Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

He's been staying away. Personal stuff in his life precedes the message board. Not sure when he's coming back...if he does at all.

 

That would be ashame. Especially between the end of the season and the draft.....

 

Early Mock

Free agents:

Bruce Irvin, OLB, Seahawks
Damon Harrison, NT, Jets

1. Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU
2. KeiVarae Russel, CB, Notre Dame
3. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
4. Braxton Miller, WR/QB, Ohio State
7. Brad Craddock, K, Maryland

UDFA. Lee Hightower, CB, Houston
UDFA. Tra Carson, RB, Texas A&M

 

Bruce Irvin would be a good fit in Pittsburgh.

 

IF comments Tomlin made this week matter they may go after Eric Weddle

 

I doubt it. When is the last time you can remember the Steelers paying big money to 30+ year old free agent?

 

Maybe Weddle at 30 plus wants to play for a title contender with a defense that is custom made for his style and abilities. Weddle has already made a lot of money. He's never been fully appreciated by San Diego. The Steelers and their fans would give Weddle all the things money can't buy!

 

Also we need that freaking beard.

 

That beard is a nasty looking mess but it would grow on me if he was wearing the black and yellow!

 

Speaking of Beards why did we not sign THE Beard to play back up instead of Cam Thomas.

 

Updated mock draft

Free Agents

Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins
Al Woods, NT, Titans

Draft

1. Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU <------ In case you haven't noticed, I'm really big on the idea of drafting this guy in the 20s. Ridiculously good run-blocker.

2. Travin Dural, WR, LSU
3. Jalen Mills, FS, LSU <-------- It's just a coincidence that all of these players so far are from LSU.

4. Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford
7. De'Vondre Campbell, OLB, Minnesota

 

I thought I'd try to craft another mock that isn't so loaded with LSU players. I kinda like this one better anyway.

Free Agents

Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins
OR
Al Woods, NT, Titans

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Ravens

Draft

1. Vadal Alexander, G, LSU
2. Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State
3. De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State <-------- Oddest name in the draft. Tomlin will want him based on that alone.

4a. Eddie Vanderdoes, NT, UCLA <--------- Suffered a torn ACL earlier in the season, but physical setbacks will be minimal as his game is more about power and run-stuffing than speed, quickness, or agility. Probably will not declare for the 2016 draft, but if he does, the range here is right for him.
---
OR
---
4b. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech <---------- Dominant at his level of competition.

7. Pierce Slater, OT, San Diego State

 

Baylor WR Corey Coleman isn't a first-rounder at this point according to most publications, and I can't for the life of me understand why. He's better than Titans' first-round pick and former Baylor Bear Kendall Wright. He does everything an NFL coach would ask from a receiver, and he's lightning-quick and extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. At 5'10", he'll be among the shortest receivers eligible for the 2016 draft, a draft which will be logjammed with receivers who stand at 6'2" or taller. Nonetheless, shades of Antonio Brown dance through my head as I watch him play. Anyone underrating him will watch his stock rise securely into the first round and see him compete to be the first receiver taken off the board.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4O1QLS7w6c[/video]

 

Keep an eye on Jordan Simone (DB) of Arizona State.
6'1" // 195
He is currently Top-20 in tackles (63). Against Utah (in a losing effort), he had 9 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 QB sacks and Defended 1 Pass.

 

So as I look at our roster now. Here are our needs after the season:

SS
CB
OG
OT
DE
TE

Not sure about QB, if Landry can go out there this weekend against KC and duplicate the kind of performance he had in his relief effort last week, I would be willing to say we at least have our No.2 guy.

I think WR, ILB, K, P, QB, RB, we might need a OLB(unsure) Chick might be the guy we're looking for.

Would you agree with this assessment?

 

SS - I actually really like Golden, have for quite awhile. Of course they'll have to get him signed because he's a free agent next year.

CB - Feel pretty good about getting Gay signed again. He loves Pittsburgh. We get to see Golson next year who I really like and Cockrell looks like a keeper. If a stud fell to us in the 1st or 2nd round I could certainly justify pulling the trigger but I wouldn't force anything.

OG - Foster likely to re-sign and DeCastro is on a one-year big money deal. Like Cody as the backup interior guy. Same as CB, wouldn't pass on a stud but definitely wouldn't reach.

OT - Biggest need on the team in my opinion. I'm worried about going the rest of the way with Villanueva. He has a loooooong way to go. Beachum obviously is a free agent. Hard to say how that plays out.

DE - Not much of a need at all here in my opinion. Walton was the first guy off the bench when Tuitt went out and played well. McLendon and McCullers give them some flexibility. Really like what we have here.

TE - A young stud here would be nice but I think we're good for another couple of seasons.

 

I wouldn't. We can pass on a corner completely and be fine. Remember we're basically picking up a late draft pick when Golson heals. Three of our corners are free agents, but I know Gay isn't going anywhere and I'd bet they'd want Boykin re-signed so they can actually use him. The only way corner becomes a need is if Cortez Allen is cut.

I see it more like this:

S
OG
WR
OT
RB
NT
OLB

 

S
CB
QB
NT
OG
TE
ST (Kick/Punt Return)

 

It's funny that we all seem to agree on safety being our biggest need. Su'a Cravens from USC is being called the next Troy Polamalu by some evaluators.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bOUFi57LE[/video]

 

That label is fine, for media purposes ONLY. Those brainless mooks always look for a shortcut and with them both being from USC, that was an underhanded softball.