FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

[phillyesq]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

I have to admit he would be very enticing should he be available at #18. I thought he had a pretty good game last night. I hear he is supposed to be a good ball hawking safety.

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If he performs well at the combine,...he (along with Berry and Haden) will be long gone by the time we get on the board at 18.

Not necessarily true. Safeties tend to get picked later that CBs. Berry is the top Safety so he will go in the top 10. IMO there is a real possibility that Thomas will be available at #18. Question is whether a safety is enough of a impact player to take at #18 because this draft is very, very deep at the Safety position. The CBs in this draft are more likely to be rated as Round 2-3 players expect for Haden (overated IMO) and Robinson from FSU who is a late Round 1 pick.

Much like the OL the last two years, fans want to knee jerk and pick DB because the secondaray was bad this year. History shows the Steelers won't draft that way and will take a more comprehensive, long term look at what they feel they need.

Since it is highly unlikely that Parker returns it would not shock me if they looked at a RB like CJ Spiller who can run, catch and return. Percy Harvin had a huge impact for the Vikings and they are very similar players and I think Spiller is more durable. The reality is in the NFL today you need at least 3 very good RBs. We have a very good Mendy, a capable Moore but nothing beyond that. Spiller would also mean you don't use a roster spot for Logan.

I like Thomas, but my bet right now is we take DL or LB with the wildcard being RB.

I don't want the Steelers to take a DB just for the sake of taking a DB. But if Thomas is as good as many seem to think that he is, a real coverage FS would be a great addition to the team.

In this draft, I think the Steelers first round pick should be the BPA at any of the following positions: NT, ILB, CB, FS, OL.

Somebody like CJ Spiller should be nice, but how are you going to get him touches? The offense already has 5 strong weapons, and distributing the ball to a 6th will be difficult. I understand that you need many backs to succeed in the NFL, but RB, especially a quicker, change of pace type pack, can be found later. Guys like Leon Washington, Tashard Choice, Bradshaw, etc. were all later picks. If Willie leaves, I have no problem with the Steelers adding a RB in the draft, but I think that doing so in the first round makes no sense at all.

[Jom112]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Somebody like CJ Spiller should be nice, but how are you going to get him touches? The offense already has 5 strong weapons, and distributing the ball to a 6th will be difficult. I understand that you need many backs to succeed in the NFL, but RB, especially a quicker, change of pace type pack, can be found later. Guys like Leon Washington, Tashard Choice, Bradshaw, etc. were all later picks. If Willie leaves, I have no problem with the Steelers adding a RB in the draft, but I think that doing so in the first round makes no sense at all.

I see what you're saying about finding a change of pace back later in the draft but I think CJ Spiller would be a good pick for any team in the league. Similar to how I liked Percy Harvin last year. I don't care what the needs are, players like Harvin and Spiller just know how to make an impact on the field.

They change field position and make things easier for everyone else on the team...

[Shawn]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Earl Thomas will certainly be on our board. But, all the discussion in the world will be moot if Mt Cody is still there. He is the clear pick if available.

[phillyesq]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Earl Thomas will certainly be on our board. But, all the discussion in the world will be moot if Mt Cody is still there. He is the clear pick if available.

It's still early in the process, but some of what I've been reading has been saying that Cody will likely be a second round pick because of his conditioning issues.

[Chadman]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Spiller will likely be one of those "If he's there, all bets are off" type guys.

He's simply too explosive to remove from the draft board, and it's not unheard of to have 2 first round RB's on the roster getting plenty of touches (Panthers for example).

Imagine how dangerous the Steelers would be with Mendenhall, Spiller, Ben, Ward, Holmes, Wallace & Miller on offense!

[Chadman]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Oh- forgot...add in his KR/PR ability, and the possibility of moving him out to WR on occasion...he'd get his touches...

[phillyesq]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Oh- forgot...add in his KR/PR ability, and the possibility of moving him out to WR on occasion...he'd get his touches...

He'd get his touches, but at whose expense? Do you want to take away touches from Mendy? Holmes, Ward or Wallace? Miller?

Spiller would be a nice luxury pick, but the Steelers have so many other needs, I'm not sure they can afford a luxury like that.

[Chadman]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Oh- forgot...add in his KR/PR ability, and the possibility of moving him out to WR on occasion...he'd get his touches...

He'd get his touches, but at whose expense? Do you want to take away touches from Mendy? Holmes, Ward or Wallace? Miller?

Spiller would be a nice luxury pick, but the Steelers have so many other needs, I'm not sure they can afford a luxury like that.

Why not just go with the hot hand at the time? You can't have TOO MANY options....it'd HAVE to work in the Steelers favour.

Agreed, the Steelers have several needs, but realistically, how many 1st round options have the ability to have an IMMEDIATE IMPACT the way Spiller does for 2011?

Re-signing Hampton goes a long way to fixing the Steelers 'Needs' list.

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

why not grab a joe mcknight, stephan johnson, noel divine, dex mccluster later on and focus on one of the teams weaknesses with the top picks

[Chadman]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

why not grab a joe mcknight, stephan johnson, noel divine, dex mccluster later on and focus on one of the teams weaknesses with the top picks

Ahh...the eternal question- to draft for need, or BPA?

[Shawn]

Re: FS Earl Thomas declaring for draft

Earl Thomas will certainly be on our board. But, all the discussion in the world will be moot if Mt Cody is still there. He is the clear pick if available.

It's still early in the process, but some of what I've been reading has been saying that Cody will likely be a second round pick because of his conditioning issues.

There is no way he falls to the second. To be perfectly honest...I don't think he will fall to the Steelers. If conditioning is really that big of an issue for Cody which I doubt...that's what a pro conditioning coach is for. There is no better replacement for for Hampton in the draft. The man is a beast...a rare physical specimen and he will consistantly command double teams at the pro level.

But, I'm with you...I'm not for picking a DB just for picking a DB. I would much rather beef up our Dline.

In my opinion...BPA in this order of importance...

1) NT
2) DB
3) DE
4) ILB
5) FS

those 5 are very close in our need...we will take BPA of those 5.

Was it O that spoke about RB? I got to agree that it's a real possibility. If the right guy falls...and the value is there...we have a need. This is a two back league and Parker is as good as gone. I like Moore but I prefer a 1a and a 1b instead of a 1a and a solid 3rd down back.