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Available starting spots

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Jball, Apr 24, 2017.

  1. Jball

    Jball Well-Known Member

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    Which positions could a rookie, realistically, come in and be a starter this season.

    I see only 3 positions were a rookie could be the starter this year(barring injury of course.

    1. TE
    2. OLB
    3. Nickelback

    I honestly don't see a rookie coming in and knocking out Cockrell, V. Williams, or Mitchell.
     
  2. SteelCity_NB

    SteelCity_NB Staff Member Mod Team

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    I doubt think any rookie will come in and start from day 1. Much like last year. Gradual playing time could lead to a promotion.

    I think your positions are probably correct as far as after midseason. Maybe FS?
     
  3. coldrolled

    coldrolled Well-Known Member

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    ILB.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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  5. steel1031

    steel1031 Well-Known Member

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    I say cb is obvious. Especially if we get one of the top 4. I will also say wr cause I don't know about Bryant.

    A dream for me though is Mitchell replacement.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. funkysteelersfan

    funkysteelersfan Well-Known Member

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    I'm with you on replacing Mitchell, he's a decent safety but I would love to see a ball hawking playmaker take his spot
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Cornerback, inside linebacker or edge rusher would be the incumbents.


    Outside of those, I do not think so.


    Still am hoping for Kevin King, Marlon Humphrey, TJ Watt, Jabrill Peppers or even Obi Melifonwu to be available at pick 30.


    .... Chances are Marlon will be gone but the others could be.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. Lizard72

    Lizard72

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    Don't see that ILB spot as available. Shazier is there and Vince is going to hold the other spot down. If Shazier goes down again, look for Vince to rotate over and Big Red to take Vince's spot. They value a little more experience and familiarity at those spots.

    Slot might be open, depends on if Gay has slowed down any as he's older.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. defva

    defva Well-Known Member

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    OLB
    ILB
    CB
    NT
    TE ... draft George Kittle (its said that he remind you of heath miller)
    WR...with a bunch of if's
     
  10. Busman

    Busman

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    I hate Nickelback lol
     
  11. RPO IZSB

    RPO IZSB Well-Known Member

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    Easier to discuss in terms of package instead of "starter"

    1. Slot corner ONLY - No boundary corner is going to unseat the 2 starters, unless someone like Humphrey miraculously falls in our lap. But a slot corner is the most wide open/available spot on the team right now.

    2. EDGE - A rusher will be able to pick up snaps very quickly to keep James fresh throughout the year

    3. Hybrid Safety/LBer - Vince will be the ILB next to Shazier in the 34 package... but in sub package someone like Melifonwu or King could pick up snaps as a hybrid LB/S in a box role. This would be similar to what we tried to do wth Mitchell-Davis-Golden all on the field together in our nickel package.

    4. #2/3 TE - Someone who can pick up the Spaeth role of being a zone blocker on the edge.

    5. Vertical WR - If Bryant's suspension isn't resolved, and Coates fingers are permanently damaged....
     
  12. TarheelFlyer

    TarheelFlyer Well-Known Member

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    Vince W. said he wasn't a starter and knows that when he resigned. That position is most assuredly up for grabs.
     
  13. Coastal Steeler

    Coastal Steeler

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    Some of the mock drafts say we get Zay Jones from My Fav school East Carolina. 2015 Justin Hardy was on ECU and broke the all time catch record for college div 1. 2016 Zay Jones for ECU broke the same record
     
  14. jeh1856

    jeh1856 Beer is good

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    Starting third down receiver.
     
  15. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    I've never seen that. No offense but I don't believe that to be accurate.

    I've heard him say Lawdog is determined to keep me on the bench (in response to how well Timmons was playing).
     
  16. SGSteeler

    SGSteeler Well-Known Member

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    If we run an ILB corp of Vince and Bif Red we are going to get GASHED with matchup problems all day long. We already give up a lot of pass yardage to RBs and TEs... that will get much worse.

    I'd say FS is a possibility by mid season. As is ILB. OLB has a legit shot to rotate with Harrison as starter pretty immediately. Slot CB/Nickel DB is open. Possibly an outside CB?
     
  17. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    Gay has definitely slowed down, if they find his replacement in the draft or if Golson is healthy Gay needs to be released.
     
  18. Lizard72

    Lizard72

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    Yup, like Blast said.

    He said that when he signed prior to last year when Timmons was still on the team. Of course he wasn't signing to be the starter over Timmons.
     
  19. Lizard72

    Lizard72

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    I believe that's all on the scheme. I think Red has the ability to put himself into position to make plays even if he doesn't have the pure athletic skill. They keep saying he's undersized, but the tape puts him on par with the other guys playing the position.

    He's the type of guy that does film study and makes sure he's where he's supposed to be.

    Shazier isn't a great TE cover guy either. I just don't see him turning and running with these guys like he should be able to with his speed and ability. Most of the defense he provided was by making the window a little smaller, but the QB's that stand in there and make those throws kill them.
     
  20. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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    OLB
    CB We can do better and we must.
    Safety I am so tired of Mike Mitchell
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2017
  21. CK 13

    CK 13 Well-Known Member

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    I feel they will be fine going with James as the starter. They now have to roll the dice before the draft on if Green will be back. They will draft a TE, just not in the first 3 rounds.

    OLB: They need to address in the first 3 rounds. Thin at the position. Chickillo has shown flashes in his limited time. A lot more then Jones ever did so I feel the jury is still out on his ability and he will be get his reps.

    CB: With the Steelers looking to go in a different direction to go to more man coverage this I believe will be the 1st pick.

    Safety: Address in the first 3 rounds. I am in step with what was said about Mitchell. It's time to draft his replacement and hopefully have this pick coming in on passing downs. Unfortunately he will be the starter this season. I feel he is the weak link in coverage. Time to look towards a ball hawking safety.

    Don't discount them drafting a QB high. It's really hinging on what Ben has said behind the scenes.
     
  22. TarheelFlyer

    TarheelFlyer Well-Known Member

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    Here is the article. Not clear cut, but I do truly believe an elite drafted LB would start over him just like Shazier did.

    http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/08/vince-williams-im-definitely-not-starter/
     
  23. steel1031

    steel1031 Well-Known Member

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    I have heard alot about him. A buddy of mine lives in Wilmington and for some reason follows ecu.lol more baseball but has talked about this kid all season
     
  24. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    He was just saying he is a work in progress. The very next paragraph it has him saying he believes he has starting capabilities.

    He's definitely not an entrenched starter, someone could unseat him mid season but it won't be day 1.

    But I think he'll make it very difficult for anyone to take his snaps away.
     
  25. TarheelFlyer

    TarheelFlyer Well-Known Member

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    Well, going back to the disAt cussion, where are available starting spots. This is how I see things:

    QB: No, I prefer not to take a QB this year
    RB: No, but we need a backup
    WR: No, unless Bryant relapses
    TE: Pending, Green's health, I would add a guy
    Oline: No, I wouldn't take anyone

    DE: No, we may take a guy to push Walton
    NT: No, but we may take a guy to push/replace McCullers
    ILB: Maybe, but Williams upgrade is likely
    OLB: No, but Harrison trainee is likely
    CB: No, but upgrade outside and in the slot is possible
    S: No, but upgrade to Golden, long term replacement for Mitchell likely

    That is a short summary, but let's go more in depth.

    At QB, Ben is the starter, that is a no-brainer. Jones is the backup. Personally, if we draft a QB, I want it to be late and a project. Someone who could challenge Mettenberger for the #3 spot. I don't think our Ben replacement of the future is on this roster.

    At RB, we need to draft someone to be Bell's backup. I am not comfortable with Knile Davis and Toussaint should Bell get hurt.

    At WR, I don't think we take anyone personally. With Bryant being back in play, we are already 8 deep with guys who contributed last year other than Bryant. We have enough developmental guys IMO.

    At TE, Green's health is very scary to me. So much so that I think we need to take a guy in his mold in the draft probably in the first 3 rounds. I'm not sure it is our biggest need, but it was pretty obvious last year how much more dynamic the offense was with that threat in there.

    At OLine, I don't see a need to draft anyone.

    At DE, Walton is the guy I look to upgrade here. We know Tuitt and Heyward are the starters. Walton is fine, but we could upgrade is someone is available who could help with the pass rush. Even maybe a specialist.

    At NT, I want an upgrade to McCullers. I doubt we take more than 1 Dlineman, so it is one or the either.

    At ILB, no matter what we think about Williams, he isn't a 3 down ILB and if he gets hurt it is even worse. If Shazier gets hurt we won't truly have any 3 down ILBs on the roster. We need one and need one early. It would not surprise me if this is our #1 overall pick. If Foster or Reddick fall to us, don't be surprised if we take them. I could see Davis as well. I could see a starter day 1 at ILB.

    At OLB, I honestly am not sold on anyone in this class. If we have to go into the year with Harrison, Chickillo, Moats, and Dupree it wouldn't surprise me, but I think we take someone late. I could see a starter by the middle of the year, with Harrison getting rest and taking important snaps late in the game.

    At CB, another option for a top pick. Upgrade to Cockrell. Upgrade to Gay. Upgrade to Burns with Burns upgrading Cockrell? The right guy could start by the middle of the year.

    At S, I don't think there is a short term starter at this position, but I could see a major player playing in the slot and as a future replacement to Mitchell.
     

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