Steelers free agents - who do you keep?

[Slaine]

We have a lot of gaps opening up. Who do you want to keep?

James Harrison
DeAngelo Williams
Lawrence Timmons
David Johnson
Ricardo Mathews
Cody Wallace
Steven Johnson
Landry Jones
Jarvis Jones
Shamarko Thomas
Markus Wheaton
Le'Veon Bell
Ross Cockrell
Christopher Hubbard
Justin Gilbert
Alejandro Villanueva
Cole Manhart
B.J. Finney
Anthony Chickillo
Kevin Anderson

I've bolded the guys that I think are key to us. There is a lot of depth in that list as well which could be tough to replace. It'll be an interesting offseason as the front office go through this lot.

Encouragingly there are quite a few edge rushers that could hit the market. Whether we have any money left after Bell and Brown get paid who knows but hopefully there will be a chance to reinforce the pass rush. Maybe not Chandler Jones money but at least someone that can get to the QB.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/outside-linebacker/

 

[slashsteel]

James Harrison
DeAngelo Williams
Lawrence Timmons
David Johnson
Ricardo Mathews
Cody Wallace
Steven Johnson
Landry Jones
Jarvis Jones
Shamarko Thomas
Markus Wheaton
Le'Veon Bell
Ross Cockrell
Christopher Hubbard
Justin Gilbert
Alejandro Villanueva
Cole Manhart
B.J. Finney
Anthony Chickillo
Kevin Anderson

who they will keep

 

[BLITZ]

everyone on slashs list and add Dwill

 

[Drink IRON City]

Slash's LIST is pretty solid. Wheaton / Wallace / Williams are X factors. Of the three I don't think I keep any. Eli is as good as Wheaton and a healthy Ayers will compete heavily also. Wallace is warmed garbage but I did like his anryness with the "fister" attitude. As for Williams he is 34+ and regardless of career usage, is old and in the injury years of his career. Can be replaced with a rookie or another FA.



Salute the nation

 

[thesteelcity]

Steven Johnson signed a one-year contract.

 

[MTC]

Pretty much on board with Slash too.
B.J Finney was a brute on the line when he started. He's quick at pulling too.
Would be pleased with him back

 

[Litos]

We have a lot of gaps opening up. Who do you want to keep?

James Harrison
DeAngelo Williams
Lawrence Timmons
David Johnson
Ricardo Mathews
Cody Wallace
Steven Johnson
Landry Jones
Jarvis Jones
Shamarko Thomas
Markus Wheaton
Le'Veon Bell
Ross Cockrell
Christopher Hubbard
Justin Gilbert
Alejandro Villanueva
Cole Manhart
B.J. Finney
Anthony Chickillo
Kevin Anderson

I've bolded the guys that I think are key to us. There is a lot of depth in that list as well which could be tough to replace. It'll be an interesting offseason as the front office go through this lot.

Encouragingly there are quite a few edge rushers that could hit the market. Whether we have any money left after Bell and Brown get paid who knows but hopefully there will be a chance to reinforce the pass rush. Maybe not Chandler Jones money but at least someone that can get to the QB.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/outside-linebacker/

I'd go with:
Harrison as long as he wants to come back
Bell
Villanueva
Timmons (no more than 3,5M/Y)
Mathews
BJ Finney (RFA, cheap pick)
Hubbard (RFA, cheap pick)
Chickillo (RFA, cheap pick)
Cockrell (RFA, cheap pick)
Landry (cheap depth)
Ricardo Mathews if he can be kept on the budget

Steven Johnson as another poster said was signed.
David Johnson unless Will Johnson can be brought back for the same price

 

[MTC]

Harrison will be back. He stated he wasn't done. Hopefully the youngsters catch the cue on how Harrison works in the gym. Intensity
-Bell---has too. He's the Steelers best weapon on offense imo
-Villanueva---has too. He's solid and is turning into a fave. Solid contributor
-B.J. Finney--- blue collar. Workhorse. I was impressed when he played. A solid OL
-****---kinda lackluster. He showed promise in 2015. Felt he slightly regressed. But great depth
-Timmons---He's a starter and understands the system. However I think Williams can replace him. My opinion
-Chickillo---greater than Jarvis. Please Steelers bring back Chick
-Williams---Depth, however I see the Steelers drafting a younger RB to compliment Bell

 

[Stoney]

If you can't win with Landry Jones, he's not cheap depth, he's an expensive liability. Would rather see them take a chance on someone different.

 

[Punxsutawney]

How is Chickillo a free agent? Wasn't he drafted last year?

 

[deljzc]

How is Chickillo a free agent? Wasn't he drafted last year?

At one point he was released (thus voiding his rookie contract) and re-signed to a 1-year contract.

Because he's under 4 accrued years of service he is exclusive only to the Steelers. Thus the exclusive restricted free agent designation (ERFA).

 

[BLITZ]

At one point he was released (thus voiding his rookie contract) and re-signed to a 1-year contract.

Because he's under 4 accrued years of service he is exclusive only to the Steelers. Thus the exclusive restricted free agent designation (ERFA).

How do you cut a future hall of famer?

 

[Litos]

If you can't win with Landry Jones, he's not cheap depth, he's an expensive liability. Would rather see them take a chance on someone different.

any "decent" backup costs more than 5M/Y and it doesn't guarantee you a win.At least Landry won against the Browns(yeah I know, they suck horribly) but he did it with No Bell, no Brown and no Pouncey, and we know the rest of the WRs are nothing special

 

[Stoney]

any "decent" backup costs more than 5M/Y and it doesn't guarantee you a win.At least Landry won against the Browns(yeah I know, they suck horribly) but he did it with No Bell, no Brown and no Pouncey, and we know the rest of the WRs are nothing special

Everyone won against the Browns. A vet-minimum guy, or even a rookie can give us what we get from Jones, and the rookie would have more upside.

 

[MTC]

I was reading on the Steelers website that the Steelers are gonna sign Villanueva. I'd post the link, but I don't know how that works for the official team site. So I'll leave that to y'all to read into

 

[Drink IRON City]

I was reading on the Steelers website that the Steelers are gonna sign Villanueva. I'd post the link, but I don't know how that works for the official team site. So I'll leave that to y'all to read into

I'm glad in a couple of ways. 1.) he has shown improvement and that is a testament to our OL coach. Villi also seems to have great pride in himself and the team. We need players of this nature, 2,) He has a GREAT life story to go with his sense of pride and is a hero in that regards. I'll take a good player, willing to work at a high level, honest and forthright, someone KIDS can LOOK up to, any day. Thank you



Salute the nation

 

[Steelerfan81]

Chickillo already re-signed. Some of those guys on that list aren't even permitted to sign elsewhere. As dez explained they're ERFA.

 

[Litos]

Everyone won against the Browns. A vet-minimum guy, or even a rookie can give us what we get from Jones, and the rookie would have more upside.

or maybe not, apparently Landry is Montana in comparison to Mettenberger, who is a vet minimun guy.

 

[Slaine]

Updated list

The list as it looks now:

James Harrison
DeAngelo Williams
Lawrence Timmons
David Johnson
Ricardo Mathews
Cody Wallace
<strike>Steven Johnson</strike>
Landry Jones
Jarvis Jones
Shamarko Thomas
Markus Wheaton
Justin Gilbert
<strike>Le'Veon Bell - franchised</strike>
Ross Cockrell (RFA)
Christopher Hubbard (RFA)

Alejandro Villanueva (ERFA)
Cole Manhart (ERFA)
B.J. Finney (ERFA)
<strike>Anthony Chickillo (ERFA)</strike>
Kevin Anderson (ERFA)
Xavier Grimble (ERFA)
L.J.Fort (ERFA)
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke (ERFA)
Brian Mihalik (ERFA)
Al-Hajj Shabazz (ERFA)

 

[Ron Burgundy]

We MUST keep Landry Jones because he knows the system. /Tombert

everyone on slashs list and add Dwill

Slash's list but drop Jones and keep DWill.

 

[Litos]

The list as it looks now:

James Harrison
DeAngelo Williams
Lawrence Timmons
David Johnson
Ricardo Mathews
Cody Wallace
<strike>Steven Johnson</strike>
Landry Jones
Jarvis Jones
Shamarko Thomas
Markus Wheaton
Justin Gilbert
<strike>Le'Veon Bell - franchised</strike>
Ross Cockrell (RFA)
Christopher Hubbard (RFA)

Alejandro Villanueva (ERFA)
Cole Manhart (ERFA)
B.J. Finney (ERFA)
<strike>Anthony Chickillo (ERFA)</strike>
Kevin Anderson (ERFA)
Xavier Grimble (ERFA)
L.J.Fort (ERFA)
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke (ERFA)
Brian Mihalik (ERFA)
Al-Hajj Shabazz (ERFA)

Bolded those who I want to keep first as they are easier to sign, then:
- Timmons for less than 4M/Y,
- Wheaton on a one year/prove your worth kind of deal (which I think won't happen as some team will offer him a 10M/2Y contract),
- Landry for less than 3M/Y

I like DWill a lot but I think it is time to draft a 3rd or 4th rounder to be #2

 

[Litos]

According to fowlers tweeter Hubbard got tendered. Steelers have right of first refusal and would get zilch if he leaves as its the lowest tender.
It will be a bit less than 2M cap hit apparently.

He will be our jack of all trades in the OLine, togeher with Finney and Hawkins there's enough young talent to back up the line without havig to spend much. Bye bye Harris, good luck

 

[Litos]

Nix gets re-signed, this was a no-brainer as an ERFA.
Blue collar player with great ST play and run blocking ability

 

[Spike]

Steelers CB Cockrell gets lowest RFA tender

Steelers extended the original-pick tender to restricted free agent LCB Ross Cockrell.

The lowest-possible tender sets up Cockrell for a $1.8 million base salary. It's somewhat surprising Cockrell didn't land a second-round tender after emerging as Pittsburgh's top corner the past two years, at times chasing No. 1 receivers. Still, Cockrell seems unlikely to generate significant interest on the restricted free agent market.

The price for another team to acquire Cockrell would be a fourth-round pick and a big contract, and the Steelers can match any offer sheet Cockrell might receive.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9598/ross-cockrell

 

[CoolieMan]

not heartbroken at all if our **** walks.....