Steelers ability to find CB, WR in draft could determine playoff fate

[steelsnis]

We ARE in bigger trouble than you thought. Three studs in the first four rounds won't get us in the playoffs THIS year.

That's just nuts. I know you're one of the more pessimistic posters here but c'mon. The Steelers were thisclose to making the playoffs this past year. A good free-agency period so far this year and a draft with 3 studs won't get them in the playoffs? Get outta here

[thor75]

I'm curious as to why you think that? The Steelers were a bad call away from making the playoffs last year even with the horrendous start. Add to that, most experts seem to think that the Bengals and Ravens are at best no better than last year or even worse.

You could be right, but I'm curious to know why you think that the team is in such dire straits?

Maybe there are clues in his signature?

[squidkid]

That's just nuts. I know you're one of the more pessimistic posters here but c'mon. The Steelers were thisclose to making the playoffs this past year. A good free-agency period so far this year and a draft with 3 studs won't get them in the playoffs? Get outta here

at this point of FA, the steelers are worse off than last year.
there should be an improvement at starting safety.
we are worse off at 2 Dline starting positions and starting WR

[Sugar]

That's just nuts. I know you're one of the more pessimistic posters here but c'mon. The Steelers were thisclose to making the playoffs this past year. A good free-agency period so far this year and a draft with 3 studs won't get them in the playoffs? Get outta here

Add to that, we get our Pro-Bowl C back with a HOF coach to teach that line. The RB squad should be stronger this year than last as well. I'm not sure if WR is better or worse off, frankly. Even if it's a little worse, it seems like they are headed in the right direction on Offense. The good news is that on both sides of the ball there were guys that were thrown into the fire last year that will probably have grown from their experience.

[hawaiiansteel]

Mock Draft 5.0:

By Bucky Brooks
NFL Media analyst

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

The Steelers need to find a replacement for Ike Taylor as the designated No. 1 corner in the lineup. Dennard is an ideal fit with his grit, toughness and ball skills

46. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State

With Troy Polamalu nearing the end of a distinguished career, the Steelers need to groom a young, athletic safety to take his place. Bucannon is the ideal guy for the job with a strong nose for the ball and a penchant for delivering teeth-rattling shots in the hole.

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...rron-to-texans[/URL]

[Northern_Blitz]

We ARE in bigger trouble than you thought. Three studs in the first four rounds won't get us in the playoffs THIS year.

We just have to remember to temper our expectations of the rookies. Last year the board was talking about how it was the best draft ever and everyone was going to be a stud. Same with the year we got Mendy and Sweed.

No matter who we take, they are a lottery ticket. Hopefully, we win more than we lose this year.

[Chadman]

Should see some improvement from Cortez Allen, Jarvis Jones, Worilds & Heyward- plus Mitchell upgrades the FS spot. Improved NT play will improve the pocket dominance, making the other DE spot, both OLB spots and ILB look better. For mine, that NT spot is key. The Steelers will draft a CB, but he won't start this year. On Offense- much is made of the WR position. What did we lose? Sanders & Cotchery are middle-of-the-road WR's. Moore adequately replaces Cotchery. Wheaton looks a good route runner, and will likely get plenty of opportunity to become #2. Realistically, the 'upgrades' from last year are already on the roster. With improved RB's there might be more reliance on the running game anyway, taking away the 'need' for upgraded WR2 play.

[Northern_Blitz]

Should see some improvement from Cortez Allen, Jarvis Jones, Worilds & Heyward- plus Mitchell upgrades the FS spot. Improved NT play will improve the pocket dominance, making the other DE spot, both OLB spots and ILB look better. For mine, that NT spot is key. The Steelers will draft a CB, but he won't start this year. On Offense- much is made of the WR position. What did we lose? Sanders & Cotchery are middle-of-the-road WR's. Moore adequately replaces Cotchery. Wheaton looks a good route runner, and will likely get plenty of opportunity to become #2. Realistically, the 'upgrades' from last year are already on the roster. With improved RB's there might be more reliance on the running game anyway, taking away the 'need' for upgraded WR2 play.

IMO this is much more realistic than praying for 2-3 draft picks to come in and be "studs". If we're lucky, we'll get 1 rook who makes a solid contribution this year.

[Shawn]

Should see some improvement from Cortez Allen, Jarvis Jones, Worilds & Heyward- plus Mitchell upgrades the FS spot. Improved NT play will improve the pocket dominance, making the other DE spot, both OLB spots and ILB look better. For mine, that NT spot is key. The Steelers will draft a CB, but he won't start this year. On Offense- much is made of the WR position. What did we lose? Sanders & Cotchery are middle-of-the-road WR's. Moore adequately replaces Cotchery. Wheaton looks a good route runner, and will likely get plenty of opportunity to become #2. Realistically, the 'upgrades' from last year are already on the roster. With improved RB's there might be more reliance on the running game anyway, taking away the 'need' for upgraded WR2 play.

I agree with you. I think a DB would see very limited play on special teams in certain packages. I don't think it will change a season. Anyone less than Watkins or Evans won't start this year either. Neither will mean much for this season. The X factor is Wheaton. The Steelers need him to step up and have a nice season. Also, for all those clamoring for immediate impact rookie...there are two who could make the field this season...and neither are popular picks. CJ Mosley and Nix. I believe Nix would be a day 1, possibly mid season starter. CJ Mosley would push for time right from the get go. I think Williams would win early on but Mosley would over take him sooner rather than later.

[Chadman]

I agree with you. I think a DB would see very limited play on special teams in certain packages. I don't think it will change a season. Anyone less than Watkins or Evans won't start this year either. Neither will mean much for this season. The X factor is Wheaton. The Steelers need him to step up and have a nice season. Also, for all those clamoring for immediate impact rookie...there are two who could make the field this season...and neither are popular picks. CJ Mosley and Nix. I believe Nix would be a day 1, possibly mid season starter. CJ Mosley would push for time right from the get go. I think Williams would win early on but Mosley would over take him sooner rather than later.

Nix is the one. I agree- drafting him puts him on the field very early. He then upgrades (in my opinion) the NT position, instantly improving the positions around him, including ILB (where I thought Williams did a pretty fair job considering the trash he had to work through at the LOS). For mine, NT is about the only 'immediate impact' position for a rookie draft pick. Just depends on what the Steelers think of McLendon's play last season (which in my opinion was poor for his role in this defense).

[bowldog]

!st. CB- Dennard (Mich. St) and 3rd. WR- Matthews (Vanderbilt)

[hawaiiansteel]

!st. CB- Dennard (Mich. St) and 3rd. WR- Matthews (Vanderbilt)

if you want Matthews you'll have to take him in the 2nd, he won't be there anymore when we pick at the end of the 3rd round...

[Steeler Shades]

Steelers are looking good. Fortunately the draft is going to catapult us into the playoffs.
This team has issues and they are many.