Draft ideas/questions before combine.

[SS Laser]

How could some of the "tweeners" or hybrid type players in this draft help the Steeler defense?

First up is Haason Reddick. Could he be a good OLB in a rotation with JH as a rookie? Could he learn the defense and a new position at ILB to be the 3rd down coverage guy as a rookie? He offers a chance at 2 different positions but can any of that happen as a rookie? Will he end up a Timmons future replacement or JH? I don't think JH can go all season with all the snaps. He was looking gassed in the KC playoff game.
Need a rookie or someone to step up with no drop off in play to rotate with JH.

Next up is Obi Melifonwu. Can he be a coverage ILB as a rookie? Can he be a good coverage 3rd safety in a sub package to cover TE's as a rookie? Can he be the future starter at safety to replace MM?

I am just looking at guys who at this point could very well be there for the steelers pick 1 or maybe 2. Thinking positions of need to reload. I don't see any Safety on this team to replace MM. And that could happen in the next couple seasons. Timmons needs a replacement. And of course the elephant in the room OLB.

I am not looking at Peppers as he will be long gone I think. Are there any other really good highly rated "tweeners" I am missing? Maybe a safety/corner for the slot? Another Safety/ILB?

Everyone wants more press and man coverage defense. Need that player that can do that to TE's I think. Maybe Shazier can. But then need someone to cover that other TE, running back, and even the 3rd or 4th WR at this point.
Going to be another interesting draft!

[Oviedo]

I like Charles Harris from Missouri better. Will be interested to see how they test out.

I do think they need an EDGE rusher early and then mid- to late-. Our pass rush deficiencies aren't going to be solutioned by adding one rookie.

[SidSmythe]

I like Charles Harris from Missouri better. Will be interested to see how they test out.

I do think they need an EDGE rusher early and then mid- to late-. Our pass rush deficiencies aren't going to be solutioned by adding one rookie.

I'm with OVI ... We have NOTHING after JH and DuPree.
I like HARRIS a lot but I'm also thinking of a 3rd and 4th OLB and another VETERAN.

[Oviedo]

I'm with OVI ... We have NOTHING after JH and DuPree.
I like HARRIS a lot but I'm also thinking of a 3rd and 4th OLB and another VETERAN.

I'm liking Sickels (Penn State) late in the draft

[SteelCrazy]

i love TJ Watt as an OLB and he could possibly play ILB as well. Not many on here believe he is a 2nd rd talent let alone a 1st rd that I believe he is.....I love Obi as well. got him in the 2nd

[Shawn]

i love TJ Watt as an OLB and he could possibly play ILB as well. Not many on here believe he is a 2nd rd talent let alone a 1st rd that I believe he is.....I love Obi as well. got him in the 2nd

Based on what I see I think TJ fits better at an ILB in our system. He is very efficient at rushing the edge and beating college tackles. With that said, he lacks elite first step quickness. I like the kid, I think he is a baller. But, I'm not yet convinced he can beat NFL tackles. I say nab him in the second if available and let him replace Timmons.

[Oviedo]

Based on what I see I think TJ fits better at an ILB in our system. He is very efficient at rushing the edge and beating college tackles. With that said, he lacks elite first step quickness. I like the kid, I think he is a baller. But, I'm not yet convinced he can beat NFL tackles. I say nab him in the second if available and let him replace Timmons.

Why did you bring Jarvis Jones into this?

[SteelCrazy]

Based on what I see I think TJ fits better at an ILB in our system. He is very efficient at rushing the edge and beating college tackles. With that said, he lacks elite first step quickness. I like the kid, I think he is a baller. But, I'm not yet convinced he can beat NFL tackles. I say nab him in the second if available and let him replace Timmons.

If ILB is the best Watt can do then I'd rather go with a guy like McKinley from your mock. We need that 2nd OLB in the worst way....However, I see Watt beating Tackles in the NFL, but even most of what I've read from the so called pros said he'd be better suited inside in a 3/4 or outside in a 4/3, so maybe I'm wrong. I think it's a weight issue mostly because he's a non stop force from what I've seen.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Why did you bring Jarvis Jones into this?

He didn't.

But guess who did?

Again.

Ugh.

[SidSmythe]

Why did you bring Jarvis Jones into this?

B/c we must learn from the past!!
Never again can we have a 52 man Roster!!

[Slapstick]

He didn't.

But guess who did?

Again.

Ugh.

It's truly sad...

[feltdizz]

He didn't.

But guess who did?

Again.

Ugh.

Oh my... this obsession needs to be studied at MIT

[Iron City Inc.]

Based on what I see I think TJ fits better at an ILB in our system. He is very efficient at rushing the edge and beating college tackles. With that said, he lacks elite first step quickness. I like the kid, I think he is a baller. But, I'm not yet convinced he can beat NFL tackles. I say nab him in the second if available and let him replace Timmons.

Took a look at some game film and here is what I see:
Uses his hands well placement is good and long arms keep defenders off his frame.
As a OLB he holds the edge well showing good leverage and stack n shed ability because he has a quick get off and very good technique.
Excellent motor. Good play recognition.
Does show ability to convert speed to power and disengage to finish plays. A little surprised he showed this ability. Dupree only started showing this this year.
Only saw him drop twice against LSU. Ugly was the word that best sums that up. Now doesn't mean he can't just has likely never done it. Hell he played TE a while so reps are needed there big time. Bit of a project but what rookie isn't.
He doesn't redirect well and though quick he does not look fast. Speed looks average.
Combine will show a lot. Has to be able to drop in coverage.
Likely most important check will be his medical. Has had injuries.
I see him as a 4-3 DE first OLB 2nd. I do not see him inside believe his skill set is best off the edge. Based on blood lines would not bet against him but combine tests will go a long way to see if this rook goes top 25 or top 75.
If we do not go edge rusher in the first and Watt is there in the 2nd it will be interesting.

[SteelCrazy]

Took a look at some game film and here is what I see:
Uses his hands well placement is good and long arms keep defenders off his frame.
As a OLB he holds the edge well showing good leverage and stack n shed ability because he has a quick get off and very good technique.
Excellent motor. Good play recognition.
Does show ability to convert speed to power and disengage to finish plays. A little surprised he showed this ability. Dupree only started showing this this year.
Only saw him drop twice against LSU. Ugly was the word that best sums that up. Now doesn't mean he can't just has likely never done it. Hell he played TE a while so reps are needed there big time. Bit of a project but what rookie isn't.
He doesn't redirect well and though quick he does not look fast. Speed looks average.
Combine will show a lot. Has to be able to drop in coverage.
Likely most important check will be his medical. Has had injuries.
I see him as a 4-3 DE first OLB 2nd. I do not see him inside believe his skill set is best off the edge. Based on blood lines would not bet against him but combine tests will go a long way to see if this rook goes top 25 or top 75.
If we do not go edge rusher in the first and Watt is there in the 2nd it will be interesting.

He gets his arms extended quickly. His hand game is top notch. He quick and fast at creating leverage points and is great at push and pull technique. Always knows where the ball is and knows how to get to it. He is average at coverage but James and Bud aren't winning any coverage awards either. He can learn. Plus his brother is one of the best...He is going teach him a lot. Id grab him at 30, but apparently I'm the only guy on earth that thinks that highly of him.

[Shawn]

If ILB is the best Watt can do then I'd rather go with a guy like McKinley from your mock. We need that 2nd OLB in the worst way....However, I see Watt beating Tackles in the NFL, but even most of what I've read from the so called pros said he'd be better suited inside in a 3/4 or outside in a 4/3, so maybe I'm wrong. I think it's a weight issue mostly because he's a non stop force from what I've seen.

I'm not sure McKinley makes it to us at 30. Actually the more mocks I see the more I think I'll have to change it. I agree though we need an OLB in the worst way. I'm not sure TJ is that guy. But, I do believe TJ might make it to us in the second. OLB-first, ILB-second.