The Pittsburgh Steelers could cut ties with Donte Moncrief to save a compensatory pick. Here are the outside options who could replace him.
In the crazy world of NFL compensatory draft picks, the Eagles recent release of L.J. Fort could affect the Steelers’ 2020 comp pick formula for losing Le’Veon Bell. Presumably, the league would still award the Steelers a compensatory pick for losing the All-Pro running back, but not until a later round.
In an active off-season for the traditionally conservative Steelers, Kevin Colbert signed CB Steve Nelson, LB Mark Barron, and WR Donte Moncrief to contracts while losing Bell to the Jets, Fort to the Eagles, and Jesse James to the Lions.
The Rams released Mark Barron outright, so his signing doesn’t impact the Steelers’ compensatory balance between their free agency gains and losses. The loss of James is thought to offset the addition of Nelson. Likewise, adding Moncrief makes up for losing Fort.
The above balance results in Bell’s departure remaining undiminished by an acquisition. As a former second-round pick and an All-Pro, his expected comp value in the third round would be the highest awarded under the current compensatory system.
Now, due to Fort’s release by the Eagles, the Steelers may need to release Donte Moncrief to restore their free agency balance and maximize Bell’s comp pick value. This raises two questions:
Is Moncrief’s current worth to the team more or less than it acquiring a 3rd round comp pick in the 2020 draft as opposed to a comp pick in a later round or none at all?
Can the Steelers maintain or improve the quality of its wide receivers group without harming its compensatory balance should it sign another receiver to replace Moncrief?