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2017 Steeler free agents

  • Thread starter Thread starter POP
  • Start date Start date
Fiji Mariner said:
With ya Slash and Cope. Hope we bring in a proven commodity at LB, S or CB so we can address the other 2 needs early. I would be for another DL early and add the WR in the 4-7 range. If Butler is going to continue as our DC we need more DL depth.
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Thing is with the early picks you want something (hopefully) that will impact quickly. At CB they drafted a CB 1, not sure they go back to the well again unless Golson is considered a after thought.

I almost unless they bring in a OLBer (my greatest wish) don't see how they don't go OLBer in 1. The pass rush is that bad.

Unless their is a higher valued SS., but with Davis on board perhaps they don't go that route.

Thing is with Shazier and Williams, if that is your choices, a ILBer has to be high on the list if Timmons is allowed to exit.

Unless they are high on Dirty Red. But he is seemingly far down the totem pole.
 
bigben said:
When you have the best player in the league at RB you do everything you need to do to keep him. Bell has ladanian Tomlinson like potential, Vision, hands, cuts, and power. you don't cheap out on guys like that.
Steelers have a long history of great running backs,. As far as superbowls are concerned, after Ben, Bell is the most crucial component. Look what happened last year after he went down.
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Actually, we didn't fall apart when Bell went down, D Will did very well in his place, until he also went down. Then we were in trouble. Bell is a special player, but one who has a history of bad injuries and not being able to stay off the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddd.

 
POP said:
Actually, we didn't fall apart when Bell went down, D Will did very well in his place, until he also went down. Then we were in trouble. Bell is a special player, but one who has a history of bad injuries and not being able to stay off the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddd.

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Yawn!!!!!! Once again he has never tested positive for weed. He has gotten failed test(s) for failure to take them. Pretty simple to understand really.
 
Thing is, for better or worse they like to keep players they already have if the price is right.

QB
They will keep Laundry because "he knows the system" and are unlikely to get into a bidding war with anyone else.

RB
I would re-sign Bell if the price is right, i.e. low base with incentives. They will probably franchise tag him.
I would re-sign DW but at his age just for one year at a time.

WR
Wheaton is good but just a guy, on the other hand Martavius WILL fail another drug test. Always lots of WR in the draft.

OL
I think Big Al will be re-signed. He's not at the stage where he will command big money yet.

LB
Deebo will retire so what to do with him is not an issue.
They will probably offer Timmdong less money than he wants, a la Woodley, and he'll walk. His arrow is pointing down.
Jones will have that good game or two that makes him think he's worth $9 million a year, a la Worilds, but the team thinks he's worth $4 million at most. As much as I'd like to see him on the first Gateway Clipper out of town, he may realize that this is the best deal he'll get and he'll be back. I call it 50/50.

CB
I would re-sign Cockrell, his arrow is pointing up.

S
Agree, they all suck. See what you can get in the draft. Consider moving Shazier and maybe Jones to S and draft more LB's since they are so good at drafting LB's. /sarcasm
 
This is what the Steelers are going to do.

They will let Timmons walk.
They are going to franchise tag Le'Veon Bell
They are going to transition tag Jarvis Jones
They are going to extend Antonio Brown into a HUGE contract
They are going to re-structure DeCastro's and Heyward's contracts.
They are going to re-sign Villanueva, Landry Jones, Heyward-Bey and D'Angelo Williams
Shamarko Thomas and Markus Wheaton are not high priorities and unless they are willing to take very close to minimum or 2-3 year deals, they are both likely gone.

There is a good chance they cut Ledarius Green
They will try to sign Jarvis Jones long-term but under the transition tag it will be 50-50 to get to the number Steelers are slotting him.
They will try to sign Le'veon Bell long-term under the franchise tag. That will be hard. I only put that chance at 15-20% happening.

They might add a player in free agency to the secondary or linebacker group just to get numbers up before the draft. Nothing big. A lot depends on how the cap looks after all the moves above.

They will do all this stuff BEFORE the draft and they will feel fairly confident that (while not perfect), all the position groupings are capable with NFL experience.
 
deljzc said:
This is what the Steelers are going to do.

They will let Timmons walk.
They are going to franchise tag Le'Veon Bell
They are going to transition tag Jarvis Jones
They are going to extend Antonio Brown into a HUGE contract
They are going to re-structure DeCastro's and Heyward's contracts.
They are going to re-sign Villanueva, Landry Jones, Heyward-Bey and D'Angelo Williams
Shamarko Thomas and Markus Wheaton are not high priorities and unless they are willing to take very close to minimum or 2-3 year deals, they are both likely gone.

There is a good chance they cut Ledarius Green
They will try to sign Jarvis Jones long-term but under the transition tag it will be 50-50 to get to the number Steelers are slotting him.
They will try to sign Le'veon Bell long-term under the franchise tag. That will be hard. I only put that chance at 15-20% happening.

They might add a player in free agency to the secondary or linebacker group just to get numbers up before the draft. Nothing big. A lot depends on how the cap looks after all the moves above.

They will do all this stuff BEFORE the draft and they will feel fairly confident that (while not perfect), all the position groupings are capable with NFL experience.
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This board will explode if this happens....isn't this tag the average of the top ten at his position? If so I am feeling really sick if the Steelers are even remotely considering this.
 
Jarvis Jones is a backup, at best. I see no way in hell they tag him in any way, shape or form. Even if he has 5 sacks the rest of the year (a great season for him), he still isn't worth starter money yet.
 
You guys are not facing reality.

Our depth at OLB is thin. Harrison will retire. That leaves Jones, Moates, Dupree and Chickillo going into the off-season on our depth chart.

Do you really think the team is going to look for a starter in the free agency market? No. Do you really think they are going to expect a 1st round draft choice to be starter?

That means Jones is GOING to be in their plans for 2017. And this team won't go into negotiations with Jones without a backup plan like the transition tag to keep him here.

Yes, it's overpaying (a lot). Yes, it will put all the negotiation power into Jones' camp. But this is how the Steelers work. I don't like it. Most of the educated fans here that look at the numbers don't like it.

But it's how they do business, for better or worse.

They would rather pay Jones $12 million for one year and hope to negotiate that down to $8 million/year than commit large amounts of money in free agency for a starter that will be overpaid AND disrupt the pecking order of salaries in the locker room.

And they are NOT going into 2017 with just Dupree, Moates and Chickillo on the depth chart. They just aren't.
 
deljzc said:
They are going to transition tag Jarvis Jones
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stillwright said:
This board will explode if this happens....isn't this tag the average of the top ten at his position? If so I am feeling really sick if the Steelers are even remotely considering this.
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But...but...he knows the system....
 
Reality may be that they want to keep Jones but he is not worth tagging and he is not worth anywhere near $8 million per. I'd plug a rookie in before I would pay him $8 million unless he drastically improves over the remainder of the season.
 
TDX27 said:
Reality may be that they want to keep Jones but he is not worth tagging and he is not worth anywhere near $8 million per. I'd plug a rookie in before I would pay him $8 million unless he drastically improves over the remainder of the season.
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Worilds drastically improved in his contract year also, got the franchise tag and money, and promptly went back to being ****.
I'm not as worried here though because Jones isn't even as good as Worilds.
 
We need a ******* pass rusher that can consistently beat some one, one on one. I hope Dupree is that guy, but that is what is killing our defense, along with injuries.
 
deljzc said:
You guys are not facing reality.

Our depth at OLB is thin. Harrison will retire. That leaves Jones, Moates, Dupree and Chickillo going into the off-season on our depth chart.

Do you really think the team is going to look for a starter in the free agency market? No. Do you really think they are going to expect a 1st round draft choice to be starter?

That means Jones is GOING to be in their plans for 2017. And this team won't go into negotiations with Jones without a backup plan like the transition tag to keep him here.

Yes, it's overpaying (a lot). Yes, it will put all the negotiation power into Jones' camp. But this is how the Steelers work. I don't like it. Most of the educated fans here that look at the numbers don't like it.

But it's how they do business, for better or worse.

They would rather pay Jones $12 million for one year and hope to negotiate that down to $8 million/year than commit large amounts of money in free agency for a starter that will be overpaid AND disrupt the pecking order of salaries in the locker room.

And they are NOT going into 2017 with just Dupree, Moates and Chickillo on the depth chart. They just aren't.
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I get your points but I think it will be a time for change of procedures, they will go for a starter in FA, maybe not a 12M worth but a guy that really earns his 8M. It also depends a lot on Dupree's comeback from injury, if he becomes a stud then whoever plays the other side doesn't have to be a great player and a decent vet would do while we draft another OLB high in the draft
 
Litos said:
I get your points but I think it will be a time for change of procedures, they will go for a starter in FA, maybe not a 12M worth but a guy that really earns his 8M. It also depends a lot on Dupree's comeback from injury, if he becomes a stud then whoever plays the other side doesn't have to be a great player and a decent vet would do while we draft another OLB high in the draft
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Weird thing is I think this exact same thing every year. ...
 
Litos said:
I get your points but I think it will be a time for change of procedures, they will go for a starter in FA, maybe not a 12M worth but a guy that really earns his 8M. It also depends a lot on Dupree's comeback from injury, if he becomes a stud then whoever plays the other side doesn't have to be a great player and a decent vet would do while we draft another OLB high in the draft
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The only free agents that we would be in this criteria are as follows:

1. Jabaal Sheard (NE)
I wanted him two seasons ago when he was dirt cheap and the Steelers let a great opportunity go by at bringing the old Pitt standout back. He's done pretty decent as a roll player in New England with 8 sacks last season and 3.5 already this season. At age 27 he's the same age as Jones. Would be my first choice as a potential "swap" of Jones-type players in the $7-$8 million/season range.

3. Nick Perry (GB)
Another very disappointing 1st round draft choice, I would argue he's actually worse than Jones. But again, if you want to argue apples to apples and maybe take the cheaper option (rather than a tag or overspending on Jones), Perry could be a possibility. Has 5.5 career sacks (sound familiar?).

Other than that, there really aren't any other options at OLB other than more old guys (Mathis, Long, Ware, Cole) or failed draft busts/FA's that are on their 2nd and 3rd teams already (Mingo, Kruger, Upshaw, Acho, Jordan, etc.)

The premier guys like Von Miller, Melvin Ingram, Jamie Collins (not really a pass rusher), Chandler Jones are going to be way out of our price range. We just don't bring in guys from outside of the building and slot them #1 or #2 in salary on the defensive side of the ball.

Free Agency isn't the answer as much as everyone here hates Jones (and I'm not a big fan).
 
Well if the fa pool is so shallow art OLB maybe get a pass rushing DE and stand in a 4-3 instead and have dupree, shazier and Vince at LB . Add a rookie LB . That way you rush with the front 4 and have dupree when you want to blitz a 5th
 
deljzc said:
The only free agents that we would be in this criteria are as follows:

1. Jabaal Sheard (NE)
I wanted him two seasons ago when he was dirt cheap and the Steelers let a great opportunity go by at bringing the old Pitt standout back. He's done pretty decent as a roll player in New England with 8 sacks last season and 3.5 already this season. At age 27 he's the same age as Jones. Would be my first choice as a potential "swap" of Jones-type players in the $7-$8 million/season range.

3. Nick Perry (GB)
Another very disappointing 1st round draft choice, I would argue he's actually worse than Jones. But again, if you want to argue apples to apples and maybe take the cheaper option (rather than a tag or overspending on Jones), Perry could be a possibility. Has 5.5 career sacks (sound familiar?).

Other than that, there really aren't any other options at OLB other than more old guys (Mathis, Long, Ware, Cole) or failed draft busts/FA's that are on their 2nd and 3rd teams already (Mingo, Kruger, Upshaw, Acho, Jordan, etc.)

The premier guys like Von Miller, Melvin Ingram, Jamie Collins (not really a pass rusher), Chandler Jones are going to be way out of our price range. We just don't bring in guys from outside of the building and slot them #1 or #2 in salary on the defensive side of the ball.

Free Agency isn't the answer as much as everyone here hates Jones (and I'm not a big fan).
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If they spend on just one upgrade as a pass rusher it should be financially doable. Free agency isn't the answer if you are bringing in a shtload expecting them all to fit and thrive. But one player ? that shouldn't be mission impossible Ethan................
 
I wrote an article, that will one day be released on this site, Here is how I looked at the Free Agents we would retain. As far as Landry Goes, I think we may let him walk and retain Mettenberger, if he shows improvement in practice and an understanding of the offense. Then Draft a QB next year to be #3.

I've worked out a comprehensive cap number and projected a conservative 19M in cap space (with a conservative $10M salary cap increase next season)

Player 2016 Cap 2017 Projected Cap Difference in 2017
Antonio Brown $11.9M $8M - $4M
Le’Veon Bell $1.1M $12M $10.9M
Marcus Wheaton $1.8M $6M $4.2M
DeAngelo Williams $1.5M $1.5M $0
Greg Warren $0.7M $0.7M $0
Ross Cockrell $0.6M $2.5M $1.9M
Fitzgerald Toussaint $0.6M $0.6M $0
Ricardo Matthews $0.6M $0.6M $0
David Johnson $0.6M $0.6M $0
Alejandro Villanueva $0.5M $4M $3.5M
LJ Fort $0.5M $0.5M $0
Anthony Chickillo $0.5M $0.5M $0
Chris Boswell $0.5M $1.5M $1M
Roosevelt Nix $0.5M $0.8M $0.3M


Total difference $17.8M
 
Litos said:
Well if the fa pool is so shallow art OLB maybe get a pass rushing DE and stand in a 4-3 instead and have dupree, shazier and Vince at LB . Add a rookie LB . That way you rush with the front 4 and have dupree when you want to blitz a 5th
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That includes DE's
 
slashsteel said:
If they spend on just one upgrade as a pass rusher it should be financially doable. Free agency isn't the answer if you are bringing in a shtload expecting them all to fit and thrive. But one player ? that shouldn't be mission impossible Ethan................
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If you're going to change and just tell the whole defensive group "you aren't doing your jobs so we need to shake things up", then going outside the building and signing a huge big-price tag free agent might not be a bad idea. I'm not totally against it.

But than you have to really make a wise choice on who you get and it has to be a character guy that somehow slips through the cracks of a team because they can't afford him, not because he's got question marks.

The thing is, I'm not sure Miller, Ingram, Collins and Jones are going to make it to free agency. Denver is going to keep Miller and is that even a possibility in your mind? Would we make someone the highest paid defensive player in the league with a $100 million contract? I think Ingram, Collins and Jones all get tagged by their respective teams.

That means the free agent market is going to be old guys. Unless you want Pierre Paul and his half a hand? And plan on standing him up for the first time in his career. Julius Peppers?

I don't think free agency is going to have any pass rushers in it this year, which furthers my point that you are all GROSSLY underestimating Jarvis Jones' value in the eyes of the Steelers front office. But it is what it is. Come back to me in February and tell me you told me so. I hope that's the case.
 
deljzc said:
If you're going to change and just tell the whole defensive group "you aren't doing your jobs so we need to shake things up", then going outside the building and signing a huge big-price tag free agent might not be a bad idea. I'm not totally against it.

But than you have to really make a wise choice on who you get and it has to be a character guy that somehow slips through the cracks of a team because they can't afford him, not because he's got question marks.

The thing is, I'm not sure Miller, Ingram, Collins and Jones are going to make it to free agency. Denver is going to keep Miller and is that even a possibility in your mind? Would we make someone the highest paid defensive player in the league with a $100 million contract? I think Ingram, Collins and Jones all get tagged by their respective teams.

That means the free agent market is going to be old guys. Unless you want Pierre Paul and his half a hand? And plan on standing him up for the first time in his career. Julius Peppers?

I don't think free agency is going to have any pass rushers in it this year, which furthers my point that you are all GROSSLY underestimating Jarvis Jones' value in the eyes of the Steelers front office. But it is what it is. Come back to me in February and tell me you told me so. I hope that's the case.
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I could see a player like Ingram being there available. That team seems to do questionable moves. And we seem to like their FA's.

Not thinking Miller because yeah he won't be going anywhere and if he did that def would be out of the Steelers price range.
 
We have taken pass rushers before. Kevin Greene was already established, and we still had a pass rush without him! I think there is a big chance this team may make a big defensive move, since Ben's window is closing.
 
Don't think you can sign a big time pass rusher without losing Bell, Brown, or maybe both.
 
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