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[B]2014 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers land a 'Steelers cornerback' with Darqueze Dennard at 15[/B]
By Neal Coolong on Feb 17 2014
[IMG]http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28748719/20131207_mje_ss1_2007.0_standard_500.0.jpg[/IMG]
[B]SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn provides his final pre-Combine mock draft, and sends a familiar name at a position of need to Pittsburgh.[/B]
It's only the last pre-Combine mock draft from our brethren at SB Nation. It only leaves us excited for the 12 pre-draft mocks in front of us.
Fairburn likes Dennard's game.
Dennard just looks like a classic Steelers cornerback. He's physical at the line of scrimmage, can quickly break on the ball and is a sound tackler. By drafting a cornerback like Dennard in the first round, the Steelers could move Ike Taylor to safety, boosting two positions with one move.
Not quite sure how the selection of a rookie inspires the change of position of a player who's turning 34 years old and has never played safety at any level of the sport, but hey, it fills up space with something interesting.
What Dennard's selection would do, in reality, is begin to bolster depleted depth within the secondary. Assuming Ike Taylor is kept for the 2014 season (not a guarantee, but a good possibility), the Steelers will trot out Taylor, Cortez Allen and William Gay at their three corner positions - Gay would move inside in nickel packages, a role in which he succeeded at a high level last season. There's perilously thin depth behind them.
Whether it's Dennard or someone else, odds should be considered strong the Steelers will invest picks (plural) at the cornerback position in this draft. It may also be wise to draft another hybrid safety/slot coverage defensive back as well.
[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-mock-drafts/2014/2/17/5419146/2014-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-cornerback-darqueze-dennard[/URL]
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I dont think Dennard is a good fit for lebeau, Gilbert is an excellent fit, as is Jean-Baptiste and Kyle Fuller.
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Mr. Coolong, put down the pipe.
Ike to FS, thats a good one.
A player who has obvious problems picking up the ball and couldn't catch a cold playing centerfield.:rolleyes:
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Ryan Clark and Chris Hope werent exactly ball hawks
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[QUOTE=pittpete;592799]Mr. Coolong, put down the pipe.
Ike to FS, thats a good one.
A player who has obvious problems picking up the ball and couldn't catch a cold playing centerfield.:rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
Could Ike's ability to catch improve when he's facing the quarterback and breaking on a ball rather than having to run with a wide receiver and then turn, locate and catch the ball? Two completely different ways of catching, I'm not saying Ike to FS is a good idea, but catching from centerfield is different than mirroring a receiver and then trying to locate the ball at the last second to make a play.
Pappy
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[QUOTE=papillon;592804]Could Ike's ability to catch improve when he's facing the quarterback and breaking on a ball rather than having to run with a wide receiver and then turn, locate and catch the ball? Two completely different ways of catching, I'm not saying Ike to FS is a good idea, but catching from centerfield is different than mirroring a receiver and then trying to locate the ball at the last second to make a play.
Pappy[/QUOTE]
He would probably be a little better... instead of completely whiffing he would bobble it a few times before dropping them.
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[QUOTE=SS Laser;586889]So lets say Troy stays for a fair price. The Steelers can draft a 1st or 2nd round talent at CB. Do you like the idea of Ike staying for a fair price to be the "#2 CB" or even at FS since Clark is done? I agree with Dub that 2 young CB's are needed from this draft or by a giant stretch a FA CB? Does Will Allen stick around on the cheap to play FS? Does Shark play FS with Troy on the field? Still not sold on Allen. Gay is what the #3 maybe #4 CB in 2014 if a high draft pick CB does happen? The young guys here now are Brown, Blake, and Green. Are any of those guys more then special teamers? Oh how about golden at FS? I am not sure about him. Will a FS be drafted? If so what spot? Does any one see any FA CB or FS on the cheap that are better then we have now?[/QUOTE]
I could see Gay as the for sure #3, and likely #2 if either starter goes down. The guy played pretty lights out, and Steeler fans don't seem to notice. Brown, Blake and Green all suck. No way should they be on the field in the base or dime D. Brown is just worthless as a CB. Horrible.
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wasnt ike rated one of the worst cb in the league this year?
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[QUOTE=K Train;592773]I dont think Dennard is a good fit for lebeau, Gilbert is an excellent fit, as is Jean-Baptiste and Kyle Fuller.[/QUOTE]
Why not? What have you personally seen in Dennard's game that says he isn't a good fit?
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[QUOTE=sick beats;592811]I could see Gay as the for sure #3, and likely #2 if either starter goes down. The guy played pretty lights out, and Steeler fans don't seem to notice. Brown, Blake and Green all suck. No way should they be on the field in the base or dime D. Brown is just worthless as a CB. Horrible.[/QUOTE]
Gay is a guy I would like to keep at the #2. I think he is best in the slot. And I agree he played lights out.