Steelers FA wishlist: Bring CB Byron Maxwell to Pittsburgh

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers free agency wishlist: Bring Byron Maxwell to Pittsburgh

By Dan Sager on Jan 6 2015



While not known for making "loud" signings in the free agency period of the offseason, the Seahawks CB would be an excellent addition to the Steelers.

With a heartbreaking loss now nearly water under the bridge, the Steelers focused shifts to the offseason. While player contracts, the draft and the salary cap all huge issues on the minds of fans and the Pittsburgh brass, another facet of offseason preparations is an interesting proposition; free agency.

Typically, the Steelers are a relatively quiet team in free agency, for years opting to build their team via the draft, with some of the top Pittsburgh talents being home-grown products of good drafting.

This year's crop of free agents certainly has some big names, with players such as Demarco Murray, Demaryius Thomas and Randall Cobb all eligible to become unrestricted free agents, but it's a lesser known talent who the Steelers would be wise to target this March; Seahawks CB Byron Maxwell.

Maxwell, despite strong play, has been lost in the fray of the talented Seattle "Legion of Boom" headlined by All-Pro CB Richard Sherman and the best pair of safeties in the league, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. If the Seattle secondary was the Beatles, Maxwell could probably be compared to George Harrison.

As a member of the most talented pass defense in there league, Maxwell has experience playing a variety of positions, as the six-foot-one Clemson standout has played in nickel packages guarding the slot receivers, and his size and speed allow him to matchup on the outside.

It's possible the Seahawks will resign Maxwell, but given their looming cap issues with the need to resign players such as Bobby Wagner and Russel Wilson, it's not unlikely Seattle allows Maxwell to walk, especially with the likes of Sherman and the talented T.J. Lane and Tharold Simon waiting in the fray. With Ben Roethlisberger apparently willing to rework his contract and some likely cuts coming (looking at you Cortez Allen) the Steelers should have some extra cap room to make a move.

As Christopher Carter pointed out, the Steelers have been mocked Michigan State's standout CB Trae Waynes, which given the suspect pass defense from the Pittsburgh secondary this season, is an obvious selection. If the Steelers were able to sign Maxwell and draft Waynes, Pittsburgh would find itself with a pair of defensive backs capable of becoming the best duo since Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend.

Maxwell is still only 26 and his size, speed and ability to line up at multiple positions make him one of the most interesting defensive backs in the NFL. With a glaring, obvious need at corner, the Steelers would make a splash by making a run at the talented Seahawks defender.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/1/6/7494463/free-agency-wishlist-bring-byron-maxwell-to-pittsburgh[/URL]

[K Train]

Waynes is a pipe dream at 22.

Also, imo Maxwell is not very good, but it would be an interesting signing.

[phillyesq]

I'm always wary of signing players from a successful team because I think you tend to overpay. Also, the player may well look much better than what they are due to the talent around them. Mike Mitchell is an example.

[Slapstick]

Maxwell looked pretty good to me when I saw him vs. the Eagles...Jordan Matthews was very much shut down when Maxwell played him in the slot...

[D Rock]

How did Walter Thurmond do this past season, wherever he ended up? That may be the best indicator of how Maxwell might fare.

Gotta like the experience he likely got though - I would imagine he was thrown at pretty regularly with teams avoiding Sherman and Thomas.

[steelblood]

We will bring in CBs that were left on the curb by other teams (as we usually do)

[RuthlessBurgher]

How did Walter Thurmond do this past season, wherever he ended up? That may be the best indicator of how Maxwell might fare.

Gotta like the experience he likely got though - I would imagine he was thrown at pretty regularly with teams avoiding Sherman and Thomas.

Thurmond signed with the Giants, but tore a pec in week 2 and was placed on I.R.

[SidSmythe]

This attempt would remind me of the Steelers trying to sign Alvin Harper in the mid 90s. They made him an offer and were willing to give up a draft pick b/c he was protected. He eventually ended up in Tampa Bay and did Nothing.

[hawaiiansteel]

Waynes is a pipe dream at 22.

James C Wexell@jimwexell -

I actually think Waynes falls to 2nd round.

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell/status/552914461309534208[/URL]

[Chadman]

I'm going to assume Cortez will get a shot at starting, and Willie Gay looks to be safe at CB2.

For FA CB's, what about Buster Skrine to play the nickle? Takes away from an emerging division rival, has quite a few turnovers in his career & also isn't impossible to replace if they happen to draft a top-tier CB.

[SteelerMaine83]

I think the Steelers should identify the FA CB they think has shown the best ability to do what a Steelers CB is supposed to do in our scheme, determine if no better options realistically exist in the draft (that is no better options to start this year) or on the current roster, and pursue that CB seriously. If that is Maxwell, good. If it's someone else, good. A starting caliber CB in FA, and let Allen, Gay, Blake and a rookie CB from Rounds 2 through 4 battle for the other spots. I really like Big Play Willie Gay, but age, size etc. would make me like him much more as a Nickel Back next year.

[Iron City Inc.]

Waynes is a pipe dream at 22.

.

Until he tests I'm not so sure. It's early in the process.

[hawaiiansteel]

For FA CB's, what about Buster Skrine to play the nickle? Takes away from an emerging division rival, has quite a few turnovers in his career & also isn't impossible to replace if they happen to draft a top-tier CB.

2015 NFL free agency: Browns CB Buster Skrine wants to test free agent market

By Dan Sager on Feb 14, 2015



The Browns "other" cornerback hopes to gauge interest on the open market after a career year; could he be a fit in Pittsburgh?

The Cleveland Browns, once again, had a disappointing, tumultuous season. But, like usual, their defense was reasonably solid. Even with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward departing as a free agent last season and first round draft selection Justin Gilbert contributing a sub-par season, the Browns' defensive unit held tough, particularly in the passing game, as Cleveland was the owners of the NFL's No. 8 ranked pass defense.

Of course, the well-known stalwart of the Browns is All-Pro cornerback Joe Haden, but it's the guy on the opposite side of the field who could garner much attention as a free agent; Buster Skrine.

Skrine had a career year in 2014, intercepting four passes and collecting 64 tackles. In fact, Haden's ability to lock-down half the field meant Skrine was facing a heavier barrage of passes, and he still performed well. The team wants Skrine back. Skrine wants to return to the Browns as well, but has stated he wants to test the free agent market, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Skrine should, and most likely will, command some serious attention on the open market. He's only 25-years old, has experience playing against wide receivers on the outside and as a nickel corner guarding slot receivers and he's a willing and ferocious tackler.

Unfortunately for him, he enters a free agent market which will include the likes of Brandon Flowers and Bryon Maxwell, with a possibility of Darrelle Revis joining that list. Simply put, Skrine will be coveted, but he won't be the most coveted, which may drive down his price. Unfortunate for him, yes, but for a team lacking cap space but with a tremendous need for a young, experienced corner? Very fortunate.

The Steelers struggles in the pass defense department have been well-documented. With three of their cornerbacks set to enter free agency, Pittsburgh finds itself thin at the position. Options exist in the first round of the draft which could be immediate fixes, but Gilbert, Skrine's teammate, was the eighth selection of the draft and wound up dropping below an undrafted player on the Browns depth chart, demonstrating the impossibility of depending on a rookie to save the day. Skrine has yet to hit the prime of career and already has four seasons under his belt. He will likely come much cheaper than Flowers or Maxwell, and he could potentially provide a return equal to the investment of either of the aforementioned defensive backs.

Cleveland has a ton of cap room, the third most in the league, to be exact, but owner Jimmy Haslam has said he doesn't expect the Browns to be "major players" in free agency. Even if the Steelers, or any other team, offered Skrine a contract, the Browns could certainly match it, if not exceed it. Shrine, however, might find the opportunity to be a number one corner, which he very well could be in Pittsburgh, too good of an opportunity to pass up.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-free-agency-news-rumors-signings-2015-steelers/2015/2/14/8037749/cornerbacks-free-agency-rankings-list-steelers[/URL]

[7 UP]

Count me out on Maxwell. That defense is so good. Does anyone really think Willie Gay wouldnt be just as good or better if he played Maxwells spot on the Hawks D? To much money for a player who may well prove himself to be a marginal player in our defense.

I like what I see out of Buster Skrine. Its the safer signing.

[squidkid]

will he play for 2 mil?