Bittersweet day to see him no longer playing in Pittsburgh. Hope he makes the most of this opportunity. Best of luck, James!
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No matter the sport, everyone from Pittsburgh ends up in AZ.Bittersweet day to see him no longer playing in Pittsburgh. Hope he makes the most of this opportunity. Best of luck, James!
I’d have to imagine the starting position is up for grabs since Kenyan Drake left for Las Vegas.No matter the sport, everyone from Pittsburgh ends up in AZ.
Will he start?
You can thank me for that. Whenever he tweeted about something related to the next team I always replied to got to Arizona and play for the Cardinals!!! Including both he and the Cardinals team on the reply. So, clearly I am the Friggin GOAT SMF when it comes to James‘ career.Bittersweet day to see him no longer playing in Pittsburgh. Hope he makes the most of this opportunity. Best of luck, James!
There is certainly quite a pipeline from Pittsburgh to ArizonaNo matter the sport, everyone from Pittsburgh ends up in AZ.
Will he start?
Seems like a tandem situation between Conner and Chase Edmonds.I’d have to imagine the starting position is up for grabs since Kenyan Drake left for Las Vegas.
Do the Steelers now draft a RB in rounds 1 or 2? Their backfield is scary now... Snell, MacFarland, Ballage, and Edmunds...yikes.
I think so. Either Harris or Etienne in round one (Miami may snatch Harris before the Steelers pick) or UNC’s Williams in round two. Regardless of the sequence, I’m thinking they make RB and OL a priority.Do the Steelers now draft a RB in rounds 1 or 2? Their backfield is scary now... Snell, MacFarland, Ballage, and Edmunds...yikes.
Until I saw the spelling, I was going to ask how many Edmunds brothers are there?!Seems like a tandem situation between Conner and Chase Edmonds.
I think so. Either Harris or Etienne in round one (Miami may snatch Harris before the Steelers pick) or UNC’s Williams in round two. Regardless of the sequence, I’m thinking they make RB and OL a priority.
There is certainly quite a pipeline from Pittsburgh to Arizona
Agreed, trading down this year wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. Can’t recall the last time they did it, though.They need help at LB too. Best available OL, RB or LB. That's why I would be OK trading adding another pick.
I think so. Either Harris or Etienne in round one (Miami may snatch Harris before the Steelers pick) or UNC’s Williams in round two. Regardless of the sequence, I’m thinking they make RB and OL a priority.
I don’t think taking a running back in the first round is ever a good thing. As much as I like etienne, I’d rather they pick up a rb in later rounds or trade down for more picks. If an OL is on the board that is worth taking in the first then they should go after it. The Steelers have always been good at finding talent in later rounds. They don’t have a lot to spend under the cap. A RB in 1 will be costly. The team has a lot of needs and depth across the board is a big one.I think so. Either Harris or Etienne in round one (Miami may snatch Harris before the Steelers pick) or UNC’s Williams in round two. Regardless of the sequence, I’m thinking they make RB and OL a priority.
I don’t necessarily disagree- I’d prefer them to go offensive line- especially since you can get good production out of guys in later rounds or even undrafted. However, I just think that’s what they’re set on doing.I don’t think taking a running back in the first round is ever a good thing. As much as I like etienne, I’d rather they pick up a rb in later rounds or trade down for more picks. If an OL is on the board that is worth taking in the first then they should go after it. The Steelers have always been good at finding talent in later rounds. They don’t have a lot to spend under the cap. A RB in 1 will be costly. The team has a lot of needs and depth across the board is a big one.
Is anyone else tired of all the mock drafts on every sports network? It’s ridiculous.
Is Russ Grimm still around?Conner, Fitzgerald, Stephens-Howling, Breaston, Reggie Wells, Gerald Hayes, Ken Whisenhunt, Bruce Arians, Russ Grimm
Basketball - Cam Johnson, Sean Miller, Herb Sendek
Football - Todd Graham, Rich Rodriguez (ok WV but close enough)
Baseball - I knew a girl who dated a AZ Diamondbacks player so that counts
Bingo. And most RB can't make their own yards. Look at how bad Saquon was behind the Giants OL last year pre-injury (and NOBODY we would get would be close to him, including Najee).I don’t think taking a running back in the first round is ever a good thing. As much as I like etienne, I’d rather they pick up a rb in later rounds or trade down for more picks. If an OL is on the board that is worth taking in the first then they should go after it. The Steelers have always been good at finding talent in later rounds. They don’t have a lot to spend under the cap. A RB in 1 will be costly. The team has a lot of needs and depth across the board is a big one.
Is anyone else tired of all the mock drafts on every sports network? It’s ridiculous.
And most RB can't make their own yards.
Lineman here...RB’s don’t make their own yards.
I don’t think taking a running back in the first round is ever a good thing. As much as I like etienne, I’d rather they pick up a rb in later rounds or trade down for more picks. If an OL is on the board that is worth taking in the first then they should go after it. The Steelers have always been good at finding talent in later rounds. They don’t have a lot to spend under the cap. A RB in 1 will be costly. The team has a lot of needs and depth across the board is a big one.
The Steelers are going to regret letting James go in free agency. The injury rap is bogus, he missed one game to injury and two to Covid last year. Covid is Covid. The vast majority of starting RBs in the NFL were injured last year and many of them had capable offensive lines, we don’t. Under coach Canada I believe we will finally move away from a pass happy Offense and a dated cow bell running strategy, but we do not have the players to execute right now. If the draft is not productive, the running game will be the Steelers fatal flaw. Where Conner is going to be missed most is his leadership in the locker room, no rookie is going to replace that and we may have to buy our way for a adequate replacement. Best of luck James, you are already missed!Bittersweet day to see him no longer playing in Pittsburgh. Hope he makes the most of this opportunity. Best of luck, James!
I agree that if any of the top linemen are available you have to take them over a running back.
However, to say "a RB in 1 will be costly" isn't actually true at all. No matter what player the Stillers pick he is going to get almost the exact same contract, both dollar-wise and in terms of length. NFL draft picks have slot values assigned to them, and if you spend more on one guy you have to find someone else to take less. And no one is going to take significantly less than their pick is "valued" at.
I agree with your value prospectYou're arguing my point for me. Every rookie pick gets paid the same no matter what position you take. But not every position gets paid the same. The fact that rookie picks have slotted contract values demands that you draft with an eye toward cost over replacement.
Think about cost over replacement value. A starting OL on the free agent market is worth $16-20 million. A starting RB is worth $5 million. Pick 24 gets paid about $3 million no matter what position it is. So you can save $10 million by taking an OT at 24 instead of saving $2M if you took a RB.
You're arguing my point for me. Every rookie pick gets paid the same no matter what position you take. But not every position gets paid the same. The fact that rookie picks have slotted contract values demands that you draft with an eye toward cost over replacement.
Think about cost over replacement value. A starting OL on the free agent market is worth $16-20 million. A starting RB is worth $5 million. Pick 24 gets paid about $3 million no matter what position it is. So you can save $10 million by taking an OT at 24 instead of saving $2M if you took a RB.
Slater might be a top 5 pick so he definitely won't be there at 24. I'm not sure about the other guys but I know the Steelers need an OL and this draft has a lot of them. There are some good corners, too, but I'm not sure if any of them make it to 24. Pass rush would be fine, too.I think the only problem with this is who they'll be able to draft at that position. You really want someone who will play this year. Rashawn Slater might be the best shot. Versatile and can play center at a high level. Can also plug in everywhere else. Not crazy about some of the tackles that will be there and guards are easy to find. If he's gone, then I don't know what happens. We all know that Tomlin loves LB's and CB's early.
Barry Sanders would like a word...Other than Shady and Alvin Kamara, I pretty much agree.
Retired 23 years agoBarry Sanders would like a word...
You're arguing my point for me. Every rookie pick gets paid the same no matter what position you take. But not every position gets paid the same. The fact that rookie picks have slotted contract values demands that you draft with an eye toward cost over replacement.
Think about cost over replacement value. A starting OL on the free agent market is worth $16-20 million. A starting RB is worth $5 million. Pick 24 gets paid about $3 million no matter what position it is. So you can save $10 million by taking an OT at 24 instead of saving $2M if you took a RB.
I understand where you are going with this, but that $16-$20m lineman is a proven high level pro bowler in his second contract. They are drafting at 24, so probably will get a good OL prospect, but likely not someone who fits the mold you're talking about.
RBs get chewed up and spit back out, which is why they usually aren't getting huge second contracts. If they have a shot at getting the best RB in the draft vs. say the 6th or 7th best OL, I don't think that's an easy decision. Especially if they want an impact this year. A guy like Eitienne or Harris could have a huge impact on the offense when coupled with the weapons they already have.
If I was the Steelers I would try and trade down and take the best guy available at OL, RB, or LB. Try to pick up another 3rd round pick.
Seeing a lot of late first or second round projections for him. Guess we'll see but I agree with you, I think a RB at that position would have to be a HOF guy.Slater might be a top 5 pick so he definitely won't be there at 24. I'm not sure about the other guys but I know the Steelers need an OL and this draft has a lot of them. There are some good corners, too, but I'm not sure if any of them make it to 24. Pass rush would be fine, too.
I really, really don't want them to take a RB prior to addressing the line. Just seems like a backwards strategy IMO.
If you're not even contemplating that a guy will be a high level player into his second or third contract, you've already lost me on taking that dude at 24. RBs are so replaceable, you're better off spending as little as you can (including draft capital) on them for 3 years and then pressing reset. I think it makes no sense to take a guy at 24 that will maybe play at a high level for 4 years if he doesn't get hurt.
That said, I do think that you're right in a lot of ways. And I think the Steelers are already "all in" on this year so I expect them to take the RB. But from a value-proposition standpoint, the decision to do so is objectively wrong.
Seeing a lot of late first or second round projections for him.
The fact that rookie picks have slotted contract values demands that you draft with an eye toward cost over replacement.