Donta Hightower Visiting Steelers

[SidSmythe]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/13/donta-hightower-set-for-steelers-visit/

[Real Deal Steel]

We could use him. And maybe gets some insight from the Pats too. But he could be a spy like Blount was. Notice after Blount left, our ass kicking went up a notch by the Patriots.

[Oviedo]

Nice thought but gotta be way above our budget

[SidSmythe]

He's going to want a $13-15 million/year deal.

[SidSmythe]

The question is:
Is Hightower a dynamic 3 down player or do we stick with the value guy in Vince Williams who might be on the field for 1st downs and Run situations??
Where does this leave a Shazier extension??

[steelerkeylargo]

I'd rather sign Zach Brown at about 2/3 the price.

[Real Deal Steel]

I'd rather sign Zach Brown at about 2/3 the price.

At most points, you get what you pay for.

[SidSmythe]

I'd rather sign Zach Brown at about 2/3 the price.

Another decent option.
Although I think Brown is going to be about $9-$11 million/yr when all is said and done.

[Shawn]

I think if we need a ILB who is an upgrade over Williams then we have to draft one in the first three rounds. There just isn't much depth at ILB this year. You can see my sig, McMillan surprised me at the combine and he might be an option. But, my preference would be to grab a FA ILB.

[steelerkeylargo]

Another decent option.
Although I think Brown is going to be about $9-$11 million/yr when all is said and done.

No way!!! 6-7m a year gets him done!!

[Real Deal Steel]

Colbert knows he's not going to pay the price that hightower wants. So what would be the purpose for Colbert to have hightower come in from Colbert's stand point?

I know what Hightower is doing; He's trying to make New England resign him for a price he wants.

[phillyesq]

I've heard that Hightower wants about $10 million per year. He's a good run stuffer, good inside blitzer, but a bit of a liability in coverage. If you could get him for just under $10 million per year, he'd be a nice compliment to Shazier in the middle.

I also like Zach Brown. Signing either a LB or a CB will take some of the pressure off the draft.

[steeler_george]

Just heard, Bellichick designed a snow storm to keep Hightower away from visting the Burgh!

Good questions Sid, Is he that complete 3 down ILB that we need to replace/ upgrade Timmons... Is there depth in this draft in ILB?

On paper our LB core would sounds awsome: Dupree, Hightower, Shazier, Harrison/Rookie.

I think we could fit it in financially, if long term, back loaded when Big Ben huge contract expires in a few years.

Excitiing news regardless!

[feltdizz]

Colbert knows he's not going to pay the price that hightower wants. So what would be the purpose for Colbert to have hightower come in from Colbert's stand point?

I know what Hightower is doing; He's trying to make New England resign him for a price he wants.

Hightower knows he can't play hardball with the Pats. He is just seeing what the market value is for his services.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Dont'a Hightower would be a great Steeler, but at what cost?

Dont'a Hightower is visiting this week with the Steelers, who would make a good fit.

12:45 PM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are ramping up their free agency plans after a quiet first week.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower and former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Davon House are scheduled to visit the team early this week.

The Hightower news, delivered by ESPN's Adam Schefter, gets the attention of Steelers fans because the fit seems natural in light of Lawrence Timmons' departure. Hightower is a 265-pound thumper with leadership qualities and blitzing prowess (17 sacks in five years).

The question -- always the question with the Steelers this time of year -- is money. Hightower is the second-ranked overall free agent in ESPN's Top 150. There's reason to believe he'll command more than $10 million per year. The Steelers weren't willing to cross the double-digit threshold with Bengals corner Dre Kirkpatrick this week. But the fact that Hightower is still on the market signals the return-on-investment might intrigue Pittsburgh, who would presumably have competition from the New York Jets (his last visit), his hometown Tennessee Titans and the Patriots, who want to re-sign him.

After all, no harm in a visit.

House will be more affordable and would give the Steelers an experienced cornerback (four interceptions in 2015) with size (6-foot). After getting cut by Jacksonville, House would likely have to rebound on a prove-it deal. It would be interesting to see whether Ross Cockrell's playing time would decrease if the team brings in a new corner. Cockrell has played nearly 2,000 snaps for Pittsburgh since 2015.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/233509/donta-hightower-would-be-a-great-steeler-but-at-what-cost