Difference makers we could draft

[lloydroid]

I know some of you hate Bleacher Report, but they offer some interesting choices
for Pgh's draft.

[url]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1502600-steelers-mock-draft-instant-contributors-pittsburgh-can-find-in-every-round/page/2[/url]

Dion Jordan has freak athletic ability. But guess what? We have to go through the freaking transformation of having to switch his positions AND he needs surgery that he will have after the combine. So, he is somewhat of a risk, but at 6-6, 250, he has freakish long arms and speed for his size. He has a huge upside. I guess I'd be willing to take the risk.

In the 2nd round, if could get Phillip Thomas, I'd be all over that too. The guy is a ball hawk and would be a much needed boost in our backfield.

[url]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1502600-steelers-mock-draft-instant-contributors-pittsburgh-can-find-in-every-round/page/3[/url]

If we could pick up Joe Randle in the 3rd, I'd take him. He is a bit on the small side, but that doesn't mean he can't ball. He has great instincts and a nice burst. Anything to improve our crap 3.7 aypc would help. I think this kid could start immediately.

[url]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1502600-steelers-mock-draft-instant-contributors-pittsburgh-can-find-in-every-round/page/4[/url]

They have us going with QB Matt Scott, AZ, but in all honesty, we have too many needs to take a QB in the 4th. I definitely want a young QB on the roster, but in the 4th round, I'd rather see them go WR (assuming they go OLB, S and RB in the first 3 rounds). Da'Rick Rogers could be ideal. 6-3, 210, who can fly. Not afraid of contact, fights for the ball. He would give us that big, fast target who can jack Ds up. Has character and hippie lettuce concerns, but I say roll the dice.

[steelerkeylargo]

How is a 4th round backup QB a difference maker?

[Oviedo]

Would any defensive player be allowed to be a difference maker in 2013? Highly unlikely given that even Troy was not allowed to do too much as a rookie.

[papillon]

Would any defensive player be allowed to be a difference maker in 2013? Highly unlikely given that even Troy was not allowed to do too much as a rookie.

They may not have a choice.

Pappy

[lloydroid]

How is a 4th round backup QB a difference maker?

I agree which is why I said I would go WR that round. But the argument could be made that
since it is pretty much a GIVEN that Ben will miss time, that a legit back up QB could make
a difference. But I still say pick up a later round QB or an undrafted free agent. But if we got
a stud OLB, S and RB, I would take it.

[lloydroid]

Would any defensive player be allowed to be a difference maker in 2013? Highly unlikely given that even Troy was not allowed to do too much as a rookie.

History says no. Reality may say yes. I hope so. Way too sick of the Steelers taking too long to get players on the field. This isn't 1980 any more. Do you hear me Dick and Tomlin?

[supersteeler]

It's tough for a rookie to get a starting position when you have great players in front of him, but this year a rookie may have a shot depending on the position.
Running back is one that comes to mind, our backs are average so a good prospect could get the job if he performs in practice, remember Maurkice Pouncey won a starting position as he beat out the competition.

[lloydroid]

It's tough for a rookie to get a starting position when you have great players in front of him, but this year a rookie may have a shot depending on the position.
Running back is one that comes to mind, our backs are average so a good prospect could get the job if he performs in practice, remember Maurkice Pouncey won a starting position as he beat out the competition.

This is definitely a season where rookies might make the field. If either Harrison, Hampton, etc. might not be back, a rookie definitely could see playing time, and at RB, for sure. There are several backs who can be nabbed in the 3rd or 4th who could be better than anything we have left.

[Dee Dub]

Would any defensive player be allowed to be a difference maker in 2013? Highly unlikely given that even Troy was not allowed to do too much as a rookie.

I think only one that would be there at pick 17. Kevin Minter. But the problem is you could get Kevin Minter between picks 25-32 this year. Dion Jordan wont see much of the field in 2013. I also think Desmond Trufant has a chance to come right in an start...maybe. Regardless of Scheme. But he too should be taken no sooner than the 25th pick.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Would any defensive player be allowed to be a difference maker in 2013? Highly unlikely given that even Troy was not allowed to do too much as a rookie.

I think that if Spence doesn't get hurt last year then he would have had an opportunity to make a difference. I could see a first rounder able to make an impact this season at NT, RILB, RCB (assuming that Lewis leaves), and maybe LDE. For many years we had the lethal combination of grade A starters at almost every position - A. Smith, Casey, Troy, Ike, Harrison, Farrior etc. with several solid system players - Foote, Clark etc., and a unique system that no college or pro teams were running. That made it difficult for a rook to crack the starting lineup. Now we have a weaker unit as a whole, combined with positions becoming available, and a system that is not as unique as it once was.

A first rounder will have a chance to start at any position other than OLB or SS.

[lloydroid]

I think that if Spence doesn't get hurt last year then he would have had an opportunity to make a difference. I could see a first rounder able to make an impact this season at NT, RILB, RCB (assuming that Lewis leaves), and maybe LDE. For many years we had the lethal combination of grade A starters at almost every position - A. Smith, Casey, Troy, Ike, Harrison, Farrior etc. with several solid system players - Foote, Clark etc., and a unique system that no college or pro teams were running. That made it difficult for a rook to crack the starting lineup. Now we have a weaker unit as a whole, combined with positions becoming available, and a system that is not as unique as it once was.

A first rounder will have a chance to start at any position other than OLB or SS.

A lot of colleges now run 3-4s. I am so sick of this coaching staff being so gad damn arrogant about their OLBs and their system. THIS JUST IN: It ain't that special or fantastic. A talented rookie could play OLB season 1. It's brain surgery, no matter how hard you try to pretend that it is. If you have a rookie who can rush the QB, but him in there and let him do that. They make this more complicated than it needs to be, without getting any benefit out of doing so. They act like Dick and his system should be worshiped like they are holy or something. Madness and stupidity.

[Slapstick]

A lot of colleges now run 3-4s. I am so sick of this coaching staff being so gad damn arrogant about their OLBs and their system. THIS JUST IN: It ain't that special or fantastic. A talented rookie could play OLB season 1. It's brain surgery, no matter how hard you try to pretend that it is. If you have a rookie who can rush the QB, but him in there and let him do that. They make this more complicated than it needs to be, without getting any benefit out of doing so. They act like Dick and his system should be worshiped like they are holy or something. Madness and stupidity.

Or, perhaps, they know what they are doing and want to put their young players in a position to succeed instead of fail...

[BigRob]

I think only one that would be there at pick 17. Kevin Minter. But the problem is you could get Kevin Minter between picks 25-32 this year. Dion Jordan wont see much of the field in 2013. I also think Desmond Trufant has a chance to come right in an start...maybe. Regardless of Scheme. But he too should be taken no sooner than the 25th pick.

I mostly agree with you about Minter. Would be good to trade back 6 or 7 spots and drafting him. He is a true leader on the field and would be Potsie 2.0. Would have the chance to start game 1.

Dion Jordan is athletic, but I am beginning to think he is not a fit in the 3-4. He finished the season at 220lbs. He is excellent in coverage and he can rush the passer. He has a lot of potential, but the may be better in the 4-3 at SLB.

Trufant is too old at 24 to take in the first. When is the last time the Steelers drafted someone that old in the first?

I would replace Trufant with Xavier Rhodes in the first. He could play safety or corner and we know how Tomlin loves FSU.

[feltdizz]

Or, perhaps, they know what they are doing and want to put their young players in a position to succeed instead of fail...

Hmmm. Interesting, i kind of agree but I think we need to let some young guys learn through failure. Whats the point of drafting these guys if we are sooo scared of them failing? I think the league is changing. Teams no longer put a QB on the sideline for 3 years to groom them. I can understand positions where our playmakers are already in place but we need to get these kids feet wet earlier because our vets dont have the legs to keep up with these young guys.

Simplify the D and turn these guys loose. The league had too many 3-4's to think we can confuse QB's into mistakes like we used to. Athleticism trumps scheme IMO and our tricks are limiting our players natural instincts.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Manti Te'o could start year one. Before one bad game and it going public he had a gigantic trick played on him he was a top ten pick, potentially top 5. Pairing him up with Timmons in the center of our 3-4 is still very appealing to me. Gotta get the DL eating blocks though.