Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

I am very surprised at how many people think we are going offensive lineman in round 1. I really see zero chance of that happening. First off, they resigned Foster to start and drafted a gaurd in round 1 last year. That takes out ANY possibility they will draft another gaurd in round 1. Second of all, they have two second round pick tackles that they want to start this year. They will not draft a back up tackle in round 1. Third of all, if they draft another lineman in round 1 it will be impossible to sign everyone on that line (2 seconds and 2 first round selections). Too much money invested into one aspect of the team. I really think a lot of you are way off base. They will draft an LB (inside or outside) or WR in round one with a slight possibility of a saftey going. That is almost garunteed. They didnt let Harrison go and sign Foster so they could draft another Olineman in round one.

 

A couple of your UCONN guys were brought in for visits Blidi and Sio.

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed UDFA TJ Moe to an undisclosed contact in the Collaborative draft

 

bites, here's someone else to consider

Spoiler

Earl Okine, DL (6-6 1/2, 284) ? Okine ran the 40-yard dash in 5.14 and 5.23 seconds. He did 25 reps on the bench of 225 pounds, recorded a 33-inch vertical and a 9-foot-4 broad jump. Okine completed the short-shuttle in 4.65 seconds and ran the three-cone drill in 6.99 seconds.

 

2013 Pro Days: Alabama's Eddie Lacy clocked at 4.58-4.62
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
April 11, 2013 11:22 am ET

NFL scouts have been anxiously waiting to see whether Alabama running back Eddie Lacy would time faster than the 4.55-second estimate they'd given him based on tape.

He ran slightly slower Thursday, confirming he lacks the home-run speed some scouts believe is critical to warrant selection in the first round.

Representatives from the Senior Bowl tweeted that Lacy, 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, was clocked at 4.58 and 4.62-seconds in the 40-yard dash.

The time is respectable for a back of Lacy's size, but the rest of his workout wasn't ideal, either, according to former NFL scout Bucky Brooks, who tweeted that Lacy recorded a 32.5-inch vertical jump, a 9-7 broad jump, a 4.44-second short-shuttle and had a "disappointing" positional workout.

According to Brooks, Lacy appeared "out of shape" and "wasn't able to finish" the workout.

Lacy is NFLDraftScout.com's top-rated running back in the 2013 draft but isn't among my top 32 picks, and he's also a no-show in Dane Brugler's first-round projection. At least one running back has been selected in the first round of every NFL draft since 1963.

While Lacy's workout raises red flags about his conditioning, there is no question he possesses the talent to be a bell-cow back at the next level. Lacy is a powerful between-the-tackles runner who can knock defenders to the ground. He's also possesses very light feet and excellent balance, often slipping past would-be tacklers with a lethal spin move. Lacy is also a gifted receiver out of the backfield and has proven both alert and physical in pass protection, making it likely he'll be able to step in and contribute immediately as a rookie.

Lacy played well in spot duty over his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide and exploded in 2012. The junior ran for 1,322 yards on 204 carries (6.5 average) and 17 touchdowns, earning First Team All-SEC honors.

Scouts also like the fact that Lacy hasn't been worn down. He served as the backup behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, each of whom, of course, wound up as first-round picks in the past two drafts.

Even with the less-than-stellar numbers, Lacy is likely to join his former teammates as the first running back selected in their respective draft classes.

While it may get lost in the hype of Lacy's numbers, the most important thing he may have proved Thursday was his health. A pulled hamstring kept him from participating at the combine or Alabama's previous Pro Day March 13.

A few other notable Alabama players also attended the workout. Right tackle D.J. Fluker weighed in at 337 pounds and posted a 27.5-inch vertical jump, according to the Senior Bowl. Tight end Michael Williams, safety Robert Lester and linebacker Nico Johnson were other former Crimson Tide standouts who mostly sat on their numbers from the combine but did positional workouts.

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Don't know what to think about this, is he 100%, I never considered him a home run threat runner, he's more of a thumper.

 

If I wanted a Thumper I'd keep Redman or go after Rashad Jennings in free agency .

Final pick in collaborative draft as UDFA: Spencer Nealy DL Texas A&M

 

I dont care bout #'s cause like Mayock always says, go back and look at the film...it doesnt lie and Lacy ran his best in the biggest games. He played in the best conf top to bottom and dominated. Having a hamstring injury will get u out of football shape, but if he had this problem throughout his career, Im sure we would have heard bout it w Saban.

 

What about the Kicker

 

I only had 2 UDFA's to pick from and our kickers didn't lose games, Tomlin knew Suishi's range and rolled the dice and lost

 

True, Tomlin definately knew suisham's limits but that doesn't excuse the fact that it would be nice to have a kicker that has the leg to make those FGs when needed to.

 

My responses are this:
1. The Steelers do not draft based on need. If they determine that the best player available on their board is a guard then they will draft a guard. Why not upgrade the interior of the line if you can?
2. When it comes to resigning the 1st and 2nd round picks, their contracts will be based on performance - not where they were drafted.
3. There is a chance they won't be able to keep ANY of their 1st/2nd round picks because another team may simply outbid the Steelers for their services. Wouldn't you rather have 5 1st rounders and keep 2 of them than have 1 first rounder and lose him?
4. James Harrison was released because of money. That has no bearing on the draft because (see #1) they don't draft for need. They draft the players they think are best able to help the team on a long term basis regardless of position.
5. They already have one first round LB and two second round LBs at the starting positions. If you apply your initial argument to the LB position, then you must also think there is NO WAY they draft LB in round 1.

I think the first round pick will depend on Emmanuel Sanders. If they match the Pats' offer they will stay with pick 17.... but if they have an additional 3rd round pick they could move up 2-3 spots to get one of the special players on their board. That special player would be a playmaker, regardless of position.

 

I think the first round pick will depend on Emmanuel Sanders. If they match the Pats' offer they will stay with pick 17.... but if they have an additional 3rd round pick they could move up 2-3 spots to get one of the special players on their board. That special player would be a playmaker, regardless of position.

Yep, and you look at who is rising, who is a top ten pick, the answer in this draft is Jon Cooper. Saw him on NFL Network last night, Path to the Draft, I really like this kid. On the other hand they interviewed Lacy, not impressed. Then he cannot finish his workout..no way Jose, got bad vibes.

 

Ny, Lacy reminds me a lot of LenDale White... a potential bruiser but work ethics are questionable. I would have no problem with Lacy being drafted, but only in the 4th round or later. He will be gone long before then though, someone will take a chance on him.

 

Thank you!

 

How much of that is due to the hamstring problem? How severe was the hamstring, was it a tweak, tear, or pull? What's the best medicine for a hamstring?

 

I just feel Lacy running behind that pro OL in the NCAA had a significant effect on Lacy's production

 

I was wondering if you'd edit that.

 

Here on MudNcleats, why yes. On CBS yeah good frieking luck with that

 

While there have been rave reviews about the physical and football skills of Datone Jones, his character and personality has also helped him ascend up draft boards. In a conversation with a team insider yesterday, one with absolutely no connection to Jones, the UCLA defensive lineman was described as someone who is ?highly motivated?, ?wants to be great? and ?will work to get better?. During an interview on The Mike Dempsey Show in Jacksonville on Wednesday, Jones was a player I mentioned when asked who could be drafted much earlier than people expect.


You think Datone could possibly go top 15??? What's the realistic projection of where he will go?

 

I'd say somewhere between the Steelers' first 2 picks.