Steelers sign running back Knile Davis

[Shawn]

Which Williams? DeAngelo Williams who is unsigned and will reportedly remain that way? Or Karlos Williams who was released back on March 9th?

I wasn't aware that we were not planning on re-signing DW.

[Shawn]

DW is old and injured more often than Bell. I think we will look for a RB in the middle of the draft since the position is pretty deep this year. Not my words, this is what the experts are saying about the RB depth.

If DW isn't coming back I would agree with you.

[SS Laser]

Ahh there is the kicker. I thought it was well known DW was still a FA. So I ask now Shawn who replaces DW? That's what most of us are looking at. But depending on the draft I still think DW could be resigned after the draft. Not ruling that out.

[Shawn]

Great question SS. I don't see a well rounded back that would make an impact in the 3-5 range. So, if the Steelers believe Davis isnt a RB2 the Steelers might roll with a power runner. They did do Blunt and Bell so I wouldn't put it past them to do it again. I suppose Perine would be my pick. Perine might not make it out of the middle of round 3 though. I don't think the Steelers look at a RB before round three. Conner is a possibility as well. In the middle rounds those are the two best backs. I'm not a fan of Kamara, Hunt, Mack, or Foreman. Perine is a beast make no mistake but he is an A and B gap sledge hammer. Conner provides lesser power (though he has quite a bit) but is a bit more nimble but not by much. Not sure he will make anyone respect the edges at 240 in the NFL. Tough year IMO to find that true RB2 with special upside in 3-5 despite popular opinion.

[feltdizz]

This is the perfect year to find a #2 RB in later rounds. Teams have other needs besides RB and it's a "passing league" now. I don't see 10 RB's going in the first 2 rounds. If that happens we will have some awesome picks that will fall to us to help our D.

[SS Laser]

To agree with Shawn we have heard this is a great draft for X and yea it turned out not so true after a couple seasons. So until these RB's prove it on a NFL I will hope the Steelers gambled right on one. I also hope Shawn is way off! and there is a really good back to give Bell less work.

Maybe as has been said Conner could be better 10-15 pounds lighter? Learn a few things from Bell. As I said he has to have at least the it factor over coming a ACL/cancer and still be in football shape for this last college season. So he will put in the hard work I think.

[Shawn]

This is the perfect year to find a #2 RB in later rounds. Teams have other needs besides RB and it's a "passing league" now. I don't see 10 RB's going in the first 2 rounds. If that happens we will have some awesome picks that will fall to us to help our D.

Only 5 need to go in the first two rounds. And if they do which they will, then the Steelers would be best served to pray Perine falls to the 4th, or ask Conner to lighten up a few pounds and roll with him. IMO, those are the only two real options outside of the top 5.

[Shawn]

To agree with Shawn we have heard this is a great draft for X and yea it turned out not so true after a couple seasons. So until these RB's prove it on a NFL I will hope the Steelers gambled right on one. I also hope Shawn is way off! and there is a really good back to give Bell less work.

Maybe as has been said Conner could be better 10-15 pounds lighter? Learn a few things from Bell. As I said he has to have at least the it factor over coming a ACL/cancer and still be in football shape for this last college season. So he will put in the hard work I think.

I believe Conner would greatly benefit from running lighter. He has some skills and you have to love the heart.

[feltdizz]

To agree with Shawn we have heard this is a great draft for X and yea it turned out not so true after a couple seasons. So until these RB's prove it on a NFL I will hope the Steelers gambled right on one. I also hope Shawn is way off! and there is a really good back to give Bell less work.

Maybe as has been said Conner could be better 10-15 pounds lighter? Learn a few things from Bell. As I said he has to have at least the it factor over coming a ACL/cancer and still be in football shape for this last college season. So he will put in the hard work I think.

we definitely won't know until a few years from now. The point though is there are a lot of RB's in this draft that scouts believe will have success at the next level. When that happens they call it depth at a position....

hopefully we pick the the right guy but you never know.

I agree with you 99% when it comes to Connor. Not sure he will be any better after losing 15 pounds because he isn't a shifty runner. He is a physical guy so he may be best served by turning that 15 pounds into NFL muscle. Regardless, whatever coaches want I have no doubt he will do it.

one other thing. I think we focus too much on the big 5 conference schools and forget about the RB's at schools like Wyoming, UTEP, Boise, San Diego St. This draft is loaded. There will be value in later rounds it's all about picking that diamond.

We are looking for a 2A not a 1A when it comes to RB. I think this is the perfect draft to pick a RB in the 4th and get a nice surprise.

[Shawn]

we definitely won't know until a few years from now. The point though is there are a lot of RB's in this draft that scouts believe will have success at the next level. When that happens they call it depth at a position....

hopefully we pick the the right guy but you never know.

I agree with you 99% when it comes to Connor. Not sure he will be any better after losing 15 pounds because he isn't a shifty runner. He is a physical guy so he may be best served by turning that 15 pounds into NFL muscle. Regardless, whatever coaches want I have no doubt he will do it.

one other thing. I think we focus too much on the big 5 conference schools and forget about the RB's at schools like Wyoming, UTEP, Boise, San Diego St. This draft is loaded. There will be value in later rounds it's all about picking that diamond.

We are looking for a 2A not a 1A when it comes to RB. I think this is the perfect draft to pick a RB in the 4th and get a nice surprise.

Sure, and I am saying I have my own brain and can do my own thinking. I don't believe it because a scout says it. I want to see it with my own eyes. Its the reason I have a 4-5 round grade on Kamara when many have a 2. So based on MY extensive scouting of the running backs this year, I believe the consensus is wrong. Therefore, in my opinion it's not a deep class of RBs, its top heavy with 4 special talents. Have I been wrong before...yup. Will I be wrong again...yup. But, based on what I'm seeing, I just don't believe the scouts are correct on this one.

[Shawn]

we definitely won't know until a few years from now. The point though is there are a lot of RB's in this draft that scouts believe will have success at the next level. When that happens they call it depth at a position....

hopefully we pick the the right guy but you never know.

I agree with you 99% when it comes to Connor. Not sure he will be any better after losing 15 pounds because he isn't a shifty runner. He is a physical guy so he may be best served by turning that 15 pounds into NFL muscle. Regardless, whatever coaches want I have no doubt he will do it.

one other thing. I think we focus too much on the big 5 conference schools and forget about the RB's at schools like Wyoming, UTEP, Boise, San Diego St. This draft is loaded. There will be value in later rounds it's all about picking that diamond.

We are looking for a 2A not a 1A when it comes to RB. I think this is the perfect draft to pick a RB in the 4th and get a nice surprise.

Did you actually look at anything besides the highlight reels of those running backs? Honestly, it was awful.

[feltdizz]

Did you actually look at anything besides the highlight reels of those running backs? Honestly, it was awful.

Awful? Seriously? lmao... okay.

[Shawn]

Awful? Seriously? lmao... okay.

Yes, awful. Two of the running backs you mentioned have some sort of hitch gallop to their stride. It was actually ugly to watch. Not one of them looked special. Stick with your Conner love. He has some upside. I have him rated 7th best RB, late 3-early 4.

[feltdizz]

Sure, and I am saying I have my own brain and can do my own thinking. I don't believe it because a scout says it. I want to see it with my own eyes. Its the reason I have a 4-5 round grade on Kamara when many have a 2. So based on MY extensive scouting of the running backs this year, I believe the consensus is wrong. Therefore, in my opinion it's not a deep class of RBs, its top heavy with 4 special talents. Have I been wrong before...yup. Will I be wrong again...yup. But, based on what I'm seeing, I just don't believe the scouts are correct on this one.

okay, we shall see. All I know is RB's will be available in later rounds and EYE believe there will be some talent left after the big 4 are gone.

Lets not forget damn near every year one or two of those special sltalents doesn't live up to the hype.

Also remember WE already have a special talent even though you want to trade him for the next unknown special talent because lord knows a proven talent isn't better than an unknown.

Himestly, you sound like that other guy who was a draft master. Trying to make the big splash in draft predictions instead of focusing on what we really need. Sure, it's fun to predict who will be a star but I'm more concerned with who we will probably take given the way our roster is set up this year. I think we will pick a nice complimentary back in the 4th round and given how this draft is stocked we should be able to snag a nice RB. I'm looking for a guy who can finish a game or sniff the GL and pick up the blitz.

We don't need another Bell and honestly, the chances of finding one when we pick in any round is rare because Bell is a freaking beast.

[feltdizz]

Yes, awful. Two of the running backs you mentioned have some sort of hitch gallop to their stride. It was actually ugly to watch. Not one of them looked special. Stick with your Conner love. He has some upside. I have him rated 7th best RB, late 3-early 4.

we don't need special. Sure it would be nice but we have more pressing needs and already have a special RB who rarely leaves the field.

Teams also draft for depth at RB. There aren't many special players at any position but if you have a ton to choose from your chances of finding one increases with each round when other teams draft for needs at other positions besides RB.

If you can fix footwork with a QB you can fix a hitch, ball security, blocking, reading blocks, etc...

you are are too focused on pointing out the stars. Everyone can't be a star but some of them can be solid contributors to a team that already has a workhorse at RB.