Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper sucks thread!!

Round 4 of the Collaborative Mock Draft is in the books. It was a resounding success for our beloved team, as we walked away with:

Shaquill Griffin, CB, Central Florida

Griffin has worked out exceptionally well all offseason and is a sleeper. His biggest weakness may just be his level of competition, as he checks all the physical boxes and is no sissy when it comes to laying the wood. I was very happy he fell to us at 135.

I'm targeting WR in the fifth round. Our main target is still on the board as other receivers get picked here or there. Josh Reynolds was picked by the Panthers with the eight pick of the 5th round and he was actually my fall-back guy. From Texas A&M, Reynolds is a tall, vertical threat who draws comparisons to Martavis Bryant. No matter, our main guy is still on the board, and with the moderate activity on WR I feel comforted that our guy is probably safe.

More updates soon to come!

 

I suppose the question is if those guys you listed are off the board when the steelers pick at 31, do you pick a guy who clearly is poor at stopping the run in the first round despite the emphasis the steelers normally hold in that area and hope he is able to develop, or go in a different direction like corner or safety? Me personally I'm not sure I would take Lawson in round one. He would be a situational pass rusher and while that would work while spelling with Harrison I expect more out of a first round pick long term. His injury history also worries me.

 

Whether you meant to or not, I think you answered your own question advocating for Lawson. Lawson didn't play the run well in college, but he wouldn't be expected to start day one for the Steelers with Harrsion, Moats, and Chickillo all placed ahead of him right away. His sterling workout numbers in just about every respect suggest he's a fighter with a fantastic work ethic. He's deserved the chance to better himself and make himself a complete edge defender if he's drafted by this team.

Watt wouldn't need time in the oven, which is why I want him more, but Lawson has even greater natural talent. I wouldn't be upset anymore, based on what's happened since the end of the college football season, if the Steelers picked Lawson.

 

Yes I suppose I did ha. Lawson has great potential as a pass rusher I just worry with his injury issues and against the run. I suppose it's risk reward at its best which is the beauty of the draft. Like you I would go with watt before Lawson if they are both available. Watt and Dupree would be a great tandem going forward.

 

I think Watt is overhyped, you guys mention lawson's injury history. Watt redshirted freshman year, injured all of 2014, injured most of 2015 which is why he didn't crack the starting lineup until last year and produced 11.5 sacks but according to who you hear analysis from he got taken out of alot plays.

 

Haven't been around much. Did anyone post the Steeler visits? If I missed it, can someone let me know where to find it? Thanks in advance.

 

Overrated and cant cover....bust written all over him

 

Watt's not overhyped. Very few sources out there have him in the first round at all. The general consensus is that he's a second-round pick and behind more quick-twitch players.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I like Watt because he does everything the Steelers traditionally want from their weakside OLB. Since Tomlin took over (and possibly for a time before), the LOLB has been the better athlete (Woodley, Worilds, Dupree) while the ROLB has been the guy to set the edge and drop into coverage (Harrison, Jones). While both players should ideally play everything well, it seems there's a theme here, and when looking for possible pass rushers, it's important to keep that in mind.
Watt lived in backfields as a senior. He did so with outstanding hand use and motor. He's been making a name for himself in workouts all offseason. It's obvious to most evaluators that Watt is strong and still has room to grow, and he's on the upswing as far as production goes.

J.J. Watt was a late riser, not always the 11th overall pick he ended up being. Thanks to sterling hand use, a relentless motor, and a tendency to always look for the ball carrier, Watt is constantly referred to as being the best defensive player in the NFL with insane levels of production considering his position. All these traits are present in T.J., in an OLB's body. Also present in both players is an injury history.

It's true that Watt missed a significant portion of time in college due to injury. It's true that Lawson missed a significant portion of time in college due to injury. It's true that both players have met with the Steelers at points this offseason and have received interest from the team - Lawson met with them twice and I've little doubt the Steelers will meet with Watt at his pro day as well. Each player has the potential to significantly improve the entire defense. Clearly they're both hard workers, but despite his lack of prolonged experience, Watt is more polished than Lawson. Maybe he's had better trainers, but who really knows. His senior year was better statistically than Lawson's, and for all intents and purposes, his tape suggests a better recovery from his past injuries than Lawson's tape.

This situation reminds me an awful lot of the 2002 situation, when we had a choice between Auburn's Kendall Simmons and Colorado's Andre Gurode. Simmons was the better talent, but he had a relatively short career for a first-round offensive lineman riddled with injury and diabetic issues. Gurode had a successful nine-year stint as the Cowboys' starting center but could have been a guard too if asked. Simmons has Super Bowls, but Gurode was the better NFL player.

Maybe both Watt and Lawson will have hard careers. Maybe not. I'd pick either, but if forced to choose I'd pick Watt because he already does everything we would ask him to do really well. Lawson, however, would find me welcoming him to Steelers nation right away as well. He won me over this offseason by clearly working his butt off to show teams he's worth the risk. Neither player has any character issues, so that's a wash as well.

Now, why would you not want Watt?

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/03/steelers-combine-interview-masterlist-updating

http://www.walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByTeam

 

Donte Hightower is supposed to visit the Steelers today, or was that yesterday. Not sure the Steelers have the cap room to give him the money he's looking for.........

 

Who is DJ on the NFL Network? He has the Steelers 1st round mock pic as Mike Williams, WR.....Do the Steeelers REALLY need another WR? Might depend on if Hightower signs with them, which I doubt. Defensive backs and edge rushers are in more need than another receiver.

 

What is everyone's thought on Raekwon McMillian (Ohio State) and Chris Wormley (Michigan) in rounds 1 and 2? It would fill 2 needs on defense plus it'd be cool to see history repeat itself a decade later.

 

Daniel Jeremiah

 

In case anyone was wondering about Steelers and Pro Days

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/03/2017-steelers-pro-day-tracker/

 

Is there any player that somehow starts to slide out of the top 10-15 picks that makes you pull the trigger and trade up in this draft? I have a couple guys in mind but would be interesting to see what other people think?

 

I've been watching a lot of videos of the possible pass rushers that the steelers could take at the end of the first round and it could literally be one of about 5 or 6 guys depending on what your looking for. Many of these guys have flaws in their game and I just don't see them as first round talents.

My favourite guy is Jordan Willis, for whatever reason his name hasn't been thrown around to the steelers or as first round prospect. Typically going in rounds two and three in mocks but when I look at him play he looks like a first round pick. Penetrates with ease and has great hand use converting speed to power. The only knock on him is that he only played with his hand in the dirt and may be harder to project as an olb, but this guy has insane quickness and body control so with good coaching should be able to translate with no problems. This guy reminds me a lot of Lamar woodley only with more speed and athleticism.

Am I alone here or could this guy be our first round pick once the draft comes around?

 

I'm liking the safety out of UCONN more and more as our 1st overall.

 

What do you guys think of Kaaya in the 3rd or 4th round?

 

Probably won't be there for our pick in those reds.

 

NO!!!!!