers might invest in a seam busting type player at TE.

Another SEC kid I like.

NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Evan Engram

QBs

I'm also on record liking a dual threat guy as a QB3 potential 2...I wouldn't expect him to beat out Landry this yr, but I like Joshua Dobbs, TN...has NFL talent, smart kid should be able to pick up NFL OFCs.

The other one I like...Nathan Peterman, PIT...haven't seen much of him, but I'm sure the Steelers have as he's a PITT kid, graduated in 3 yrs, so obviously he's pretty smart as well.

Finally...Davis Webb, CAL...he has the prototypical size you want in a NFL starting QB. Scouts like his passing ability...also smart kid, should be able to pick up the NFL game as well...he might go fairly high...2nd/3rd rd maybe.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Harris announces his retirement

With this move, the swing OT job is basically Hawkins to lose...still not likely to effect the draft...I'm not expecting a OL player taken early if at all.

Makes retaining Hubbard a little more of a priority as well. His retirement should save the Steelers roughly $2mil in cap space.