Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time to revisit some things that I’ve discussed in the past and apply them to situations going on in the present when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
First, I have often said to beware of some of the national media who aren’t really in tune with what’s going on with the Steelers. While it’s improved as the 2021 NFL draft approaches, there were a good number of mock drafts selecting an edge rusher to the Steelers in the first round. While this is not out of the question, their explanation is what was truly troubling. Not to quote any particular mock draft exactly, the basic gist was the Steelers needed a replacement for the loss of Bud Dupree. What they fail to realize is the Steelers already had a plan which was implemented a year ago.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Recently, an incorrect report was floating around social media about the Steelers no longer being in line for compensatory draft picks. The fact the Steelers had lost four unrestricted free agents while also gaining four is why it was concluded the Steelers would not eligible for a pick. Fortunately, things are slightly more complex when it comes to if players actually count towards the compensatory formula.
While net gains or losses in the number of players are what determines if a team gets compensatory draft picks, it’s only among qualifying players. So the question is if the Steelers have a net loss of Compensatory Free Agents (CFAs) towards the 2022 compensatory formula. As a reminder, Street Free Agents, who are players who were released by their previous team and did not have their contract expire, do not qualify as CFAs. In other words, the signing of B.J. Finney does not negatively affect the Steelers compensatory formula.