Foundational Draft?

[BigRob]

Just curious for everyone's opinion. Is this going to be a foundational draft for the Steelers for years to come?

[Sugar]

Well, if you believe that the foundations are built along the LOS than this probably would be.

[steelz09]

Yes, because I think the top 5 picks have an opportunity to make the team and 4 of the 5 could be full-timestarters. All of them may not start this year but possibly by their second year. Rainey is the only guy I don't see as a full-time starter. However, I see him as guy that could get significant playing time this year because he's so dynamic - PR/KR, kick/punt coverage, WR packages, RB

[Slapstick]

I am intrigued by Toney Clemons...he has prototypical size (6' 2") and speed (4.4 or thereabout...some reports say a sub 4.4)...

He does not have the college production to match...but, he also had the misfortune of playing for four different college head coaches and four different offensive coordinators (Lloyd Carr and Rich Rod at Michigan, Dan Hawkins and Jon Embree at Colorado)...

He did come on strong at the end of last year, recording 25 catches for 476 yards and 5 TDs in Colorado's last five games...that gives me hope that, as a 7th round pick, he can spend time learning the offense and how to be a pro this year and possibly contribute next year...he has size and speed...let's hope things can click for him in the pro game like they did his last five games at Colorado...

[Dee Dub]

Just curious for everyone's opinion. Is this going to be a foundational draft for the Steelers for years to come?

See my Prediction Thread.

[Flasteel]

With the departure of some of our existing foundation and the holes these picks address, they will at least get a good opportunity to beome part of the Black-n-Gold bedrock. There's been a lot of optimism and an equal amount of caution expressed by our community over this draft. I think we'd all agree both are warranted, but I'm feeling a lot of the former and very little of the latter.

I don't care too much that I've been burned by the likes of Limas Sweed, Kraig Urbik, Willie Reid, or even Daniel Sepulveda...this is a time of re-birth and optimism. Unless of course you are a Browns fan. Or really - a fan of half the teams in the league, which seemingly use the draft as annual insurance policy that they will forever suck.

But we are Steeler fans. While we understand there will be players who inevitably don't live up to our expectations or their college tape, we also are comforted by the knowledge that our organization reigns supreme on draft weekend. We know there is a pretty decent chance that we just took at least 2 or 3 guys that will make this great team even better.

When I look at the talent we just drafted and the opportunities they have in front of them, I can't help but to imagine greatness for them as players. It's my right as a Steeler fan to feel this way each year, but this year in particular I am feeling it more than usual. Maybe it's hype, but nobody needs to go pissing in my cornflakes either.

[Snatch98]

With the departure of some of our existing foundation and the holes these picks address, they will at least get a good opportunity to beome part of the Black-n-Gold bedrock. There's been a lot of optimism and an equal amount of caution expressed by our community over this draft. I think we'd all agree both are warranted, but I'm feeling a lot of the former and very little of the latter.

I don't care too much that I've been burned by the likes of Limas Sweed, Kraig Urbik, Willie Reid, or even Daniel Sepulveda...this is a time of re-birth and optimism. Unless of course you are a Browns fan. Or really - a fan of half the teams in the league, which seemingly use the draft as annual insurance policy that they will forever suck.

But we are Steeler fans. While we understand there will be players who inevitably don't live up to our expectations or their college tape, we also are comforted by the knowledge that our organization reigns supreme on draft weekend. We know there is a pretty decent chance that we just took at least 2 or 3 guys that will make this great team even better.

When I look at the talent we just drafted and the opportunities they have in front of them, I can't help but to imagine greatness for them as players. It's my right as a Steeler fan to feel this way each year, but this year in particular I am feeling it more than usual. Maybe it's hype, but nobody needs to go pissing in my cornflakes either.

I couldn't have said it any better.

[hawaiiansteel]

Yes, because I think the top 5 picks have an opportunity to make the team and 4 of the 5 could be full-timestarters. All of them may not start this year but possibly by their second year. Rainey is the only guy I don't see as a full-time starter. However, I see him as guy that could get significant playing time this year because he's so dynamic - PR/KR, kick/punt coverage, WR packages, RB

Ranking NFL teams' 2012 drafts 1-32

By Nate Davis, USA TODAY

First impression: Loved it

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: What a job by GM Kevin Colbert and his staff, who seemed to get impact players in the first five rounds. After years of relying on a patchwork offensive line, G David DeCastro (Round 1) and T Mike Adams (Round 2) join C Maurkice Pouncey and LT Marcus Gilbert on what may be an elite group this season. LB Sean Spence (Round 3) and 348-pound NT Alameda Ta'amu (Round 4) look like starters no later than 2013. And RB Chris Rainey (Round 5) is a home-run threat the team didn't have in its backfield or return game.

[URL]http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2012-04-29/ratings-2012-NFL-draft/54629536/1[/URL]

[papillon]

The Steelers laid the foundation in the obvious ways over the past three years, Hood, Heyward, Woodley, DeCastro, Adams, Timmons, but there are also some other intangible benefits. They have spread the talent selected over a period of years, thus not having to replace them all at once when their careers come to a close and not having to pay them all simultaneously if they all work out.

Another foundation being laid is that, hopefully, it will extend careers of players that are big contributors, mostly Ben, but Mendy, Antonio (relieving him of KR/PR duties) and probably a few others that are slipping my mind.

The past three drafts, if players continue to develop should set the Steelers up for a long time.

Pappy

[phillyesq]

If the three lineman that the Steelers drafted pan out, then yes, this draft will absolutely set the foundation going forward. With both lines will be stocked with premium picks, the Steelers will be in a position to add skill position players on both sides of the ball in the next few drafts without really worrying about the lines. Again, assuming that the lineman pan out, the Steelers would have a lot of flexibility and little in the way of need for a few years.

[RuthlessBurgher]

If the three lineman that the Steelers drafted pan out, then yes, this draft will absolutely set the foundation going forward. With both lines will be stocked with premium picks, the Steelers will be in a position to add skill position players on both sides of the ball in the next few drafts without really worrying about the lines. Again, assuming that the lineman pan out, the Steelers would have a lot of flexibility and little in the way of need for a few years.

Great point...I've been pushing for big uglies on both sides of the lines for so long, now that we have actually got them, I'm not sure what to do going forward. On the OL, we'll have 2 first round picks, 2 second round picks, and a fourth round pick. On the DL, we'll have 2 first round picks and a fourth round pick.

[papillon]

Great point...I've been pushing for big uglies on both sides of the lines for so long, now that we have actually got them, I'm not sure what to do going forward. On the OL, we'll have 2 first round picks, 2 second round picks, and a fourth round pick. On the DL, we'll have 2 first round picks and a fourth round pick.

In this day and age you can never have enough WRs the Steelers should probably take a WR every year in the draft and in years when a veteran retires you might want to take two, that's one thing to do. The Steelers will definitely be looking to restock at the safety position in next year's draft and it looks to be very deep with safeties. If they continue to run the 34 defense then you have to draft OLBs in abundance as well.

See, that wasn't that difficult.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

In this day and age you can never have enough WRs the Steelers should probably take a WR every year in the draft and in years when a veteran retires you might want to take two, that's one thing to do. The Steelers will definitely be looking to restock at the safety position in next year's draft and it looks to be very deep with safeties. If they continue to run the 34 defense then you have to draft OLBs in abundance as well.

See, that wasn't that difficult.

Pappy

I realize this...I posted some specific safety and linebacker possibilities for us in the first couple of rounds in 2013 draft already in the seemingly rarely-viewed draft-specific forum of this site.

I was just having one of those "what do I do now?" moments, like when Inigo Montoya finally got revenge on 6 fingered man who killed his father. After the Steelers stocked both lines with high picks, I was starting to consider piracy (I'd make an excellent Dread Pirate Roberts).

[MeetJoeGreene]

i realize this...i posted some specific safety and linebacker possibilities for us in the first couple of rounds in 2013 draft already in the seemingly rarely-viewed draft-specific forum of this site.

I was just having one of those "what do i do now?" moments, like when inigo montoya finally got revenge on 6 fingered man who killed his father. After the steelers stocked both lines with high picks, i was starting to consider piracy (i'd make an excellent dread pirate roberts).

inconceivalbe!

[Djfan]

2193294-inigomontoya1.jpgpbr_020CircusPerformers.jpg

One of the best movies of all time. That first one would be a good avatar, or sig.