2021 Offseason/Season... Draft, FA & Staff

[Superbelt]

What are your thoughts on Leatherwood? Quite the athletic man for his size. I read that some knocks on him are some scouts think he needs to move inside at the NFL level.

I don't know that he has to move inside. I'd rate him just above Cosmi.

Alex is a finesse blocker, not a power guy.

I'd rate pass blocking and movement ability over road grading for an LT.

He's been amazing LT for Alabama the last two years, and won the Outland Trophy.

I won't be surprised if he's long gone by the Steelers pick, too.

 

[Bridgeburner]

That simulator is badass by the way.

I keep either selling my house for a QB or drafting OL. Pretty much the same guys fall.

 

[Superbelt]

That simulator is badass by the way.

I keep either selling my house for a QB or drafting OL. Pretty much the same guys fall.

I did one with Trey Lance at 12 trading with SF for 24, 141 and next year's 1st.

But then trying to get those OL.... I still wanted to take an OC(Josh Myers) in R2, but R3 was bare for OT.

They really can't wait if they want an OT.

 

[Bridgeburner]

I did one with Trey Lance at 12 trading with SF for 24, 141 and next year's 1st.

But then trying to get those OL.... I still wanted to take an OC(Josh Myers) in R2, but R3 was bare for OT.

They really can't wait if they want an OT.

I traded up to 12 with SF as well but it was Wilson who fell.

Even a full cupboard empties eventually.

 

[Superbelt]

2020 Redraft:

Redrafting the 2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert picked by Bengals, Justin Jefferson lands with Lions

What would the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft look like if it happened today?

www.cbssports.com

Steelers have 3 in the 1st round.

Chase Claypool at 15
Alex Highsmith at 25
Kevin Dotson at 26


4 if you include Minkah. He would have gone top 10 easily.

 

[Superbelt]

Raiders 'very interested' in soon-to-be free agent JuJu Smith-Schuster, per report

www.cbssports.com

LOL, what the fuck is with the Raiders? Didn't they learn their lesson yet with Bryant and AB?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

A thread

 

[Superbelt]

A thread

Yup. That's my guy if they want a QB.

 

[Superbelt]

OC is an absolute need in the draft.

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Beachum back to play LT for a year or two if they try to get a trade to jump up for Lance. Beachum + an OC in R2 would stabilize the line. Bandaid, but if that is what it takes to get that QB, I'm for it.

 

[Bridgeburner]

2020 Redraft:

Redrafting the 2020 NFL Draft: Justin Herbert picked by Bengals, Justin Jefferson lands with Lions

What would the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft look like if it happened today?

www.cbssports.com

Steelers have 3 in the 1st round.

Chase Claypool at 15
Alex Highsmith at 25
Kevin Dotson at 26


4 if you include Minkah. He would have gone top 10 easily.

That's eye opening.

 

[Bridgeburner]

Lance... I'm not on board yet. Seems like a project. Granted, I still have homework to do and I've done NONE on him. It's more of an observation from afar.

 

[Superbelt]

Texans releasing JJ Watt.

It would be nice if he wanted to end his career with his brothers, and took a cheap contract knowing he's already made more money than he can ever spend.

He'd only have to be a wave player here. So could help him stay healthy.

 

[Superbelt]

 

[Yo Tee]

Ok so OL in the first round this year for real right? Everyone is on board with that right?

 

[Yo Tee]

Realistically, can we afford JJ Watt?

 

[Superbelt]

Realistically, can we afford JJ Watt?

Not if he wants what he is worth.

If he just wants to play part time, with his brothers, maybe.

 

[Bridgeburner]

Ok so OL in the first round this year for real right? Everyone is on board with that right?

As long as it's BPA I am. And it most likely will be/will be close enough.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Realistically, can we afford JJ Watt?

If Ben retires, then yes. Pouncey retiring frees up $8m IIRC.

Could even afford Juju & Hilton now that the cap is projected to go up instead of down.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Good updated article on cap speculation...

Updating the Steelers salary cap situation after the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey

After the two retirements in the offseason, the Steelers are creeping closer to the projected 2021 salary cap.

www.behindthesteelcurtain.com

Projected cap = $180m

Steelers currently $30m OVER the cap including the $5m rollover from 2020

Vance & Maurkice's retirement = +$12m ($13.2m total, but accounts for displacement)


Options...

1. Ben retires... This is the easiest answer. If he retires then over $18m would be saved (including displacement, $19m total). And boom, the Steelers are nearly cap-compliant. They would still need to free up space for the incoming rookie class.
2. Restructures/extensions... Introducing some voided years (extension) to Ben's contract would save somewhere around $10m if they can work it out. Throw in restructures to Haden, Tuitt &/or Heyward and they can save an additional $10-13m. The combination Ben & 2/3rds (or all) of the aforementioned restructures would get them cap compliant.
3. Cutting dead weight... Most debatable option since some of these players still hold value. Nelson & DeCastro are hitting over $14m a piece, but cutting them would only save roughly $8m per contract. Ebron is around $8.5m and seems like an easy decision since they would net the full cap amount if they cut his worthless ass. Derek Watt has a cap around $3.8m. Cutting him would save only $1.6m. You could save north of $25m by cutitng/trading these players. I don't see Nelson being traded though with the CB room potentially taking some big hits with Hilton & Sutton set for FA.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]