Article claims Tomlin wanted Burns over Jackson all along...

[JackLambert58]

salty today, Perch!

And he sounds so mild mannered on the podcasts.

[BethlehemSteel]

Dri Archer to the Bengals

[Legacy User]

To be honest I don't really give a shit about the Bungles and that wasn't my main reason for posting this article.

My question, which I guess I should have posted more clearly, is does anyone think that the reason that the organization publicized their "interest" in WJIII was to throw other teams off the scent? I've seen other posters hypothesize that and like I said I don't really buy it, but I wonder what the rest of yunz think.

I absolutely 100% believe that we do this

[jeemie]

To be honest I don't really give a shit about the Bungles and that wasn't my main reason for posting this article.

My question, which I guess I should have posted more clearly, is does anyone think that the reason that the organization publicized their "interest" in WJIII was to throw other teams off the scent? I've seen other posters hypothesize that and like I said I don't really buy it, but I wonder what the rest of yunz think.

I absolutely 100% believe that we do this

It's possible we do this.

I still remember Tomlin's first draft, where he gushed like crazy over Darrelle Revis, and Kevin Colbert looked like he wanted to choke him. His face screamed out "You stupid rookie...shut the fuck up!"

So if true, Tomlin's learned a thing or two over the years.

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm way more concerned over the revelation that the Steelers did not have Joseph on their 1st round board because of his injury keeping him out in year 1, but they did have Neal on there. A. I have serious doubts in our evaluation process if they had Neal as a 1st rounder and B. I shudder at the thought of the meltdown of all meltdowns if they had passed on Joseph, especially for Neal.

Burns v Jackson- if they had them basically rated the same, they're going with Burns every time.

[Scunge]

You know B2B that I liked Neal more than you did. Here is my reason why and I think that many other teams felt the same way. That reason being that he only started what, 19 games? How far along was he really expected to be in literally just two seasons as a starter?

Joseph had 42 starts? How polished and advanced was Joseph's game at his 19th start? I bet it was nowhere close. Yes, Karl Joseph was probably the best safety in the draft but with 42 starts under his belt he had damn well better be shouldn't he?

I think teams like the Steelers and others were taking the long game approach with Neal. It isn't how well he would play as a rookie starter but how well he would develop and play three years from now.

That is why I liked him. I figured Robert Golden showed me enough that he would easily start this season and maybe give up the starting job to Neal in his second season, or halfway through his second season. Neal would be able to play some and be part of a rotation, or play in the big nickel or dime and take time to slowly develop.

[Mick]

I'm way more concerned over the revelation that the Steelers did not have Joseph on their 1st round board because of his injury keeping him out in year 1, but they did have Neal on there. A. I have serious doubts in our evaluation process if they had Neal as a 1st rounder and B. I shudder at the thought of the meltdown of all meltdowns if they had passed on Joseph, especially for Neal.

Burns v Jackson- if they had them basically rated the same, they're going with Burns every time.

Link to revelation? Or was it in the story and I missed it?

[bradshaw2ben]

Bouchette in yesterday's PG chat. Was emphatic.

[bradshaw2ben]

You know B2B that I liked Neal more than you did. Here is my reason why and I think that many other teams felt the same way. That reason being that he only started what, 19 games? How far along was he really expected to be in literally just two seasons as a starter?

Joseph had 42 starts? How polished and advanced was Joseph's game at his 19th start? I bet it was nowhere close. Yes, Karl Joseph was probably the best safety in the draft but with 42 starts under his belt he had damn well better be shouldn't he?

I think teams like the Steelers and others were taking the long game approach with Neal. It isn't how well he would play as a rookie starter but how well he would develop and play three years from now.

That is why I liked him. I figured Robert Golden showed me enough that he would easily start this season and maybe give up the starting job to Neal in his second season, or halfway through his second season. Neal would be able to play some and be part of a rotation, or play in the big nickel or dime and take time to slowly develop.

It's Lawrence Timmons all over again with Neal. No guarantee that he's ever going to have the football instincts of an average DB, let alone a great one like Joseph. That seems to me to be a very risky proposition- hard to teach instincts. As a 4th round pick, okay.

I think Neal's hesitancy on every play will be his downfall in the NFL, unless they exercise extreme patience with his career and he develops into a Lawrence Timmons level of experience without getting benched.

[steelclan]

I'm way more concerned over the revelation that the Steelers did not have Joseph on their 1st round board because of his injury keeping him out in year 1, but they did have Neal on there. A. I have serious doubts in our evaluation process if they had Neal as a 1st rounder and B. I shudder at the thought of the meltdown of all meltdowns if they had passed on Joseph, especially for Neal.

Burns v Jackson- if they had them basically rated the same, they're going with Burns every time.

Can't imagine the board after that...a bloodbath with everyone channeling their inner Zivco.

[steelclan]

You know B2B that I liked Neal more than you did. Here is my reason why and I think that many other teams felt the same way. That reason being that he only started what, 19 games? How far along was he really expected to be in literally just two seasons as a starter?

Joseph had 42 starts? How polished and advanced was Joseph's game at his 19th start? I bet it was nowhere close. Yes, Karl Joseph was probably the best safety in the draft but with 42 starts under his belt he had damn well better be shouldn't he?

I think teams like the Steelers and others were taking the long game approach with Neal. It isn't how well he would play as a rookie starter but how well he would develop and play three years from now.

That is why I liked him. I figured Robert Golden showed me enough that he would easily start this season and maybe give up the starting job to Neal in his second season, or halfway through his second season. Neal would be able to play some and be part of a rotation, or play in the big nickel or dime and take time to slowly develop.

It's Lawrence Timmons all over again with Neal. No guarantee that he's ever going to have the football instincts of an average DB, let alone a great one like Joseph. That seems to me to be a very risky proposition- hard to teach instincts. As a 4th round pick, okay.

I think Neal's hesitancy on every play will be his downfall in the NFL, unless they exercise extreme patience with his career and he develops into a Lawrence Timmons level of experience without getting benched.

See I disagree with the reasoning here. Unless you want to work in a vacuum with the Timmons pick? A bunch of teams passed on Revis and a bunch of those teams didn't pick someone that has panned out near as well as Timmons did.

I don't get into who the PS could've picked instead of who they did when it entails ignoring what a bunch of other teams did in that same draft. If Neal turned out to be the same impact as Timmons over near a decade of football at the 25th pick I'd take it without a moment's thought.

I get it many loved Revis because he was a local lad and showed huge potential. However, the draft as you well know has taken on mythic proportions on what is and isn't a success. Removal of that the myth reveals Timmons to be an excellent pick. Would I rather have had Revis? Of course but mate we can play that game with any team in any draft.

[Mick]

Bouchette in yesterday's PG chat. Was emphatic.

neither Neal nor Joseph were mentioned in bouchette's chat yesterday.

[StillMadAtSlobber]

Not much success getting Bouchette chat links from 5/10.

Here is Dulacs from today

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 5.11.16
(Replay)
10:37


Gerry Dulac:
We will be starting our chat shortly so get your questions ready.
10:59


Gerry Dulac:
OK, let's get started...
10:59


Comment From The Card Says Moops
How much do the Steelers embrace analytics? With the amount of data available, Todd could/should know, for instance, 'Play x works against team y in this situation xx percent of the time'. To most fans playcalling seems pretty random, despite the amount of preparation and film study.
11:01


Gerry Dulac:
Most fans are wrong. Play-calling is not random. The calls used in a game are gone over during the week and fit into the play calls. They vary from week to week, depending on the opponent. Calls used one week are sometimes thrown out the next. It is not random
11:01


Comment From Guest
Hi Gerry, Bryant's troubles are well documented, but he was also very productive when on the field (much more so than other recent 4th rounders). Do you think the Steelers would make the pick again knowing how it turned out?
11:01


Gerry Dulac:
That's easy to say now and tough to answer, though my guess would be no.
11:01


Comment From fanfromcali
Any chance the Steelers will be drafting a QB in the next 2 years to replace Ben when he retires in 4 uears from now ?
11:05


Gerry Dulac:
Of course there's a chance, but let me say this: You don't want to draft Ben's replacement too far out because by the time he becomes the No. 1 quarterback, he could also become a free agent and leave. Look what happened to Denver with Brock Osweiler. He up and left in free agency to Houston. So they're not going to draft Ben's replacement any more than two years out.
11:05


Comment From JamesinNYC
Hi Gerry thanks for the chat. Rumors that the Steelers were on the phone with Burns during Cincy's pick true or not? Thought Jackson was the guy but appears to be best smokescreen ever.
11:05


Gerry Dulac:
They wanted Jackson. But they knew if he was gone they would gladly take Burns.
11:06


Comment From Jody
Some have been critical that Artie Burns was a reach but Eli Apple, Karl Joseph and Kenua Neal were all drafted higher than projected as well. So it looks like Defensive Backs value is on the rise and just the opposite for Defensive lineman. The entire NFL passed on Billings for 3 rounds. Do you think Burns was good value at 25?
11:08


Gerry Dulac:
I've been saying that since the combine: Cornerback are becoming like quarterbacks in the draft -- they're overvalued. Teams not only are reaching to find a marquee QB, they're reaching to find the CBs to stop these QBs. I'm not saying they're overrated, I'm just saying they're going higher than they should be going. Since the combine, I have said Eli Apple will be the Steelers' No. 1 draft pick. But I -- and the Steelers -- never thought he would go 10th overall.
11:08


Comment From Ben
Hi Gerry, were any of this year's draft picks a surprise to you?
11:11


Gerry Dulac:
No, I think the Steelers did an outstanding job of addressing exactly what they needed to address and an outstanding job of addressing them in the order they needed to be addressed. No. 1 concern was the secondary, especially at corner, and after that it was finding a defensive lineman who can rotate behind Heyward and Tuitt. On the last day, they took two more defensive players, one of whom -- Feeney -- looks like a lock to be a special teams guy to replace Terence Garvin. The Temple kid is so solid he will be one of those guys who will be tough to cut. Does everything right
11:11


Comment From Ben
Outside of the first three picks, do you see any of the other players selected making an impact this season?
11:12


Gerry Dulac:
I think Travis Feeney does on special teams. Too light to play outside in the NFL but he can run and hit. Great athlete
11:12


Comment From ctaylor23
Gerry, I really don't understand the plan with the secondary. If we are in a "win now" situtation why not sacrfice the future cap to make a change
11:13


Gerry Dulac:
Who said the Steelers are in a win-now situation? You have never heard them say that. They don't operate that way.
11:13


Comment From The Card Says Moops
What about the analytics side of the question. The NFL seems much slower in coming around to them than baseball and basketball.
11:13


Gerry Dulac:
Not sure. They use them, to be sure, but I think its easier to use them in other sports
11:14


Comment From TK
Are they still going to ask Timmons to restructure his contract?
11:15


Gerry Dulac:
That's always a possibility. But, to do so, they will have to do more than restructure, they will have to sign him to a new on.
11:17


Comment From JamesinNYC
Heard on the NFL network this morning that teams need to draft as if their sub packages were their base. Was pretty good thought pattern. Looks like the Steelers did exactly that right?
11:18


Gerry Dulac:
Exactly right JNYC. They were in their base 75 percent of the time in 2015. The year before it was 65 percent. That's why they didn't value a nose tackle in the first couple rounds, and why should they if he's going to be on the field once every four plays. Their nickel package is basically their base defense now because of the way most teams p;lay...and most teams attack them,
11:19


Comment From TK
Do you think they'll sign DeCastro and Bell to new contracts this summer?
11:19


Gerry Dulac:
Yes, at least one of them.
11:20


Comment From me
Will they look to add any FA's this summer?
11:21


Gerry Dulac:
Not anyone of significance probably. But there are always injuries and they might have to go find a replacement or backup.
11:21


Comment From NC Steeler Fan
Gerry - thanks for the chat - can you comment on the injury status of Bell, Pouncy - willthey be ready at the beginning of training camp?
11:23


Gerry Dulac:
I don't think the Steelers plan on rushing either of them, especially Bell, at training camp. Pouncey should be a little further ahead, especially as a lineman, and should be good to go at some point into camp. They will go easy with Bell, but anticipate he should be ready for the regular season.
11:23


Comment From Touchdown Joey
How do you do, Gerry. Assuming they don't need to clear cap room, I would be dead against doing anything with Timmons. You can always try to re-sign him, but there's absolutely no imperative to do it early for a guy on the wrong side of 32. Would you agree?
11:24


Gerry Dulac:
Actually, Timmons is on the right side of 32 -- he's only 29. But what you say has some merit. They might wait and see how he plays this year. But you still have that cap number and I have not received any intel from them that they are dissatisfied with him.
11:24


Comment From Jeff
Will the Steelers look for a backup QB?
11:25


Gerry Dulac:
No, they are all set with Jones and Gradkowski it appears
11:25


Comment From dave
Were you surprised they didn't pick up the option on Jarvis Jones? What do you think their plans are with him?
11:26


Gerry Dulac:
I was a little surprised, but that tells you they are not fully enamored with what they have seen. And why should they. They can always re-sign him, though, after this season.
11:26


Comment From FL STEELER FAN
What do you think about the Steeler's PK situation. They went from having a one that struggled making extra points to now having 2 very good ones. Any chance of a trade so they could get something instead of just letting one go?
11:27


Gerry Dulac:
I'm surprised they haven't made a trade already. To me, it's a no-brainer to stick with Chris Boswell because of age, salary and how he performed last season. It would also be fair to Suisham to allow him to catch on with another team before it gets too late
11:28


Comment From Kevin
Looking ahead to 2017, Jarvis will be a free agent & Harrison will likely be retiring. I know it's early but OLB looks like the biggest need in the next draft. Agree?
11:28


Gerry Dulac:
That could be correct. And it will be if Jones isn't here. Maybe even if he is
11:29


Comment From mvandrews7
How tough is it for the coaching staff to gauge whether or not a guy (DB) is a starter in training camp when matching up against a guy like Antonio or even Martavis? Is it less difficult because we play so much zone which requires more of a sound game above the shoulders opposed to man coverage which requires more athletic ability?
11:30


Gerry Dulac:
They are more concerned with evaluating how that player fits into the scheme they want to play. But, from that, they know who has the skills to play man and who is better suited for zone. But, again, based on how they play, not on who they have to defend.
11:31


Gerry Dulac:
Well, thats all the time we have today kids. Good questions. My chats will be hit and miss for a while because of the U.S. Open, but I'll keep you posted.

http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/template=dgigler001/altcast_code=1bbc2edb7b/width=670/height=560

[StillMadAtSlobber]

OK

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Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 5.10.16
May 10, 2016 2:27 PM


Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon, let's begin

ZAck B: I'm concerned with the pass rush from our OLB's. Dupree will get better, but Harrison is a yr older, Moats is avg at best, and Jarvis gets no sacks. Shouldn't that area be a big concern?

Ed Bouchette: Yes and no. while none of those players you mentioned had more than Harrison's five sacks, the Steelers increased their total significantly to 48, third in the NFL. Keith Butler changed some approaches around on defense in his first year as coordinator, some of it allowing the linemen to rush the QB more.

That produced team highs of 7 sacks by Cam Heyward and 6.5 by Stephon Tuitt. Also, with the OLBS rotating, their sack totals were not high individually but they did get 15 combined from the four of them.

More was expected of Jarvis Jones and he still has a chance to show it this year. The others I thought did a good job at the position.

BlacknGold81: Did you attend the rookie camp? Which draft pick impressed you the most if any?

Ed Bouchette: We were only permitted to watch 2 of the 5 practices and they had a bunch of tryout players there. It's not something that you can come away with many impressions one way or the other. However, I've said that Sean Davis, their no. 2 pick at safety, could immediately win a starting job.

Steelers World: Hey Ed, met Hines Ward in FL this weekend, nice guy. My question is, do you think the Steelers defense have improved enough through FA and the draft from a talent perspective to take this team to the next level. Can this team win a SB with this defense in your opinion?

Ed Bouchette: They can win a Super Bowl with their offense as long as their defense is relatively competent, as it was last season.

Joe C.: I understand that they played the second round pick at CB in the Rookie practices. Are they Steelers planning to use him as a CB or a safety? I thought Safety was the position they targeted him for in the draft.

Ed Bouchette: He was playing in their nickel and dime, as more a cross between corner and safety. They plan to play him at strong safety.

Guest: When do you think they'll take Heyward or Tuitt off the field to give Hargrave some snaps at defensive end? On rushing downs? Passing downs? Does it matter?

Ed Bouchette: When they are tired. Otherwise, they stay on the field.

Lynn, Lynn, City of Sin: Do you think Xavier Grimble has a shot to make the team as a TE or is he the next LT project?

Ed Bouchette: For that to happen, he's have to beat out Jesse James and i don't see that happening.

Mark: Hi Ed, do you think the Steelers extend De'Angelo Williams after the coming year?

Ed Bouchette: I really have not thought much about it and it would depend on what happens this season.

Mike in Downtown: How many more chats before you go on vacation?

Ed Bouchette: Right through minicamp.

Steelers World: Did you like the 1st round pick? What are your thoughts on taking burns that high?

Ed Bouchette: They told me they had him rated just a hair behind William Jackson, and they had to get a cornerback, so it was a good pick in that sense, provided he backs it up with his play.

JamesinNYC: So if the stories are true Burns was rated higher than Jackson? Best smoke screen ever or revisionist history?

Ed Bouchette: They had William Jackson rated higher, but just slightly.

Denny: Which position battle do you think will be the toughest in making the 53 man roster?

Ed Bouchette: I think it will be more interesting to watch the battles for starting jobs at corner, strong safety, nose tackle and left tackle than the battles to determine who is No. 52 or 53 on a 53-man roster.

Beltin Delton: Better Steeler Safety Donnie Shell or Polamalu?

Ed Bouchette: My vote would go to Troy Polamalu because Donnie Shell was never NFL Defensive Player of the year and he played on much more dominant defenses with four Hall of Famers. Also, the rules for some of Shell's career favored the defense.

But then, that's like asking me if I prefer a BMW or a Porsche.

steelmann58: Hi Ed Do you feel the Steelers are done adding players especially Vets.

Ed Bouchette: I think they are, but there's always a chance someone will pop loose that attracts their eye. Also, starting May 12, you can sign UFAs with no negative effect on compensatory formula picks for next year.

chris: who is pittsburgh's biggest threat in AFC?

Ed Bouchette: Based on them winning the division last season, you'd have to pick Cincinnati. Based on the Ravens beating the Steelers twice, you'd have to say Baltimore.

One you do not have to say is Cleveland.

steelmann58: Hey Ed Think the steelers will keep both kickers till the end of camp and then try to trade SS

Ed Bouchette: I think they will try to trade Suisham, yes.

Guest: Better hurdler: Rod Woodson or Artie Burns?

Ed Bouchette: Woodson was world class, I'm not sure Burns is in that category

Joe C.: With more than a third of the first rounder not being offered the 5th year option does that not indicated the Steelers are correct with going for the best player available and not for need as first rounders frequently do not play up to expectations.

Ed Bouchette: I think they went for the best outside linebacker on their board when they chose Jarvis Jones.

Brandon: Would they have taken Jackson has the Bengals not taken him?

Ed Bouchette: Yes.

aknotts66: Steelers could be in trouble next off season if JJ is gone and harrison retires and if dupree doesnt show improvement. They wont have much there. Also if timmons drops off some. What do you think Ed?

Ed Bouchette: That will have to wait until next year. Lot of ifs there.

Kevin in Punxsy: Can you give us some perameters re: the terms of contracts for UD (signed) FAs? Thanks

Ed Bouchette: They usually sign for two years. Minimum wages Small bonuses of $10 K or less.

Mark: Do you think Cleveland is going to be any better this year with RGIII?

Ed Bouchette: Can they get much worse?

Rob: Do you prefer a BMW or a Porsche?

Ed Bouchette: I will never have the opportunity to pick between the two.

Montana Rob: Ed, who would say was your favorite player interview you did?

Ed Bouchette: Joe Greene always at or near the top for his insights, as a player, a coach, a scout.

TK: What are their plans for the OT they drafted? Will he compete at LT or RT?

Ed Bouchette: He will compete to make the team, not to start. He needs some coaching and more experience at the position.

Kevin in Punxsy: Ed, chris above asked who you thought was the Steelers threat in the AFC, not the Central Div

Ed Bouchette: Oh, sorry. You would still have to include those two and always New England. Denver because of that defense.

Guest: Does Donald Washington have anything left to contribute?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know, what has he contributed so far?

Kevin: By Cleveland releasing Scott Solomon is there a chance of him landing in Pittsburgh he was projected to be the next J.J. Watt

Ed Bouchette: If he were the next J.J. Watt, do you think Cleveland would have released him?

Alan: Will the Steelers ever have a better than average punter again?

Ed Bouchette: They won their last two Super Bowls with below-average punters.

Jud: What's the upcoming schedule with regards to your work, I would guess that you attend OTAs and minicamps, what else?

Ed Bouchette: You have it. That and long-range stuff. Thanks for asking because we have a new setup for our Steelers blogs and Ask Ed will return in a big way. If you did not get your question answered here, you can send me your questions to ebouchette@post-gazette.com and they may wind up in my blog.

Joe C.: How do you think the Steelers will play the kick-off with the new touchback rule Out of End Zone or Short kick?

Ed Bouchette: Tempt them with a high one just beyond the goalline, would be my instructions.

Kevin in Punxsy: I know that the NBA allows players to elect to be included in the draft, if no agent, adn not piced they can go back to school. Has the NFL ever looked into this?

Ed Bouchette: Not that I know of. They should.

steelmann58: Ed have you seen Bid Dan some reports he in great shape?

Ed Bouchette: He should be. They all should be, unless they are not interested in being successful in their profession.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks for another great chat. See you next Tuesday.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/05/10/Ed-Bouchette-s-Steelers-chat-5-10-16/stories/201605100121

[bradshaw2ben]

I must be losing my mind, because I definitely saw or heard a Steelers reporter who said they weren't going to take Joseph in round one because they were concerned he wouldn't be able to play right away- had Neal as Round 1 option.

[Ice]

I must be losing my mind, because I definitely saw or heard a Steelers reporter who said they weren't going to take Joseph in round one because they were concerned he wouldn't be able to play right away- had Neal as Round 1 option.

Was that maybe due to the injury? Other than that, I think Joseph was the better right away option by a good bit.

[StillMadAtSlobber]

So, not much happening for a month or so. I think someone needs to troll one of Bouchette's chats again!

[bradshaw2ben]

Might have been Dale Lolley on David Todd show, reporting what he learned from the Steelers directly.

[Legacy User]

The Steelers had 5 CBs with 1st round grades. They had Jackson III rated a bit higher than Burns. Jackson went so they drafted Burns. I've said this many times, based on my research of the Steelers draft board and the way they show interest in players who they go on to draft, they don't play games or blow smoke. They're one of the easier teams to predict who they're going to draft if you just study their official visits list, who they had pro day and combine dinners with and what pro days they attend. They don't show great interest or bring in guys for visits who they're not considering drafting.

[cop1211]

In any case its going to be even more interesting watching the Steelers vs. Bungholes.

Who will end up better, Jackson, or Burns? Hargrave, or Billings? Time will tell.

[tbsteel]

So now it's pretty much confirmed the Steelers would have drafted Jackson over Burns and this "article" was complete b.s.? "But, but, they were on the phone with Burns when the Bengals were making their pick on the TV.." as if the pick isn't known by the other 31 NFL teams until Roger Goodell waddles over the microphone and announces it.

Burns better be a hit. The Steelers could now have two first round draft picks in a loaded '17 draft and could've still added a Myles Jack, a Noah Spence, or an A'Shawn Robinson to this team in place of Burns if they weren't so damn proud of themselves and run to the podium every year as some weird sort of smug insecurity that they have to let the rest of the world know they got "their guy" even when they didn't.

[jeemie]

So now it's pretty much confirmed the Steelers would have drafted Jackson over Burns and this "article" was complete b.s.? "But, but, they were on the phone with Burns when the Bengals were making their pick on the TV.." as if the pick isn't known by the other 31 NFL teams until Roger Goodell waddles over the microphone and announces it.

Burns better be a hit. The Steelers could now have two first round draft picks in a loaded '17 draft and could've still added a Myles Jack, a Noah Spence, or an A'Shawn Robinson to this team in place of Burns if they weren't so damn proud of themselves and run to the podium every year as some weird sort of smug insecurity that they have to let the rest of the world know they got "their guy" even when they didn't.

You have no idea what, if anything, they were offered to move up.

So in one post, you deride an an author of an article for claiming things he doesn't know all the while you are claiming things you don't know.

[tbsteel]

We know for a FACT that the Cowboys were trying to trade up from #34 to draft Paxton Lynch. Lynch was the 12th player on their board, and the Cowboys were contacting every team in the late teens and the early through mid 20s to trade up when Denver beat them to the punch with Seattle at 26. Peter King, an actual reporter and not some blogger spreading kool-aid propaganda, reported all of this in MMQB with quotes from sources inside the Cowboys war room and from Jones himself.

Now, we don't know what exactly they would have offered the Steelers. David Todd stated the Cowboys were apparently offering their second, a 6th, and their first in '17 to move up for the Steelers pick, but that was not stated or verified by anyone else, that's a fair point. Peter King reported they were offering their 2nd and a 4th rounder to move up to where the Steelers were at, and had been offering their 2nd and 3rd to teams in the late teens/early 20s. But there's a heck of a lot more to support they could have swung a deal with the Cowboys than there is to support that the Steelers tricked the Bengals or whatever dumb yinzer nonsense to get "their guy" Artie Burns all along. Pushing the idea that the Steelers wanted Burns over Jackson is a flatout lie, and whoever wrote that "article" should delete it and apologize for spreading nonsense.