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First of all, just want to mention, I think this could be our year. We have some key pieces that could set us up well for a SuperBowl run this year. We also have a lot of needs and have to set ourselves up well in this draft to compete for SuperBowls for the rest of Ben's career.
That said, here are my first and final picks. Hope everyone has been doing well this offseason
1. Eli Apple - CB - OSU - 6'1 - 199lb
We need a big time cover corner. This kid is young, physical, athletic, and tons of upside from one of Pittsburgh's favorite programs. Just a gut feel here. Seems a little reachy to me and also seems like he could be gone, but to me this kid has Tomlin/Colbert written all over him.
2. TJ Green - FS - Clemson - 6'2" - 209lb
Another reachy pick, but the Steelers need a ball hawk in the secondary. And in time, I think TJ may have the most upside in the draft given his size, athleticism, and ball skills.
3. Javon Hargrave - DT - South Carolina State - 6'1" - 315lb
Played against lesser competition, but the kid is a beast. Will his athleticism and talent translate? I say it's worth a shot in round 3 and he could be the anchor in our DL that we need.
4. Keyarris Garrett - WR - Tulsa - 6'4" - 220lbs
This kid is the total package when it comes to potential. He's got the size, and athleticism to be the deep threat a la Martavis Bryant. Not quite as fast, but he has a better frame and potential to be a more complete WR.
5. Travis Feeney - OLB - Washington - 6'4" - 230lb
Travis is the anti Jarvis Jones. He another athletic freak that started out as a SS when he entered college. I think he could be a very versatile player in the changing NFL. Dropping into coverage and using his speed/length to get to the QB.
7. Jayron Kearse - SS - Clemson - 6'4" - 220lbs
It would be odd having a 6'4" safety, but he's got the blood lines and athleticism to be a NFL player. No reason he can't be a new kind of freak like his uncle Javon. I think it would be intriguing to have a monster like this playing safety because there's a potential for him to also be a hybrid S/LB.
7. Nile Lawrence Stample - NT - Florida State - 6'1" - 320lb
Looks like one of the most prototypical NTs in this draft. I think there's still a place for the traditional 3-4 NT in our D and I like Nile's strength at the point of attack. This is a guy that can eat up 2 blockers and make everyone else better.
In general, I may have taken too many home run swings based on athleticism of some of these guys. It was hard to find the right mix of players given our overall needs. We're going to have to hit on some high priority UDFAs given all of our needs. I've been busy, but reading everyone's mocks and I do tend to think we need to hit on our DT, CB, and S picks this year. I do see a DT as the top priority, but think Apple has too much upside to pass up if he's there. Not sure where he'll go, but that pick shaped the rest of my draft. If he's not there, I'd probably switch it all up and go for one of our priority DTs in round 1 and fill in the rest from there.
That said, here are my first and final picks. Hope everyone has been doing well this offseason
1. Eli Apple - CB - OSU - 6'1 - 199lb
We need a big time cover corner. This kid is young, physical, athletic, and tons of upside from one of Pittsburgh's favorite programs. Just a gut feel here. Seems a little reachy to me and also seems like he could be gone, but to me this kid has Tomlin/Colbert written all over him.
2. TJ Green - FS - Clemson - 6'2" - 209lb
Another reachy pick, but the Steelers need a ball hawk in the secondary. And in time, I think TJ may have the most upside in the draft given his size, athleticism, and ball skills.
3. Javon Hargrave - DT - South Carolina State - 6'1" - 315lb
Played against lesser competition, but the kid is a beast. Will his athleticism and talent translate? I say it's worth a shot in round 3 and he could be the anchor in our DL that we need.
4. Keyarris Garrett - WR - Tulsa - 6'4" - 220lbs
This kid is the total package when it comes to potential. He's got the size, and athleticism to be the deep threat a la Martavis Bryant. Not quite as fast, but he has a better frame and potential to be a more complete WR.
5. Travis Feeney - OLB - Washington - 6'4" - 230lb
Travis is the anti Jarvis Jones. He another athletic freak that started out as a SS when he entered college. I think he could be a very versatile player in the changing NFL. Dropping into coverage and using his speed/length to get to the QB.
7. Jayron Kearse - SS - Clemson - 6'4" - 220lbs
It would be odd having a 6'4" safety, but he's got the blood lines and athleticism to be a NFL player. No reason he can't be a new kind of freak like his uncle Javon. I think it would be intriguing to have a monster like this playing safety because there's a potential for him to also be a hybrid S/LB.
7. Nile Lawrence Stample - NT - Florida State - 6'1" - 320lb
Looks like one of the most prototypical NTs in this draft. I think there's still a place for the traditional 3-4 NT in our D and I like Nile's strength at the point of attack. This is a guy that can eat up 2 blockers and make everyone else better.
In general, I may have taken too many home run swings based on athleticism of some of these guys. It was hard to find the right mix of players given our overall needs. We're going to have to hit on some high priority UDFAs given all of our needs. I've been busy, but reading everyone's mocks and I do tend to think we need to hit on our DT, CB, and S picks this year. I do see a DT as the top priority, but think Apple has too much upside to pass up if he's there. Not sure where he'll go, but that pick shaped the rest of my draft. If he's not there, I'd probably switch it all up and go for one of our priority DTs in round 1 and fill in the rest from there.
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