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Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/18

May 9th, 2018 at 7:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s draft pick signings:

  • The Falcons have agreed to terms with second-round cornerback Isaiah Oliver, fourth-round running back Ito Smith, sixth-round receiver Russell Gage, and sixth-round linebacker Foyesade Olukom. That leaves Atlanta with just two remaining unsigned draft picks, first-round wideout Calvin Ridley and third-round defensive tackle Deadrin Senat. None of the four selections signed by the Falcons today figure to have much of a 2018 role, but given the strength of Atlanta’s roster, the club was able to target future value. Oliver fits the Falcons’ size requirements for a defensive back and could help out down the line, while Smith is a hedge against Atlanta failing to sign Tevin Coleman, who will become a free agent at season’s end.
  • Fifth-round offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby has signed his rookie deal with the Lions. Crosby surprisingly fell to Day 3 of the draft after many analysts pegged him as at least a Day 2 selection. Although he played tackle at Oregon, Crosby could shift to guard in Detroit, especially given the presence of incumbent tackles Taylor Decker and Ricky Wagner. Crosby may compete to start at left guard, but with Graham Glasgow likely locking down that position, Crosby is probably looking at reserve duty for 2018.
  • The Steelers have inked their first rookie to a contract, as fifth-round rookie running back Jaylen Samuels is now signed. Samuels, a North Carolian State product, was something of a jack-of-all-trades during his collegiate days, and it won’t be surprising if he sees action at fullback, tight end, or receiver during his rookie season in Pittsburgh. Long-term, Samuels could be a candidate to replace Le’Veon Bell, who will once again play under the franchise tag in 2018.
  • Fifth-round wideout Justin Watson has singed his rookie pact with the Buccaneers, tweets Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Watson posted excellent athletic testing results and put up outstanding production at Pennsylvania, but he’s coming from a small school and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com says Watson “doesn’t move with desired suddenness.” Watson likely won’t factor into Tampa Bay’s offense this season, but could carve out a role on special teams.
  • The Patriots didn’t land a first-round quarterback as many had projected, but they did pick LSU signal-caller Danny Etling in the seventh round, and he’s now under contract. New England doesn’t figure to keep three quarterbacks on its roster, so Etling will likely (at best) spend the 2018 season on the club’s practice squad. It’s possible he’s just a camp arm.

Zeise: Steelers' Draft Befuddles

May 6th, 2018 at 7:51pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • The Steelers‘ draft was too light on defensive help, Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. In particular, Zeise zeroes in on Pittsburgh’s third-round Mason Rudolph pick — one he calls a wasted selection because it may do nothing to help the team capitalize on its closing championship window. Ben Roethlisberger made this point earlier this week, and with the Steelers taking more of an upside project in Round 1 in safety Terrell Edmunds and wideout James Washington in Round 2, Zeise writes that the franchise should have devoted a bit more help to its needs on defense as Roethlisberger’s career winds down.
  • In a series detailing every team’s biggest post-draft issue, ESPN.com’s Charles McDonald writes (Insider link) the edge-rushing group sits as the Steelers’ trouble spot. Despite the Steelers leading the NFL with 56 sacks in 2017, and housing upper-echelon defensive ends in Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, McDonald writes Bud Dupree‘s inconsistency and the lack of depth at this spot could pose a problem for the defending AFC North champs.

Steelers Late-Rounder Listed As Impact Rookie

May 5th, 2018 at 10:42am CST by Ben Levine

Ben Roethlisberger On Steelers’ QB Situation, Future Plans

May 4th, 2018 at 7:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having seen probably the best Steelers team since at least the Super Bowl XLV-qualifying version fail to win a playoff game, Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t seem to be too thrilled about the franchise using a key resource to draft his possible replacement and not a player who stands to help the team this season.

“I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third round, you know you can get some really good football players that can help this team now,” Roethlisberger said during an interview with 93.7 The Fan (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). “Nothing against Mason (Rudolph); I think he’s a great football player. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he’s a great kid. I just don’t know how backing up or being a third [string] — well, who knows where he’s going to fall on the depth chart — helps us win now.”

The Steelers used their first-round pick on safety Terrell Edmunds and chose another wide receiver in former Rudolph Oklahoma State target James Washington. But they made their biggest quarterback draft investment since Roethlisberger with their third 2018 draft choice.

The 36-year-old quarterback is going into his 15th season. Roethlisberger said quickly after the Steelers’ loss to the Jaguars that he would return for the 2018 season, and he’s said he now wants to play beyond his current contract. That deal runs through 2019. However, this abrupt declaration came in stark contrast to how Roethlisberger proceeded after the 2016 season, when he went weeks without committing to return in 2017.

Fowler notes the reaction around Steelers headquarters was positive, but now he wonders if the team believes he’s going to be playing into his late 30s.

“I wanted them to know so they wouldn’t have to worry about drafting a quarterback,” Roethlisberger said. “I wanted to make sure there were no questions. Once they drafted a quarterback in the third, I wasn’t sure if they believed me or not. But I’m committed to it.”

Making his sixth Pro Bowl, Roethlisberger also made it through a season without missing games due to injury for the first time since 2014. The Steelers may be ready to extend Roethlisberger beyond his current contract, which features $23.2MM cap numbers in 2018 and ’19, this offseason. But he appears to be more concerned about whether Le’Veon Bell will be extended and would be fine with Pittsburgh brass tending to his own deal next year.

“To me, there are more important pieces that need to be taken care of besides myself,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve got two years left, this one and one more. I want to go out and do the best I can. To me, it’s about addressing it next year. But if they feel they want to talk and address something this year, we will obviously talk and listen.”

Steelers Adjust Ryan Shazier’s Contract

May 3rd, 2018 at 1:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers have converted $8.26MM of linebacker Ryan Shazier’s 2018 base salary into a signing bonus, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move will have no cap implications for the Steelers, but it will allow Shazier to collect on the bulk of his pay for the 2018 season immediately rather than wait for it in increments throughout the year. 

The Steelers placed Shazier on the PUP list on Wednesday, which officially rules him out for the 2018 season. Shazier’s contract expires after the year is through, but that’s the furthest thing from his mind as he works to recover from the spinal injury he suffered last year.

When Shazier was carted off of the field in December, doctors feared that he might never walk again. After months of grueling rehab, Shazier is now able to walk with some assistance. Someday, the linebacker hopes to return to the field.

“There is no ceiling in Ryan’s recovery. He aggressively approaches it every day,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said in March. “We support him in every way possible in that endeavor. Where that leads, only he will know and he will determine further down the road. His approach, his mental approach. I can’t tell you how impressive an inspiration he is to us.”

In addition to the $8.26MM signing bonus, Shazier will also earn roughly $700K in salary throughout the season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/18

May 2nd, 2018 at 4:59pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Claimed: OT Jake Rodgers (from Texans)

Steelers Place Ryan Shazier On PUP List

May 2nd, 2018 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers have placed Ryan Shazier on the PUP (Phyiscially Unable To Perform) list. This was the expected course of action after GM Kevin Colbert announced in February that Shazier would not be able to play in 2018. The move means that Shazier will not count against Pittsburgh’s 90-man roster.

Shazier, of course, suffered a serious spinal injury against the Bengals in Week 13. He underwent successful spinal stabilization surgery in December, but as we saw from his on-camera appearance during the NFL Draft, he has a long way to go in his recovery. An eventual return to the field has not been ruled out, but Shazier will first focus on his general well-being and mobility.

“That’s a huge lift, for not only him, but for us,” said Colbert after watching Shazier walk across the NFL Draft stage to announce the Steelers’ first round pick. “To see where he’s come from to where he is and knowing where he might be able to go, it’s beyond inspirational. It’s just exciting. It’s really exciting for him.”

Shazier, meanwhile, said he was touched by the tremendous reaction he received in Dallas.

“It motivates you when you get the reaction you get from the crowd,” said Shazier. “The people at Ohio State loved me before I got hurt. The people at the Steelers loved me before I got hurt. Just the fact that I am going through this, so many people have been reaching out, praying and having their hands of protection around me. It really means a lot.”

Bengals Sign Moritz Böhringer

May 1st, 2018 at 11:43am CST by Zachary Links

The impressive athleticism of German wide receiver Moritz Böhringer compelled the Vikings to take a flier on him in the sixth round of the 2016 draft. This year, the Bengals will take an up close look at him as a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, the league announced. 

Böhringer is the only European player in NFL history to be selected in the draft without playing any college football. His lack of experience probably put a cap on his pro prospects as he spent his rookie year on Minnesota’s practice squad and did not sign with another team after his release in September. He’s still pursuing his pro dreams, however, and he’s slated to enter the year as the eleventh player on the Bengals’ practice squad.

The league’s International Player Pathway program will allow each AFC North team to carry an extra overseas player on their practice squad in 2018. Unlike those on the traditional ten-man practice squad, the additional player cannot be activated during the season. Last year, the NFC South had the honors.

The Ravens will have German Football League linebacker Christopher Ezeala, the Browns will practice with former British American Football League defensive back/wide receiver Tigie Sankoh, and the Steelers will have former English professional rugby tight end Christian Scotland-Williamson.

Steelers Release S J.J. Wilcox

April 30th, 2018 at 3:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers have released safety J.J. Wilcox, according to a team announcement. The move will save the team $3.125MM while leaving $675K on the cap in dead money. 

Wilcox’s spot was rumored to be in jeopardy throughout the offseason due to his salary. When the Steelers selected two safeties over the weekend (and signed one UDFA safety on Sunday), that all but confirmed the buzz. At one point in time, the Steelers appeared to consider retaining Wilcox at a reduced rate, but that option is no longer on the table.

Wilcox, 27, appeared in 12 games in his first season for Pittsburgh last year. The former third round pick was initially set to play out the 2017 season with the Buccaneers, but they shipped him to the Steelers after signing T.J. Ward in September. The Bucs may be a club to keep an eye on as Wilcox looks for his next deal.

Steelers Had First-Round Grade On Mason Rudolph

April 29th, 2018 at 4:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • The Steelers moved up from pick No. 79 to No. 76 in order to draft quarterback Mason Rudolph, and Pittsburgh actually had a first-round grade on the ex-Oklahoma State signal-caller, general manager Kevin Colbert told reporters, including Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Rudolph could conceivably serve as Ben Roethlisberger‘s backup during the former’s rookie campaign, and his presence on the Steelers’ roster will force the club to make a decision on its depth chart. Pittsburgh only figures to keep three quarterbacks on its squad, meaning one of Landry Jones or 2017 third-rounder Josh Dobbs will almost certainly be cut.
  • The Bengals may have had their eye on Rudolph, as head coach Marvin Lewis said Cincinnati was considering selecting a quarterback in Round 3 before the Steelers jumped ahead of them, according to Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer (all Twitter links). Additionally, the Bengals thought about packaging their three late seventh-round picks to move up in the round for Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside, but he ended up slipping to Cincinnati at No. 249.
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