First Call: Compensation models for Jake Guentzel; Steelers lock up ex-Ravens OLB; Ryan Clark's big bucks from ESPN

After a rare three-day weekend, “First Call” is back at “Breakfast With Benz” with plenty of Pittsburgh Steelers conversation.

The franchise has signed a former Baltimore Ravens linebacker. We get an update on Ryan Clark’s status at ESPN. A couple of former Steelers have options on a potential draftee at quarterback. And an AFC North rival has tagged a star player.

Plus, we have a profile of what it may take in return for the Penguins to trade Jake Guentzel.

What would it take for Jake?

The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli outlined some potential comps when it comes to a return for Jake Guentzel should the Penguins decide to trade their top winger before the March 8th trade deadline.

He focused on two. The first was in 2023. That was Bo Horvat (with 25% of his salary retained) going to the New York Islanders from Vancouver for a 2023 first-round pick (No. 17 overall) and forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Aatu Raty.

Seravalli said that was “the bare minimum” level of return the Penguins should expect from a team in exchange for Guentzel.

Personally, beyond the first-round pick (which should be a given in any trade package), I don’t think it even rises to that level.

The other trade he deemed to be of comparable value was in 2019. That’s when Matt Duchene (and Julius Bergman) went to Columbus. In exchange, Ottawa got a 2019 first-round pick, a conditional 2020 first-rounder, Vitaly Abramov and Jonathan Davidsson.

As Seravalli points out, Abramov and Davidsson played all of 11 NHL games between them and the conditional pick didn’t end up being a first-rounder anyway because Duchene didn’t re-sign in Columbus.

So the Penguins better do better than that as well. To the greater point of Seravalli’s piece, players of Guentzel’s caliber come along on the trade market very rarely. At less than 30 years of age, with Guentzel’s goal-scoring history and playoff track record, finding a legit comp for an in-season trade is difficult.

Teams that Seravalli mentioned as potential suitors for Guentzel include Arizona, Carolina, Colorado, Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, the New York Rangers, Vancouver and Vegas.

What to say on Maye

As mined at SteelersDepot.com, a pair of former Steelers have some very differing opinions on Drake Maye. The North Carolina product is projected to be one of the top quarterbacks taken in the draft.

Ex-Steelers running back Merril Hoge has been a scout for the Steelers and has done a lot of tape study analysis for ESPN in the past. Appearing on the “Sports Junkies” podcast, Hoge had a less-than-glowing review of the Tar Heels’ signal caller.

“I wouldn’t touch Maye,” Hoge said. “I wouldn’t grab Maye. I wouldn’t draft him in the first round. And there’s a bunch of things that bother me. He’s extremely inconsistent, his accuracy. His processing, inconsistent. He’s not extremely athletic. I think I find him more stiff. He’s got a longer throwing motion, which allows more hits in our league than he gets in college. And I’m just bothered by it.”

Hoge also said that he feels Maye is poor at hot reads off of blitzes. But he did have high praise for LSU Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

“Jayden Daniels probably demonstrates the best evidence (of) a guy who plays from the pocket,” Hoge added. “They have pro concepts they use too. So I can use some realistic concepts that you’re gonna see in the NFL. I think he’s very accurate. I think he processes things very well in these categories compared to Maye.”

Meanwhile, former Steelers quarterback Terry Hanratty said on his “Hanratty’s Huddle” podcast that he’s been told Maye might even be better than projected top pick Caleb Williams.

“A GM told me that everyone talks about Williams from Southern Cal. And all of a sudden, (a) guy tells me, ‘Don’t be surprised if you don’t see Maye go before him,’” Hanratty said. “He’s like a (Ben) Roethlisberger with better movement. Big and strong, and he’s got a big arm, and he’s a tough guy.”

ESPN’s current draft rankings have Williams first, Daniels second and Maye third.

Staying put

Former Steeler Ryan Clark will remain at ESPN. The network made that announcement Monday.

A leading voice on ESPN, #NFL analyst @Realrclark25 will continue to appear prominently across ESPN studio shows

The Emmy-Award winning analyst will remain on NFL Live, Monday Night Countdown, @GetUpESPN, @FirstTake & @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/8952donRIE

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 26, 2024

Two weeks ago, the Super Bowl champion had mentioned on social media that his contract had expired and he wasn’t sure what his broadcasting future would be.

At ESPN, Clark appears on “First Take,” “Get UP,” “Monday NFL Countdown” and “SportsCenter.” He won a sports Emmy last spring for Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst.

Via Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the new contract is set to pay Clark nearly $2 million annually.

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New Moon over Pittsburgh

The Steelers have signed former Raven Jeremiah Moon to a contract for the upcoming season. He had been claimed by the team last month off waivers.

That’s according to Steelersnow.com. The outlet says that the franchise and the outside linebacker have agreed to a contract for the 2024 season worth $915,000. The club has not officiall announced the signing.

Moon was claimed after Baltimore activated tight end Mark Andrews off of injured reserve during the postseason.

The 25-year-old is 6-foot-5 and weighs 250 pounds. He could provide some more depth with Markus Golden and Nick Herbig behind Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt.

Moon got on the field for eight games in Baltimore. The former Florida Gator totaled 12 tackles, one for loss and two forced fumbles. During 2023, he played 99 defensive snaps, plus 142 more on special teams.

Tee time

A rival of the Steelers is trying to keep a key player in the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals put the franchise tag on Tee Higgins on Monday.

That makes Cincy the first NFL team to use a franchise tag this season. By having the tag placed on him, Higgins is at least guaranteed a $21.816 million contract for the 2024 season — if he signs it. Higgins and the Bengals can negotiate a multi-year deal through July 15.

The tag gives the Bengals the right to match any contract offer the wide receiver may get from another team. Cincinnati would receive two first-round picks if they don’t match.

Once the tag is signed, that means Higgins could also be traded. The 25-year-old Clemson product is entering his fifth year. He has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in 58 career regular-season games. In the playoffs, he has totaled 31 catches for 457 yards and three touchdowns.