Not bad for a "terrible" Tomlin draft pick. Could make him too hard for us to resign.
Worilds ranked second-best free-agent LB
January 24, 201411:18 PM
By EdBouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Linebacker Jason Worilds, blocked by a wrist injury and two Pro Bowlers in front of him his first three seasons with the Steelers, broke through with his best season in 2013, and it’s about to pay off for him.
Worilds is ranked as the second-best linebacker available in free agency,according to RotoWorld, a highly regarded site that covers prosports, including the NFL, and released its ratings Friday.
The only outside linebacker ranked ahead of Worilds is Brian Orakpo ofthe Washington Redskins, a first-round draft choice in 2009 who hasmade three Pro Bowls.
Freeagents can sign with other teams beginning March 11, but they canre-sign with their own team anytime before. Although the Steelershave not identified which players they would like to sign, presidentArt Rooney II, in a recent chat with Steelers ticket-holders,mentioned only one player when asked who he would like to keep.
“JasonWorilds is certainly somebody who came on and showed what he can do,particularly over the second half of the season,” Rooney said.
TheSteelers have 21 unrestricted free agents, and 18 landed onRotoWorld’s rankings. Among their position players, FernandoVelasco ranked the next highest as the eighth-best center.
EmmanuelSanders is ranked No. 9 at wide receiver, Jerricho Cotchery No. 17and Plaxico Burress No. 44 among the 45 they ranked.
RyanClark is listed 10th among the 40 safeties with Will Allen at No. 34.Former Steelers safety Ryan Mundy is No. 23.
RotoWorld ranked LaRod Stephens-Howling as the 14th-best running back, Jonathan Dwyer as No. 15 and Felix Jones No. 20. Former Steeler RashardMendenhall ranked seventh.
Brett Keisel is 15th among the 35 defensive ends. It listed defensive end Ziggy Hood at defensive tackle, where they rank him 16th among the 40on their list with Al Woods at No. 30.
David Johnson is listed at No. 20 among tight ends and Michael Palmer No.25.
Stevenson Sylvester ranks 29th of the 30 inside linebackers on the RotoWorld list, but Jamaal Westerman is ranked five spots above him.
Of the five punters listed, Plum native Pat McAfee is No. 1, and two who played for the Steelers last season, Mat McBriar and Zoltan Mesko,are listed fourth and fifth.
Former Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon is rated No. 3 among guards available in free agency. Also at guard, former Steeler Jamon Meredith is ranked 14th and Chris Scott No. 22.
Only three of the Steelers impending 21 unrestricted free agents are not on the RotoWorld rankings — Cody Wallace and Guy Whimper, and they do not list long snappers, so Greg Warren is not mentioned.
The Steelers have no restricted free agents this year.
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