The free agent RB class of 2021

If Conner has a good season, the Steelers might be able to get him on a home town discount, the free agent RB class is loaded.

 

Conner is likely not going to accept such a discount. Doubly so if he has a good season. Thank COVID 19 for that.


Even in the event that Conner checks out to Free Agency, Pittsburgh already has a James Conner fail safe. His name is Benny Snell.

 

With a loaded free agent RB class he might not receive any big offers from other teams.

 

Depends on his production. Whether or not this class is loaded is irrelevant due to that. In addition, I suspect some of those backs such as Henry and Cook to be resigned.

 

Coupled with a history of injury. No, he’s not getting big money.

 

Bell would probably be available, but I agree his best days are behind him so i'll pass.

His contract will come back to reality as with Todd Gurley. He got his payday or lacktherof and welcome back to the real world.

Kind of feel for Conner coming off an injury plagued year. Big year for him. Unsure of what's in store for him. It's obvious the FO feels the same with continuously drafting RBs.

I think the focus after this year needs to go back to rebuilding the offensive line as our guys are getting up there and if Mason Rudolph stands a chance he needs some protection.

 

Not sold on Snell. A bit too sluggish to be an everydown back imo. Situational he's ok.

I think offensive line needs to start becoming a focus

 

I am. Snell was better than I thought he would be. All he needs is some conditioning. More often than not and, as expected, he looked winded during his rookie season.


I do agree with your second statement. For that matter, while I do like Chase Claypool, someone like Llyod Cushenberry III would have been just as a good of a long term option.

 

The media that covers the NFL have been saying they expect the 2021 salary cap to stay flat, it could be close to the 198 million of 2020.

 

Looks like Dupree will be moving on then...

 

I’d agree with you on this. Nobody is giving him RB1 money unless he has an injury free All Pro year which is hugely unlikely.

If he is good and reasonably durable in 2020 I’d happily give him an extension with minimal guaranteed money and easy get-outs for the team at under $5m a year. That’s very fair considering his career to date.

The cap is going to be a big issue if it stays flat however. They were depending on that projected increase to extend Cam, TJ, Matt Feiler and possibly Juju and Hilton / Sutton. AV is also up at the end of 2020. Presumably they’ll move money around again to try to make it work but I can’t see Conner being a priority unless he balls out, and if that happens he’ll probably price himself out of town.

Dupree will be gone unless something really bad happens to TJ

 

Gurley is injuries. Bell is imo just no longer into fooball. He got paid and doesn't care anymore.

 

Dupree, glass james, and boo boo all wil be gone.