What positions in Fa

[steelmann58]

I think the New FO team will look at DL as well ILB in Fa to try solidify their spots before the Draft. I think they will Diuble Dip at ccertain Spots too.

[Pickett's Platoon]

I think they re-sign Spillane, Kazee, and Larry O.

I highly doubt they sign many outside FA's.

Maybe a couple scrap heap types.

They need to trade Clank Johnson, Shank Harvin, and Bitchell Trubisky.

[Scunge]

On Defense I want them to keep Cam Sutton, Damonte Kazee, Larry Ogunjobi and Robert Spillane.

Let Terrell Edmunds, Devin Bush leave for free agency. Cut Witherspoon and rework William Jackson 3rd contract. Wormley is a nice vet backup but he probably won't be ready at the start of the season because of his injury, he will most likely be available at midseason but no need to sign him early.

I really like the duo of Sutton and Kazee because they are really CB/FS types and they give you a great deal of versatility and flexibility. In terms of where is the money going to come from to sign these 4 impending free agents, well for me, it comes down to Witherspoon and Jackson.

Those two CBs will be on the books for $16.75 million for 2023. Witherspoon for $4 million and Jackson for $12.75 million. If you cut Witherspoon and get Jackson to rework his deal down to say $7 million, then that frees up $9.75 million. If Jackson's health looks iffy, then cut him and keep Witherspoon and you free up $12.75 million. One has to go at least. It is fine to want to keep one, hoping to have a Joe Haden type vet.

I am tired of the ILB merry go round in free agency. We need to draft and develop our next great ILB. Maybe Mark Robinson is that player, but the trio of Myles Jack, Mark Robinson and Robert Spillane with say a 2nd or 3rd round rookie is the way to go I think. We need to stop pursuing free agent ILBs, first it was Jon Bostic, then Mark Barron, then Joe Schobert, then Myles Jack. Jack is fine for now but his body is breaking down, I look at him as a Vince Williams + type of player right now as his career is winding down.

So, I want us to sign our own free agents and not pursue any outside free agents on defense. The only exception is perhaps SS, if Edmunds doesn't come back on another cheap deal, then maybe we sign a suitable replacement in free agency.

I want a high end CB in the draft, maybe 1st round, but certainly in the 2nd round. Also, a NT/DT, maybe that is the first rounder or that high second rounder. I see the draft not lining up for us to take a first round LT, I think defense is due for some love.

You look at the past 3 drafts, 2020-2022 and the offense has dominated the top 4 rounds.

(1) Pickett, (2) Pickens, (4) Austin in 2022
(1) Harris, (2) Freiermuth, (3) Green, (4) Moore in 2021
(2) Claypool, (4) McFarland, (4) Dotson

My prediction is that the pendulum swings back to defense for the 2023 draft and our first two picks are for defense. CB and DT will be addressed at 17 and 32, in no particular order

[cop1211]

Sign LT taylor Lewan/Wynn/Cam Robinson.
DT Tomlinson
ILB Edmunds

Resign Ogenjobi,Sutton Kazee,Edmunds.

Cut Bush,Jack,Trubisky,Witherspoon,.

Trade D. Johnson top 6 pick in the second.

1.WR Addison USC
2a.OT Wright Tenn
2b.ILB Sample Ark
2c.CB Jaelon Jones Texas AM
3.CB Martin Ill
4.OLB Henry Clemson
7a.QB Tune Houston
7b.RB Johnson Texas

2024
1.DE
2.OC
3.WR
4.OG
5.S
6.OT
7.OLB

[gojira5150]

I want a high end CB in the draft, maybe 1st round, but certainly in the 2nd round. Also, a NT/DT, maybe that is the first rounder or that high second rounder. I see the draft not lining up for us to take a first round LT, I think defense is due for some love.

So, what do you think of taking Siaki Ika at 17 or 32 (if he lasts to the 32nd pick)

[Mick]

Short answer is CB, ILB, DT. Although the long answer could be Sutton, Spillane, and Ogunjobi. It certainly isn’t Bush or William Jackson.

[Pabst]

Mentioned these guys in another thread, but here's your list of potential UFA's on D:
DL: Javon Hargrave, Daron Payne, Dalvin Tomlinson, Zach Allen, DJ Jones, Sheldon Rankins
ILB: Lavonte David, David Long, TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Germaine Pratt, Bobby Okereke
CB: Jamel Dean, James Bradberry, Cam Sutton, Patrick Peterson

I think they can squeeze at least one of these guys (if not 2) under the cap, but I'll defer to others as far as potential fit.

[anpsteel]

I think the first 2 picks are going to be OLine and ILB depending upon who’s available


Their multiple attempts at finding a value FA ILB have been mediocre to terrible

I can’t see them spending Roquan Smith money on a FA ILB - so

They will likely look for FA Dline and Oline
I could see them spending some money on OT

Probably a SS - unless the decide to resign Edmunds

Probably look for a value vet WR

[Scunge]

I want a high end CB in the draft, maybe 1st round, but certainly in the 2nd round. Also, a NT/DT, maybe that is the first rounder or that high second rounder. I see the draft not lining up for us to take a first round LT, I think defense is due for some love.

So, what do you think of taking Siaki Ika at 17 or 32 (if he lasts to the 32nd pick)

Yeah, I think the Clemson kid Bryan Bresee is at play for the 17th pick and Siaki Ika is at play at 32. The Steelers have been short changing the defense of premium picks of late like I said and I think those first two picks, one is going to be a DT. You had Tuitt's early retirement, Cam will be going into age what, 34? Leal was a great find in round 3 last year but they have to invest more. DT who is NT capable is a far more pressing need than reaching for an OT in round 1 or with that pick at 32.

[stillthere]

Sign LT taylor Lewan/Wynn/Cam Robinson.
DT Tomlinson
ILB Edmunds

Resign Ogenjobi,Sutton Kazee,Edmunds.

Cut Bush,Jack,Trubisky,Witherspoon,.

Trade D. Johnson top 6 pick in the second.

1.WR Addison USC
2a.OT Wright Tenn
2b.ILB Sample Ark
2c.CB Jaelon Jones Texas AM
3.CB Martin Ill
4.OLB Henry Clemson
7a.QB Tune Houston
7b.RB Johnson Texas

2024
1.DE
2.OC
3.WR
4.OG
5.S
6.OT
7.OLB

I was thinking that Addison in the first would make the O a pain in the ass to deal with.
2RB's Harris & Warren
4WR's Pickens, Johnson, Addison, & Austin III (Still A ????)
3TE's Muuuth, Heyward, Gentry or a replacement that is a willing blocker and can make some catches.
and any combination of those players
plus you have a fast twitch juke like a mother fucker in Sims for some reps to get him the ball in space. Make it like a punt return.

I think being able to trot out 3 WR that can all beat double coverage would be a pain for DC's.

[K_C_]

Sign LT taylor Lewan/Wynn/Cam Robinson.
DT Tomlinson
ILB Edmunds

Resign Ogenjobi,Sutton Kazee,Edmunds.

Cut Bush,Jack,Trubisky,Witherspoon,.

Trade D. Johnson top 6 pick in the second.

1.WR Addison USC
2a.OT Wright Tenn
2b.ILB Sample Ark
2c.CB Jaelon Jones Texas AM
3.CB Martin Ill
4.OLB Henry Clemson
7a.QB Tune Houston
7b.RB Johnson Texas

2024
1.DE
2.OC
3.WR
4.OG
5.S
6.OT
7.OLB

I was thinking that Addison in the first would make the O a pain in the ass to deal with.
2RB's Harris & Warren
4WR's Pickens, Johnson, Addison, & Austin III (Still A ????)
3TE's Muuuth, Heyward, Gentry or a replacement that is a willing blocker and can make some catches.
and any combination of those players
plus you have a fast twitch juke like a mother fucker in Sims for some reps to get him the ball in space. Make it like a punt return.

I think being able to trot out 3 WR that can all beat double coverage would be a pain for DC's.

I love Addison too and would love to see it, but you can also find a Jalin Hyatt who runs a 4.29 I believe, major deep threat, probably with our 3rd pick (second 2nd rounder). That allows you address corner and NT with your first two picks.

…..but yeah, Addison with Pickett again would be very, very difficult for NFL defenses to stop.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

creating space is far more important than flat out speed...witness early AB vs. Mike Wallace...esp for young QBs

man I would love to get Addison but I don't see him going past #12.

[K_C_]

creating space is far more important than flat out speed...witness early AB vs. Mike Wallace...esp for young QBs

man I would love to get Addison but I don't see him going past #12.

Hyatt scared the shit out of defenses last year with his deep speed and big play ability. Ask Nick Saban.

He would open up everything underneath for Pickens and Clank.

If Calvin Austin can do the same thing from the slot?

Holy fuck.

[Scunge]

I am personally hoping to see a QB armageddon take place in the offseason. I am hoping to see teams panic and shit themselves and make bat shit crazy moves for QBs in the first round.

You are already starting to hear the chatter. Will Chicago dump/trade Justin Fields already and draft Young #1? Will Tom Brady go to Miami?

You look at all of the teams that need a franchise QB picking in those 16 picks before us, Houston has two picks, Seattle has two picks, Indy still looking for a QB, Detroit probably views Goff as a bridge QB, Atlanta, Carolina, the JETS, Washington, Tennessee, they all could take a QB in those 16 picks before us. I think 3 and maybe 4 QBs have a chance of going in the top 16 picks. And I don't even think this is a strong QB class, I think it is way too much hype and make believe going on when people look at this class. No way do I ever draft a QB as small as Young. I don't see this magically strong QB class that we supposedly were going to miss out on if we took Kenny P.

When you do a mock, I have a hard time seeing Jordan Addison going in the top 16 picks, and I don't see him being the first WR taken. I just feel like 17th is too high to take Addison when we have more pressing needs elsewhere. Our defense really needs a true shutdown CB to match up with Cincy's Chase and Higgins.

[steelmann58]

That first pick in round two might be enticing to another team to look to trade up

[anpsteel]

creating space is far more important than flat out speed...witness early AB vs. Mike Wallace...esp for young QBs

man I would love to get Addison but I don't see him going past #12.

Hyatt scared the shit out of defenses last year with his deep speed and big play ability. Ask Nick Saban.

He would open up everything underneath for Pickens and Clank.

If Calvin Austin can do the same thing from the slot?

Holy fuck.

I am really looking forward to seeing the impact Austin has on the offense.

I would imagine the staff has him on a training regimen to add muscle and possibly even a speed coach.

IF he can actually catch, and IF he can stay healthy, having that type of weapon on the field will force teams to respect the edges and likely keep a safety to his side.

Of course, that will open up so much for everyone else.

Pickens on the outside
Freiermuth up the seam

Hell, it probably even helps keep the SS out of the box in most formations

[K_C_]

I am personally hoping to see a QB armageddon take place in the offseason. I am hoping to see teams panic and shit themselves and make bat shit crazy moves for QBs in the first round.

You are already starting to hear the chatter. Will Chicago dump/trade Justin Fields already and draft Young #1? Will Tom Brady go to Miami?

You look at all of the teams that need a franchise QB picking in those 16 picks before us, Houston has two picks, Seattle has two picks, Indy still looking for a QB, Detroit probably views Goff as a bridge QB, Atlanta, Carolina, the JETS, Washington, Tennessee, they all could take a QB in those 16 picks before us. I think 3 and maybe 4 QBs have a chance of going in the top 16 picks. And I don't even think this is a strong QB class, I think it is way too much hype and make believe going on when people look at this class. No way do I ever draft a QB as small as Young. I don't see this magically strong QB class that we supposedly were going to miss out on if we took Kenny P.

When you do a mock, I have a hard time seeing Jordan Addison going in the top 16 picks, and I don't see him being the first WR taken. I just feel like 17th is too high to take Addison when we have more pressing needs elsewhere. Our defense really needs a true shutdown CB to match up with Cincy's Chase and Higgins.

What shutdown corner do we get at 17?

Porter will be gone.

Who are you thinking, Ringo?

Also, it hasn't gone well at all in the past when we've taken shutdown corners.

We seem incapable of developing corners at all, let alone turning one into a shutdown corner.

[K_C_]

creating space is far more important than flat out speed...witness early AB vs. Mike Wallace...esp for young QBs

man I would love to get Addison but I don't see him going past #12.

Hyatt scared the shit out of defenses last year with his deep speed and big play ability. Ask Nick Saban.

He would open up everything underneath for Pickens and Clank.

If Calvin Austin can do the same thing from the slot?

Holy fuck.

I am really looking forward to seeing the impact Austin has on the offense.

I would imagine the staff has him on a training regimen to add muscle and possibly even a speed coach.

IF he can actually catch, and IF he can stay healthy, having that type of weapon on the field will force teams to respect the edges and likely keep a safety to his side.

Of course, that will open up so much for everyone else.

Pickens on the outside
Freiermuth up the seam

Hell, it probably even helps keep the SS out of the box in most formations

I'm excited as hell about Austin, but as others have pointed out, Austin isn't an outside receiver. He will be blazing down the field from the slot.

With our third pick (unless we shock the world and take Addison if he's there in the first round, which isn't out of the question 1 year after we took his best bud Kenny Pickett) I protect myself against another sub par season from Diontae Johnson and give Kenny another serious downfield weapon. You know, go with the Cincy model for Joe Burrow.

Load up on weapons and have DB's shitting themselves when they line up across from Pickens, DJ, Austin and either Addison or Hyatt.

[steelmann58]

I am still thinking in FA there 2 targets will be DL and ILB.

[the-other-burg]

If there's one thing I've learned over the Tomlin years, its that this team cant develop defensive backs for shit. Keep building the secondary from FA

[anpsteel]

Hyatt scared the shit out of defenses last year with his deep speed and big play ability. Ask Nick Saban.

He would open up everything underneath for Pickens and Clank.

If Calvin Austin can do the same thing from the slot?

Holy fuck.

I am really looking forward to seeing the impact Austin has on the offense.

I would imagine the staff has him on a training regimen to add muscle and possibly even a speed coach.

IF he can actually catch, and IF he can stay healthy, having that type of weapon on the field will force teams to respect the edges and likely keep a safety to his side.

Of course, that will open up so much for everyone else.

Pickens on the outside
Freiermuth up the seam

Hell, it probably even helps keep the SS out of the box in most formations

I'm excited as hell about Austin, but as others have pointed out, Austin isn't an outside receiver. He will be blazing down the field from the slot.

With our third pick (unless we shock the world and take Addison if he's there in the first round, which isn't out of the question 1 year after we took his best bud Kenny Pickett) I protect myself against another sub par season from Diontae Johnson and give Kenny another serious downfield weapon. You know, go with the Cincy model for Joe Burrow.

Load up on weapons and have DB's shitting themselves when they line up across from Pickens, DJ, Austin and either Addison or Hyatt.

I understand that he'll likely be, predominately, a slot receiver

but I'm sure they'll design some of the wonderful jet sweeps, probably some wr screens, and other attempts to get the ball in his hands, in space.

[stillthere]

If there's one thing I've learned over the Tomlin years, its that this team cant develop defensive backs for shit. Keep building the secondary from FA

I personally like the FA \ trade route for DBs. You know what they can do in the NFL already.

I can say that the Steelers have done well with
Sutton - can play every position in the back end and be good at all of them. 2nd best hands on the D behind Fitz
Edmunds - People's beef with him is 1st round, if he was taken in the 2nd everyone would pretty happy with his career.
Pierre - I have liked the strides he has made and you cannot coach his length, agility and speed. Guy is basically a walk on.

[stillthere]

I'm excited as hell about Austin, but as others have pointed out, Austin isn't an outside receiver. He will be blazing down the field from the slot.

With our third pick (unless we shock the world and take Addison if he's there in the first round, which isn't out of the question 1 year after we took his best bud Kenny Pickett) I protect myself against another sub par season from Diontae Johnson and give Kenny another serious downfield weapon. You know, go with the Cincy model for Joe Burrow.

Load up on weapons and have DB's shitting themselves when they line up across from Pickens, DJ, Austin and either Addison or Hyatt.

I understand that he'll likely be, predominately, a slot receiver

but I'm sure they'll design some of the wonderful jet sweeps, probably some wr screens, and other attempts to get the ball in his hands, in space.

The nice thing is the guy that would give him a rest is another guy you want to scheme into open areas to make it like a punt return in Sims.

[Scunge]

If there's one thing I've learned over the Tomlin years, its that this team cant develop defensive backs for shit. Keep building the secondary from FA

Well, if there is one thing that I have learned with Teryl Austin, is that he HAS developed defensive backs, at every NFL stop he has been at. I think I have counted 7-8 players, maybe 9 with Minkah?, that made the Pro Bowl with Austin as either the Defensive Backs coach or Defensive Coordinator. Something to think about it.

To KC, I don't know, I hope Joey Porter Jr and Ringo are drafted before our pick, I would want Oregon's Christian Gonzalez anyway.

Here is a nice exercise, come up with the top 16 picks, the top 16 players that will go before our 17th pick. Not necessary to put them in the actual order just list them by position groups.

QB Bryce Young
QB CJ Stroud
QB Will Levis
DT Jalen Carter
Edge Will Anderson
Edge/DE Tyree Wilson
Edge/DE Myles Murphy
LT Paris Johnson
LT/LG Peter Skoronski
WR Quentin Johnston
RB Bijan Robinson
CB Christian Gonzalez

Those are my top 12 that I think teams probably generally agree upon. My last 4 are conditional on how they test, you know how it is, players work out, freak out at the combine and teams fall in love and push them up the draft board, the fast risers.

Edge/DE Tuli Tuipulotu
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR Jordan Addison, will he test bigger, faster, impress in drills?
CB Joey Porter Jr, didn't really have the big plays, will he test well, be great in interviews??

But then there are always the out of left field picks that appear in every draft. Figure 2 or 3 players that are WTF picks. Who in that 16 group of players might slide to our 17th pick?

[cop1211]

If there's one thing I've learned over the Tomlin years, its that this team cant develop defensive backs for shit. Keep building the secondary from FA

Well, if there is one thing that I have learned with Teryl Austin, is that he HAS developed defensive backs, at every NFL stop he has been at. I think I have counted 7-8 players, maybe 9 with Minkah?, that made the Pro Bowl with Austin as either the Defensive Backs coach or Defensive Coordinator. Something to think about it.

To KC, I don't know, I hope Joey Porter Jr and Ringo are drafted before our pick, I would want Oregon's Christian Gonzalez anyway.

Here is a nice exercise, come up with the top 16 picks, the top 16 players that will go before our 17th pick. Not necessary to put them in the actual order just list them by position groups.

QB Bryce Young
QB CJ Stroud
QB Will Levis
DT Jalen Carter
Edge Will Anderson
Edge/DE Tyree Wilson
Edge/DE Myles Murphy
LT Paris Johnson
LT/LG Peter Skoronski
WR Quentin Johnston
RB Bijan Robinson
CB Christian Gonzalez

Those are my top 12 that I think teams probably generally agree upon. My last 4 are conditional on how they test, you know how it is, players work out, freak out at the combine and teams fall in love and push them up the draft board, the fast risers.

Edge/DE Tuli Tuipulotu
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR Jordan Addison, will he test bigger, faster, impress in drills?
CB Joey Porter Jr, didn't really have the big plays, will he test well, be great in interviews??

But then there are always the out of left field picks that appear in every draft. Figure 2 or 3 players that are WTF picks. Who in that 16 group of players might slide to our 17th pick?

My guess Addison,Porter Skoronski.

[Pabst]

If there's one thing I've learned over the Tomlin years, its that this team cant develop defensive backs for shit. Keep building the secondary from FA

For whatever it's worth....Cam Sutton finally broke that trend. Mike Hilton went from UDFA to a fantastic slot CB. Edmunds is a decent enough starter, and given his draft slot Norwood is OK.

Tomlin's first 10 years of DB picks were horrific, but the last 5 have been alright.

[cop1211]

Im liking Devon Witherspoon more, and more.

[Mick]

Im liking Devon Witherspoon more, and more.

you need to stop watching game tape and start focusing on recruit rankings sir.

[cop1211]

Im liking Devon Witherspoon more, and more.

you need to stop watching game tape and start focusing on recruit rankings sir.

[Ice]

WR Anthony Miller signed to a one-year contract. Feeling the championship vibes already.