Here is my annual who I would have taken thread. If you care to play along, and don't live in a glass house and throw stones, you are welcome to add in who you would have taken. The rules are you can only take a player on the board in a given round. No trades. You can only pick where the Steelers actually select in a given round.
I like the Khan and Wedil team. Upon request I can show you a sample of previous drafts years.
Having said that here is who I would have taken.
Round one.
Steelers selected OT Broderick Jones
I would have taken the same player
Grade for need in the round A
Grade for value B+
Jones is a big tackle , with long arms and big hands. He did not give up sack last year. He is excellent vs. the pass, and has upside vs the run. He worked out well at the combine running a sub 5.0 40 and offers good lateral agility and flexibility on film. His punch and hand placement vs the run needs a little work. The Steelers have not drafted a tackle in round one since the 1990's. I project he will start as a rookie. He's only 21.
Round Two A
Steelers select CB Joey Porter jr
I would have taken, Same player
Grade for need B
Grade for value in the round A
Porter is an extremely long corner who can run well and swat down passes. But he is poor at intercepting them. Last year he had 11 pass breakups in 10 starts! A decent press style corner ( we lack them ) that should be good in short coverage and defend the side line very well. But his hands might draw more flags than I care for. A good CB 2 who should not be matched vs. the very quick or very fast, but has shut down ability vs. most WR's.
Round two B.
Steelers select DT Keeanu Benton
Who I would have taken, same player
Grade for need A
Grade for value in the round B+
Benton impressed me at the senior bowl and can be a good DT / NT. He should start for us, and play DT / NT in 4-3, and the nickel. He offers a good two gap defense, which is something the defense sorely needs. His motor is good. He is tough to move and strong. Rotated off the field in obvious passing downs. He adds usual toughness.
Round three
Steeler select Washington
Who I would have take S Battle
Grade for need C
Grade for value in the round B
Now this pick did not make much sense to me. We don't need a TE. This player wasn't productive in college. And he was a medical red flag. He is a tall TE, a big target, and has decent speed. Okay but there were better and more productive players on the board and our depth at TE is fine. I would have taken Battle. A player who offers some coverage ( with size ) and play the run well and is smart.
Round four
Steelers select Herbig
Who I would have taken CB Blue Kelly
Grade for need B
Grade for value B
Herbig is a solid pick. A bit undersized, but he worked fairly well and had 11 sacks last year. In 11 games. Good production as a bitzer / attacker, but he leaves a lot to be desired as a run defender, He should add to special teams.
I would have opted for CB Blue Kelly, a corner who had 13 pass break ups at two intercpetions in 11 starts. He can't be matched vs a #1 WR , but will shine when matched vs a 3, 4, or 5.
Round seven A
Steelers select CB Cory Trice
Who I would have taken QB Bagent
Grade for value C
Grade for need C
Trice is a very tall and big corner. Not a bad pick but I would have opted for QB Bagent who absolutely set division II on fire throwing for 4,500+ yards at 70% completion and 41 td's last year. Such a man deserves a look.
Round seven B
Steelers select G Anderson
Who I would have taken LB Thomas
Grade for need C
Grade for value C
The fascination with Maryland players continues. I would have selected LB Drake Thomas who was a team captain and all over the field. He made 101 tackles, 19 for loss with 7.5 sacks, also breaking up four passes in 13 starts. last year. Yes he is short, but fine for special teams, and offers leadership, smars, toughness.
Overall I am very pleased with this draft and for a change my picks are very similar to the Steelers.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Ernie
Bookmarks