What to do about NT? Round 1?

[Oviedo]

We all know that a key to the 3-4 defense is having a very good NT to clog up the middle and absorb blockers. hampton was the best at this for a very long time but both his performance and motivation have to now be questioned. Hoke is a good back up but he is like 33 years old.

In this year's draft the two best NTs appear to be Raji and Brace out of BC. Raji is likely a Top 10-15 pick. The question is do we consider drafting Ron Brace at 1.32 given that with the proliferation of teams running the 3-4 he is unlikely to get past the early to middle Round 2.

I would support this because I think it fills what could become a serious need as early as this season or next. Anyone else like Terrence Taylor, Michigan or Sammie Hill, Stillman are definitely projects although Michigan players have come through for us on defense, e.g. Foote and Woodley.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

So your real question is...do we take Brace or Mack/Unger at 32.

If we want to do both, we would have to package up some of our later picks...something I am a proponent of.

[Oviedo]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

So your real question is...do we take Brace or Mack/Unger at 32.

If we want to do both, we would have to package up some of our later picks...something I am a proponent of.

Yes. Question 1 is would you take Brace at 1.32? IMO our picks are essentially all next round picks anyway, e.g. our round 1 is really a round 2, etc. IMO I would take Brace at 1.32.

I do advocate trading down into the top of the second round to get an extra 4th and then package picks to move up from 2.64 into the middle of Round 2. I think we can get close to equal talent in the first 10 picks of Round 2 and still meet our needs as we would at 1.32.

[Lebsteel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

It is a position of need, but IMO no way do we consider it in Rd. 1 unless Raji drops, which will not happen. Brace would be a huge reach in Rd. 1. Brace was seldom double teamed because he had Raji next to him who ate up the double teams. He might be a good pick at 64, but I'd rather see us get a 3-4 DE at 64, someone like Hood or Gilbert if they are still there.

[pfelix73]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

This is an idea that I propsed many days ago. Hampton's contract is up next year and we have to prepare for the future. Ron Brace is a realistic choice at 1.32 IMO.

I also believe they could trade up further into round 2 or even trade down from 1.32 to get one of those Centers and Brace.

[AkronSteel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

I honestly want T. Taylor/Michigan more than any of the other DT prospects besides Raji! He looks like a Steeler NT with his size (height and weight) and he is from Michigan, and even though I detest the school from up north, they always tend to become good solid players for us! I really like the Pryor kid from Kentucky too! He isn't exactly a perfect fit for NT but he might just fit in as a big DE like Ngata does in Baltimore!

[grotonsteel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

People are saying Terrence Taylor might go undrafted. He had a poor Senior Bowl..but i would like Steelers to take a flyer on Terrence Taylor in 7th.

[steelernation77]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

Taylor did 37 reps at the combine, more than any other DT. I don't know his arm length, but unless he has T Rex arms, that's good strength. He may be worth a later pick.

Brace may not be a great value, but Kiper ripped the Steelers for taking Hampton in the first if I remember correctly.

That being said, I'd rather go OL or DE if Jackson is available.

[MaxAMillion]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

Brace is not that athletic. He is pretty stiff actually. Teams would be looking to take him earlier if he was that good. Many teams are moving tothe 3-4 and yet Brace is not a first round pick.

I would hesitate to take Brace at all pesonally. I definitely would not take him in round 1.

[Lebsteel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

I'll be very anxious to see how Sammie Lee Hill does tomorrow at the Combine. He has the size of Albert Haynesworth and could be worth one of our 3rd round picks. It looks like he could play DE or NT.

[Lebsteel]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

Check out these numbers for our future NT and DE candidates:
Chris Baker Hampton 6'2 326 4.99
Ron Brace Boston College 6'3 330 5.47 32
Sammie Lee Hill Stillman 6'4 329 5.11
Evander "Ziggy" Hood Missouri 6'3 300 4.89 34
Corvey Irvin Georgia 6'3 301 4.99
Terrance Knighton Temple 6'3 321 5.18
Alex Magee Purdue 6'3 298 5.05 30
Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn 6'2 306 5.01
Roy Miller Texas 6'1 310 4.97 36
Khalif Mitchell East Carolina 6'5 318 5.09 30
Fili Moala USC 6'4 305 5.09
Myron Pryor Kentucky 6'0 1/4 319 5.01
B.J. Raji Boston College 6'1 337 5.13 33
Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 6'2 303 -
Dorrell Scott Clemson 6'3 312 4.90
Terrance Taylor Michigan 6'0 306 5.24 37
Vance Walker Georgia Tech 6'2 304 5.33

I'm thinking Roy Miller, Dorrell Scott, Sammie Lee Hill, Alex Magee should all be on our 3rd Rd. charts. Ziggy Hood posted excellent numbers and may be out of reach at 64. Brace may be a choice at 64, but could be gone earlier. Raji is definitely out of reach at 32.

[Oviedo]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

Check out these numbers for our future NT and DE candidates:
Chris Baker Hampton 6'2 326 4.99
Ron Brace Boston College 6'3 330 5.47 32
Sammie Lee Hill Stillman 6'4 329 5.11
Evander "Ziggy" Hood Missouri 6'3 300 4.89 34
Corvey Irvin Georgia 6'3 301 4.99
Terrance Knighton Temple 6'3 321 5.18
Alex Magee Purdue 6'3 298 5.05 30
Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn 6'2 306 5.01
Roy Miller Texas 6'1 310 4.97 36
Khalif Mitchell East Carolina 6'5 318 5.09 30
Fili Moala USC 6'4 305 5.09
Myron Pryor Kentucky 6'0 1/4 319 5.01
B.J. Raji Boston College 6'1 337 5.13 33
Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 6'2 303 -
Dorrell Scott Clemson 6'3 312 4.90
Terrance Taylor Michigan 6'0 306 5.24 37
Vance Walker Georgia Tech 6'2 304 5.33

I'm thinking Roy Miller, Dorrell Scott, Sammie Lee Hill, Alex Magee should all be on our 3rd Rd. charts. Ziggy Hood posted excellent numbers and may be out of reach at 64. Brace may be a choice at 64, but could be gone earlier. Raji is definitely out of reach at 32.

I'm not sure Magee can play NT but the others may be worth a look. I'd also add Taylor. The lack of a good NT is why it is so hard to staff the 3-4 defense with the right players.

[steelernation77]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

Check out these numbers for our future NT and DE candidates:
Chris Baker Hampton 6'2 326 4.99
Ron Brace Boston College 6'3 330 5.47 32
Sammie Lee Hill Stillman 6'4 329 5.11
Evander "Ziggy" Hood Missouri 6'3 300 4.89 34
Corvey Irvin Georgia 6'3 301 4.99
Terrance Knighton Temple 6'3 321 5.18
Alex Magee Purdue 6'3 298 5.05 30
Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn 6'2 306 5.01
Roy Miller Texas 6'1 310 4.97 36
Khalif Mitchell East Carolina 6'5 318 5.09 30
Fili Moala USC 6'4 305 5.09
Myron Pryor Kentucky 6'0 1/4 319 5.01
B.J. Raji Boston College 6'1 337 5.13 33
Darryl Richard Georgia Tech 6'2 303 -
Dorrell Scott Clemson 6'3 312 4.90
Terrance Taylor Michigan 6'0 306 5.24 37
Vance Walker Georgia Tech 6'2 304 5.33

I'm thinking Roy Miller, Dorrell Scott, Sammie Lee Hill, Alex Magee should all be on our 3rd Rd. charts. Ziggy Hood posted excellent numbers and may be out of reach at 64. Brace may be a choice at 64, but could be gone earlier. Raji is definitely out of reach at 32.

A couple guys you left off are Tyson Jackson from LSU who could be a possibility at 32 and Jarron Gilbert from San Jose State who could be a possibility at 64. Both are potential DEs.

[Oviedo]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

One of the interesting aspects of this is whether we start rebuilding the DL from the inside out or vice versa. IMO getting a replacement for Hampton is a bigger priority this year than one for Kiesel or Smith. As far as the DE position you could probably get good players in Rounds 3-4. Getting a future NT is going to prove to be the most difficult task.

[steelernation77]

Re: What to do about NT? Round 1?

One of the interesting aspects of this is whether we start rebuilding the DL from the inside out or vice versa. IMO getting a replacement for Hampton is a bigger priority this year than one for Kiesel or Smith. As far as the DE position you could probably get good players in Rounds 3-4. Getting a future NT is going to prove to be the most difficult task.

A dominant 3-4 DE can make a big difference though. Look what Ngata did for the Ravens or Richard Seymour for New England. More teams are running 3-4s so those guys could go earlier. Guys like Aaron Smith don't come along very often in later rounds.

If we can get Tyson Jackson I say we take him. He's got great size and athleticism, is battle tested. Unless a top OT is available I'd definitely take Jackson.