Derwin James

[feltdizz]

Maddox’s injury was also far less severe...he was up and walking around shortly after the injury...

yup.. I really don't think Shazier will ever play again, nor do I want him too

but like shawn said, if that's what he needs to heal then give him all the hope in the world.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I don't see Derwin James falling out of the top 10, so I couldn't even conceive of a reasonable trade scenario for him.

But I'm on record as saying that if Georgia ILB Roquan Smith falls into the late teens, I'd be willing to trade picks 1.28 & 2.60 to Seattle in exchange for picks 1.18 & 4.120.

Here's what I would look to do with those picks:

1.18 (from SEA) ILB Roquan Smith, Georgia 6'1" 236
3.92 FS Jessie Bates III, Wake Forest 6'1" 200
4.120 (from SEA) RB Royce Freeman, Oregon 5'11" 229
5.148 DT Kendrick Norton, Miami 6'3" 314
5.165 TE Christopher Herndon, Miami 6'4" 253
7.220 WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, South Florida 6'4" 206
7.246 OT Brett Toth, Army 6'6" 291

[Northern_Blitz]

James has the ceiling of being a game changer in the way of Troy P. What would you give up for another crack at that kind of safety? First this year, first next...is within reason.

But he's still a mystery box. He could be Troy P. But, he could be Ryan Leaf.

In the first round the value of the mystery boxes are high. I'd rather have two good chances at getting a really good player than one slightly better change at getting a really good player.

That being said, I don't follow NCAA football so I don't know individual players. I just don't think Safety (even Troy or Ed Reed) is important enough to spend two firsts on. Especially for the Steelers who don't bring in big name UFAs.

[Shawn]

But he's still a mystery box. He could be Troy P. But, he could be Ryan Leaf.

In the first round the value of the mystery boxes are high. I'd rather have two good chances at getting a really good player than one slightly better change at getting a really good player.

That being said, I don't follow NCAA football so I don't know individual players. I just don't think Safety (even Troy or Ed Reed) is important enough to spend two firsts on. Especially for the Steelers who don't bring in big name UFAs.

I would be shocked if he is anything less than an All Pro safety.

[Buzz]

I'm thinking that if the Steelers trade up, it will more likely be for Ben's successor or Bell's replacement.

[steeler_george]

I don't see Derwin James falling out of the top 10, so I couldn't even conceive of a reasonable trade scenario for him.

But I'm on record as saying that if Georgia ILB Roquan Smith falls into the late teens, I'd be willing to trade picks 1.28 & 2.60 to Seattle in exchange for picks 1.18 & 4.120.

Here's what I would look to do with those picks:

1.18 (from SEA) ILB Roquan Smith, Georgia 6'1" 236
3.92 FS Jessie Bates III, Wake Forest 6'1" 200
4.120 (from SEA) RB Royce Freeman, Oregon 5'11" 229
5.148 DT Kendrick Norton, Miami 6'3" 314
5.165 TE Christopher Herndon, Miami 6'4" 253
7.220 WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, South Florida 6'4" 206
7.246 OT Brett Toth, Army 6'6" 291

If we do this, I honestly do not see where there is a difference in losing round #2 and gaining a 4th. We get the "better" LB in the draft, ( I am no expert), and I see a lot of players ranked in same lump (2nd rd to 4th rounder.)

That would be an excellent mock draft!

[steelz09]

I would much rather have James. Obviously, he would cost us a lot more but I feel like his potential is sky high compared to Smith.

I think James' impact could get us ring #7 before Ben retires. Smith, not so much. He's a poor man's Shazier.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

James has the ceiling of being a game changer in the way of Troy P. What would you give up for another crack at that kind of safety? First this year, first next...is within reason.

But that's the nature of the draft.

I'd give up two firsts for a shot at the next Polamalu...but there are no guarantees and that is a steep price to pay over the next two years. Also, even if he is the next Troy, he will have a horrible 2018 and this board will be insane with bust nicknames for the kid. He will start to show a glimmer or two in 2019 and will be an all-pro heading into the '20s.

[papillon]

The one commodity that the Steelers have that could grab a top 10 pick is Bell. Would any of the teams drafting in the top 10 take Bell for that pick straight up? A proven Pro-Bowl running back for a chance at the lottery. I know he hasn't signed the tag yet so technically he isn't a Steeler. Does the NFL do sign and trade deals like the NBA? Bell wants more than the Steelers are willing to pay (and, hopefully, won't pay), the Browns are loaded with picks and cash. Other teams?

This is the only path to that I see to get in the range where James would be available. Not even sure if its possible in the NFL.

Pappy

[Steel Maniac]

I would much rather have James. Obviously, he would cost us a lot more but I feel like his potential is sky high compared to Smith.

I think James' impact could get us ring #7 before Ben retires. Smith, not so much. He's a poor man's Shazier.

you know what? The thinking of,” getting it done before Ben retires” is the base of how we need to think and our actions need to be with that in mind.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I don't know if James drops far enough to entertain the idea. Maybe Smith drops some because of Red Flag on medical. Probably not too big of an issue since we haven't heard more since combine.

[Slapstick]

The one commodity that the Steelers have that could grab a top 10 pick is Bell. Would any of the teams drafting in the top 10 take Bell for that pick straight up? A proven Pro-Bowl running back for a chance at the lottery. I know he hasn't signed the tag yet so technically he isn't a Steeler. Does the NFL do sign and trade deals like the NBA? Bell wants more than the Steelers are willing to pay (and, hopefully, won't pay), the Browns are loaded with picks and cash. Other teams?

This is the only path to that I see to get in the range where James would be available. Not even sure if its possible in the NFL.

Pappy

My understanding is that Bell must sign the tag...then, the window is still open until July 16 to work out a long term deal...once he signs, he can be traded (like Jarvis Landry was)...

[feltdizz]

My understanding is that Bell must sign the tag...then, the window is still open until July 16 to work out a long term deal...once he signs, he can be traded (like Jarvis Landry was)...

sometimes I wonder if Bell's threats were hollow. Did he want to get tagged all along?

"don't tag me bro"

he gets 14.5 and doesn't have to report until the last minute like last year.

[Northern_Blitz]

The one commodity that the Steelers have that could grab a top 10 pick is Bell. Would any of the teams drafting in the top 10 take Bell for that pick straight up? A proven Pro-Bowl running back for a chance at the lottery. I know he hasn't signed the tag yet so technically he isn't a Steeler. Does the NFL do sign and trade deals like the NBA? Bell wants more than the Steelers are willing to pay (and, hopefully, won't pay), the Browns are loaded with picks and cash. Other teams?

This is the only path to that I see to get in the range where James would be available. Not even sure if its possible in the NFL.

Pappy

I think that the odds of trading Bell are very low. To do that, the team on the other side of the draft give up a huge amount of money and a shot at a premium player. Bell would also have to sign the tag, which he probably won't do until the last possible minute (which is probably the smart move).

Even if a trade with Bell did happen, I would think that the team on the other side would push for it to happen after the draft so they are trading next years picks.

[Northern_Blitz]

I would be shocked if he is anything less than an All Pro safety.

Busts are always shocking...that's why they're busts. I don't follow the NCAA, so I have no idea about any particular player. But there are always guys who look like they'll be amazing who don't pan out. I want as many premium picks as I can get to lower the downside risk.

You were comparing to Troy. When we traded up to get him we gave up our 1st (27th OA), 3rd (92 OA), and 6th (200 OA). We got KC's 1st (16 OA). I'd be willing to pay a similar price this year to move up if the FO thought they were getting a similar impact from a player. But, the price of trading our this year's and next year's 1st round picks would be too high in my opinion.

The thing about the Steelers philosophy about going into the draft without immediate needs is that they don't need to make big trades like this to fill a need. They can let the draft play out and pick the good football player that falls to them at the end of the first. I think that this year will be a good year for that because it sounds like several QBs will be over drafted and we already have a franchise QB.

I think we take BPA in the following positions (in no particular order): ILB, FS, OLB, TE

I'd need to be really in love with a player to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick because I want those guys to be contributors in year 1.