This upcoming draft is loaded!!

[Dee Dub]

If the Steelers choose to go defense in round one there are a ton of freakishly athletic, dominate defensive players that are going to be available. I think this is going to be one of the best drafts for defensive football players in a long time. And as a result there is going to be major quality in rounds 2 and 3 as well.

Johnathan Hankins DT Ohio State
Star Lotulelei DT Utah
Jarvis Jones LB Georgia
Barkevious Mingo DE LSU
Bjoern Werner DE Florida State
Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame
Sam Montgmomery DE LSU
Alec Ogletree LB Georgia
Johnathan Banks CB Mississippi State
Dee Milliner CB Alabama
Jackson Jeffcoat DE Texas
Eric Reid FS LSU
Alex Okafor DE Texas
Kawann Short DT Purdue
John Jenkins DT Georgia
Xavier Rhodes CB Florida State
T.J. McDonald FS Southern California
Kenny Vaccaro FS Texas
Kevin Minter LB LSU

[Shawn]

I like that you have Hankins listed first...guy is a game changer. I watch him collapse pockets double teamed. I think he is a junior though. If I'm right he might not come out this season.

[focosteeler]

If we draft right our D can be set for the future. There are some game changers available early on. This might be the year we move up in the 1st to get that special player.
We could still go BPA and get some good players

[Dee Dub]

I like that you have Hankins listed first...guy is a game changer. I watch him collapse pockets double teamed. I think he is a junior though. If I'm right he might not come out this season.

Yes Hankins is but personally for the Steelers I would prefer Star Lotulelei over him. There are a lot of juniors on this list but I gotta believe most of them will turn pro. Of these Juniors I think they are all ready for the NFL.

[steelz09]

FS and LB and preferably form the SEC.

[phillyesq]

I would like to see the Steelers load up on defense early this year, but I think they have to retain Wallace in order to do that. Wallace-Brown-Sanders-Cotchery is a formidable set of weapons. Brown-Sanders-Cotchery-? is much less scary.

I would like to see a dynamic player in the secondary (don't really care what position) and a dynamic linebacker added to the fold. A DE could also help.

[feltdizz]

I would like to see this thread anchored... I love college ball but its a little early for draft talk. I'm sure we will see more draft prospects shooting up or falling off with 3 months of college ball left.

[Dee Dub]

I would like to see this thread anchored... I love college ball but its a little early for draft talk. I'm sure we will see more draft prospects shooting up or falling off with 3 months of college ball left.

This is "Steeler Draft Talk"...and that is a topic that can be discussed year round. Sorry for putting the gun to your head and forcing you to read it.

[Dee Dub]

FS and LB and preferably form the SEC.

Eric Reid and Kevin Minter from LSU. Would love that.

[Oviedo]

Will we be drafting for a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense

That will decide a lot on what players on the list are even considered.

[BigRob]

If the Steelers choose to go defense in round one there are a ton of freakishly athletic, dominate defensive players that are going to be available. I think this is going to be one of the best drafts for defensive football players in a long time. And as a result there is going to be major quality in rounds 2 and 3 as well.

Johnathan Hankins DT Ohio State
Star Lotulelei DT Utah
Jarvis Jones LB Georgia
Barkevious Mingo DE LSU
Bjoern Werner DE Florida State
Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame
Sam Montgmomery DE LSU
Alec Ogletree LB Georgia
Johnathan Banks CB Mississippi State
Dee Milliner CB Alabama
Jackson Jeffcoat DE Texas
Eric Reid FS LSU
Alex Okafor DE Texas
Kawann Short DT Purdue
John Jenkins DT Georgia
Xavier Rhodes CB Florida State
T.J. McDonald FS Southern California
Kenny Vaccaro FS Texas
Kevin Minter LB LSU

What about Dion Jordan, major guy missing from your list. Or Buchanon from Illinois?

[Slapstick]

I hope Big Hank stays for his senior season at OSU...I hope that the opportunity to compete for a bowl next year is a good enough reason to stay...

[Dee Dub]

Will we be drafting for a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense

That will decide a lot on what players on the list are even considered.

Those elite DE's (Mingo, Montogomery, Jarvis Jones), that would allow for the Steelers to change to a 4-3, are top 5 picks and if not wont last past number 10. So...should just stay at 3-4 and try to get T'eo or Minter to fit next to Timmons.

[Oviedo]

Those elite DE's (Mingo, Montogomery, Jarvis Jones), that would allow for the Steelers to change to a 4-3, are top 5 picks and if not wont last past number 10. So...should just stay at 3-4 and try to get T'eo or Minter to fit next to Timmons.

T'eo or Minter would be nice. I think this is a deep draft at ILB and Safety. We need both. Do we think Troy is back next year? Should he be?

[Dee Dub]

What about Dion Jordan, major guy missing from your list. Or Buchanon from Illinois?

Good football players but as of right now I dont have them as first round grades. Mid-second rounders.