18th pick, I think

[steelblood]

I think we'll have the 18th pick in the draft. New this year, all playoff teams will pick after non-playoff teams regardless of record. That leaves us in a three way tie with the Falcons and Texans for slots 18-20. Weakness of Schedule is the tie-breaker. I believe we'd have the weakest opponents combined record. So that would put us at 18. Let me know if I'm forgetting something.

[Jom112]

Re: 18th pick, I think

Don't think you missed anything. It looks like the 18th pick is what you'll get. Might mean that you'll miss out on Joe Haden by a couple of picks...

[phillyesq]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I hate that we have to look forward to the draft already, but 18 isn't a bad draft slot. Depending on the depth of the draft, there is usually some premium level talent left in that range. I've also read that this should be a deep year with a lot of juniors coming out due to the state of the CBA.

[Oviedo]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I hate that we have to look forward to the draft already, but 18 isn't a bad draft slot. Depending on the depth of the draft, there is usually some premium level talent left in that range. I've also read that this should be a deep year with a lot of juniors coming out due to the state of the CBA.

Since you have to figure we are looking defense:

CB--really thin with only one or two players rated in Round 1. Haden is tops but will be gone early. Robinson from FSU is late Round 1. Both are probably going to measure 5'9" or 5'10".

Safety--best draft in years. Really deep through the first three rounds. Top end talent available in Round 1 at #18. But do you spend a Round 1 pick on a Safety that is not Troy?

DL--great draft with lots of depth. Thin at natural 3-4 NTs which is an on going issue. Really ggod to potrentially great 4-3 DTs and DEs available in Round 1. Some really good pass rusher 4-3 DEs who if we stay 3-4 we essentially have to ignore or wait 2-3 years for them to learn the OLB position. Here is this year's name to remember from UCF--Torrel Troup, 3-4 NT, 6'3" 315lbs. Got double teamed all season. Athletic player.

ILB--Only two or three potential Round 1 picks. McClain from Alabama is the best but will go early. Brandon Spikes would be a perfect Farrior replacement but may have some attitude issues. Spikes also could be a very good 4-3 MLB.

OLB--haven't looked there yet, but not a need for this defense if we stay 3-4 and draft conversion project DEs.

Since we need help on defense I figure that means Colbert will throw a curve and go offensive skill position. At #18 some names to consider:

CJ Spiller, RB, Dynamic do everything player
Jermaine Gresham, TE who can block but has WR skillset

Everyone will want a OT but who does he replace? Starks? No he has long term contract. Colon? Maybe but that assumes we let 3 year starter walk for untested rookie. Not happening.

[SteelCzar76]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I feel as though before we can even begin to speculate as to what we will do in the upcoming draft,....i think we should first figure out what we won't do.

Meaning, do you really think Tomlin would Draft any actual stud Corner, FS, LB or D-lineman in the first round when he is so absoloutely enamored (to the point of it almost being a "starcrossed lovers" thing) with his "ordinary as a bowl of grits" boys Timmons, Mundy, Gay, Lewis, Burnett and Hood ?

This guy (Tomlin) has proven to me by pissing into the wind with every Draft that he's had since he's been here,... that he's far more concerned with bringing in suspect players so that he can be worshiped if he can win with such mediocre talent, than actually trying to IMPROVE the team.

[steelblood]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I hate that we have to look forward to the draft already, but 18 isn't a bad draft slot. Depending on the depth of the draft, there is usually some premium level talent left in that range. I've also read that this should be a deep year with a lot of juniors coming out due to the state of the CBA.

Since you have to figure we are looking defense:

CB--really thin with only one or two players rated in Round 1. Haden is tops but will be gone early. Robinson from FSU is late Round 1. Both are probably going to measure 5'9" or 5'10".

Safety--best draft in years. Really deep through the first three rounds. Top end talent available in Round 1 at #18. But do you spend a Round 1 pick on a Safety that is not Troy?

DL--great draft with lots of depth. Thin at natural 3-4 NTs which is an on going issue. Really ggod to potrentially great 4-3 DTs and DEs available in Round 1. Some really good pass rusher 4-3 DEs who if we stay 3-4 we essentially have to ignore or wait 2-3 years for them to learn the OLB position. Here is this year's name to remember from UCF--Torrel Troup, 3-4 NT, 6'3" 315lbs. Got double teamed all season. Athletic player.

ILB--Only two or three potential Round 1 picks. McClain from Alabama is the best but will go early. Brandon Spikes would be a perfect Farrior replacement but may have some attitude issues. Spikes also could be a very good 4-3 MLB.

OLB--haven't looked there yet, but not a need for this defense if we stay 3-4 and draft conversion project DEs.

Since we need help on defense I figure that means Colbert will throw a curve and go offensive skill position. At #18 some names to consider:

CJ Spiller, RB, Dynamic do everything player
Jermaine Gresham, TE who can block but has WR skillset

Everyone will want a OT but who does he replace? Starks? No he has long term contract. Colon? Maybe but that assumes we let 3 year starter walk for untested rookie. Not happening.

I agree that the CB class is thin. Donovan Warren from Michigan is going to come out early. He is a decent talent. I also like Prince Nakamura from NEbraska. Both have decent height and are capable corners. Maybe we could get one of these guys in the 2nd round.

If we stick 3-4, I like Troup. He has a true NT frame even if he is a little on the lighter size for the position. I also like Jerrell Powe from Ole Miss, if he declares. He is 340 pounds and is very athletic. He may need a year or two to learn the position, but he'd be able to play right away in a rotation. He also plays FB in short yardage and busts heads.

[Steeler Mafia]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I hate that we have to look forward to the draft already, but 18 isn't a bad draft slot. Depending on the depth of the draft, there is usually some premium level talent left in that range. I've also read that this should be a deep year with a lot of juniors coming out due to the state of the CBA.

Since you have to figure we are looking defense:

CB--really thin with only one or two players rated in Round 1. Haden is tops but will be gone early. Robinson from FSU is late Round 1. Both are probably going to measure 5'9" or 5'10".

Safety--best draft in years. Really deep through the first three rounds. Top end talent available in Round 1 at #18. But do you spend a Round 1 pick on a Safety that is not Troy?

DL--great draft with lots of depth. Thin at natural 3-4 NTs which is an on going issue. Really ggod to potrentially great 4-3 DTs and DEs available in Round 1. Some really good pass rusher 4-3 DEs who if we stay 3-4 we essentially have to ignore or wait 2-3 years for them to learn the OLB position. Here is this year's name to remember from UCF--Torrel Troup, 3-4 NT, 6'3" 315lbs. Got double teamed all season. Athletic player.

ILB--Only two or three potential Round 1 picks. McClain from Alabama is the best but will go early. Brandon Spikes would be a perfect Farrior replacement but may have some attitude issues. Spikes also could be a very good 4-3 MLB.

OLB--haven't looked there yet, but not a need for this defense if we stay 3-4 and draft conversion project DEs.

Since we need help on defense I figure that means Colbert will throw a curve and go offensive skill position. At #18 some names to consider:

CJ Spiller, RB, Dynamic do everything player
Jermaine Gresham, TE who can block but has WR skillset

Everyone will want a OT but who does he replace? Starks? No he has long term contract. Colon? Maybe but that assumes we let 3 year starter walk for untested rookie. Not happening.

Tomlin or Colbert is not going to draft another RB. Why would they even consider giving BA more RB talent to waste next year in his pass happy between the 20's, score nothing in the redzone offense

[birtikidis]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I feel as though before we can even begin to speculate as to what we will do in the upcoming draft,....i think we should first figure out what we won't do.

Meaning, do you really think Tomlin would Draft any actual stud Corner, FS, LB or D-lineman in the first round when he is so absoloutely enamored (to the point of it almost being a "starcrossed lovers" thing) with his "ordinary as a bowl of grits" boys Timmons, Mundy, Gay, Lewis, Burnett and Hood ?

This guy (Tomlin) has proven to me by pissing into the wind with every Draft that he's had since he's been here,... that he's far more concerned with bringing in suspect players so that he can be worshiped if he can win with such mediocre talent, than actually trying to IMPROVE the team.

I loved what I saw of hood this year. He's gonna be a stud in the Ray Seals mold.
Timmons is 22 years old. and he's and he's only going to get better. especially after they move him into Farriors spot and put a true run stopping stud next to him.
you're really knocking 3 rookie players? wow.

[Shoe]

Re: 18th pick, I think

Very early to say obviously, but one name I like: Brian Price from UCLA (though I'm guessing he'll go higher than 1. I don't like taking a Safety very high--Safeties historically are not good value taken highly in the draft. Besides, I'm fine with Clark beside Polamalu.

I prefer line because it's the area that can *most* cover-up for other lacking areas.

The one name I hear that I don't like (in that regard) is Mt. Cody in the first round. My problem is he is a huge larda$s... and he isn't even making any money yet. (i.e. Imagine when he does start making money--lazy, etc. Price is a guy with a good head on his shoulders, and plays hard all the time.

[SteelCzar76]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I feel as though before we can even begin to speculate as to what we will do in the upcoming draft,....i think we should first figure out what we won't do.

Meaning, do you really think Tomlin would Draft any actual stud Corner, FS, LB or D-lineman in the first round when he is so absoloutely enamored (to the point of it almost being a "starcrossed lovers" thing) with his "ordinary as a bowl of grits" boys Timmons, Mundy, Gay, Lewis, Burnett and Hood ?

This guy (Tomlin) has proven to me by pissing into the wind with every Draft that he's had since he's been here,... that he's far more concerned with bringing in suspect players so that he can be worshiped if he can win with such mediocre talent, than actually trying to IMPROVE the team.

I loved what I saw of hood this year. He's gonna be a stud in the Ray Seals mold.
Timmons is 22 years old. and he's and he's only going to get better. especially after they move him into Farriors spot and put a true run stopping stud next to him.
you're really knocking 3 rookie players? wow.

Maybe we are watching two entirely different players Birt,... but Hood looks like the same player he was in college to me,....good motor but easily controlled at the line of scrimmage and in no form or fashion a 3-4 end with the strength and technique to consistently beat and or effectively absorb multiple blockers.

And nothing personal,... but can you or anyone else still continue to attempt to make excuses for Timmons this far into his pro career ? He was not worth a top 20 first round pick as an undersized, and very mediocre 4-3 pursuit backer coming out of a Florida State program that has been a shell of it's former glorious self for years. This cat is horrible against the run, not exceptional in coverage and not very consistent at all in terms of executing his assignments. (As i told many before Tomlin even forced him upon everyone at ILB) C'mon man

And as far as the other players that i mentioned,...did you watch any of these cats play in college ? None of them were even rated in the top ten players at their respective positions.

Call me crazy,....but i believe that more often than not, one "gets what they pay for". You cannot keep drafting Bush league talent players and expect to remain a winning franchise

[birtikidis]

Re: 18th pick, I think

I feel as though before we can even begin to speculate as to what we will do in the upcoming draft,....i think we should first figure out what we won't do.

Meaning, do you really think Tomlin would Draft any actual stud Corner, FS, LB or D-lineman in the first round when he is so absoloutely enamored (to the point of it almost being a "starcrossed lovers" thing) with his "ordinary as a bowl of grits" boys Timmons, Mundy, Gay, Lewis, Burnett and Hood ?

This guy (Tomlin) has proven to me by pissing into the wind with every Draft that he's had since he's been here,... that he's far more concerned with bringing in suspect players so that he can be worshiped if he can win with such mediocre talent, than actually trying to IMPROVE the team.

I loved what I saw of hood this year. He's gonna be a stud in the Ray Seals mold.
Timmons is 22 years old. and he's and he's only going to get better. especially after they move him into Farriors spot and put a true run stopping stud next to him.
you're really knocking 3 rookie players? wow.

Maybe we are watching two entirely different players Birt,... but Hood looks like the same player he did in college,....good motor but easily controlled at the line of scrimmage and in no form or fashion a 3-4 end with the strength and technique to consistently beat and or effectively absorb multiple blockers.

And nothing personal,... but can you or anyone else still continue to attempt to make excuses for Timmons this far into his pro career ? He was not worth a top 20 first round pick as an undersized very mediocre 4-3 pursuit backer coming out of a Florida State program that has been a shell of it's former glorious self for years. This cat is horrible against the run, not exceptional in coverage and not very consistent at all in terms of executing his assignments. (As i told many before Tomlin even forced him upon everyone at ILB) C'mon man

And as far as the other players that i mentioned,...did you watch any of these cats play in college ? None of them were even rated in the top ten players at their respective positions.

Call me crazy,....but i believe that more often than not, one "gets what they pay for". You cannot keep drafting Bush league talent players and expect to remain a winning franchise

so... since you can't draft a top 10 player at every position we should stop drafting after the 3rd round?
and you must have been watching a different Hood then me. He showed flashes of being a very good player. I'm not sure what you expect out of rookies but did you really expect hood to come in and be as good as smith right away?
did you bust on Troy after his first year as a full time starter? many times he was out of position and making mistakes.
i did see a bit of Burnett in college and can honestly say that he will never be a starter but he'll be a very good nickle guy. must better than townswend in that role. you didn't really expect to get a revis in the 3rd or 5th rounds did you? and where did we draft Mundy... should he be the next ed reed?
seriously man, get a damn grip.

[Shoe]

Re: 18th pick, I think

Maybe we are watching two entirely different players Birt,... but Hood looks like the same player he was in college to me,....good motor but easily controlled at the line of scrimmage and in no form or fashion a 3-4 end with the strength and technique to consistently beat and or effectively absorb multiple blockers.

And nothing personal,... but can you or anyone else still continue to attempt to make excuses for Timmons this far into his pro career ? He was not worth a top 20 first round pick as an undersized very mediocre 4-3 pursuit backer coming out of a Florida State program that has been a shell of it's former glorious self for years. This cat is horrible against the run, not exceptional in coverage and not very consistent at all in terms of executing his assignments. (As i told many before Tomlin even forced him upon everyone at ILB) C'mon man

And as far as the other players that i mentioned,...did you watch any of these cats play in college ? None of them were even rated in the top ten players at their respective positions.

Call me crazy,....but i believe that more often than not, one "gets what they pay for". You cannot keep drafting Bush league talent players and expect to remain a winning franchise

Sad as it is to say, I think you are right on both counts. I don't see Hood being "a beast"... though I can easily see him being a sort of Chris Hoke. (I know that's not what you want from a 1st rounder, but it's not terrible either.) But, put him next to a *potential* "beast" like Brian Price, and suddenly you have a formidable mix.

As for Timmons, I really think he is much better suited as an OLB where his straight-line burst can be better trained.

[aggiebones]

Re: 18th pick, I think

Steelczar you are way off base.
We get 1 1st rounder per year and lately its been a later pick. As was mentioned, do you expect a top 10 pick every year despite how we finish.
At his spot in the draft, Hood was a good pick.
As were most of the other players you mentioned. How many safeties drafted after Mundy are better, 1 or 2. How many drafted ahead of Mundy are already out of the league or headed that way.
Some guys will never start in the NFL but make solid backups for awhile. These are your 4-7th rounders. Not a whole lot of stars come from later rounds. Some yes, but not many.
Even good scouting misses some, but we haven't very often.
And stop blaming Tomlin for the last 2 drafts. Compared to all the coaches he had probably the weakest arm at the draft board his first 2 years. We have a deep scouting group and a knowledgeable owner and management group that are very involved. He gets a say, but not a strong or even final say.
Nothing wrong with Timmons pick. Maybe he's not the best player, but he's learning his position and will improve after 1st full season as starter.

[PSU_dropout43]

Re: 18th pick, I think

[youtube:cdz1rlfw]EDEyXfKr5gA[/youtube:cdz1rlfw]

[Chadman]

Re: 18th pick, I think

A couple of names that could be potential 1st or 2nd round picks for the Steelers-

DT Terrence Cody & DT Dan Williams

CB Donovan Warren, CB Ras-I Dowling, CB Trevard Lindley & as PSU showed- Perrish Cox

S- Taylor Mays, Earl Thomas, Darrell Stuckey, Major Wright

OT- Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams

RB CJ Spiller

OG Mike Iupati

There is plenty of options for the Steelers to get a quality player or two early this year.