Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

I am noticing a trend in the recent drafts. The pure NT is being devauled. Nix thought to be a first rouder throughout the early rankings and even aftyer the combine, was a first round prospect. McCullers a third to fourth rounder. Beau Allen went at pick 224.com The athletic 3 techniques however were gobbled up. I will stand by my guess,, Jernigan was over=rated and a lot of people bought into the man crush that Warren Sapp had on him. I said it early that Donadld will be the better pro.

The third stage of behind the draft on Steelers.com went through the other rouncs, not as good a segment as the first two. I really wish they would show us their board and who was on their so we can do better in 2015. Maybe that is tipping their hand and other teams would use that info against them. With blabbermouth Arians gone and Ed Booschitt not as openly stupid in 2014 the Shazier pick came out of the blue for most of us, but really that is how it should be. If we can guess every pick, so can other teams. In the Grand Scheme, that does not really help Pittsburgh in the draft,, as fun as it may seem. Or in my case frustrating for the time and effort.

So next year, minus the YOutube highlights, watching NCAA I will pay more attention to play-makers and speed. I really think you will never see another 3 techmique like ziggy Hood get drafted again. Even LeBeau in his interview or commentary stated about how the size fits their scheme. I was onto something with Brent Urban, a 6-3 five technique won't work, but a 6-7guy will because he can tie up OL and bat down balls which is what they want. And as straong and reliable as Hood was, more or less Heyward took his job because his body type allowed him to do what the scheme asks for. I will say it again,, the last 4 good DE's that have been on the roster are all 6-5 and Kimo was 6-4. You need the wingspan basically, and I sort of get amused by the novices that wanted Aaron Donald to be drafted, it was never going to happen unless they switched schemes.

 

One other note about the Steelers board, early on Tomlin seemed to mention SPEED more than once and quoted 40 times, as did Colbert. Keep that as information when we decide who makes it and who doesn't. Probably a reason Burfict went undrafted and was probably off their board a few years ago, that along with his idiotic personality. If you want to predict a home for a slow LB that had college production, point to Hoody, (some of his LB's you can measure with an abacus. )

 

I think the team has had the benefit of people BECOMING playmakers but, after some pretty unspectacular drafts, they went back to the drawing board and went after highlight-reel type of guys.

To pile on to your comment about "Pure NT's" there was a very good tape breakdown of McLendon on Steelers Depot that showed how he was able to laterally move much better than other NT's because of his size. Centers and Guards are getting smaller and more athletic, so the need for big-and-slow NT's doesn't matter when the front three guys can move right past them. McCullers is an absolute monster, but his sheer size and speed may keep him from making the roster.

The Steelers are obviously looking for guys that can contribute NOW and this draft was STACKED with talent. If these guys play up to their potential, this has the makings of a championship roster. Lots of youth and very few obvious holes.

 

The HOLES we saw were at CB inside the OTA discussions, the Steelers are very high on a few of the core ST guys. We also are writing off Shaq Richardson because he was a 5th rounder. The truth of the matter is that not every CB in the draft can play Steeler ball, and I am betting dollars to donuts, many of the CB's I over rank each year, many just don't fit. I heard Blake was the nickel CB before Ike returned to practice. I heard he really worked hard in the off season and it's paying off. But it's football in shorts.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...rback-secondary-depth-chart-2014-antwon-blake

As far as contributing now, I think we all expected Jarvis Jones to do more, it's not like he is learning the Patriots scheme, wait 5 yards and tackle someone, like Jarod Mayo does. I doubt they bring back Silverback, they are looking for youth, speed, and controlled exuberance. Unless there is an injury to a starter, don't expect Brett Kiesel back, but of the 3 vets being discussed on the boards as possible returns, he is the most likely. Holmes smoked his way out of Pittsburgh, and Harrison's agent fed him a line of crap longer than the sewer pipe at a Mexican Chili eating contest.

 

The new smaller more athletic gaurds and centers is a way countering the so-called "pure NT" and is more and better help in pass protection. I think everybody knows this is a passing league now. The pass sets up the run, whereas before, the run used to set up the pass. You can tell how important the run is (it's still important ) but by looking at the drafts and seeing when the 1st one was taken, it's not as important DUE to the passing nowadays. Therefore, players like Watkins and other WR's are going higher and theres more of them. Just the way it used to be with RB's in the past. I don't think teams are going to take a RB in the 1st round now unless it's an AP type of the Vikings.
The Steelers are going to have to have many of their rookies step up and JJ also if they are going to get in the playoffs, imo.....I also think Jarvis Jones could make or break the LB corps. If Shazier is inside, then Jones is going to have take a BIG step from last years experience for this team to be really good.......All of the new WRs are also going to have to step up.......You could say those 2 points are more important than the CBs. The Corners can cover easier if the Steelers can get pressure on the QB. This is where Jones partly comes in. And they need more turnovers which makes games a lot easier. A lot of what had to do with the teams of Steelers past.

 

IF McCullers is able to learn how to play consistently low, and IF he is quick enough off the snap, he will be a nightmare for opposing offenses. His raw strength will allow him to drive straight into the backfield, probably taking two guys with him. But even if he plays high and the OL holds him off, you get those long arms up in the air and knock down anything coming near him.

But seriously, I'm just hoping he's as effective as Ziggy Hood. I wouldn't complain about that one little bit.

 

Beyond the new players, bringing in Joey Porter and Mike Munchak to the coaching staff was a VERY good move. Munchak was an incredible O-line coach for the Titans and was one of the reasons they constantly had a good running game. Porter is already making waves with the linebacking corps as he is providing his wisdom and his attitude is starting to rub off on the younger guys. I think both of these will inject some new life into these units that have A TON of potential, but just need a little more direction.

 

If we see Jarvis Jones at the 50 yard line pulling up his jersey and talking trash we will know it is working.

 

Holy Tumbleweeds Batman.

Nobody has anything to add, Geez. *SCRATCH*

Here is one and I am not sure if we discussed this or not on the drafting of Wesley Johnson.
First off he is quick out of his stance, light on his feet. He went to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. You start addig this up and this is a Mike Munchak kid all the way. He needs to hit the weight room and work on his technique, but the resume is very solid. Starter in the SEC,, doesn't miss games,, good work ethic, good kid..

I see the pratice squad for him, but I think he will be a good position flexible OL player that they can develop. His grade on NFL.com was right for where he was drafted. Incidently, of all the sites we visit, most of them are not very draft value accurate: and this includes Steelers Depot, BTSC, Walter Football, Draftek and NFL Draft Scout If you really want to get into the nuts and bolts of value and where they should have been picked, check out the grades on nfl.com. Just type in draft results and go round by round. You will clearly see the highest grades are quickly off the board. IN fact the 4 only players to have graded as high as 7 or better, went in the top 5. The exception was Blake Bortels.

If you go round by round, the Steelers were right in range, and in fact they had Roby Rated higher than Fuller. Shazier was rated at 6.3 which was a mid to late first round grade. Stephon Tuitt was rated at 6.1 the second highest rating in round 2. The biggest reach in that round was Seattle, they took an OT with a 4th round grade. I would like to get these rankings BEFORE the draft, I think this would be the best tool to figure out where to put the prospects on our board.

I think we do a good job on here, accumulating information off the internet, watching games,, etc.., Even the best of them Mike Mayock, gets them wrong. He was sold on Louis Nix being the 5th best DT in the draft. Nix went in the middle of the 4th round, probably because he is a 2 down player at the next level. If you guys remember back in October I think, I said I liked Tuitt better than Nix.

The odd one to me is still Dri Archer,, but his 5.5 rating is consistent with a 3/4 round grade. The two highest rated players taken in round 3 were guys we liked, Moncrief and Gabe Jackson.

 

I get what you're saying Ny, but I would rather see the board put together as usual, then go through the player grades as a way to verify that your board is accurate. Whenever something is really out of line - like you have a guy at 150 but NFL.com lists him at 6.0 - then you can re-evaluate that player. However, since your board is slanted for the Steelers, there will always be a lot of players rated higher/lower than the field or left off the board altogether.

I could help with something like that, looking up one player at a time to confirm the NFL.com grade as a way to validate the board.

 

I wish the steelers would have trade up for Moncrief. This article certainly cements his changes of being a great WR. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46395/349/donte-moncrief-metric-allstar Trading the Eagles the Steeler's 4th, 5th and next year's 5th should have been enough to get the 3(26) pick. Moncrief should contribute at least twice as much as Bryant over the next two seasons.

 

Redraft challenge- every year I hear (moreso on other sites) how people say we should have draft this guy, I had him rated high. blah blah blah So I am asking everyone who would be willing to enter who the would have taken in the 2014 draft for the Steelers. Rules are as follows; you have to use the same pick as the Steelers. Please write a short explanation especially if you are choosing a different player. As an example http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2073035-re-drafting-the-pittsburgh-steelers-2014-nfl-draft Bleacherreport already did a redraft. You do not have to choose the exact same positions as the Steelers, but try to keep in mind team needs, before drafting 3 QBs and leaving yourself open to criticism. Good Luck. I have to run some errands but I will post my choices tonight. You are perfectly welcome to go with every choice of the Steelers if that is what you believe in. Also if you could provide 3 players you feel were drafted much later than their production will be, and 3 players who were over drafted and will not produce up to their draft spot.

 

I think I was the first one screaming for Moncrief way back in January so to say I'm a fan is an understatement. But if there is one thing he lacks it's elite athleticism and it's clear the Steelers were looking for those types of players in the draft. Only time will tell.

 

That is certainly an all-in opinion, but I really don't think Moncrief will be better than Bryant, Richardson, and next year's 5th rounder combined. I was excited about the prospect for drafting him, but no way would I trade 2 additional picks for him.

 

Or how about Colbert doesn't trade away a mid third round pick to move up
For Shamarko Thomas and takes him in Landry Jone's spot? The Cowboys just drafted a safety in the previous round I don't see the "urgency"
More of a "panic attack"

 

If you read the rotoworld report it shows Moncrief had the best combination of size, weight and explosiveness in the draft.

 

They must have read thishttp://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2013/lewin-career-forecast-2013

 

Not on tape he doesn't. No one felt that way before the underwear olympics.

 

Is it me or did the Steeler's draft seem like it had no scouts. I could picture it going like this.
Colbert- Ok Mike you won the coin toss, you get the first round pick. Who do you like?
Tomlin- I want someone fast and electrifying at their position, and it has to be on defense.
Colbert- Ok that sounds like Shazier, we all liked him at his pro day. Dick you had the second round pick, who do you have?
Lebeau- We have to get stronger up front, let's take Tuitt.
Colbert- Done, wow I did not think he would fall this far. Todd you have the third round pick.
Haley- We need a returner and someone who can score from anywhere.
Colbert- Damn John Brown was just drafted. We could take Archer. Ok? Done. Ben I know your not a coach but since you won't sign a team friendly contract we are going to let you make a pick in the draft.
Rothlisberger- A big receiver.
Colbert- Bryant would be the next best guy available. (Haley nods at Ben.)
Colbert- Moving on to position coaches for the 5th. Carnell who do you like?
Lake- The CB from Arizona, I saw him play as a freshman.
Colbert-I hope he improved since then. (Lake frowns.) Mike your next.
Munchak- Vandy OT. (smiles knowing he was still able to get his guy)
Colbert- Your up next Keith.
Butler- Let's take that Zumwalt, he has a lot of position flexibility.
Colbert- Back to you Mike. Who do you like?
Tomlin- We need a big guy who blocks out the sun. You can't coach size.
Colbert- McCullers is big but extremely slow. I don't know...
Tomlin-Big guy.
Colbert- Ok we can take him. Dick you get the last pick.
Lebeau- I don't care. When can we get these kids away from the lights and start whipping them into shape? Let Todd have my pick.
Haley- I have been thinking about using a 4 TE set, and let's not forget we need some competition for the 3rd/4th TE spot. Let's take Blanchflower. I really think this kid has a fair chance to make it through training camp and staying healthy.
Colbert- Ok then that is the draft. I am going to pick the UDFAs so you guys can get back to work. (under his breath) Why do I even try so hard in the off season?

 

Is it me or did the Steeler's draft seem like it had no scouts. I could picture it going like this.
Colbert- Ok Mike you won the coin toss, you get the first round pick. Who do you like?
Tomlin- I want someone fast and electrifying at their position, and it has to be on defense.
Colbert- Ok that sounds like Shazier, we all liked him at his pro day. Dick you had the second round pick, who do you have?
Lebeau- We have to get stronger up front, let's take Tuitt.
Colbert- Done, wow I did not think he would fall this far. Todd you have the third round pick.
Haley- We need a returner and someone who can score from anywhere.
Colbert- Damn John Brown was just drafted. We could take Archer. Ok? Done. Ben I know your not a coach but since you won't sign a team friendly contract we are going to let you make a pick in the draft.
Rothlisberger- A big receiver.
Colbert- Bryant would be the next best guy available. (Haley nods at Ben.)
Colbert- Moving on to position coaches for the 5th. Carnell who do you like?
Lake- The CB from Arizona, I saw him play as a freshman.
Colbert-I hope he improved since then. (Lake frowns.) Mike your next.
Munchak- Vandy OT. (smiles knowing he was still able to get his guy)
Colbert- Your up next Keith.
Butler- Let's take that Zumwalt, he has a lot of position flexibility.
Colbert- Back to you Mike. Who do you like?
Tomlin- We need a big guy who blocks out the sun. You can't coach size.
Colbert- McCullers is big but extremely slow. I don't know...
Tomlin-Big guy.
Colbert- Ok we can take him. Dick you get the last pick.
Lebeau- I don't care. When can we get these kids away from the lights and start whipping them into shape? Let Todd have my pick.
Haley- I have been thinking about using a 4 TE set, and let's not forget we need some competition for the 3rd/4th TE spot. Let's take Blanchflower. I really think this kid has a fair chance to make it through training camp and staying healthy.
Colbert- Ok then that is the draft. I am going to pick the UDFAs so you guys can get back to work. (under his breath) Why do I even try so hard in the off season?