What Position WILL the Steelers select @ 17

[hawaiiansteel]

Every Team’s Top Target in the 2013 NFL Draft

by Gil Alcaraz IV

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Barkevious Mingo



The Steelers are in need of some youth on their defense as James Harrison appears to be on his way out of the Steel City. While they have some talent along the front seven, they’re in need of some extra athleticism and Mingo brings a boatload of that to the table. If there’s one team that can find a way to get the most out of Mingo’s talents, it’s Pittsburgh.

[URL]http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/01/26/every-teams-top-target-in-the-2013-nfl-draft/?OxeI4rtfWJgj81rR.99[/URL]

[Siggy00]

Hahahahahahaha......

Yeah, in 2016.

[hawaiiansteel]

Hahahahahahaha......

Yeah, in 2016.

which is why I always cheer for an offensive player to get drafted in the first round, he might actually have a chance to start next year instead of languishing on the bench until he understands the defense.

[papillon]

which is why I always cheer for an offensive player to get drafted in the first round, he might actually have a chance to start next year instead of languishing on the bench until he understands the defense.

This is a prime year for a defensive player to become a starter right out of the gate. A nose tackle (has to beat out McClendon or the Ta'amu), OLB (would have to be better than Worilds), ILB (has to be better than Foote) or corner (that can play nickle to start, has to be better than Gay). None of that is out of the question, IMO. I don't have great faith that McClendon, Ta'amu, Worilds, Foote or Gay will be better than a rookie coming with high college pedigree. One or potentially two defensive players could see the field a lot, IMO.

You could throw in a 3-4 DE as well, not certain that Hood can hold on to the starting job if a DE is drafted in any of the first three rounds.

The most difficult position would be OLB, Worilds appears to have what it takes except he does seem to be injured often. The rest as far as I'm concerned don't have anything locked up as far as starting is concerned and a prime draft pick (rounds 1-3) could step in right away.

Pappy

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Needs in order most important to least, IMO: ILB, OLB WR, NT, RB, S, CB, TE
That being said, it could be any of those positions, depending on who's on the board. I don't think you reach for any of them. While the team doesn't currently have stars at all those positions, they have sufficient coverage for all of them if you find a gem at one of the others.

If it were me, I'd take Kevin Minter and not even blink... he was the best player on a defense with many NFL caliber players - and that says a lot.

I don't care what "projections" say, we're offering our own scouting and opinions, right? When their time comes up, he'll be the best player on the board, IMO

[steelz09]

Mingo is a typical Tomlin-era pick and I don't like it at all.

If you read my long winded Colbert/Tomlin-era team building/plan then you know why.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

My mock draft depicts what I think Tomlin/Colbert will do in the draft. If it were up to me, I load up on offense heavy this draft and start by drafting a first round stud OL. Take Warmack or Lane Johnson if there. If not then try and trade out of the first or to the back end of the first for more picks.

[Shawn]

Mingo is a typical Tomlin-era pick and I don't like it at all.

If you read my long winded Colbert/Tomlin-era team building/plan then you know why.

I agree with you. Mingo is one of those very raw unproven guys, skies the limit yet who knows. I don't like the pick one bit. I would rather have Wammack (and trust me I don't want to draft a Guard in the first).

[papillon]

I agree with you. Mingo is one of those very raw unproven guys, skies the limit yet who knows. I don't like the pick one bit. I would rather have Wammack (and trust me I don't want to draft a Guard in the first).

Not to mention that Mingo has said that he has played DE with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3 in his career and that he doesn't really want to be an OLB. Drafting him would be asking for trouble and a brooding 1st round pick IMO.

He may be great, but not in a 3-4 as a standup OLB.

Pappy

[B&GinNC]

If the guys they are interested in (Vaccaro, Rhodes, etc.) are gone by the time 17 roles around they'll probably go with a "faller", the BPA, as is the Steelers way. However, if they wanted to do something totally uncharacteristic, they could trade for more picks (is there a huge difference between 25-50 this year--depends on what you like) with Miami. Trade value puts us giving up 17 for both 2's (42, 54) and their 4 (111), and would allow Steelers to nab a S, CB, and OL of their choice in 2 and Simon (who they like) in 3, then a WR with one of the 4 picks. #1 receivers are often "bust", not "boom".

Trade back is unusual, not unprecedented. Colbert traded back from 16 to 19, picked up a 4 and a 6 from the Jets in the process, then took Casey Hampton in 2001. This would be the draft to do it. It's not very good at the top, but it is deep to the point where 2's 3's 4's and 5's will bring good players. There will be WR's who can play in rounds 2, 3, and 4, a good group of round 3 pass rushers, value in rounds 3 - 5 at safety. Needs can be filled and depth built this year by trading back, and there are a number of legit Steeler targets late round 1/early round 2. Eddie Lacy, Robert Woods, Matt Elam, Alex Okafor, even Jesse Williams are all reaches at 17, but legit 25 - 30.