Early 1-14 mock draft.

[feltdizz]

How many times did a steelers D (with big snack at NT) give up 45 pts in a game?

Contrary to what some think, the cupboard is not bare in the secondary. Do they need to invest a few high/middle round picks in the secondary? sure. Do those draft picks have to come to be plug and play guys? Depends on what happens in the FO this off season.

Our D was gashed against the run this year, so we need our NT play to be dominant. If it's by the draft, so be it, if it's by developing someone who is already on the roster... great. Suring up NT would also allow McClendon, Woods, etc to compete for a position they may be better suited for (DE). I think keeping Keisel around for another year (at a modest price tag) would provide much need leadership and depth.

Yep... and people act like we have 1 pick in the draft this year.. we can get all those other needs in later rounds. I doubt we can get a solid NT in later rounds. NT is tooimportant for us to shrug it off with a late rounder.

[Rod Polamalu]

I doubt we can get a solid NT in later rounds. NT is tooimportant for us to shrug it off with a late rounder.

Exactly.Gone are the days when we and maybe two other teams valued 3-4 NTs.

[thor75]

Kansas city with Dontari Poe gave up 5 more yards per game rushing than Pittsburgh this year. It takes all 11.

Green Bay with Raji gave up 10 more yards per game than Pitts.

Arizona (3-4) led the league in rushing defense with Dan Williams at NT.

[feltdizz]

Kansas city with Dontari Poe gave up 5 more yards per game rushing than Pittsburgh this year. It takes all 11.

Green Bay with Raji gave up 10 more yards per game than Pitts.

who cares... its not how many yards its WHEN they give up the yards.

Regardless... you can't field a 3-4 without a legit NT.

[Dee Dub]

They will if they and the few respective teams desperate enough to move up because they need a Quarterback come to realize that Bortels is the best of this Class. (Even with Bridgewater being exceptional and Manziel very talented.)

Really? Bortels aint anything more than Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert.

[Rod Polamalu]

Really? Bortels aint anything more than Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert.

Wow,...really Dub ?

[feltdizz]

Really? Bortels aint anything more than Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert.

LOL... I don't know much about him but every year there is a QB with a great agent who gets tons of pub and shoots up the board. I bet he is this years Gabbert. Gabbert was average in college but as soon as he entered the draft he became this mythical QB.

[NJ-STEELER]

You are going to use KC as proof a NT isn't important?

KC has playmakers in the secondary... had 3 or 4 INT's and STILL gave up 45 points.

Its foolish to shrugg off a NT until the 3rd..especially if an NT in the 1st will see the field while our DB sits for a year or 3.

that really goes against your argument
2 recent #1 draft choice defensive lineman sat for 2 years

we dont have a corner on the roster to compare

plus, if ike is cut. that leaves allen and gay as our starting corners with question marks backing them up. thats a scary thought with how much nickel defense they play

[NJ-STEELER]

Yep... and people act like we have 1 pick in the draft this year.. we can get all those other needs in later rounds. I doubt we can get a solid NT in later rounds. NT is tooimportant for us to shrug it off with a late rounder.

much easier to find an NT in the later rounds that can get the job done then a corner.

there's a reason CBs out number the nose tackles at the top of the draft every year

[Rod Polamalu]

LOL... I don't know much about him but every year there is a QB with a great agent who gets tons of pub and shoots up the board. I bet he is this years Gabbert. Gabbert was average in college but as soon as he entered the draft he became this mythical QB.

Hahahaha,...as i said before, i am not a professional scout and i do not know how many of you have friends or business associates that are in order to be able to discuss prospects with and or watch film on with,....but i assure you Bortles is no Gabbert.

[Rod Polamalu]

much easier to find an NT in the later rounds that can get the job done then a corner.

there's a reason CBs out number the nose tackles at the top of the draft every year

And exactly how has that worked out for the teams that have selected CB's in the top 20 within the last ten years in the grand scheme of things NJ ?

[thor75]

And exactly how has that worked out for the teams that have selected CB's in the top 20 within the last ten years in the grand scheme of things NJ ?

I am not sure of your point here. The top 20 teams is 2/3 of the league. 11 CBs have been drafted in top 20 in the past five years. I believe an all pro can be found at any position at any point in the draft.

They really cannot be compared because all teams have two corners and not all teams have a true NT.

[feltdizz]

much easier to find an NT in the later rounds that can get the job done then a corner.

there's a reason CBs out number the nose tackles at the top of the draft every year

Wow... most teams run a 4-3. Makes sense that an NT doesnt go as often since a team can get one and keep him for 10 years. Thus, theycan spend the next 10 years drafting CB's since you need 4 to 5 on your roster.

This is why you take a NT if there is one available who can plug the middle for a long time.

It isnt easy to find a quality NT, if it was easy we would have one already.

Funny how everyone brags about Lebeaus stats while we had Hampton but now its a position we can find in later rounds.

[feltdizz]

I am not sure of your point here. The top 20 teams is 2/3 of the league. 11 CBs have been drafted in top 20 in the past five years. I believe an all pro can be found at any position at any point in the draft.

They really cannot be compared because all teams have two corners and not all teams have a true NT.

Yeah.. but the chances of finding an all pro are much higher in earlier rounds.

I'm not married to Nix but I'm married to the idea of drafting an NT in the first if he is considered a 1st round talent.

[steelblood]

Kelvin Benjamin has a rare combination of size and athleticism. But, Mike Evans has that and TONS of production. I can't see Benjamin going before Evans (let alone that you have him going before Watkins as well). That just seems nuts to me.

But, if it fell that way, I'd say thank you Buffalo and take Evans.
I'd also look at Dennard and Ebron.