Comparing Our WRs

[flippy]

Let's look at the playoff performances of our current group of WRs and use this to determine who deserves to be paid by the Steelers.

WR #1
4 Games
16 Receptions
141 Yards
8.8 YPR
1 TD

WR #2
4 Games
10 Receptions
160 Yards
16 YPR
0 TDs

WR #3
4 Games
13 Receptions
172 Yards
13.3 YPR
0 TDs

WR #4
8 Games
31 Receptions
471 Yards
15.7 YPR
3 TDs


Which one of these guys deserves $10M+ per season? We probably should have kept Santonio and paid him the big bucks because he produces in the playoffs. That's really the only reason to pay a WR. If they perform when it counts.

Larry F performs in the playoffs and so he gets paid.

Megatron will likely dominate in the playoffs if he gets there. Thus why he gets paid.

In fairness to WR #3, his stats in the playoffs are as good as WR #1 and #2 yet he's never started. And WR #2 only started in 1 of his playoff games.

Clearly WR #1 is the worst of the bunch come playoff time. And he's the one that wants to be paid the most and is currently holding out.

The Steelers should hand him and his agent the average playoff performances of top NFL WRs compared to his. WR #4 isn't a starter for the majority of his games either and his stats are significantly better in the playoffs.

It's likely if we roll with WRs #2-4, we'll be better off in the playoffs. And we'll free up a lot more money to be spent on our QB, Tackles, Pass Rushers, and DBs. The spots where money should be spent to win championships.

[Oviedo]

The one whose team has limited options at WR and can fit him under the salary cap without jeopordizing losing other talent. If the team has other solid WR assets I would never pay $10M to any WR.

We all know it is a passing league but you have to be able to put multiple threats on the field. Blowing your cap for one go to guy and then a bunch of average WRs won't work.

[flippy]

The one whose team has limited options at WR and can fit him under the salary cap without jeopordizing losing other talent. If the team has other solid WR assets I would never pay $10M to any WR.

We all know it is a passing league but you have to be able to put multiple threats on the field. Blowing your cap for one go to guy and then a bunch of average WRs won't work.

This is an interesting point. How much should you commit to your WRs as a unit? Would some of those dollars be better allocated to QB, LT, RT, TE?

I wish they'd make a Moneyball movie about the NFL.

[Oviedo]

This is an interesting point. How much should you commit to your WRs as a unit? Would some of those dollars be better allocated to QB, LT, RT, TE?

I wish they'd make a Moneyball movie about the NFL.

I think every team in the NFL has some sort of allocation by position unit and it probably varies from team to team. Obviously for our team, we have tried for years to economize by having a smaller allocation for the OL. Didn't work so that will probably increase over the next several years. We have however probably had a much higher allocation for LBs than other teams. Lots of factors play into this such as experience of each unit.

I think that $17-20M per year is probably the top line limit we could afford for WRs untder the current cap and I would think the lower side of that is probably right. That is why I think it will be very hard to keep both Brown and Wallace and still have viable #3 and #4 receivers past next year unless those guys are very young.

It would be interesting once the final 53 is determined how much we have tied up by positional unit. Anyone want homework?

[flippy]

I think every team in the NFL has some sort of allocation by position unit and it probably varies from team to team. Obviously for our team, we have tried for years to economize by having a smaller allocation for the OL. Didn't work so that will probably increase over the next several years. We have however probably had a much higher allocation for LBs than other teams. Lots of factors play into this such as experience of each unit.

I think that $17-20M per year is probably the top line limit we could afford for WRs untder the current cap and I would think the lower side of that is probably right. That is why I think it will be very hard to keep both Brown and Wallace and still have viable #3 and #4 receivers past next year unless those guys are very young.

It would be interesting once the final 53 is determined how much we have tied up by positional unit. Anyone want homework?

The guys that probably know this stuff off the top of their head are Colbert/Khan. Wonder why someone in the local sports media never requests and interview with Khan?

[steelz09]

It is tough. Luckily for the Steelers and fans, we always seem to have talent. It's an interesting topic because of the situation w/ Wallace. Could we sign him? Probably. But at what expense?

Gilbert, and Pouncey will command big pay days. One of our future corners might as well. What about Heyward? Do we want to lose Pouncey in favor of Wallace?

Fortunately and unfortunately, we'll see some big time players coming off the books in the upcoming years that should free up money such as Polamalu, Harrison and Ike. Hampton will be gone next year. It's one big balancing act.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I think that $17-20M per year is probably the top line limit we could afford for WRs untder the current cap and I would think the lower side of that is probably right. That is why I think it will be very hard to keep both Brown and Wallace and still have viable #3 and #4 receivers past next year unless those guys are very young.

You could pay both Wallace and Brown, then make due with a veteran wideout in the Cotchery mold (a reliable, but not necessarily dynamic guy in the $2 million a year ballpark) and get yourself another mid-round round WR prospect every couple of years (a potentially dynamic, but not necessarily reliable guy on a cheap rookie contract) and let those guys battle it out for the 3rd and 4th receiver slots.

[Slapstick]

Megatron will likely dominate in the playoffs if he gets there. Thus why he gets paid.

Megatron played in one playoff game.

1 Game
12 Receptions
211 Yards
17.6 YPR
2 TDs

That's pretty dominant...

Detroits D gave up 45 to the Saints last year...

[flippy]

Megatron played in one playoff game.

1 Game
12 Receptions
211 Yards
17.6 YPR
2 TDs

That's pretty dominant...

Detroits D gave up 45 to the Saints last year...

Thanks for supporting my point I forgot about that game. Not sure I even saw it.

[squidkid]

Thanks for supporting my point I forgot about that game. Not sure I even saw it.

that being said, that contract was a stupid move.