Tomlin: Steelers' needs are at defensive back, outside linebacker

[Real Deal Steel]

Although a lot of teams try and deny it and say they go BPA regardless of position. Lol. Like some have said, that works for teams at the top of the draft order.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I add pieces of our FA signings to this pie to get an idea where their thinking is. So..I agree with the statement OLB is the biggest "need" going into this draft. I believe they need to play more man but as always from the X's & O's you have to put pressure to play man behind it so step 1 is pass rush. They will draft another CB but they won't panic for a starter early. Sensabaugh is there to push Cockrell & Gay and don't forget they said Gholston could play outside (although I need to see that) so he will get the opportunity also.


This is is my gut. No for argument just my take. Many OLB/DE will be off the board. There could be a fan favorite there. But because of medical or level of competition they won't be graded as high. That's all I'm saying on them. I do believe there is a need being misdirected. I don't feel the Steelers count Green in. They made a mistake. Concussion issues don't improve. I do believe Njoku has a chance to slip from a run on pass rushers. He clearly will be that young big school BPA That fits. I do believe it's a need & if you look at the last several drafts...The offense is banging the table. If it's a run with Ben...That's the piece. Just my feel on how it's going to unfold.


Lastly, The Hightower situation has me curious. McMillan might be a name behind closed doors in the 2nd.

[RuthlessBurgher]

no kidding, as if the steelers are the only ones that do it
the only teams that draft for need are the few desperate ones at the top of round 1 looking for a franchise qb., otherwise, we all draft and approach FA the same.

Jacksonville has spent over $448 million to sign 28 free agents between 2014-2016 and got themselves 11 wins over those 3 seasons combined. And then they gave huge money this offseason to bring in A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell, plus others. I'm pretty sure that Jacksonville's approach to free agency is way different than Pittsburgh's approach to free agency.

[Real Deal Steel]

Jacksonville's approach to free agency is the polar opposite of us...waaaaaay too far to the left. But were waaaaaaay too far to the right.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Jacksonville has spent over $448 million to sign 28 free agents between 2014-2016 and got themselves 11 wins over those 3 seasons combined.......and Calais

maybe he helps them get it up

[squidkid]

Jacksonville has spent over $448 million to sign 28 free agents between 2014-2016 and got themselves 11 wins over those 3 seasons combined. And then they gave huge money this offseason to bring in A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell, plus others. I'm pretty sure that Jacksonville's approach to free agency is way different than Pittsburgh's approach to free agency.

how much have the steelers spent to sign ben, ab, bell, decastro, pouncey, timmons etc? because i seem to remember when fans say we never spend any money in FA, other fans defend that by always saying we use FA to sign/extend our own.
plus, jax uses FA to fill voids in their lineup before the draft, just like we do. they just tend to go after good players that cost a lot

[RuthlessBurgher]

how much have the steelers spent to sign ben, ab, bell, decastro, pouncey, timmons etc? because i seem to remember when fans say we never spend any money in FA, other fans defend that by always saying we use FA to sign/extend our own.
plus, jax uses FA to fill voids in their lineup before the draft, just like we do. they just tend to go after good players that cost a lot

.
Yeah, the Steelers' big money contracts go to players they have drafted and developed. Outside free agency is essentially to fill in depth positions via short term, near vet minimum contacts with the occasional starter added in the 2nd tier of free agency.

The Jaguars try to lure big names to Jacksonville with huge deals at the very start of free agency, hoping to find their cornerstone players via the outside free agent marketplace.

All NFL teams must spend a ton of money each year in this salary cap format, but how these two teams choose to spend their money could not be more polar opposite when it comes to how they approach outside free agency.