Nepotism at its finest?

Okay, be honest. If Derek Watt and Conner Heyward were Derek Smith and Conner Jones, do they make the final 53?

 

Nope. Derek Watt collected 3.5 Million dollars as a ST'er. Easy money. Conner Heyward. Probably wouldn't sniff the NFL if it weren't for the Steelers. Are we sure Spillane doesn't have a brother on this team somewhere?

 

Heyward has shown promise and a unique skillset during camp and preseason by all accounts. He could be a very useful player, he has earned his spot, albeit I do think his surname helped him get drafted for sure.

Watt is a special teams player primarily and I’ve no difficulty with him being on the roster for that purpose but he is definitely overpaid for what he does. If they didnt cut him last year while they were in cap hell they’re not going to

 

Did they go to Maryland?

 

Have an Aunt Maryland? You have to investigate all the possibilities.

 

This year yes, next year or two years ago no. If you are going try and experiment with hybrid positions and new wrinkles This is the year to do it.

Ask yourself this if Warren and Vaughns had played against the Seahawks, Jags and Lions starters would they be on the roster or signed to the practice squad.

 

Vaughns was cut and I don't think he's been signed to the PS, has he?

 

Meh...maybe a loose form of nepotism. Favoritism may be a more accurate way to portray it.

But the point remains...

 

Yes

 

Watt isn't utilized anywhere near enough to justify his contract, but Heyward absolutely showed out in camp and preseason...... I'd venture to guess that if Watt wasn't around, that Heyward would've made it as the FB and Kevin Rader would still be around as the 3rd TE

 

Connor Heyward deserves to be on this roster. The kid can play. More upside than Radar, and maybe more than Gentry as well.

 

IMO Yes they do

Conner was clearly TE3 from day 1

People hate on D Watt, but statistically he is a top 5 special team guy in the league,c who hapoens to be a FB

3 of the top 11 special team tacklers were Steelers last year

#2 D Watt with 16

#11 tie Justin Layne/UG3 with 13 and they are both gone now

If I were to guess Watt signs an extension with the Steeles but at about 2 5 mill a season going forward


HACK

 

Their answer to jaylan Samuels. Can watt play ilb? He tackles pretty well on STs.

 

Nope

 

Nope. an Uncle Tex but was from Maryland?

 

So just put off curiosity what do most of you think the best special teamer is actually worth?

HACK

 

Well that matters really in what position they play on ST, and what position they play on their regular spot....also are they 2nd, or 3rd string at their respective regular roles.

 

Most of the top ST guys have giise eggs across the rest of their stat lines.. Matakavich was one of the few I saw with stats (I'm sure there is more I just didn't see them)

But even his stats read like 42 tackles over the last few years and half were on ST

HACK

 

Heyward absolutely would have made the team. Watt with his injuries... possibly no.

 

I'm sure I've said this like 5 times already, but does anyone remember how good Aaron Hernadez was in New England? That is the type of upside Heyward has and he literally plays the exact same role/style. Will he reach it? Who knows. But the kid is solid and plays ST. No reason for him not to stick around in the league.

 

Heyward reminds me a lot of Roosevelt Nix who was a good role player on the Steelers for 5 years.

 

Watt is doing pretty good at $219,000 per tackle, give or take a couple K notes.

 

My view was that Watt was brought in because of the need/pressure to improve the run game. At the time he was considered one of the best FBs in the league. That explains the size of his contract.

Then he got injured in his first season, and was never incorporated into the offense the second. It will be interesting to see how he’s used this year.