The 2014 compensatory drat picks will be announced later on this month and already people are starting to look forward to what the Pittsburgh Steelers might get in 2015 for the free agent loses they incurred so far this offseason.
Here is a quick look at what has happened so far as we start moving into week two of the new league year.
Losses:
Ziggy Hood – Hood signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and that deal included $5.5 million guaranteed. The former Steelers defensive end figures to be a starting defensive tackle for the Jaguars and as a result, should see extensive playing time.
Al Woods – Woods signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Tennessee Titans and he figures to be a backup. Based on his contract alone, it should be enough to figure into the compensatory formula. He should at least play 250 snaps or more in 2014 and we shall all hope for the more.
David Johnson – Johnson signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract with the San Diego Chargers and that deal included a $220,000 signing bonus. At least the contract wasn’t a one-year qualifying one and one would think with the signing bonus the Chargers gave him, that they certainly won’t want to eat it. He’s not likely to get a lot of playing time in 2014, but we all should hope he at least makes their final 53 man roster.
Jonathan Dwyer – Dwyer signed a one-year, $795,000 contract with the Arizona Cardinals that included a $65,000 signing bonus. That’s a qualifying contract and one would think he’ll be given an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
Emmanuel Sanders – Sanders has agreed to a deal with the Denver Broncos, but no numbers have been announced as of yet. He was reportedly wanting money similar to what Golden Tate got from the Detroit Lions, but that might be wishful thinking on our part and his.
Gains:
Mike Mitchell – Mitchell signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Steelers that included a $4.75 million signing bonus and $500,000 first-year roster bonus. In all likelihood, Mitchell will cancel out the loss of Sanders as far as the compensatory formula goes.
Cam Thomas – Thomas signed a two year, $4 million contract with the Steelers and received a $1 million signing bonus. As we look at things right now, Thomas will likely cancel out the loss of Woods.
Summary:
If this was it as far as moves go, I would guess that the Steelers would possibly get a fourth or a fifth round compensatory pick for losing Hood and possibly two seventh-round compensatory picks for the loss of Johnson and Dwyer. However, should the Steelers ultimately sign running back James Starks and defensive end Alex Carrington, one would think that would leave the Steelers with just one seventh round compensatory pick in 2015 and that’s assuming Johnson sticks with the Chargers and sees playing time.
