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buckeyehoppy is pretty glad he has carved out some time to take a look at the Steelers upcoming Draft. Been busy around here.
Really, the Steelers need depth out of this Draft. I feel like this Draft could go in any of several directions. But this is my take on where I think we'll go, based on what I think we'll be able to get where we select.
A note on the obvious: I've made no adjustments to what I believe will be at least one or more trades made by the Steelers during the Draft. There's a lot of value in this draft in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds. The Steelers may well use any (or all) of their non-comp picks after the 4th Round to get an additional pick or two on the second day. I don't necessarily agree the Steelers will make these trades. But, with 11 overall picks, there's a good chance that could happen.
Here goes nothin':
1.18- Jared Odrick-DT-Penn State
The Steelers can't miss with this one. The DL needs an infusion of youth that can be groomed to start. That's where Odrick makes all the sense in the world. Will fit well with the Steelers 3-4 and paired with Ziggy Hood, should solidify the DE position for years to come.
2.52- Rodger Saffold-OT-Indiana
I wasn't going to delude myself into thinking the Steelers would actually use a high draft pick on the OL. But after years of watching Benjamin get his head beat off by opposing defenses, the reality is that #7 isn't going to be of much use to the Steelers for a whole lot longer unless he gets some help. Saffold is a three-year Big 11 starter and possesses lots of position versatility to the outside of the line. If he's still on the board here, the Steelers would be nuts not to select this guy.
3.82- Akwasi Owusu-Ansah-CB-Indiana of Pennsylvania
Despite the competition level he faced in college, AOA would be an intriguing selection here. And he still might not be on the board at this spot. At very worst, AOA projects to be a feared kick returner. At best, he adds competing to be a starting cover corner to the previous sentence. Will be VERY interested to see what he can do if the Steelers get him on draft day.
4.116- Riley Cooper-WR-Florida
Much of the value at WR lies in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds. But Cooper is a solid choice here. Comes from a solid college program and had a great senior year making Tebow's job that much easier. There is a question as to whether he play football or baseball, so this pick would come with some risk. If the Steelers are worried, Blair White from Michigan State offers many of the same traits as Cooper in a slightly smaller package.
5.151- Jeff Byers-C-USC
OL from USC usually have a reliable pedigree. When they can be had with the 151st overall selection and are 3rd team All-Americans, you'd be well-advised to make the call. That's particularly true when they are at a needed position. Byers may challenge Hartwig for playing time much sooner than people think.
5.155- Walter Thurmond-CB-Oregon
Despite some injury and size concerns, Thurmond makes up for his shortcomings with apparently strong play and a good motor. He would be a strong selection here and should have something to say in the battle for playing time at CB.
5c.164- Clifton Geathers-DE-South Carolina
When your name is Geathers and you are an NFL prospect, people should pay attention. The Steelers aforementioned need for youth on the DL would be well served with this selection and he provides excellent value if he is still available.
5c.166- Kurt Coleman-S-Ohio State
A buckeyehoppy special. But Kurt Coleman was a leader for the solid Ohio State D for the last two years. He would be an excellent complement to the free form play of Polamalu and will be an excellent addition to the Steeler locker room.
6.188- Kavell Conner-OLB-Clemson
By this point in the draft, the pickings are, largely, a shot in the dark. Still, Conner was a solid contributor for the Clemson D and would add good depth behind Jimmy Hate.
7.225- Joe Pawelek-ILB-Baylor
This selection would add some youth to the mix on the inside for the Steelers. If he can contribute, Pawelek has a good chance to make a name for himself in Pittsburgh for some time to come.
7c.242- Joe Webb-QB-Alabama-Birmingham
As The Benjamin Turns notwithstanding, the Steelers may benefit from this selection since Ben's Follies have given birth to more than their share of concern and Charlie Batch has limited shelf life remaining. The Steelers also have but three QBs on the current roster. This pick would bring in a player looking for a chance and if he doesn't pan out at QB, the Steelers may well look at him as a candidate at WR.
I am also listing a short list of candidates for pickup from the UDFA pool.
Shelley Smith-OG-Colorado State
Kurtis Gregory-OG-Missouri
Austin Spitler-ILB-Ohio State
Greg Middleton-DE-Indiana
Brandon Minor-RB-Michigan
I have two Gs listed here. Reason for that is simple: the quality and value at G is virtually non-existent after the 5th Round. Smith and/or Gregory have talent enough to warrant a draft pick (remember, the Draft after the 5th is a real crap shoot). But these guys might be able to come in and push for a spot if given a chance. After all, it's not like the Steelers have a whole lot of proven talent here.
I also added Brandon Minor here. Seeing that the Steelers really only need depth at the position, Minor could be a decent prospect. He will have the type of concerns that may well keep him from being drafted. But Minor has a good chance to be a good 5 to 15 touch RB in the NFL in the right system.
Spitler was an able contributor to Ohio State's D after Laurinaitis departure and may be worth a look based on a solid work ethic alone.
Middleton might warrant a look. But he largely disappeared as a pro prospect in his last two years. I'm wondering if given the chance to come to Pittsburgh might not reinvigorate a once promising career. The guy has definite talent.
Really, the Steelers need depth out of this Draft. I feel like this Draft could go in any of several directions. But this is my take on where I think we'll go, based on what I think we'll be able to get where we select.
A note on the obvious: I've made no adjustments to what I believe will be at least one or more trades made by the Steelers during the Draft. There's a lot of value in this draft in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds. The Steelers may well use any (or all) of their non-comp picks after the 4th Round to get an additional pick or two on the second day. I don't necessarily agree the Steelers will make these trades. But, with 11 overall picks, there's a good chance that could happen.
Here goes nothin':
1.18- Jared Odrick-DT-Penn State
The Steelers can't miss with this one. The DL needs an infusion of youth that can be groomed to start. That's where Odrick makes all the sense in the world. Will fit well with the Steelers 3-4 and paired with Ziggy Hood, should solidify the DE position for years to come.
2.52- Rodger Saffold-OT-Indiana
I wasn't going to delude myself into thinking the Steelers would actually use a high draft pick on the OL. But after years of watching Benjamin get his head beat off by opposing defenses, the reality is that #7 isn't going to be of much use to the Steelers for a whole lot longer unless he gets some help. Saffold is a three-year Big 11 starter and possesses lots of position versatility to the outside of the line. If he's still on the board here, the Steelers would be nuts not to select this guy.
3.82- Akwasi Owusu-Ansah-CB-Indiana of Pennsylvania
Despite the competition level he faced in college, AOA would be an intriguing selection here. And he still might not be on the board at this spot. At very worst, AOA projects to be a feared kick returner. At best, he adds competing to be a starting cover corner to the previous sentence. Will be VERY interested to see what he can do if the Steelers get him on draft day.
4.116- Riley Cooper-WR-Florida
Much of the value at WR lies in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds. But Cooper is a solid choice here. Comes from a solid college program and had a great senior year making Tebow's job that much easier. There is a question as to whether he play football or baseball, so this pick would come with some risk. If the Steelers are worried, Blair White from Michigan State offers many of the same traits as Cooper in a slightly smaller package.
5.151- Jeff Byers-C-USC
OL from USC usually have a reliable pedigree. When they can be had with the 151st overall selection and are 3rd team All-Americans, you'd be well-advised to make the call. That's particularly true when they are at a needed position. Byers may challenge Hartwig for playing time much sooner than people think.
5.155- Walter Thurmond-CB-Oregon
Despite some injury and size concerns, Thurmond makes up for his shortcomings with apparently strong play and a good motor. He would be a strong selection here and should have something to say in the battle for playing time at CB.
5c.164- Clifton Geathers-DE-South Carolina
When your name is Geathers and you are an NFL prospect, people should pay attention. The Steelers aforementioned need for youth on the DL would be well served with this selection and he provides excellent value if he is still available.
5c.166- Kurt Coleman-S-Ohio State
A buckeyehoppy special. But Kurt Coleman was a leader for the solid Ohio State D for the last two years. He would be an excellent complement to the free form play of Polamalu and will be an excellent addition to the Steeler locker room.
6.188- Kavell Conner-OLB-Clemson
By this point in the draft, the pickings are, largely, a shot in the dark. Still, Conner was a solid contributor for the Clemson D and would add good depth behind Jimmy Hate.
7.225- Joe Pawelek-ILB-Baylor
This selection would add some youth to the mix on the inside for the Steelers. If he can contribute, Pawelek has a good chance to make a name for himself in Pittsburgh for some time to come.
7c.242- Joe Webb-QB-Alabama-Birmingham
As The Benjamin Turns notwithstanding, the Steelers may benefit from this selection since Ben's Follies have given birth to more than their share of concern and Charlie Batch has limited shelf life remaining. The Steelers also have but three QBs on the current roster. This pick would bring in a player looking for a chance and if he doesn't pan out at QB, the Steelers may well look at him as a candidate at WR.
I am also listing a short list of candidates for pickup from the UDFA pool.
Shelley Smith-OG-Colorado State
Kurtis Gregory-OG-Missouri
Austin Spitler-ILB-Ohio State
Greg Middleton-DE-Indiana
Brandon Minor-RB-Michigan
I have two Gs listed here. Reason for that is simple: the quality and value at G is virtually non-existent after the 5th Round. Smith and/or Gregory have talent enough to warrant a draft pick (remember, the Draft after the 5th is a real crap shoot). But these guys might be able to come in and push for a spot if given a chance. After all, it's not like the Steelers have a whole lot of proven talent here.
I also added Brandon Minor here. Seeing that the Steelers really only need depth at the position, Minor could be a decent prospect. He will have the type of concerns that may well keep him from being drafted. But Minor has a good chance to be a good 5 to 15 touch RB in the NFL in the right system.
Spitler was an able contributor to Ohio State's D after Laurinaitis departure and may be worth a look based on a solid work ethic alone.
Middleton might warrant a look. But he largely disappeared as a pro prospect in his last two years. I'm wondering if given the chance to come to Pittsburgh might not reinvigorate a once promising career. The guy has definite talent.
. Along with that comes the fact that they really can't go wrong with this years pick in round one...and hopefully round two as well. I'm sticking with a trade down, Pouncey, then a trade up for Kareem Jackson. Write it down!
" factor. There are half a dozen guys if we ended up with them with the first pick I could live with. Chances are, one of them will be on the board wherever we select.
). Kareem Jackson in the Steelers Black and Gold sounds good to me!
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