Take it for what its worth: Steelers drooling over Ansah

[BigRob]

Don't think he will be there for us at 17, because he's going top ten imho.

Tony Pauline [url]www.draftinsider.com[/url]

[url]https://twitter.com/TonyPauline[/url]

Word is the Pittsbugh Steelers drooling over Ezekial Ansah/BYU as a 3-4 OLB

[Oviedo]

Personally, I would love that pick (3-4 OLB or better yet 4-3 DE) however if the Steelers are "drooling" in public you can be assured they have no plans to take him.

[Dee Dub]

Personally, I would love that pick (3-4 OLB or better yet 4-3 DE) however if the Steelers are "drooling" in public you can be assured they have no plans to take him.

Me too. But as a 3-4 OLB. He has rarely had the opportunity to be lined up off the edge with one on one competition. I think in a few years everyone will look back as him being the best overall defensive player out of this draft.

[SteelCrazy]

Me too. But as a 3-4 OLB. He has rarely had the opportunity to be lined up off the edge with one on one competition. I think in a few years everyone will look back as him being the best overall defensive player out of this draft.

Aside from Jarvis Jones of course

[supersteeler]

Can we afford two ZIGGY'S on the team? JK

He looks to be a promising prospect for the NFL, cool name too.... Ezekial Ansah.

[flippy]

I'd consider trading up to get him if it's possible. People compare him to JPP, but I think he's got the frame to get even bigger and think he could turn into a more athletic version of Richard Seymour who can line up all over the place to create mismatches.

Use him at DE on passing downs. Try him at OLB. Even put him on the nose.

I think this could could be the most versatile player in the draft giving you so much flexibility in your front 7. Lebeau could effective have 3 roving players on D that you never know what they're gonna do in Troy, Timmons, and Ansah.

Ziggy is the Ansah to all this team's problems.

[Chadman]

Isn't he a little older than most prospects? That's not the Steelers M.O. to pick older guys.

[flippy]

Isn't he a little older than most prospects? That's not the Steelers M.O. to pick older guys.

He's "allegedly" 23. But you can never trust a birth certificate from Ghana. He might be 16

I didn't realize this one. Not a young junior, so not realistically on Colbert's board. But I think you'd have to take a hard look at him at 17 if he drops that far because he's so natural. His age might play to his advantage. Otherwise, he might be a top 5-10 pick.

[Shawn]

He doesn't fit the profile at all. With that said the Steelers would be foolish to pass on him. He will be the real deal.

[Jooser]

Walter Football shows that the Steelers have indeed met with Ansah at the combine. Here's a short list of prospects they've interviewed and shown interest in up til now....

Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU (COM)
John Cooper, G, North Carolina (COM)
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (COM)

Interestingly enough, they haven't interviewed Warmack. I read an article yesterday that had some disappointed in him at weigh in because he was only 6'2".

[URL="http://walterfootball.com/draft2013meetingsteams.php"]http://walterfootball.com/draft2013meetingsteams.php




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[Jooser]

Here's a followup on the assessment of Cooper:

"2013 NFL Combine: Bench Press Recap - Offensive Linemen

The most impressive bench press total belongs to North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper. He weighed in heavier than expected at 311 pounds and apparently that added weight is muscle. Cooper tied for second with the largest number of reps on the bench press with 35. He benefits from having short arms (33 inches) but the strength was impressive to see considering he is known as a blocker who features rare speed and agility. Cooper is helping himself in the early going at the Combine."

[papillon]

I really hope the Steelers don't go OL with 1.17 if you can't develop a good offensive line with 2-first round picks, 2-second round picks and a couple of veterans that have been serviceable then you need evaluate your scouting and your coaches, not the players.

Just my opinion on 1.17, too many other areas that need to be addressed.

Pappy

[Jooser]

Oh, I agree Pappy, they can't afford to go OL in the first this year. The LB situation is too pressing to ignore this year. We have to fix the pass rush. Plus, we'll need to pickup a WR and RB somewhere along the way as well.

[phillyesq]

I really hope the Steelers don't go OL with 1.17 if you can't develop a good offensive line with 2-first round picks, 2-second round picks and a couple of veterans that have been serviceable then you need evaluate your scouting and your coaches, not the players.

Just my opinion on 1.17, too many other areas that need to be addressed.

Pappy

I generally agree with you, though watching the combine a bit this morning, Cooper looks like an amazing athlete, and Wexell has been drooling over his play for a while. I suppose there are worse things than having 3 elite interior offensive lineman, but my preference is still for a skill player on either side of the ball.

[steelblood]

Walter Football shows that the Steelers have indeed met with Ansah at the combine. Here's a short list of prospects they've interviewed and shown interest in up til now....

Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU (COM)
John Cooper, G, North Carolina (COM)
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (COM)

Interestingly enough, they haven't interviewed Warmack. I read an article yesterday that had some disappointed in him at weigh in because he was only 6'2".

[URL="http://walterfootball.com/draft2013meetingsteams.php"]http://walterfootball.com/draft2013meetingsteams.php
[/URL]

They probably view Cooper as a better fit for the new zone scheme. Cooper can really run and strike targets at the second level and downfield. I really think Lane Johnson is a possibility at 17. I think he'd immediately be the best LT on the team and could eventually be an all pro. I know, I know we have two tackles we drafted in the second round. But, I don't care one bit. Protecting Ben is priority number one if you want to have a successful season. Gilbert and Adams do not inspire confidence at this point. Besides, having 3 viable options at OT is really a necessity in today's NFL.