Future Steelers...What do You See in Bowl Games

[Oviedo]

Lot's going on so I thought it might be fun to identify some of the players you see who will be entering the NFL Draft and how it would be nice to see them in Black and Gold

I watched Clemson-Oklahoma yesterday and was very impressed with Oklahoma's #19 Eric Striker. He is listed at 6' and 222lbs. Looked very fast and made plays all over the field. Curious what anyone knows about him...potential Strong Safety in the NFL?

Others you have seen in Bowl Games?

[Iron City Inc.]

Clemson has 2 db's that should be drafted early:
Alexander is a corner who I thought played solid but left the game with what looked like a tight hammy. He is built well and looked like he had very good feet. Now he looked fast enough but he'll need to run about 4.45 because I'm not sure he is 5 10. If he runs well and measures okay he's likely a first rounder. If not he could slip to round 2.
Kearse is a 6 4 safety who had some ups n downs yesterday. Saw him miss more then one tackle. Clemson moved him all over the field and he played in the box a few times and pressured the qb. He looked fast to me but like with Alexander speed will need to be checked. He matched up on the slot receiver a few times and looked ok. Not sure he is a first rounder. 2nd round perhaps but he has the high ceiling. Nephew of J Kearse for what that's worth.
OSU's Joey Bosa was very disruptive today against ND. He uses his hands really well and has a great motor. He got tossed for targeting. We may have a good draft as long as he does not go to Cleveland. He is a top 3 pick to me and perhaps even number 1.

[Oviedo]

Clemson has 2 db's that should be drafted early:
Alexander is a corner who I thought played solid but left the game with what looked like a tight hammy. He is built well and looked like he had very good feet. Now he looked fast enough but he'll need to run about 4.45 because I'm not sure he is 5 10. If he runs well and measures okay he's likely a first rounder. If not he could slip to round 2.
Kearse is a 6 4 safety who had some ups n downs yesterday. Saw him miss more then one tackle. Clemson moved him all over the field and he played in the box a few times and pressured the qb. He looked fast to me but like with Alexander speed will need to be checked. He matched up on the slot receiver a few times and looked ok. Not sure he is a first rounder. 2nd round perhaps but he has the high ceiling. Nephew of J Kearse for what that's worth.
OSU's Joey Bosa was very disruptive today against ND. He uses his hands really well and has a great motor. He got tossed for targeting. We may have a good draft as long as he does not go to Cleveland. He is a top 3 pick to me and perhaps even number 1.

I've seen Jayron Kearse a couple of times and he looks like a solid Safety with a big upside. I'd love to see him in Black and Gold. I know S'ua Cravens is the flavor of the week at that position but can't recall seeing him play so others can chime in.

[Shawn]

If Vonn Bell SS-tOSU comes out early and I think he will he is a first rounder. Hands and range like a FS, hits like a Mack truck. He is a special playmaker.

[Shawn]

Clemson has 2 db's that should be drafted early:
Alexander is a corner who I thought played solid but left the game with what looked like a tight hammy. He is built well and looked like he had very good feet. Now he looked fast enough but he'll need to run about 4.45 because I'm not sure he is 5 10. If he runs well and measures okay he's likely a first rounder. If not he could slip to round 2.
Kearse is a 6 4 safety who had some ups n downs yesterday. Saw him miss more then one tackle. Clemson moved him all over the field and he played in the box a few times and pressured the qb. He looked fast to me but like with Alexander speed will need to be checked. He matched up on the slot receiver a few times and looked ok. Not sure he is a first rounder. 2nd round perhaps but he has the high ceiling. Nephew of J Kearse for what that's worth.
OSU's Joey Bosa was very disruptive today against ND. He uses his hands really well and has a great motor. He got tossed for targeting. We may have a good draft as long as he does not go to Cleveland. He is a top 3 pick to me and perhaps even number 1.

Joey Bosa might be the best defender in Buckeye history. Scary thing? His brother will be here next year and they say he is better. I believe Bosa goes first overall.

[Iron City Inc.]

If Vonn Bell SS-tOSU comes out early and I think he will he is a first rounder. Hands and range like a FS, hits like a Mack truck. He is a special playmaker.

I believe they have to declare by 15th so we won't have long to see who is available.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Joey Bosa might be the best defender in Buckeye history. Scary thing? His brother will be here next year and they say he is better. I believe Bosa goes first overall.

I think Tennessee needs to protect Mariota, so I see them taking the Ole Miss OT first.

Our loss in Baltimore moved the Ravens out of the top 5, where they might have had a shot at Bosa, which is a good thing.

[Rara]

As of right now, Mackensie Alexander is my pick...that's if he declares and also drops to the Steelers. Another one I'd like to see...Desmond King from Iowa. Yes...Iowa got beat pretty badly yesterday, where it should matter...but I think he'd still be a good pick.

Safety wise...yeah, I'm craving for Craven.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

funny, I was doing my "much earlier than necessary" mock... i'm usually a bowl junkie so I can see how I feel about guys, and see if I can find a diamond in the rough...

with a LOT of expiring contracts and a LOT of not yet extended players, I think the contracts will dictate the draft this year.

Some key expiring contracts: Steve McLendon, Kelvin Beachum, Ramon Foster, Mike Adams, William Gay, Brandon Boykin, Sean Spence, Robert Golden, Cam Thomas (yay!)

Absent, but, not forgotten is Senquez Golson (who should be back this coming season)

I've added a few links to some of the bowl performances for these guys and quick explanations of why.

1. [URL="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000609483/article/ucla-dt-kenny-clark-shows-intriguing-potential-in-bowl-loss"]Kenny Clark, NT, UCLA[/URL]
This guy looks like a special interior lineman and Steve McLendon is a free agent in April. This young front would be scary good.
It's very tempting to take a CB here, and I wouldn't be upset with Kendall Fuller, younger brother of Kyle, Vincent and Corey Fuller. Gut says Gay and maybe Boykin are resigned, and getting Golson is enough that the team passes on CB


2. [URL="http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/12/grading_lsus_texas_bowl_victor.html"]Vadal Alexander, OG/OT, LSU[/URL]
Although Villenueva looks like a find, Beachum and Foster's contracts are a little worrysome, as is Beachum's injury. Insurance needed and here it is. More guard prospect than Tackle, though he has filled in at tackle for LSU in a pinch


3. [URL="http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/12/grading_lsus_texas_bowl_victor.html"]Jalen Mills, FS, LSU[/URL]
team needs a FS and this is arguably the best FS in the draft


4. Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois
team finished 5-7 and didn't make a bowl. HOWEVER, his running style, patience and hands will remind you of a mini LeVeon; a major upgrade over the options behind DeAngelo; wish he had just a hair more speed

Here's a youtube of Ferguson

[Iron City Inc.]

Watched the Fiesta Bowl again and this time with an eye on Eli Apple as he is in this draft. Plays right corner for the most part covering the X. He played in both off and press and uses his hands well to disrupt routes. Looks like his hips flip easily and seems like a fluid enough corner. Keeps good leverage and was okay in run support. Didn't get tested much as ND mostly went away from him with Will Fuller as the Z. 2nd half Apple flipped and locked on Fuller who had a solid game and Eli was able to close him down. Fuller is likely a 2nd rounder this spring. Apple has quick feet and it looks like he is quick on route recognition.
OSU has their corners play the "through tech" where you don't look back for the ball just tackle the arms as the catch is attempted. That is not my favorite tech and can lead to pi's at the next level but that's being taught today and so be it.
Summary he is the right height,weight,enough speed but that needs to be tested, an underclassmen from the right school who also fills our biggest need. Add it all up n he has to be on our radar in the spring.

[Slapstick]

He is listed on tOSU website at 6' 1" and 200lbs...we liked Ross Cockrell, we may like Apple as well...