Steelers sign Ladarius Green to replace retired Heath Miller
Heath Miller's retirement last month came as a surprise to everyone -- including the Steelers -- and the move suddenly put them in the market for a tight end.
By
Ryan Wilson
•
1 min read
Heath Miller's retirement last month came as a surprise to everyone -- including the Steelers -- and the move suddenly put them in the market for a tight end. Arkansas' Hunter Henry is a popular first-round draft target, but the draft class isn't considered particularly strong at the position, and more importantly, the Steelers have bigger needs in the secondary (all five CBSSports.com draft experts have Pittsburgh taking a cornerback).
So it stands to reason that the Steelers would try to find some help in free agency. Which brings us to the news that former Chargers tight end Ladarius Green has signed a four-year deal worth $20 million, including a $4.5 million signing bonus, according to various reports.
Green was woefully underutilized in San Diego; he had 37 receptions for 429 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. But he's just 25 and has the potential to blossom into a playmaker. ProFootballFocus.com explains:
In 2013, Green had a 2.67 yards per route run, which was only bested by Rob Gronkowski that year. In 2014, it was down to 1.85, which was sixth-best for tight ends. His 2015 season wasn’t nearly as strong at 1.06, but among the tight ends available this free agency, he has shown the most potential to be a top-tier player.
You know else is a big fan of Green? Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
"Ladarius Green is a talented and vertical threat-like tight end," Tomlin said before the Steelers played the Chargers last season, via SteelCityInsider.net. "He is an oversized wide receiver. He is adept at getting up the field. He has logged a lot of quality reps here in the first four weeks of the season and he has built a nice rapport with [quarterback Philip] Rivers. I would imagine that would continue even as [Antonio] Gates comes back, and I would imagine their two tight end set is going to be one that we have to contend with."
Ladarius Green met with Tomlin in Pensacola yest. Said Tomlin called up Roethlisberger and put him on phone. "He knew my name," Green said
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) March 10, 2016
Bottom line: The Steelers have added another playmaker to the league's best offense.
