Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks into whether the Steelers should extend linebacker Bud Dupree the fifth-year option attached to rookie contracts for first-round picks. Over the last two years, the Steelers extended the offer for the option to Ryan Shazier but did not for Jarvis Jones, who left in free agency.
Bouchette sees the decision, which must be made by May 3, as a “minimal risk” for the Steelers, as such fifth-year options are not guaranteed. He also pointed to the Steelers decision-making with former linebacker Jason Worilds, who was given a transition tag worth $9.75MM in 2014 before announcing his retirement following that season. Bouchette also believes Dupree’s fifth-year option would cost less than Worilds’ transition tag.
The Steelers selected Dupree with the 22nd overall pick of the 2015 draft out of Kentucky. He started a career-high 15 games last season, resulting in a career-best six sacks. He tallied 8 1/2 sacks combined through his first two seasons.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Dolphins have been doing their due diligence on kickers available in the upcoming draft, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, in the hopes of replacing Cody Parkey, who was picked up by the Bears. The Dolphins worked out New Mexico kicker Jason Sanders last week and will get an extended look at Miami kicker Michael Badgley during Miami’s pro day on March 28. Jackson also reported that the Dolphins are high on Auburn’s Daniel Carlson and Florida’s Eddy Pineiro.
- While answering a fan question, ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter) wonders whether Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse could be cut in the wake of the team adding Terrelle Pryor. Kearse is due a non-guaranteed $5MM next season and plays a similar role in the slot as Quincy Enunwa.
- The Titans, along with the Cardinals, worked out former Houston quarterback Kyle Allen, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Wilson also reported that Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was in attendance for the workout of the former Texas A&M transfer.
- Earlier Saturday, we learned the free-agent cornerback Phillip Gaines plans to visit with the Bills next week after Buffalo watched E.J. Gaines agree to a deal with the Browns.
It’s super exciting to hear that the Dolphins are gonna use a draft pick on a K! Knowing them it’ll be a Day 1 or 2 pick. Awesome! Especially after letting Parkey go when they could have signed him before he reached FA. So cool!
Especially after the failed Caleb Sturgis experiment a few years ago. Parkey was easily the most reliable K the Phins have had since Dan Carpenter. Instead of wasting a pick, how about signing a few of the dozens of available kickers and have an open competition to decide the kicker? That seems like an infinitely better option than wasting a 5th or 6th round pick.
If the best player available with that 5th or 6th round pick is a kicker, it’s just good drafting.