Sunday was a very eventful day for the Pittsburgh Steelers as it included the team waiving two additional draft picks in cornerback Doran Grant and linebacker Anthony Chickillo and both will now be exposed to the wire. I have now fully digested all of Sunday’s primary roster moves and read several of your comments and below are a few of my thoughts on what transpired while I was busy drafting a fantasy team in a local league.
Doran Grant – Yes, I was shocked that Grant was waived as I never saw that coming. To spend a fourth-round draft pick on a player and not have him at least make your 53 for the first few weeks of the season is concerning. Will he clear waivers and be signed to the practice squad? We’ll see. Personally, I was disappointed in Grant’s play on special teams during the preseason. In fact, I thought for sure he would excel in that area. Outside of that, I thought he played well. However, before I pass any further judgement on this move, let’s see if he makes it back to the practice squad. Not that it makes the Grant’s move any more appetizing, the team did sign cornerback Ross Cockrell to the roster and he’s a player they appeared to like prior to the 2014 NFL Draft.
Anthony Chickillo – You already know that I have struggled with whether or not Chickillo would make the final 53. He was on and off my projections the last several weeks and I ultimately had him being waived in my final one. Yes, he showed potential and upside, but I’m not overly surprised that he’s now been waived. As with Grant, let’s wait and see if he clears waivers and makes it to practice squad before further judging Sunday’s decision to waive him.
Jordan Todman – Not sure how you can’t like this signing and especially since we now have more information on former running back Josh Harris as it relates to his health. The team needed a running back with experience to help back up DeAngelo Williams while Le’Veon Bell servers his suspension and while he might not carry the ball in the first two games, at least he’s shown that he can do it. He is considered a vested veteran so he might just be sticking around a little while even after Bell returns. Believe it or not, Todman caught 25 passes last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and he averaged 6.74 yards per touch. Additionally, Todman tied for second on the Jaguars team with seven special teams tackles last season.
Doug Legursky – You had to think that Legursky might have a quick turnaround as the team manipulated their way through getting center Maurkice Pouncey to the Reserve/Injured list with the designated to return tag. As we all know, Legursky is a better center than he is a guard. In other words, while expect he’ll dress for games, I would think he would play center if one of the starting guards goes down as Cody Wallace is better suited to kick over a spot.
Caushaud Lyons – I have yet to look at Lyons’ tape but Alex Kozora should have a breakdown of him Monday morning for you. Being as he is now the seventh defensive lineman on the team, it makes you wonder if starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt might not be ready for Thursday’s season opener. With that said, I’m expecting Lyons to be inactive Thursday night and his stay on the Steelers 53 might be brief. They obviously saw something in him being as he was claimed off waivers and I’m excited to learn more about him.
