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Moves To Expect From Our Pittsburgh Steelers This Offeseason


Alright, the Steelers time is coming again, but one bad move could have the Steelers on the outside looking in come January. I will start with what needs to happen inside the organization then move to free agency and then the draft. Here are some moves to expect.

Internal moves-

As we know, Colbert and Tomlin met Wednesday about the future of the franchise. Players like Ike Taylor could be going (which I hope), and the decision about Troy Polamalu is going to be HUGE. Some moves we don't have control over will occur, for example Bell's probable suspension. That will stick a knife in our first two games if so. We have many needs, but we can't fix them all in a day. It takes more than one player or move to make a team. We can go all the way, b\it just takes one good move at a time.


Pre Free Agency Predictions:

1. The Steelers release Lance Moore.

This one is a no brainer. Lance Moore has been a failure of a signing and an all around disappointment. Lance Moore recently requested his release from the team which will likely be granted. He didn’t show the steelers much value during his tenure. Lance moore only had 14 receptions with 198 yards to his name. He had a pair of touchdowns but he played like a mediocre receiver. This is definitely going to happen and it’s only a matter of time.

2. David DeCastro will get his first round option. Cameron Heyward had, and DeCastro will follow. For an underrated, should have been pro bowl guard, paying less than 7.5 million is not too bad. DeCastro has played on a high level for a while and I expect big things next season.

3. The Steelers release Cam Thomas. Cam Thomas has failed to even be a two down player. He was signed from the Chargers on a 2 year, 4 million dollar deal. He has been getting beat by every lineman to date. He will easily be cut and no fan will complain.

4. Ben gets a 5 year, Ninety million dollar deal. Talk about a hometown discount. Colbert said there was "mutual agreement" amongst the two parties. Ben has started preliminary talks with the Steelers and will retire a Steeler. I’m skeptical that he could play six more season after this one. Ben is elite and this signing would cement him as the greatest QB in Steelers history.

5. Cameron Heyward and Kelvin Beachum get extensions. This might take some time to happen. In 2016, we have above 60M in cap space to date. These two are the only upcoming free agents truly worthy of a long term deal. Expect 8-9M for each of these players.

6. Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert get full restructured contracts. This is how much of our cap space will be made. We are currently 1.7M above the cap and this save about 7M plus in total. That rsigns many of our free agents not named Jason Worilds.

7. The Steelers release Troy Polamalu. A Polamalu release is necessary. He has been a legend in Pittsburgh and has cemented himself as a man who will wear a gold jacket soon. Polamalu has been regressing since 2012, he has been unable to be a playmaker or an impact on the field whatsoever. He is now 33 going on 34 come April. I think there’s no way he stays on an 8.25M cap hit.

8. They let Jason Worilds walk. This one will be tough to swallow. Kevin Colbert said he does not want to use the tag. By that I assume he means he won’t sign Worilds if he can’t for the right price. Jason Worilds tacked on 7.5 sacks during the season which was tied for the most sacks on the Steelers. The Steelers have to believe jarvis Jones works out.


Resigning current free agents:

  • OLB James Harrison

  • OLB Arthur Moats

  • CB Antwon Blake

  • CB Brice McCain

  • S Robert Golden

Notable Departures via free agency:

  • OLB Jason Worilds

  • TE Matt Spaeth

  • RB Ben Tate

  • CB Ike Taylor

  • WR Darrius Heyward-Bey



Free Agency Signings:

  1. TE Niles Paul (Washington)

What this signing would mean is that we would get a legit #2 Tight end for a few years with Heath Miller. What make Niles Paul better is his ability to block and catch. Matt Spaeth has had just four receptions in the past two season in Black and Gold. Niles Paul this season has shown that he is a major threat receiving. He has earned 507 yards through the air on 39 grabs. He also did this with a QB carousel in Washington, with the like of Robert Griffin, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy. If anything that means he will be even more productive as a Steeler. He only has 25 years of age and is worth a multi year deal when the his potential has yet to be met.

2. DE Tyson Alualu (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Tyson was once a top 10 draft pick. He has since been a disappointment and given the unfair "bust" label. He won’t start and will be signed to a short term deal as depth. He, Tuitt, Heyward and Keisel would mean we’d be "set" at Defensive End.

3. CB Walter Thurmond (New York Giants)

This is a high reward move. Thurmond is coming off injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. This means he will be cheaper and is also once apart of the Legion of Boom, and proved his value there. Which means he will likely start in Pittsburgh.

4. WR Denarius Moore (Raiders)

He had an off season. He had just 12 grabs for 115 yards. The raiders offense was terrible, and he was no bright spot. An advantage is he will bounce back and can be our newer and better Lance Moore.



Draft Day:

The day us fans yearn for, since we only build on this day. We have had great picks in recent years, like Antonio Brown but poor ones too, Alameda Ta’Amu. I could see the steelers go many ways come draft day, like Corner for the first time since Chad Scott in 1997 or a pass rusher who can adjust well to the NFL. The Steelers could contend towards the big game with a great draft.

Five Predictions-

1 The Steelers trust Shamarko and wait on a safety.

2 The Steelers don’t go cornerback in round one AGAIN.

3 The Steelers go linebacker once more on draft day.

4 They find Bell’s backup and starter during the likely suspension.

5 The Steelers finish with an A- in a year from now based on the 2015 NFL Draft.


Mock Draft

1.22 OLB Alvin Dupree Kentucky

2.56 CB Kevin Johnson Wake Forest

3.87 RB TJ Yeldon Alabama

4.118 FS Kurtis Drummond Michigan State

5.152 OG Jamil Douglas Arizona State

6.183 NT Xavier Williams Northern Iowa

7.214 WR Titus Davis Central Michigan


This is what I expect this offseason. The Steelers will make some moves and I am certain some will happen. I see a bright future and games aren’t just won on the field. It’s every move, every action, that wins games.

The opinions shared here are not those of the editorial staff of Behind the Steel Curtain or SB Nation. These posts are not approved in any way by the editorial staff of this web site.