Steelers Sign Coates, Rookie Impacts, Farrior on Butler

The 2015 NFL Draft has come and gone and your Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 draft class is being inked up to contracts. There are just a few more phases of the offseason training program before the team breaks in June before training camp. While the new Steelers get acclimated with the Steel City we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Sunday, May 17th.

Sammie Coates Signs

The Steelers have signed seven out of their eight 2015 draft picks since third-round pick Sammie Coates signed his four-year rookie deal on Friday afternoon. Mark Kaboly of the Trib reminds us that only seventh-round pick safety Gerod Holliman is the last unsigned draft pick of the Steelers 2015 Draft Class.

Sammie Coates was the 87^th overall pick taken out of Auburn, a surprising pick for many as the Steelers weren’t really expected to use a third-round pick on a wide receiver but let’s just call that the “Wild Card” round from now on.

Who will have the biggest impact?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler debates with himself over who might have the biggest rookie impact for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will it be the first round pick linebacker Bud Dupree or second-round pick cornerback Senquez Golson?

Fowler suggests that the stage is set for Dupree to be able to make an early impact on the Steelers’ linebacking corps, which I’m inclined to agree with. If they can finish with more sacks and he completes his entire rookie season without injury, he’s already a step ahead of the last two linebackers selected in the first round.

On the other hand, if Golson comes into the Steelers’ revamped secondary and makes people forget that he’s a 5’9” corner with his playmaking and instincts, he’ll definitely be noticed more. Fowler thinks that the odds are Golson has the chance to make the more immediate of impacts to the Steelers defense.

Dupree has to not only keep up with James Harrison and Arthur Moats on the outside, he’ll have to outperform there to gain more playing time to make that kind of an impact. Golson has less standing in front on him in the way of getting out on the field more as a rookie.

Farrior on Butler

Former Steelers linebacker James Farrior earned two Pro Bowl selections under Keith Butler as his linebackers coach. Steelers’ Teresa Varley explains that Farrior thinks as the defensive coordinator, Keith Butler will bring aggressiveness back to the Steelers defense.

"“He is an aggressive coach. Some coaches lay back and let athletes make plays. He is an aggressive coach and they will have some exciting things going on this year.” – James Farrior"

Steeler Nation shouldn’t expect any major overhaul of the defense with the transition of LeBeau to Butler but we should expect to see Butler put his own twist to stand out. Hopefully he can achieve with the defense what Mike Munchak was able to achieve with the offensive line last season.

Next: Steelers Linebacker Shawn Lemon

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