Nick Wright unveils his first NBA Tiers of the season, including where the Los Angeles Lakers land during their Luka Doncic-Hollywood story thus far, along with the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
Month: March 2025
How far can Stephen Curry take the Warriors? | The Herd
Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a victory over the New York Knicks, and the Warriors are 9-1 since adding Jimmy Butler. Colin Cowherd praises Stephen Curry, and asks how far he can take the Warriors this season.
Free agents for the Steelers to pursue at every position
With the NFL’s free agency tampering period beginning on Monday and the official league year – where players can begin signing with new teams – starting on Wednesday at 4 PM, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a position where they have several positions to fill.
Among the top spots most analysts are looking at are the wide receiver and secondary positions, but the Steelers could fill some other needs with savvy signings. Of course, it all depends on who they contract at the most important position of all, quarterback.
With a projected $59.6 million available in cap space for 2025, the Steelers find themselves in a great spot to land some key acquisitions. I took a stab at plausible signings for every position group while also maintaining some home run hits GM Omar Khan could aim for as well. Here are some of my thoughts on those players available this upcoming week.
Quarterback: Russell Wilson or Justin Fields
For a divided Steelers Nation, the answer here may not satisfy half or all of the fan base, but the best option (or options) is to attempt to bring back Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or both for 2025. Both players will cost more than others, but the quarterback market is unlikely to yield a better alternative unless Pittsburgh makes a trade.
Among the quarterbacks who could hit free agency are a bunch of journeymen and unproven passers, including Sam Darnold headlining the list. (Darnold is likely to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings before the league year begins.)
The others include Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Jacoby Brissett, Marcus Mariota, Drew Lock, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winson, Mac Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Carson Wentz. None of those names are ones to get excited over compared with Wilson or Fields.
Running Back: Nick Chubb
If Najee Harris does not re-sign with the Steelers, the team could look within their division at a highly successful back who could either be a bell cow or split carries in Nick Chubb.
The 29-year-old Cleveland Brown has had two seasons taken away from him due to an injury sustained against the Steelers back in 2023. He struggled to get back on the field in full capacity in 2024 with a bad Browns offense but could be the kind of low-profile signing that would pair nicely with Jaylen Warren. Due to Chubb’s history and age, he would likely come in at a lower cost, but also has the track record of bouncing back from serious injuries to make that deal worthwhile.
Receivers: Brandin Cooks
The receiver market is terrible. However, the Steelers still have a need at the position and though all signs speculate them selecting a receiver in the draft, the team usually doubles up on positions of need. Plus, George Pickens and Calvin Austin are entering the final seasons of their rookie deals, so it would make sense to add to this group now instead of later.
After the Cincinnati Bengals franchise tagged Tee Higgins, the headliner of the free agent receivers now is 33-year-old Davante Adams. Adams is well beyond the age of when receivers start to trail off, but still managed over 1000 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns in two bad offenses last season. He’ll receive plenty of attention by other teams willing to overpay him, leading me in another direction for an older target: Brandin Cooks.
Cooks has had success everywhere he’s gone and is in the twilight of his career, but can still put up steady enough numbers at a fair enough price to be worth looking into. He falls into the same category of an Allen Robinson or Mike Williams in previous years, a player who’s older but can start immediately and would hope to make an impact.
Giants WR Darius Slayton is another name to watch. He’s younger than Cooks, but hasn’t put up serious enough numbers to take double teams off of George Pickens or mentor an incoming rookie. Cooks can do both, and should the Steelers double dip with a big catch in the draft, the receiver room would automatically be boosted.
Tight Ends: Tommy Tremble
Tremble is a younger tight end who didn’t expand his horizons as a third round pick of the Carolina Panthers. The 6’4″ 250-pounder is more of a blocking back that could replace MyCole Pruitt in jumbo subpackages and offers more size in exchange for playing a similar role as Connor Heyward.
Tremble is also a special teams consideration, having played 50% of the Panthers snaps through his first three seasons.
Regardless, don’t look for the Steelers to make a major splash at this position with Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington signed long-term.
Offensive Line: Dillon Radunz
At least two of the Steelers five slots on the offensive line are settled, with Isaac Seumalo and Zach Frazier at left guard and center respectively. The right guard position could be settled as well, depending on the how the team views second-year pro Mason McCormick going forward. (I had suggested looking into seeing if James Daniels could return, but that may not be a possibility.)
The two tackle spots have first round picks to man them, but neither are a sure thing heading into the offseason. 2023 first rounder Broderick Jones has yet to play the left tackle position he was drafted for, and has struggled on the right side. 2024 first round pick Troy Fautanu battled injuries and played in a single regular season game.
That means the Steelers need depth. Former North Dakota State standout Dillon Radunz was heavily looked at by the Steelers in the draft process back in 2021. He’s position flexible, having entered the league as a potential left tackle and has started at both guard positions in the NFL, mostly at right guard which would also backup or compete with McCormick for the starting role.
Defensive Line: Javon Hargrave
This one’s a reach, but if I’m Omar Khan I go big or go home to bring Hargrave back to the Steel City. Hargrave is one of the few to “get away” from the Steelers and still have major success. Hargrave headlined free agency in 2023 after having 11 sacks with the Philadelphia Eagles. He missed all but three games last season with San Francisco, who has publicly stated they’d like to re-sign him.
Hargrave isn’t exactly the future (he’s 32 years old) but he can still mix it up with the best of them and offer a great rotational piece with the elder Cameron Heyward and young Keeanu Benton.
A younger name to watch is Eagles DL Milton Williams, who will have his share of suitors following Philly’s Super Bowl victory.
Linebackers: E.J. Speed
Depending on what happens with Cole Holcomb (under contract, but missed all of 2024) and Elandon Roberts (free agent) the Steelers could be set with Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson as their starters, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been bit before by not having more than enough depth with this group.
Whoever they sign will likely have to take a backup role, so don’t look for a Holcomb or Queen-like splash this offseason. There are a lot of after runs in this group, either young enough players who didn’t pan out (Devin White, Raekwon McMillan) who would fit the bill, or older players such as Lavonte David and Bobby Wagner who aren’t in the conversation to sit the bench.
A tweener in this category is former Colts LB E.J. Speed, who played outside in a 4-3 but could bump inside in a 4-3 and offers more pass coverage skills than Roberts. Speed turns 30 in June, which could relegate him to backup role looks with other teams. If he plays a similar split as Roberts did with the Steelers in 2024, this tackling machine (142 combined in 2024) would fit right in, provided Roberts or Holcomb isn’t back.
Secondary: Charvarius Ward
The Steelers will need someone to play opposite Joey Porter Jr. with Donte Jackson headed to free agency. Barring another trade like last year, the Steelers could also double-dip at cornerback.
This is another “go big” situation, with Niners CB Charvarius Ward the headliner of the current class. He turns 29 in May, right on par with a large portion of the cornerback free agent class. For the few extra dollars, it would be worth it for Pittsburgh to get Ward over other potential suitors such as D.J. Reed, Carlton Davis, Kendall Fuller, or Rasul Douglas.
(And for the life of me, I have this gut feeling they would give 34-year-old Darius Slay a look too… I hope not.)
Special Teams: Jamaal Williams
It’s unlikely Cordarrelle Patterson returns as the Steelers kick returner, and depending on the status of the running back room, Mike Tomlin may not want Jaylen Warren returning kicks anymore either. Pittsburgh could also use a third back, something Patterson offered in addition to returning kicks. Enter Williams, who turns 30 in April and is unlikely to return to the New Orleans Saints.
Williams had a monster 2022 season with the Detroit Lions, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. He could become a bruiser in goal line and short yardage situations where the Steelers struggled last season.
He also has a history as a kick returner, and primarily held those duties with the Saints last season after being relegated from being a feature back. The Saints released Williams yesterday, meaning he will be eligible to sign with a new team.
Free agents for the Steelers to pursue at every position appeared first on Steel City Underground.
2024 Steelers Season Recall: Pittsburgh picks o-line again in first round
Steel City Underground presents our 2024 Steelers Recall: a look back at Pittsburgh Steelers games and storylines from last season.
As the free agency period was long gone and the 2024 NFL Draft loomed large, the Pittsburgh Steelers were poised to make a splash with the 20th overall selection. While other teams were heavily focused on the quarterback position, the Steelers were almost certainly locked in on shoring up their offensive line.
In 2023 the Steelers added guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency and then moved up three spots in the draft to select George offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Jones was penciled in to be the team’s future left tackle, an upgrade from the inconsistent play of current left tackle Dan Moore Jr. However, the underperforming play of Chukwuma Okorafor forced Jones to start on the right side as a rookie.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan was ready to remedy that situation by finding a new right tackle, but the team was also in the quandary of looking for a new starting center. 2023’s starter, Mason Cole, was let go ahead of free agency, and the team either missed or passed on signing the available veterans on the market.
According to many sites such as betgurus.com, the Steelers were overwhelming favorites to select an offensive lineman. The Steelers were set with -350 odds laid to pick the position, but with two large question marks on the offensive line, there was also an aura around selecting a wide receiver. A receiver pick laid odds of +400 while cornerback was a distant thought with +600 odds.
However, GM Khan was also heavily flirting with the idea of acquiring a receiver via a trade rather than the draft. Among the rumored names that Khan inquired about were Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton and San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. The latter seemed like a strong possibility throughout the spring, with Aiyuk unwilling to come to terms with Niners GM John Lynch and demanding a healthy contract or a trade as he entered the final year of his current deal.
Despite the Steelers looking at potentially adding another top-flight receiver, Khan would surprise no one on an evening with plenty of other thrills.
The event began with three quarterbacks going with the first three picks. USC’s Caleb Williams would be selected first overall by the Chicago Bears, with the Washington Commanders surprising some by taking LSU QB Jayden Daniels with pick two. With the third pick, the New England Patriots would select North Carolina QB Drake Maye.
The Arizona Cardinals, sitting on pick four, would take the first receivers off the board: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. The Los Angeles Chargers would go offensive line first with pick six, taking the top lineman in the country, Notre Dame’s Joe Alt.
It’s what would occur next that would shock most football fans as offense was the topic of the evening. The New York Giants would go with LSU WR Malik Nabers and the Tennessee Titans with Alabama OT J.C. Latham before three more quarterbacks would alternate through the remaining top 12 picks. Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. would be picked eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy tenth overall by the Minnesota Vikings, and Oregon’s Box Nix would be the sixth passer picked, twelfth overall by the Denver Broncos.
Steelers fans would sit nervously as tackles continued flying off of the board. Penn State’s Olu Fashanu (New York Jets), Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga (New Orleans Saints) and Georgia’s Amarius Mims (Cincinnati Bengals) would all be off of the board, as no defensive players would be taken until pick 15 by the Indianapolis Colts. However, the tackle-heavy draft still had a few more names hanging as defenders started to be plucked by other teams in the late teens, leading to Pittsburgh going on the clock with the 20th overall selection.
With the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers would select Washington OT Troy Fautanu, the sixth of eight total offensive tackles taken in the first round. Jordan Morgan (Green Bay) and Tyler Guyton (Dallas) were the others to complete the list of first-rounders.
In Fautanu the Steelers were hoping for their right tackle of the future. Having played mostly as a left tackle in college, Fautanu wasn’t the blindside protector at Washington, however. His role was reversed with left-handed QB Michael Penix, leading Pittsburgh to believe Fautanu’s skills could be similarly mirrored in the pros.
The hope was for the 6’4″ 317 lbs. tackle to play on the right, sending 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones back to the left, his natural position. Fautanu had won the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-12 and Joe Moore Award as part of the top offensive line unit.
The 23-year-old started 41 games in his collegiate career, including Washington’s loss in the National Championship game against Michigan. He would head to Pittsburgh with high praise, but unfortunately, his season would suffer multiple setbacks. The first of those setbacks would occur in the Steelers’ initial preseason game against the Houston Texans, where Fautanu would suffer a knee injury that would sideline him for the remainder of training camp and the team’s exhibition games.
Following a poor Week 1 performance by Broderick Jones, Fautanu was tapped to make his first regular season appearance – and start – against the Denver Broncos. In that game Fautanu would play brilliantly, allowing no sacks or quarterback pressures, as well as committing no penalties.
Shortly after, another injury in practice would sideline the rookie, who underwent an MRI and was placed on injured reserve. Further diagnosis revealed that Fautanu had dislocated his kneecap, all but ending a short, but promising start to his rookie season.
2024 Steelers Season Recall: Pittsburgh picks o-line again in first round appeared first on Steel City Underground.
Re-evaluation: Steelers relied heavily on running backs
Steel City Underground presents a post-2024 NFL season re-evaluation of each positional group on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster in this series, highlighting the standout player or players among each group.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were expected to operate a run-heavy offense in 2024; Art Rooney II was determined that the black and gold would be known for relying heavily on their running backs. The results were mixed throughout the season as many opposing defenses knew Arthur Smith, in his first year as the Steelers offensive coordinator, would draw up schemes that factored-in grinding out yards the old fashioned way: by chewing up turf via the run.
Running Backs: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin
Harris and Warren
The Steelers opted not to utilize the fifth-year option on Najee Harris’ contract, and it certainly looked – at times – like Harris took that as a challenge. For the fourth straight season, Harris carried the ball at least 1,000 yards (263 carries for 1,043 yards in 2024). That earned the former first-rounder a spot alongside just 13 other players in NFL history to meet that mark.
Warren, a former undrafted free agent who broke onto the scene at training camp in 2022, was highly complimentary to Harris in 2024. With a different run style, Warren often provided a punch offensively and finished the season with 120 carries for 511 yards. Warren did miss two games due to a hamstring injury
Other than George Pickens, the Harris/Warren pairing scored the most yards for the entire Pittsburgh offense.
The Steelers are in a bit of a tricky situation in regard to Harris and Warren. Warren has recently been tendered, but Harris will hit the free agent market if the meetings underway with him and his agent do not go well.
Run support
Behind their current offensive line, the running backs struggled to gain big runs due to opponents stacking the box. The young line was tested often, and if the front can’t get the push necessary to open run lanes, it is very difficult to develop a rhythm in the run game. Fans witnessed this throughout last season.
To change things up, Cordarrelle Patterson was sent in but earned just 32 carries (135 yards) in 13 games. Patterson assisted – as did Warren at times – in handling kick and punt return duties.
Aaron Shampklin got just six carries when both Warren and Patterson were on the sidelines with injuries.
RBs in the passing game
Somewhat surprisingly, the Steelers utilized their running backs in pass situations often. In receptions, the top players targeted by Justin Fields and Russell Wilson were (in order of number of targets) Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin, Harris, Warren, Van Jefferson, Darnell Washington, and Patterson.
The Steelers offseason will be an interesting period as the team makes decisions on the future of their running back group. Will they re-sign Harris? Will they add a young running back via the NFL Draft?
Whatever decisions they make, they’ll need to beef up their offensive line in order to find success in the run game moving forward. Without efficient, effective blocking, the running backs – regardless of who is on the roster – will continue to struggle to gain more than three to five yards per carry.
Re-evaluation: Steelers relied heavily on running backs appeared first on Steel City Underground.
SCU Week in Review – March 2nd
In case you missed it (or anything) the SCU Week in Review recaps all articles, videos, posts and more, shared via Steel City Underground’s various platforms throughout the week.
Speculation swirls as the Steelers have a big quarterback decision to make
We are officially two weeks away from starting a new league year and NFL free agency as Joe and Brian discuss what the Steelers need to do on defense. Yes, offense is still a major focus – and the hosts dig into Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan’s comments at the Combine in Indianapolis. However, creating more depth on the defense is also very important.
Injuries happen, and having quality backups is a must, plus there are still some question marks on the depth chart lingering from last offseason that aren’t fully fixed heading into 2025.
The hosts talk about who the Steelers need to evaluate on their current roster, speculate on some cap casualties, and consider investing in upgrades through the draft or free agency.
View the video below on YouTube or visit our podcast page to find it on all popular audio platforms.
Re-evaluation: Steelers defensive backs were a mixed bag in 2024
Re-evaluation: Steelers defensive backs were a mixed bag in 2024
2024 Steelers Season Recall: Looking back at Pittsburgh’s free agent signings
2024 Steelers Season Recall: Looking back at Pittsburgh’s free agent signings
Could recent Steelers signing signal Fields is frontrunner?
Throwback Thursday: Steelers offensive linemen at NFL Combine
Throwback Thursday: Steelers offensive linemen at NFL Combine
Which impending free agents should the Steelers bring back?
SCU Week in Review – March 2nd appeared first on Steel City Underground.
Plays of the Year: T.J. Watt wrecks Falcons in Week 1
Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t play their Defensive Player of the Year candidate – the guy who’s led the NFL in sacks three out of the last four seasons – during the 2024 NFL preseason. His readiness in Week 1 of the regular season was unquestioned, however, as he got heated and wrecked the Falcons on numerous plays throughout the game the Steelers won, 18-10.
In the Falcons’ first offensive series, T.J. Watt got into the backfield and ran along the back side of the Falcons offensive line to drag Bijan Robinson down for a three-yard loss, illustrating he isn’t just a quarterback hunter.
With just 41 seconds on the clock before halftime, Watt strip-sacked Kirk Cousins on an explosive play that resulted in Watt recovering the ball at the Pittsburgh 23, a loss of 7 yards on the play. Officials, who later admitted to Watt that they’d made an error on the call, threw a flag for offsides on Watt. Visibly upset, Watt petitioned that he’d timed the snap perfectly and even appeared to head coach Mike Tomlin. The Falcons scored a touchdown in the subsequent play.
To say that the results got Watt in a revenge type of mood is an understatement.
On Atlanta’s opening offensive series of the second half, an ill-timed snap resulted in the ball hitting a crossing receiver and being recovered by Watt who’d gotten off the snap like a lightning bolt. Nine plays later, the Steelers went ahead 12-10 on a Chris Boswell field goal.
Although Watt continued to be disruptive, his final curtain call came when the Falcons got the ball with 28 seconds left in the game, down 18-10. Their attempt to make a last-ditch comeback was thwarted when Watt sacked Cousins for a loss of nine yards and time ran out on the game clock. Watt literally made a bow after the play (and game had ended) to the crowd who was filled with Steelers fans.
If anyone can wreck a game, it’s #Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Can we make him NFL DPOY already? #TurnUpForWatt #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/8VUTeJK0zR
— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) September 9, 2024
Watt finished the game with four tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, and 3 QB hits, as well as a fumble recovery. His pressure also helped set up the two interceptions his teammates snagged off of Cousins.
NEW SEASON. SAME TJ WATT
pic.twitter.com/4fi6CHxmdh
— PFF (@PFF) September 9, 2024
Plays of the Year: T.J. Watt wrecks Falcons in Week 1 appeared first on Steel City Underground.