steelblood
09-15-2011, 11:45 AM
Quite often the Steeler's picks in the early rounds reflect the positions where short- or medium-term team need intersects the particular draft's depth. The relative depth of certain positions quite often pushes value down to the Steelers pick. Quite often this value translates to a pick that the organization cannot pass up (much like Cam Heyward this year).
Of course there is a lot of football to be played so players will rise and slide, and many juniors will declare while others will stay in school. But, based on what we know right now, here is a quick look at the early round (Rounds 1 and 2) positions of depth and value in this years draft...
Top 64 picks
CB 8-14 prospects
OT 7-12 prospects
WR 5-9 prospects
34 OLB 4-7 prospects
ILB 3-5 prospects
QB 3-5 prospects
34 DE 3-4 prospects
FS 2-3 prospects
G 2-3 prospects
SS 2 prospects
C 2 prospects
RB 2 prospects
TE 2 prospects
NT 1-2 prospects
4-3 only 2 prospects
I surmise the Steelers 2012 early round draft needs to be...
High Priority
OT
OG
ILB
FS
CB
NT
Med Priority
RB
WR
OLB
So, the positions that represent high need and excellent early round draft depth are CB and OT. ILB and FS also represent decent value. Guard is a moderate value. Finally, WR could be a surprise pick as Hines Ward is almost done and the young receivers will be nearing their second contracts and cannot all be retained.
In the coming weeks, I'll generate lists of prospects to watch this college football season. I will start with these positions as they represent likely early round draft targets for the Steelers.
-steelblood
Of course there is a lot of football to be played so players will rise and slide, and many juniors will declare while others will stay in school. But, based on what we know right now, here is a quick look at the early round (Rounds 1 and 2) positions of depth and value in this years draft...
Top 64 picks
CB 8-14 prospects
OT 7-12 prospects
WR 5-9 prospects
34 OLB 4-7 prospects
ILB 3-5 prospects
QB 3-5 prospects
34 DE 3-4 prospects
FS 2-3 prospects
G 2-3 prospects
SS 2 prospects
C 2 prospects
RB 2 prospects
TE 2 prospects
NT 1-2 prospects
4-3 only 2 prospects
I surmise the Steelers 2012 early round draft needs to be...
High Priority
OT
OG
ILB
FS
CB
NT
Med Priority
RB
WR
OLB
So, the positions that represent high need and excellent early round draft depth are CB and OT. ILB and FS also represent decent value. Guard is a moderate value. Finally, WR could be a surprise pick as Hines Ward is almost done and the young receivers will be nearing their second contracts and cannot all be retained.
In the coming weeks, I'll generate lists of prospects to watch this college football season. I will start with these positions as they represent likely early round draft targets for the Steelers.
-steelblood