Happy Friday to all of you once again and welcome to weekend.
The Pittsburgh Steelers certainly had a busy week as not only were they flying around the country attending several college pro days, they also signed three more outside unrestricted free agents in running back Knile Davis, cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and defensive lineman Tyson Alualu. While the team might add another outside free agent or two moving forward, it appears as though most of their main free agent shopping for the offseason is done.
With April now on the horizon, we figure to be busy in the coming weeks tracking and discussing the Steelers annual pre-draft visitors. As most of you already know by now, that list of players usually winds up including several players who the team will ultimately wind up selecting.
As of Thursday, the 2017 NFL Draft is five weeks away and that gives us plenty of time to post several more player profiles for you along with a few more sack compilation videos and I hope you enjoy them and find them useful.
As usual, I have five questions for you to answer in the comment section below on this Friday evening and I hope several of you will take time to do just that. I also want to thank each and every one of you for visiting the site this past week as the current traffic numbers for the month of March have us on a record-setting pace.
Have a safe and prosperous weekend and peace and love to all of you.
1 – As discussed during Friday’s episode of The Terrible Podcast, if forced to choose between Miami tight end David Njoku and Youngstown State edge-rusher Derek Rivers at 30th overall in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, who would you select?
2 – Who is your favorite running back in this year’s draft class who has a good shot at ultimately being selected by the Steelers?
3 – Below are some of this year’s top edge-rushers who could fit the Steelers need at outside linebacker listed in alphabetical order. Please rank them for me.
Charlton, Taco
Harris, Charles
Lawson, Carl
McKinley, Takkarist
Rivers, Derrick
Watt, T.J.
Williams, Tim
Willis, Jordan
4 – Speaking of players in this year’s draft class who can get after opposing quarterbacks, I have already posted sack compilation videos for Carl Lawson, Takkarist McKinley, Taco Charlton, Tyus Bowser and Solomon Thomas and next up will be Jordan Willis. Who would you like me to tackle next? Unfortunately, Derek Rivers is not an option due to lack of tape.
5 – Next week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will meet with the media during the annual AFC coaches breakfast that will take place during the league’s annual meetings. What one question would you ask Tomlin that he would more than likely give you a straightforward answer?
Recap from last week’s responses courtesy of David Orochena:
Question 1: Near unanimity as 25 people said that Dont’a Hightower was not worth $10 million a year and were not disappointed that the Steelers did not sign him. The one caveat was that several pointed out that if the Steelers had cap space to burn then perhaps it would have worked. But if Ryan Shazier is not worth it $10 million a year – why Hightower?
Question 2: Most (20) said no, the Steelers either will or should not draft a wide receiver in the first four rounds. Eight said yes it will happen and a couple hedged with if the right player like Mike Williams fell into the Steelers lap. Depending on how you look at it, this is either a vote for or against confidence in Martavis Bryant playing a full season at his potential.
Question 3: The question about Justin Hunter making the 53-man roster came down to 17 saying true; 8 false and 1 50/50. This question generated a lot of commentary on what wide receivers would make the roster.
Question 4: Twelve folks believed that a linebacker would be the next free agent signed and nine said cornerback. Four folks thought neither with either defensive lineman or running back suggested. One person said both. Running back Knile Davis was signed on March 20th so Boots was the only person to call it. Coty Sensabaugh was signed the same day but thought the Davis signing was announced first.
Question 5: Clear majority thought Darrelle Revis should stay at cornerback if he plays. Four thought he should make the move to safety since his coverage skills have eroded.
