First Call: Potential destinations for Steelers RB James Conner; another AFC contender wants J.J. Watt

Thursday’s “First Call” speculates about the future of Steelers running back James Conner. We celebrate Steelers greats, Jack Ham and Jerome Bettis. A candidate has emerged on the Deshaun Watson trade block. And yet another AFC franchise wants to be a part of the J.J. Watt conversation.

Shufflin’ off to Buffalo?

We already knew that potential suitors for recently released Houston Texans free agent J.J. Watt included the Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans.

Now the latest AFC team said to be in the mix for Watt is the Buffalo Bills.

According to ESPN’s Kimberley Martin, the “interest is definitely mutual,” regarding Watt’s thoughts on potentially signing in Buffalo.

Buffalo’s sack total dipped from 44 in 2019 to 38 this year. It was fourth against the pass last year and was 13th in 2020. The unit allowed 23 points per game last season after yielding just 16.2 in 2019. And, as far as total yards per game, the Bills plummeted from third (298.3) a season ago to 14th (352) this year.

Buffalo’s defense was still decent in 2020. But not the presence it was in 2019.

And it needs to return to that 2019 level in 2021 to oust Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC.

Adding Watt would help.

Rocky Mountain high?

Speaking of Houston Texans who may be on the move, the Denver Broncos are said to have an interest in Deshaun Watson.

According to Troy Renck of ABC 7 in Denver, the Broncos “will pursue Watson if the Texans decide to trade him. They are not in on (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson) Wentz.”

Renck went on to tweet that current Denver QB Drew Lock “has handled noise well” and is “working out, focused on having a great offseason. He understands he has to get better to keep/win the job.”

Pro Football Talk points out, “The fact that the Broncos could send Drew Lock to Houston as part of the package can’t hurt. Lock torched the Texans in December 2019, scoring a significant upset in NRG Stadium over a playoff team led by Watson. Maybe a couple of first-round picks and Lock would get the deal done.”

The site is referring to Lock’s 38-24 win in Houston back in December 2019. He threw the ball for 309 yards and three touchdowns that day, completing 22 of 27 passes.

James the Jet?

Steelers running back James Conner is about to be a free agent, just like teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster. As we told you at “Breakfast With Benz” Wednesday, the wide receiver is expected to be courted by the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.

Those are two potential destinations Steelers Wire cited for Conner as well. I’d agree with both of those prospects for Conner. I thought he’d be a good secondary back for Josh Jacobs with the Raiders should Devontae Booker and Theo Riddick leave.

The Jets also make sense because they don’t really have a starting option, and he could be part of a back-by-committee approach that gets built in New York.

I’m not quite as onboard with the other two options listed, the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots.

I can’t see Bill Belichick being all that impressed with Conner because of his lack of durability and his inconsistency. And my bet is if the Cardinals don’t keep Kenyan Drake at running back, they’ll go with a higher profile signing or draft his potential replacement.

Plus, I’m not sure Conner would be a great fit in that offense.

Remembering greatness

Wednesday marked the 37th anniversary of Jack Ham’s retirement from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did so back in 1983 after 12 legendary seasons in Black and Gold, accumulating one of the great resumes in the franchise’s history.

Better watch out if Jack Ham is around pic.twitter.com/hwtaveuNEL

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 17, 2021

The Penn State product went to eight Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro eight times as well. He was on the 1970s All-Decade Team and the 75th and 100th anniversary teams.

He also won four Super Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Aside from that, I guess he didn’t accomplish much.

Also, we should point out that Tuesday was Jerome Bettis’ 49th birthday.

The wheels on the bus go round and round pic.twitter.com/Hdk90uGvi6

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 16, 2021

So congrats to the Bus for putting on a few more miles.