Getting to know 2021 Steelers draft prospect Creed Humphrey

[steelerkeylargo]

Hey gang. As many of you know this is the time of year I go from observing to posting. I usually will take a behind the scenes look at a bunch of guys that should be on the Steelers radar (although admittedly not as many as I used to when I was hitting up the Senior Bowl and Combine every year). This thread will look at OU-C-Creed Humphrey

Pros


*top level NFL playing strength
*zero sacks allowed in past 2 seasons
*very high football IQ
*Elite get off the snap
*footwork and balance are always in lockstep
*elite knee bend, anchor and pad level
*strong hands to jolt defender back on heels
* 2% blown run block rate
*1% blown pass block rate
*Compact fire hydrant frame
*wrestling background (translates to NFL success)
*Dominant Senior Bowl week
*reach blocks are textbook


Cons

*average athleticism
*getting to the second level is not his strength
*short arms


NFL Pro Player Comp- Nick Mangold
Draft Day Range- picks 18-50
Teams competing to draft him- Dolphins/Ravens/Chiefs/Rams/Chargers

[hawaiiansteel]

I'm starting to see him go late first/early second round in mock drafts now.

[steelerkeylargo]

I'm starting to see him go late first/early second round in mock drafts now.

We might need to either trade up in the 2nd or trade back in the first to get an extra 2nd higher than ours.. I'd prefer the latter. Trade 1/24 for a very early (top 5) 2nd and 3rd round picks.

[Oviedo]

I like this guy. Seems like a warrior

[Ernie]

Would love to see us draft this guy...and move Feiler back out to tackle.. start Dotson at guard and then let chucks, banner, etc compete for the other tackle spot

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Creed Humphrey did very well at the senior bowl and has the type or raw power to root out defensive lineman and knock them backwards. A power house. To me he's your classic right guard that opens holes best paired with a one cut power back, who when he runs behind Humphrey should be able to pass the line of scrimmage before contact. Why burden a man with this power with a snap before he makes contact? Yes--he can play center too. But centers don't mean as much in the ground game, and we like the types who cal pull. I was impressed with what I saw.

If Alabama's QB and RB is off the board, I'm okay with Humphrey, preferably by trading down a few slots. I tend to think the power running game is making a comeback of sorts as defenses are fielding pass rushers more so than run stoppers. The Steelers scout guard and center very well, or at least they used to with Faneca , Pouncey, and DeCastro being worth a 1st round pick. I don't think Creed Humphrey is that good, as he has movement issues and shorter arms, but he's clearly good. A high floor player, who could really shine in a power blocking system.

[Chucktownsteeler]

He's on my board. I think we have to go C/ OT in the first 2 rounds, depending on BPA when we draft. If we don't solidify the O-line nothing else is going to much matter.

We can get a guard in round 4 or so. We saw that with Dotson.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

He's on my board. I think we have to go C/ OT in the first 2 rounds, depending on BPA when we draft. If we don't solidify the O-line nothing else is going to much matter.

We can get a guard in round 4 or so. We saw that with Dotson.

That's just it. You can get a starting guard outside of round one. You can find one in round 3-7! See Dotson ( round 4 ) , or Ramon Foster ( Who was a rookie free agent ). Starting guards do not have to be great. But when you have an iffy or suspect QB, that position is much harder to fill and typically needs a first round pick.

Looking at our projected 2022 comp picks, I'd rather use one of them to fill an OL spot and go QB now if the right guy is on the board.

One draft, even a very good one is not going to net you a staring QB, RB, G, T and C. That's highly unlikely. Get you QB and RB this draft and two OL players, and hope you hit on the early picks.

[NorthCoast]

.... I tend to think the power running game is making a comeback of sorts as defenses are fielding pass rushers more so than run stoppers. .....

I was having the same thoughts but then watching TEN fail badly against BAL (50 yds rushing?!) in the playoffs had me rethinking.

[steelerkeylargo]

Creed Humphrey did very well at the senior bowl and has the type or raw power to root out defensive lineman and knock them backwards. A power house. To me he's your classic right guard that opens holes best paired with a one cut power back, who when he runs behind Humphrey should be able to pass the line of scrimmage before contact. Why burden a man with this power with a snap before he makes contact? Yes--he can play center too. But centers don't mean as much in the ground game, and we like the types who cal pull. I was impressed with what I saw.

If Alabama's QB and RB is off the board, I'm okay with Humphrey, preferably by trading down a few slots. I tend to think the power running game is making a comeback of sorts as defenses are fielding pass rushers more so than run stoppers. The Steelers scout guard and center very well, or at least they used to with Faneca , Pouncey, and DeCastro being worth a 1st round pick. I don't think Creed Humphrey is that good, as he has movement issues and shorter arms, but he's clearly good. A high floor player, who could really shine in a power blocking system.

Yes, he can play center too? That's a good one. All Creed Humphrey has ever done is play Center. ESPN literally did a feature called Creed Humphrey "Born to play center". While he could play Guard he is probably the most natural fit at C in the past 20 years. His lack of athleticism is best suited in the "phone booth" at Center. He will live there for a dozen years and make multiple Pro Bowls.

[steeler_george]

Yes, he can play center too? That's a good one. All Creed Humphrey has ever done is play Center. ESPN literally did a feature called Creed Humphrey "Born to play center". While he could play Guard he is probably the most natural fit at C in the past 20 years. His lack of athleticism is best suited in the "phone booth" at Center. He will live there for a dozen years and make multiple Pro Bowls.

Keylargo, honestly how big of a reach would it be if we drafted him at 24...

He will be a plug and play starter for years, even if he moves to replaces Decastro in the future like Joel suggests.

[steelerkeylargo]

Keylargo, honestly how big of a reach would it be if we drafted him at 24...

He will be a plug and play starter for years, even if he moves to replaces Decastro in the future like Joel suggests.

I think his true value is in the 35-50 range. But that is only because of his position. I would be totally fine with them taking him at 24 as I believe he will make a half dozen Pro Bowls. The question is what is the drop off between him and the kid from Ohio State vs the drop from a Jenkins/Mayfield to an Eichenberg/Radunz ( If any). He's not moving to Guard. That is a pipedream.

[NorthCoast]

If they want Humphrey, trade down with CIN and pick up their 38th and 69th. We can throw in a 2022 3rd since we'll have one to burn. That gives the Steelers 3 picks in the 2nd to stock up on OL/RB.

[steeler_george]

I think his true value is in the 35-50 range. But that is only because of his position. I would be totally fine with them taking him at 24 as I believe he will make a half dozen Pro Bowls. The question is what is the drop off between him and the kid from Ohio State vs the drop from a Jenkins/Mayfield to an Eichenberg/Radunz ( If any). He's not moving to Guard. That is a pipedream.

Funny you mention that, I been liking what I am seeing and hear about Eichenberg.
LT, plug and play from day 1 in the mold of AV.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I think his true value is in the 35-50 range. But that is only because of his position. I would be totally fine with them taking him at 24 as I believe he will make a half dozen Pro Bowls. The question is what is the drop off between him and the kid from Ohio State vs the drop from a Jenkins/Mayfield to an Eichenberg/Radunz ( If any). He's not moving to Guard. That is a pipedream.

I agree with the 35-50 range. That begs the question, is he really worth the pick? Maybe because our need level is so high, but I would not write off moving him to Guard, IF a OC and HC wants to take advantage of his best skills.

Center to me is a position not worth what it used to be. They used to call the plays before they radio green dot came around. They do not " win " games, rather they enable others to do so. They are seldom first round picks for a reason. Centers do not run block as well as Guards in general, which is what Humphrey does best. Humphrey has limited mobility to get players via pull on the second level. But he's a monster power player. To me that suggest the classic Right guard, and the Steeler slide just about every team love to run to the right. Play to your strengths. Last year or RG and RT were weak! On Meyers he might measure and work out better, well see.

I'm okay with Humphrey being our pick IF Jones and Harris are off the board, AND we can trade down a few slots to better reflect his BPA value.

There's an old debate. BPA vs Value. Where do you stand? My stance is the science of the draft is a mix of the two. You better not reach, and you'd better pick what you need early.