Chadman's 2012 Off-season Free Agency & Draft thread

[Chadman]

Lawrence Timmons was drafted in 2007. He was a starter in 2009.

Rashard Mendenhall was drafted in 2008. He was a starter in 2010.

Ziggy Hood was drafted in 2009. He was a rotational starter in 2011.

Maurkice Pouncey was drafted in 2010. He started in 2010.

Cameron Heyward was drafted in 2011. He has not started as yet.

Outside of Pouncey, who came into a team that was so bereft of talent at Center at the time, it has taken each 1st round pick 2 years to assume the starters role. It is safe to assume that the Steelers do not draft for immediate need in the 1st round.

Ask yourself- which players on the Steelers roster will be looking to be replaced within 2 years? Hampton? Keisel? Ryan Clark? Polamalu? Miller? Ike Taylor?

[NJ-STEELER]

there is still a bereft of talent at multiple OL positions

but wouldnt mind your mocked #1 pick. but would have to go OL in the 2nd

we have tons of talent at LB so no to hightower...

multiple high draft picks hopefully ready to make big contributions on the DL...

but in the secondary we only have troy (with ike being pretty decent). troy and clark are both getting up there in age. so we need a young play maker to get ready to step in soon

edit..and mendy would have split time if not taken over in his rookie year if he wasnt hurt

[Chadman]

We'll switch our interests now to FA & a few players Chadman thinks might be worthy of consideration for the Steelers- knowing that Salary Cap space could be an issue..

With Max Starks gone, the Steelers currently have Marcus Gilbert pencilled in at LT with Jonathon Scott as the primary back-up. As you will see later in Chadman's next mock- drafting a LT isn't a bad option at some point in the upcoming draft. That said- it's unlikely a rookie would start. Gilbert, realistically, is a leap of faith solution to LT at this point. Signing an experienced, solid LT to start in 2012 is not a terrible idea. Chadman has a name that might be worth targetting- St Louis back-up LT Adam Goldberg. He's been a starter in the NFL, can slide inside to OG if a young OT can win/hold the LT job- and shouldn't be too expensive to sign. He's at the worst- an upgrade to Scott at this point. Another name of interest if the Steelers look to upgrade the OL in FA is former Pitt OG Mike McGlynn. He's similar in many respects to 2012 OG prospect Lucas Nix, but with perhaps a little more position flexibility. The Steelers can't spend a lot on FA's, so these low profile types are the most likely target range. McGlynn could, realistically, be viewed as a potential long-term solution at LG.

Moving to the other side of the ball, a potential NT option could be Bengal DT Pat Sims. At 6'2" 325lbs, he's the ideal size. He's already indicated he'll test the FA market, so there is a very real chance he'll land elsewhere than Bengal-land this offseason. If he were to be a potential signing, chances are the Steelers would be put in a position where they'd need to release Casey Hampton. Sims could be viewed as a long term NT option.

Another name that could be of use to the Steelers will be familiar to most- ILB Keyaron Fox. With Farrior moving on, and with Foote moving into the starting ILB role, there is an opening at the back-up ILB position. If the Steelers feel that Stevenson Sylvester is, indeed, the future ILB but needs time to develop, then Fox would be a great fill-in guy due to his knowledge of LeBeau's defense as well as his ST abilities.

Back on Offense- Todd Haley might like to get an upgrade at the 2nd TE position- and going with what he knows could snag him former Chief TE Leonard Pope. He's a big guy, and a good blocker- so a nice fit. Shouldn't cost that much either.

Lastly- depending on the amount of Salary Cap room available, and the expected return date of Mendenhall- what about signing Tim Hightower to split carries with Redman?

[Chadman]

So, with a majority of the pre-FA/Draft analysis done, Chadman feels it is now time to provide a pre-FA Mock Draft. We'll have to come back in a couple of weeks to see how FA & Pro Day visits will change the mock- but it's always fun to throw these out there for consumption..

ROUND 1.

Using the Big School/Big Production theory- and sticking within the Steelers favoured Conferences for the selection, Chadman has narrowed down his selections. Size, strength etc have been calculated. Chadman notes that Steelers coaches, including Mike Tomlin & Kevin Colbert have decended, once more, on the Ohio State Pro Day. Ohio State is, of course, a BIG 10 school- fitting within the Steelers peramiters. Todd Haley has just joined the team, and as is often the way- the team will likely want to give him a shiny new toy to add to his collection. Besides- it's the Offenses turn in the 1st Round merry-go-round...In Round 1, the Steelers pick..

OT MIKE ADAMS OHIO STATE
6'6" 320lbs

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The Steelers get themselves an enormous LT, who would be close to ready to start on Day 1, much the same as Maurkice Pouncey was, due to lack of real competition. This selection could move Marcus Gilbert to either RT or RG, depending on what the Steelers wish to do with Willie Colon.

[Chadman]

Round 2 will see the Steelers sticking with the Big School/ Big Production line, and also sticking with Big 10/Big 12/ SEC/ ACC conferences....

FS MARKELLE MARTIN OKLAHOMA STATE
6'1" 207lbs

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Knowing that the Steelers are always "looking ahead", Chadman predicts we see Ryan Clark's replacement added on Draft Day. there are very few better options than Martin in this draft.

[Chadman]

Round 3 comes around & it's time to do what the Steelers always do- if in doubt, draft a LB..

ROUND 3

ILB NIGEL BRADHAM FLORIDA STATE
6'2" 240lbs

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Those of you that have seen Bradham play know that he has a ferocity in his style that we'll come to love. Hard hitter, motivated, athletic. Very much a Tomlin "Run & Hit" guy.

Chadman suggests you watch [URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVq1KvVZNwM[/URL] to see what he means...

[Chadman]

Moving on to Round 4, Chadman looks to add another weapon for Todd Haley & his Steelers Offense..


ROUND 4

WR TOMMY STREETER MIAMI
6'5" 219lbs

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You think the Steelers passing game is dangerous now? Wait till this guy joins in..

[Chadman]

Don't worry- Chadman hasn't forgotten the D-Line. Chadman gets the feeling Ed Bouchette may be on to something however- Ziggy Hood could very well move to NT in the future, allowing Cam Heyward to slide in as a starter. Brett Keisel can't go forever, however....

ROUND 5

DE DEREK WOLFE CINCINNATTI
6'5" 295lbs

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He gets the time to learn the ropes, build his strength & move up the rotation chain while learning from one of the best in Deisel..

[Chadman]

Round 6 finds us looking to give Todd Haley another weapon with which to TOTALLY DESTROY the rest of the NFL with. knowing his like of recieving RB's, Chadman adds...

ROUND 6

RB DEVIN MEGGETT MARYLAND
5'8" 211lbs


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A multiple type threat for Haley to incorporate into the Steeler offense, replacing Mewelde Moore & giving a nice change of pace weapon to Redman until Mendy is fit to play.

[Chadman]

Alas dear friends- we come to the final round. Again, Chadman will delve into the Offensive bags of tricks & give Todd Haley one last weapon with which to obtain NFL DOMINATION- a pass catching TE...

ROUND 7

TE BEAU RELIFORD FLORIDA
6'5" 256lbs

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No doubt Haley could incorporate him into the Red Zone offense along with Streeter, giving the Steelers some significant firepower around the goalline...

[Oviedo]

Great effort Chadman, but don't forget we already have a Devin Meggitt named Baron Batch. Kid had a whole year to get stronger and I expect he has a great camp and challenges as the third down back.

[Chadman]

Thanks O.

Batch might be "that guy"- but he's unproven as yet. Can't hurt to have options incase it turns out he's not actually "that guy"..

[Oviedo]

Thanks O.

Batch might be "that guy"- but he's unproven as yet. Can't hurt to have options incase it turns out he's not actually "that guy"..

I'm also not 100% sold on Adams. He was in the middle of the whole Pryor tatoo "scandal" and I had read he was once busted for drug paraphenalia. He's also been considered an underachiever by many.

Intangibles: Took time to understand the mental aspects of the college game, but took a big step forward as a junior. Suspended the first two games of the 2009 season for violating team rules, cited in January 2009 for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia (charges were eventually dropped) after being stopped for running a stop sign. One of five players suspended for first five games of 2011 season for receiving benefits from a tattoo parlor owner, selling championship rings, jerseys and awards; Adams was required to pay back $1,000 for the ring he sold.

He may not make the character cut.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I'm also not 100% sold on Adams. He was in the middle of the whole Pryor tatoo "scandal" and I had read he was once busted for drug paraphenalia. He's also been considered an underachiever by many.



He may not make the character cut.

Add this to the fact that this 6'7" 323 lbs. behemoth was only able to put up 225 lbs. 19 times at the combine, and that shows me that he's just not that hard of a worker. When cornerbacks who are nearly half your size are able to put up as many (or more) reps on the bench, that's an issue. The only LT prospect I would consider in round 1 would be if Stanford's Jonathan Martin were to fall within range of a reasonable trade-up.

[Chadman]

The strength issue is probably more related to his arm length than anything else. He just completed 21 reps in front of Tomlin & Colbert at his Pro Day. That's in-keeping with a number of the other 1st round OT's from last year.

As for the charachter concerns- we're not talking a hardened criminal here. His "Drug paraphenalia" charge was dropped, and he was forced to pay back $1000 for selling his championship ring in return for ink-work. Not exactly beating up old ladies on a regular basis. The problem's at Ohio St don't stem from Mike Adams so much as it seems Adams got caught up in the problems stemming from Ohio St. It's easy for young men to make poor decisions when all those around them are following the same path. Does that make him guilt-free? No- but it's not like the Steelers have upheld the "High Character" mantra at all times- Marvel Smith, Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress...

As for the theory that Adams has underachieved, something must be amiss because we are talking about a guy that is pretty much a consensus 1st round pick. He must have done something to earn that projection.