I would keep the pick that was given to us. And trade our 23rd for more picks in the future and this draft . We could solidify a lot of positions...

I would keep the pick that was given to us. And trade our 23rd for more picks in the future and this draft . We could solidify a lot of positions...
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Best player available that fits a general need - for both picks.
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Well, I don't know what else to say. I'm not a big fan of gamesmanship on draft day. I'd prefer to just line up the picks and go if I were running a team. There's something to be said for going after value, but I feel like most draft-day trades end up being executed with clouded judgement.

If we had two first round picks, I'd love for the Steelers to draft a guard and tackle.
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Best player available that fills a need, as long as it's not a reach.
At #24, I would want to take Hightower, the ILB from Alabama. If he's there, we have to take him off the board. This guy was born to be a Steelers linebacker. We just cut Farrior, a guy who has been starting for us since 2002. Right now, the guy set to start next to Timmons is Larry Foote. That's only acceptable if the starter is injured, IMHO. Foote used to be a starter, but not anymore. Heck, he can start the season while Hightower gets acclimated to the NFL, but I would expect Hightower to be the starter by week six.
I am going to guess the team that would be taking Wallace away would be either the 49ers or the Patriots....so we'd have either the 30th or 31st pick. If Kevin Zeitler or Peter Konz of Wisconsin are there, I would draft one of them to play guard. Konz would also be the immediate backup to Pouncey.
Then, as long as he's there when we pick in the second round, I would draft Alameda Ta'amu the DT out of Washington. I know he's a third round grade, but he wouldn't be there when we pick in the 3rd round most likely and he wouldn't be a reach with how late our pick is and the fact that we need a guy who can legitimately play the nosetackle position with Hampton's knee injury and the fact that after this season he's likely gone. I would rather draft Ta'amu a bit earlier than expected and let him sit and learn behind Hampton than draft a guy next season and start a rookie at the lynchpin position of our defense.
RIP Marianne "HTG" - You'll Always Be With Us
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"We're a team. There's no offense. There's no defense. There's no special teams. We're one. We're a band of brothers." Ben Roethlisberger
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This is my thought as well.
We have arguably the best linebacking corps in the nfl while our offensive line is extremely mediocre.
So putting it in that context I feel the need on the two lines is more pressing.
While I realize there is a marked droppoff at ILB after Hightower it sounds as though there may be some good converts (like we did with timmons I believe) if we wait until the 2nd or 3rd round.
"With love, with patience, and with Faith
....She'll make her way" ~ Natalie Merchant
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Apparently the Patriots are about to sign Brandon Lloyd.
I think it might be time for us to stop worrying about Wallace leaving.


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And Brandon Lloyd and/or Mario Manningham is a number one receiver? Arguably not even a #2...lol. Lloyd is negotiating with the Pats right now/Manningham left San Fran and is on his way to the Rams. Just because 2006 was the last time a RFA left a team doesn't mean it can't happen. All I'm saying is if someone wants Wallace. He's more or less theirs...
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I don't see any threats for Wallace remaining other than maybe, as you say, the 49ers - but I don't think they are really all that interested. Not much reasoning behind that other than gut feeling.
I could see the Bengals contemplating it, but are they really going to give up the 17th overall pick? Pretty steep. And Green is already an elite verticle threat.
I just don't see it. Add to that the fact that restricted free agents never get signed away and I'd bet the mortgage right now that Wallace is a Steeler next year.
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And honestly I don't really care if we lose Wallace, we can't afford him anyways and I think Brown is a more complete reciever. I would rather pay him.

Might be true... Brown IMO has come around as a more complete receiver.. But Arians may have had something to do with that using Mike as a deep threat/decoy... I would love to see Mike as a Steeler and come full circle and become a complete receiver.. But IMO no receiver is worth what others are getting paid.. 10 million a season is to much to put in to a receiver.. That said I do hope they come to a deal.. Just one both sides can agree on and one that doesn't effect the team in cap space and ego.
Clearing up RFA compensation, new NFL documents says "its own [draft pick] or better." Example, Bengals would be #17, Patriots #27, etc
https://twitter.com/#!/nfldraftscout...32818208542720
Maybe the Broncos will make an offer to wallace, if they have Peyton...
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If Wallace goes, use the 2 first round picks to pickup an ILB and a G. Depends who is available and what extra pick we get.
Better yet, with the higher first rounder, take BPA. With the second pick, take best available G or ILB.
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So hard to say who's going to drop to our pick. My general opinion is you trade away the really high picks that won't get you talent you need (e.g. top ten in 1st round if there were no good OTs available) to teams that really want them. Otherwise, you take the most talented players because at the lower levels there isn't going to be a wide a difference in talent.


Definitely not #1 money...
Brandon Lloyd's deal with Pats is 3yrs/$12M [https://twitter.com/#!/JasonLaCanfor...8375062130688]
So, no Wallace with the patriots.
My worst nightmare will not happen.