Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

The next anything is usually not labeled that until they are the next great thing.

 

I don't listen to tags.

Demo, I did like what I saw from the highlight reel, seems like he's a good blitzer, definatley a good tackler, plays the run, and a guy that capitolizes on mistakes, has pretty sure hands.

Not sure about his coverage skills, mechanics, football IQ, have to watch a USC game.

Thomas still doesn't know his assignments, and that's with 2 years learning from Troy, this year whenever he's in the game he's lost.

 

Cravens is a fringe first-rounder at this point because no one is exactly sure what position he plays. He started at safety before moving to outside linebacker in the Trojans' defense. He was an All-American as a freshman safety, but the switch was made because of his strength playing in the box. He's an elite coverage linebacker taking away passes to the flat and going up against tight ends, but is he scheme-versatile? Questions abound regarding how well he'd be able to get off blocks in the NFL at just 220-some pounds. In our defense, he definitely would not be an ILB. However, he'd be used almost exactly like we used Polamalu for years before he faded. Cravens isn't my first-round pick right now, but I can't help but feel like he'd be special.

 

Team-specific updated mock draft:

Picking 25th overall in each round, not taking compensatory picks into account.

1. A'Shawn Robinson, NT, Alabama

Depth on the defensive line is a major issue. Robinson is a hell of a run-stopper but has the size to be versatile if need be. First round talent is scarce at RB and S.

2. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State

A better passer than Cardale Jones, he has loads of natural talent but doesn't know what it's like playing behind a good offensive line. Has developed bad habits as a result of that. Will need to take the Landry Jones route if he wants to be successful in the NFL.

3. Jalen Mills, S, LSU

Has an injury history and isn't great playing the run, but he's called a coach on the field and has one of the keenest understandings of coverage angles among defensive backs in this class. Plus, LSU has a recent history of popping out quality NFL-ready defensive backs (see Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne, and to a lesser extent Eric Reid).

4. Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State

A small guard - looks like a center. Lots of promise as a zone-blocking run blocker.

7. Ufomba Kamalu, DE, Miami

Very raw, but has prototypical 5-tech frame and talent that's worth developing.

Free Agents

Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins
Don Barclay, OL, Packers

 

Side note: I'm a pretty big fan of Ohio State safety Vonn Bell. He looks and plays like a young T.J. Ward.

 

Would anyone be against taking another pass rusher?

There are some good ones in this draft and we might still need another guy like Dupree that can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.

 

If we have four OLBs on the roster when free agency comes and goes, I will be very upset if we pick another one early - or at all. We only have five picks in 2016 before comp picks (and I don't expect much there either). We can't afford to be frivolous.

 

No OLB in the first couple rounds, too many needs elsewhere.

 

I agree that OLB is not a need, however if there is a crazy talent there, I would have no issue with taking one. I think Dupree is a future star. Jarvis has been good this year and even got some pressure past Joe Thomas last week, but I'm just not convinced that he is a pass rusher. Great at setting the edge, but just doesn't have the lightening first step or bend needed to get around the edge. Harrison and Moats are good depth, but neither will be around for much longer.

I mean, really, where is the big dearth of depth? We need CBs every year, but I am more comfortable with that position than I have been a in a couple of years, especially if Golson shows anything next summer.

ILB is solid.

DL is pretty well done, would be nice to have a bit more depth.

We could use a starting Safety to replace Will Allen, but our depth is good. I thought Golden played well and Thomas is serviceable as a backup.

On offense, there are really no holes. The OL is fine. WR is good. TE could maybe use a guy later in the draft, but is solid for now. RB is another spot where maybe you grab a mid rounder.

I just don't see a pressing need for a starter quality player in round 1 except maybe at Safety. So, if there isn't a guy there you like for that spot, and there is a great pass rush guy available...take him. In my opinion.

 

Yeah, if there were ever a year to truly go BPA this is it. There are only two positions I think the Steelers really have a bona fide need and that is TE and CB and I don't believe there are any 1st round TE prospects.

A young, talented Guard wouldn't hurt my feelings either. Foster has a couple of years left in him but in spite of his PFF ratings we really could do better with a more athletic option on the left side. But that's nitpicking to an extent. I like Ramon and he's a great leader (I'm assuming he re-signs, which is safe to assume IMO).

 

I'd really like to see a stud NT and ya'll are right about the Safety position ( IMO ). A SS would be a good pick if there us one available.
I also think QB should really be looked at.
Jones has been ok but if he's not the QB of the future I think the time is now to look for another franchise QB to groom over the next couple years.

Bens health more so than his age should warrant looking. IMO!

 

I honestly think we already have a stud NT. McLendon has been lights out against the run this year. Unfortunately, the injury to Tuitt and lack of depth behind the DEs has offset some of that, but he's been fantastic. Just because he doesn't look like Hampton doesn't mean he isn't effective.

As for a Safety, I would actually prefer a Free Safety type to a SS, even though I think those labels are becoming obsolete. I think Safeties are becoming interchangeable in most defenses now. However, I think Mike Mitchell is the big hitting run stuffer of the future. Give me an Eric Berry or Earl Thomas type to pair with him and I would be ecstatic! However, I haven't done the research on this class to know if there is a prospect like that in this draft...especially one that might be available at pick 32.

Still too early for that in my opinion.

Ben has at least 3 good years left...and potentially 4 or 5 if he can stay healthy. If you can find a 5th or 6th rounder that develops into that guy, then great, but its too early to draft an early (1st or 2nd round) QB with an eye towards replacing Ben.

 

I like the S out of Clemson, Jayron Kearse. I've talked to ny about him and we agree that he needs to be in the black and gold.

 

He really has been. When teams have run against us it's been in the Nickel formation with only two down linemen. In our base defense we have been very good against the run. As you said earlier, we need some depth at DT but there's always going to be a drop off from Heyward / Tuitt to anyone else. They are so freakin' good. Kudos to the MKS guys on Tuitt. He's been a stud and is only going to get better.

To be fair though. When we were without Tuitt, we were also just getting McCullers back from injury. He only played a handful of snaps vs. Kansas City and then picked it up the next week vs. Cincy.

 

McCullers has been pretty impressive when given the chance. I think NT is pretty solid, only concern is health. McLendon has a chronic sholder issue, though it hasn't bothered him this year, and McCullers has seemed to have been nicked up alot this season. Still if they are healthy that is a good rotation.

As for DE, still mad as hell Mauro was signed away from the team last season. Prior to the season it seemed like coaches were high on Geathers but he went on IR early in the season (or was released with an injury settlement). I was hoping he would push Thomas out the door. He should be gone this off-season, so depth is an issue.

Safety is an issue, Allen is old and the coaches clearly have no faith in Shamarko Thomas. Golden has looked decent, but should be a backup. I'll have to look at the prospect Stlcrtn mentioned.

Wouldn't mind looking into another RB either. Bell is clearly the top back, but having a good young backup would be nice.

 

Funny you mention Eric Berry. He's a free agent next year.

 

While I would love that move, its not the Steelers style.

 

Yeah. Mike Mitchell is more their style.

 

Yup. Mid to low end contract with the potential for a high ceiling.

 

They will need to snag a kick returner somewhere whether that is in the draft or a free agent remains to be seen,