Steelers draft 25th in first round.

[NJ-STEELER]

The Steelers need somebody in the secondary. At 25, you are more likely to find a great safety than a great (or even good corner), but it depends on who is available. A lot depends on what happens with FAs, including Foster and McLendon, but I'd certainly lean towards a DB in the first.

landon Collins went high 2nd round last year.

Hoepfully there a similar prospect there this year

[NJ-STEELER]

Either a Safety (FS- move Mitchell back to SS) or a DT/DE pass rushing type to add to the DL rotation & keep Heyward & Tuitt from playing 99% of all defensive snaps.

in the 1st round??

Awww heck no. Unless you can put him on the field some place where he can play 80%of the snaps (at least in year 2).

Weve made that mistake already drafting worldis when we could have drafted to help another unit on the team.
i wouldn't look for a back up DE to spell those guys until at least round 3

unless they choose to play more 4-3 opening up a need for someone like that

[Iron City Inc.]

Agreed. 25 can be a "no-man's" spot if you are looking narrowly. The elite CB's are gone, and you may be over-drafting a safety (although the best ones will likely still be available--Cash, Kearse, Thompson, Bell, Cravens, if he really is capable of playing S in the NFL). May be a BPA if the DBs are gone.

Just a note on Kearse he had a poor game against Alabama. He takes some bad angles both on special teams and from cover 2. On 2 special teams plays he got burned one where he drifted out of his lane and the return goes past him to the house. On that onside pooch kick off he is pinched tight inside even though he is lined up furthest outside on that play. Couldn't recover quick enough from being inside. So on special teams he doesn't look special to me.
Missed a few tackles on Bama te's. Though he may be straight line fast he didn't play fast on the big stage. I know some guys believe he will go early but bad angles, didn't change direction quick enough, couldn't get through trash on a few plays, missed tackles and play speed not special makes me think he may slide in the draft. Not a day one guy and perhaps not even a day 2 guy imho.

[Starlifter]

I don't believe any of our secondary FA's will command so high a price tag the steelers couldn't retain them if they wanted.

as for the draft, I think Colbert views this team as having no major holes to fill - just needing a bit of tweaking.

with that in mind, I expect them to take the best player on the board - regardless of position.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

If Colbert doesn't think they need upgrades at CB and S, he's deluded. Blake is an embarrassment, and while Cockrell might be starter quality some day, he isn't yet. Will Allen might be fine as a reserve, but he has too many deficiencies to be on the field as much as he is. And there's a reason Mitchell has to be playing 30 yards deep all the time--he might be fine as a SS, but he's not good enough as a FS, IMO. Some speak of Golson as though he's the big key that will turn the secondary around, but I think he will likely be used mainly as a slot corner--and he hasn't proven he can even do that. Remember, Shamarko was supposed to be the replacement for Troy, but he can't even get out of his own way on STs.

[feltdizz]

we will draft bpa and fans will be upset again because they want a CB in the first.

Every year this happens and every year people act shocked and surprised.

we aren't going to reach and it will probably play out like Chadman described.

[SS Laser]

Just as most were surprised with the shazier pick that surprise will happen again IMO. Depending what happens in FA I think with a few as of right now NT's ranked high that could be the pick. Couple of the safety's are falling in mocks which means squat but I could see that happening. Even though IMO that is were a big piece is missing. Allen played well but is getting older and fresh high talented blood would be a big upgrade. Still like the idea of Weddle but how much does he have left? How much of a upgrade is he really? But he is not the future at safety either just a stop gap. But the time is now IMO to strike. The time of Big Ben is comming to a end faster then not! We'll be an interesting off season!

[NJ-STEELER]

If Colbert doesn't think they need upgrades at CB and S, he's deluded. Blake is an embarrassment, and while Cockrell might be starter quality some day, he isn't yet. Will Allen might be fine as a reserve, but he has too many deficiencies to be on the field as much as he is. And there's a reason Mitchell has to be playing 30 yards deep all the time--he might be fine as a SS, but he's not good enough as a FS, IMO. Some speak of Golson as though he's the big key that will turn the secondary around, but I think he will likely be used mainly as a slot corner--and he hasn't proven he can even do that. Remember, Shamarko was supposed to be the replacement for Troy, but he can't even get out of his own way on STs.

For a little perspective, im listening to some radio football talk outside of the burg.

Words like horrendous, atrocious are being used to describe our secondary. They're pointing out Ryan mallet having a field day throwing the ball against them.

The FO must improve that unit.

[phillyesq]

I've seen a lot of people speculating that the Steelers wouldn't take a corner in the first or second. If the BPA (or close to it) is a corner, the Steelers would be foolish not to consider adding talent to the secondary. Golson is a huge question mark and likely a nickel. Cockrell has potential and is nice depth but is far from a sure fire starter. Willie Gay, if re-signed, is solid but is not a #1. A playmaking safety would help, too, but either way, I believe the Steelers need to address the secondary in the first two rounds.

In the early mocks, I've seen a lot of DTs near the Steelers pick. If you find somebody who can play on the nose in the base but has enough quickness to spell Heyward / Tuitt, I think you'd have to consider it. I've seen a few mocks sending offensive lineman to the Steelers. With what they already have invested on the unit and a likely extension for DD, I don't think you see a first rounder spent on the line. If Foster leaves, however, that could change.