2019 Offseason...Staff, FA, Draft Outlook

[ATL96Steeler]

BTW...I really like the Justin Layne pick. Even though he is more an outside db, if he works out it will free them up from having to resign Joe Haden so they can use that money elsewhere.

Looking at this now...first off, something is up with Mike Hilton...I'm not sure why they haven't extended him to a multi-yr deal. But let's say Layne looks good early. Top 4 CBs would be Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Layne. Nelson imo has to play well to stick in the 2020 and 2021 when his cap hit rises to $10 mil+. I can see a situation of Nelson, Hilton, Layne being the top 3 CBs on the roster in 2020.

If Nelson doesn't play well, and Haden does, I can see Nelson being released and Haden extended for a couple of years....I was hopeful, but it's starting to look as if Cameron Sutton is just a body and may never be an impact player. I would like to be wrong there, but I don't think the Steelers have totally solved the CB blues just yet. I never was hopeful for Brian Allen, but hopefully one of the young guys step up and take the reins and force Joe out.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

BTW...I really like the Justin Layne pick. Even though he is more an outside db, if he works out it will free them up from having to resign Joe Haden so they can use that money elsewhere.

Looking at this now...first off, something is up with Mike Hilton...I'm not sure why they haven't extended him to a multi-yr deal. But let's say Layne looks good early. Top 4 CBs would be Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Layne. Nelson imo has to play well to stick in the 2020 and 2021 when his cap hit rises to $10 mil+. I can see a situation of Nelson, Hilton, Layne being the top 3 CBs on the roster in 2020.

If Nelson doesn't play well, and Haden does, I can see Nelson being released and Haden extended for a couple of years....I was hopeful, but it's starting to look as if Cameron Sutton is just a body and may never be an impact player. I would like to be wrong there, but I don't think the Steelers have totally solved the CB blues just yet. I never was hopeful for Brian Allen, but hopefully one of the young guys step up and take the reins and force Joe out.

 

[thedddd]

Looking at this now...first off, something is up with Mike Hilton...I'm not sure why they haven't extended him to a multi-yr deal. But let's say Layne looks good early. Top 4 CBs would be Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Layne. Nelson imo has to play well to stick in the 2020 and 2021 when his cap hit rises to $10 mil+. I can see a situation of Nelson, Hilton, Layne being the top 3 CBs on the roster in 2020.

If Nelson doesn't play well, and Haden does, I can see Nelson being released and Haden extended for a couple of years....I was hopeful, but it's starting to look as if Cameron Sutton is just a body and may never be an impact player. I would like to be wrong there, but I don't think the Steelers have totally solved the CB blues just yet. I never was hopeful for Brian Allen, but hopefully one of the young guys step up and take the reins and force Joe out.

Honestly I didn't even think of that scenario and the good thing with Layne they will have the 5 year rookie contract so if there comes a case they need all three they got a few years to decide.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Honestly I didn't even think of that scenario and the good thing with Layne they will have the 5 year rookie contract so if there comes a case they need all three they got a few years to decide.

Yeah, kinda, they get the 5th yr option with Bush as a 1st rounders...everybody else including Layne I think are 4 yr deals. I actually think they will break camp with 6 CBs since they don't have as many safeties and Barron is probably going to end up being that dime safety role if Bush is ready to start week one.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Looking at this now...first off, something is up with Mike Hilton...I'm not sure why they haven't extended him to a multi-yr deal. But let's say Layne looks good early. Top 4 CBs would be Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Layne. Nelson imo has to play well to stick in the 2020 and 2021 when his cap hit rises to $10 mil+. I can see a situation of Nelson, Hilton, Layne being the top 3 CBs on the roster in 2020.

If Nelson doesn't play well, and Haden does, I can see Nelson being released and Haden extended for a couple of years....I was hopeful, but it's starting to look as if Cameron Sutton is just a body and may never be an impact player. I would like to be wrong there, but I don't think the Steelers have totally solved the CB blues just yet. I never was hopeful for Brian Allen, but hopefully one of the young guys step up and take the reins and force Joe out.

Hilton... Been thinkin the same for a while but somebody on here brought the ERFA/RFA designation up. Definitely gives them time to push that contract down the road. Next year with AB off the books will make it easier.

There was a quote from Tomlin recently that alluded to both Hilton & Sutton as capable of playing Safety. I believe it was in response to a question about not drafting at the position for depth. So maybe with a crowded CB room they will try to push Sutton into the Safety room this year.

 

[Superbelt]

Hilton... Been thinkin the same for a while but somebody on here brought the ERFA/RFA designation up. Definitely gives them time to push that contract down the road. Next year with AB off the books will make it easier.

There was a quote from Tomlin recently that alluded to both Hilton & Sutton as capable of playing Safety. I believe it was in response to a question about not drafting at the position for depth. So maybe with a crowded CB room they will try to push Sutton into the Safety room this year.

I could def see Hilton as a safety in either spot.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Hilton... Been thinkin the same for a while but somebody on here brought the ERFA/RFA designation up. Definitely gives them time to push that contract down the road. Next year with AB off the books will make it easier.

There was a quote from Tomlin recently that alluded to both Hilton & Sutton as capable of playing Safety. I believe it was in response to a question about not drafting at the position for depth. So maybe with a crowded CB room they will try to push Sutton into the Safety room this year.

Hilton...yeah, I guess they are pushing it to the max with his status, but iirc he was benched for a game or two LY as well. We'll learn a lot more about this during this season. If Bush is ready to start week 1 (I expect he will be), I think we're going to see Barron playing the 3rd S...maybe even in Nickel.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I could def see Hilton as a safety in either spot.

A little undersized for my liking. Could you have imagined Hilton trying to cover Gronk? Guess now that he’s retired the more appropriate person to bring up is Kelce with the Chefs.

Hilton could maybe handle a deep midfielder FS, but wouldn’t like him in a SS role.

 

[Superbelt]

A little undersized for my liking. Could you have imagined Hilton trying to cover Gronk? Guess now that he’s retired the more appropriate person to bring up is Kelce with the Chefs.

Hilton could maybe handle a deep midfielder FS, but wouldn’t like him in a SS role.

He's got all the tools except for the size. Speed, coverage, and a sweet hitstick.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Hilton...yeah, I guess they are pushing it to the max with his status, but iirc he was benched for a game or two LY as well. We'll learn a lot more about this during this season. If Bush is ready to start week 1 (I expect he will be), I think we're going to see Barron playing the 3rd S...maybe even in Nickel.

Hilton... Since day 1 of 2017 rookie minicamp Tomlin took a liking to Hilton. In OTAs that year he was always riding him harder than the rest, even some of the vets for some reason. Tomlin took a personal interest in trying to motivate him. I was reading lots of tweets from PGH reporters at camp quoting Tomlin as he was verbally riding Hilton in practices. He was harsh on the rookie, and still is 2 years later. And something about his benching last season felt very familiar to that. I mean we can all agree that he wasn’t the worst DB on the field so it made no sense to bench him at the time. Tomlin has tried this before with other players, but I think something about Hilton’s personality has made him more impressionable to Tomlin and he responds better to Tomlin’s coaching style.

Bush/Barron... That’s what I’m expecting too. But if he’s not ready, which would be a big disappointment for someone drafted top 10, then he’ll probably start in the dime S role with Barron at Mack.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

He's got all the tools except for the size. Speed, coverage, and a sweet hitstick.

Agreed, great tackler and great cerebral game. But pound for pound he’d have a very difficult time manning up on TEs

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Hilton... Since day 1 of 2017 rookie minicamp Tomlin took a liking to Hilton. In OTAs that year he was always riding him harder than the rest, even some of the vets for some reason. Tomlin took a personal interest in trying to motivate him. I was reading lots of tweets from PGH reporters at camp quoting Tomlin as he was verbally riding Hilton in practices. He was harsh on the rookie, and still is 2 years later. And something about his benching last season felt very familiar to that. I mean we can all agree that he wasn’t the worst DB on the field so it made no sense to bench him at the time. Tomlin has tried this before with other players, but I think something about Hilton’s personality has made him more impressionable to Tomlin and he responds better to Tomlin’s coaching style.

Bush/Barron... That’s what I’m expecting too. But if he’s not ready, which would be a big disappointment for someone drafted top 10, then he’ll probably start in the dime S role with Barron at Mack.

Interesting notes on Hilton/Tomlin, but it makes sense...if he senses there is more to get out of a player. With Nelson having experience in the slot and outside, this is the best CB room they've had in quite some time. Layne might not get a ton of DEF snaps this yr...very doubtful they will carry Nelson and extend Haden next yr so Layne needs to be ready...imo he will likely be a 2020 starter.

I haven't heard coach Mitch's assessment of the draft yet, but from what I have heard, the building is pretty stoked about getting Bush, Diontae Johnson and Layne on top of maybe the best FA offseason we've seen in PIT.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Interesting notes on Hilton/Tomlin, but it makes sense...if he senses there is more to get out of a player. With Nelson having experience in the slot and outside, this is the best CB room they've had in quite some time. Layne might not get a ton of DEF snaps this yr...very doubtful they will carry Nelson and extend Haden next yr so Layne needs to be ready...imo he will likely be a 2020 starter.

I haven't heard coach Mitch's assessment of the draft yet, but from what I have heard, the building is pretty stoked about getting Bush, Diontae Johnson and Layne on top of maybe the best FA offseason we've seen in PIT.

Definitely a lot of optimism circling after the draft. None of us expected the Johnson pick, but all reports indicate that’s exactly who they wanted. Sounds like their top 3 picks were all players at the top of their big boards by round designation. In other words they knocked this draft out of the park. Now let’s just pray that all that scouting translates to another class like 2017.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Definitely a lot of optimism circling after the draft. None of us expected the Johnson pick, but all reports indicate that’s exactly who they wanted. Sounds like their top 3 picks were all players at the top of their big boards by round designation. In other words they knocked this draft out of the park. Now let’s just pray that all that scouting translates to another class like 2017.

Johnson...I wasn't watching the draft, but I heard when PIT was OTC with their 2nd pick was delivered very fast...as in less than 20 seconds so Johnson was clearly a player they had their sites set on. Boykins was on the board so I feel like they got their guy in Johnson.

After last season it probably would take much to get them excited, but I really feel like they've finally addressed the mack LB and CB (this season) positions...now we wait and see. Hope these guys can deliver. Totally different vibe coming out of this offseason.

LY was more of a hope and a prayer with Bostic who actually played well imo but I never felt like he was even the short term answer. More optimistic about Burnett, but he proved to be the same Burnett that GB was not really interested in keeping.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Johnson...I wasn't watching the draft, but I heard when PIT was OTC with their 2nd pick was delivered very fast...as in less than 20 seconds so Johnson was clearly a player they had their sites set on. Boykins was on the board so I feel like they got their guy in Johnson.

After last season it probably would take much to get them excited, but I really feel like they've finally addressed the mack LB and CB (this season) positions...now we wait and see. Hope these guys can deliver. Totally different vibe coming out of this offseason.

LY was more of a hope and a prayer with Bostic who actually played well imo but I never felt like he was even the short term answer. More optimistic about Burnett, but he proved to be the same Burnett that GB was not really interested in keeping.

Yea I think a lot of lessons have been learned. Lessons that should push this staff to lead this team in a better direction.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers announce schedule for minicamps, OTAs | TribLIVE.com

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Steelers To Decline CB Artie Burns' Option

If they go with 10 DBs, does he even make the squad?

Top 5 CBs Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Sutton, Layne

Fringe CBs, Allen, Burns

Top S...Davis, Edmunds, Dangerfield, M. Allen

Right now it looks like it will boil down to Brian Allen and Burns...Allen is a solid ST guy and much cheaper. I say Burns won't make it.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers To Decline CB Artie Burns' Option

If they go with 10 DBs, does he even make the squad?

Top 5 CBs Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Sutton, Layne

Fringe CBs, Allen, Burns

Top S...Davis, Edmunds, Dangerfield, M. Allen

Right now it looks like it will boil down to Brian Allen and Burns...Allen is a solid ST guy and much cheaper. I say Burns won't make it.

FWIW I think Burns is gone this offseason. I’d honestly like it if they went out & resigned Coty Sensabaugh. At least provide better camp competition, and maybe push Sutton out as well. If Sutton transitions to S then maybe that opens the door for another CB.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Being a former QB he should know exactly what routes to run. Especially zone routes where you settle in or body up. Knowing what the QB sees while running a route is a good advantage. Ben is going to love that aspect of his game.

So you do see the possibilities in this guy........

You sly ole dawg you.