The Steelers are making a second Saturday-afternoon signing. They agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman Joe Haeg, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
Haeg will come over from Tampa, where he worked as a swing backup and spot starter for the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. However, most of Haeg’s NFL experience came in Indianapolis (though his most notable NFL play came when he dropped a Tom Brady pass in the end zone last month). The Colts drafted Haeg in the 2016 fifth round and retained him throughout his rookie contract.
One of Carson Wentz‘s O-linemen at North Dakota State, Haeg was a regular starter from 2016-17. But the Colts demoted him the following season, with Braden Smith taking over at right tackle. However, Haeg brings experience at guard and tackle. That stands to help a Steelers O-line that has more questions at present than it has faced in many years.
Thus far this offseason, the Steelers have lost perennial Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and versatile starter Matt Feiler. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is a free agent. Pittsburgh, however, has made three midlevel signings to compensate. Prior to securing a Haeg commitment, the Steelers reacquired center B.J. Finney and re-signed tackle Zach Banner.
It is uncertain as of now how Pittsburgh will configure its new line around stalwart guard David DeCastro, but it appears likely at least one of these low-cost signings will be called upon to start. Perhaps more.
At least Haeg can serve as a depth piece on the OL both at tackle and guard. Saves a late round draft pick at that position, or at least doesn’t force that pick to make the team. Killebrew as a special teamer is ok, but that means someone like Dangerfield becomes actual depth which is scary.
My biggest question/concern with these signings is why now? Were they that a commodity that they needed to be signed prior to May 3rd and impact the compensatory formula? Granted they can be cut later and not impact it either, but why risk it?
The Steelers need to do everything to protect the 3rd round pick they are going to get from Dupree leaving. Signing JuJu cost them a shot at another 3rd, but saves them from drafting a WR in the first 3 rounds this year. Now these signings potentially negate picks for Feiler, Connor and Villanueva (when they eventually signs elsewhere), Hilton, and maybe Williamson.
You need to hit a certain yearly amount to effect the comp pick formula. Believe it’s around 2 to 2.5 mil. These guys are more than likely signing for the Vet minimum or right above it. It’s unlikely to make a difference.
And you can’t cut guys anymore to effect comp picks, they did away with that loophole last year in the most recent CBA.
Hat tip, missed that point. Makes sense to scrap that
It’s gonna be first round left tackle, Dotson, Finney or a mid round rookie, decastro, Banner left to right. That’s my guess