Dont’a Hightower: Steelers fans should be careful what they are asking for

Look, I’m not trying to “throw shade” at Dont’a Hightower. He’s a very good inside linebacker for what he does  -an incredibly formidable run stopper. But many fans are excited about the prospect of bringing in Dont’a Hightower to start over Vince Williams, and I’m not understanding why.

I’m just not sure that he brings $8-10 million per year value – and that is his minimum price tag.

I’m digging into the numbers. Over five years, he’s defended twelve passes. And has zero interceptions. As a comparison, Lawrence Timmons, who most felt comfortable seeing walk at $6 million per year, has eight interceptions (including two last season) and 22 passes defensed.

And his draft scouting report supports his coverage issues:

Ok – so I get it. It’s because he was asked to blitz so much more than Timmons was. He wasn’t asked to cover.

Let’s run with that…