Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

[NW Steeler]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Great analysis Chadman. But just because they have so many OL on the roster doesn't mean that they couldn't significantly upgrade the talent there. There are a lot of ways they could go in this draft. What you pointed out about our draft picks on CB's last year and Casey's status is probably dead on. Your "mock" draft is pretty intriguing. A lot of people are down on Mays. But a lot of people are fine with Clark if Troy is playing next to him. No one could convince me that Mays would not be an upgrade over Clark, especially when paired with Troy. Drafting a Center in the second fills another need early. Nice work. But I wouldn't be surprised if they took OL with both their first two picks, depending on what they do in free agency.

[Chadman]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Great analysis Chadman. But just because they have so many OL on the roster doesn't mean that they couldn't significantly upgrade the talent there. There are a lot of ways they could go in this draft. What you pointed out about our draft picks on CB's last year and Casey's status is probably dead on. Your "mock" draft is pretty intriguing. A lot of people are down on Mays. But a lot of people are fine with Clark if Troy is playing next to him. No one could convince me that Mays would not be an upgrade over Clark, especially when paired with Troy. Drafting a Center in the second fills another need early. Nice work. But I wouldn't be surprised if they took OL with both their first two picks, depending on what they do in free agency.

They've committed a bunch of money on Starks to play LT, and Colon has 'graded out' the best of all the OL over the last two years, according to Larry Z & Arians. That's your 2 starting OT's there. And Essex backs them up. Just can't see the Steelers drafting another OT to back these guys up for not just the short term, but likely the long term too.

Kemo is on good money, and Urbik was drafted in Rd 3 last year, so again, unlikely they would look at OG early in the draft.

Outside of OC, the position the Steelers desperatly tried to fill in Rounds 1 & 2 last year, there doesn't seem to be many openings on the OL.

It's interesting that the Steelers have not made much fuss about losing Ryan Clark. This just seems to Chadman like they know which direction they are moving. Some people here will say that the Steelers won't 'tip their hat' in regards to their targets, but Chadman disagrees. We all knew Tomlin wanted Revis. We all knew Tomlin liked Timmons. We all knew the Steelers looked at Alex Mack, Eric Wood & Max Unger. We all knew the Steelers wanted a 'big WR' when they got Sweed. We all knew the Steelers wanted to get younger on the DL when we got Hood (although Ron Brace not being picked there still surprises Chadman). The only 'wild card' pick so far has been Mendenhall, who fell into the BPA role. It seems very likely the #1 pick will be a DB.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Great analysis Chadman. But just because they have so many OL on the roster doesn't mean that they couldn't significantly upgrade the talent there. There are a lot of ways they could go in this draft. What you pointed out about our draft picks on CB's last year and Casey's status is probably dead on. Your "mock" draft is pretty intriguing. A lot of people are down on Mays. But a lot of people are fine with Clark if Troy is playing next to him. No one could convince me that Mays would not be an upgrade over Clark, especially when paired with Troy. Drafting a Center in the second fills another need early. Nice work. But I wouldn't be surprised if they took OL with both their first two picks, depending on what they do in free agency.

Unless we sign a starting caliber CB or FS in free agency the Steelers should not go OL with their first two draft picks, there are just way too many other holes to fill. We already have 10 OL on our roster returning next year (Starks, Colon, Kemoeatu, Essex, Hartwig, Foster, Urbik, Legursky, Stapleton, Hills) whereas we have no depth whatsoever at the safety position and a huge hole at CB opposite Ike Taylor. Do we really want to see Gay, Burnett, Lewis, Trae Williams or God forbid Anthony Madison starting there next year? No one will argue that we could use an upgrade on the OL but we need to choose either a safety or a CB in the first 2 rounds next year. When Bruce Gradkowski looks good against your secondary you know there is a problem.

[Chadman]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Great analysis Chadman. But just because they have so many OL on the roster doesn't mean that they couldn't significantly upgrade the talent there. There are a lot of ways they could go in this draft. What you pointed out about our draft picks on CB's last year and Casey's status is probably dead on. Your "mock" draft is pretty intriguing. A lot of people are down on Mays. But a lot of people are fine with Clark if Troy is playing next to him. No one could convince me that Mays would not be an upgrade over Clark, especially when paired with Troy. Drafting a Center in the second fills another need early. Nice work. But I wouldn't be surprised if they took OL with both their first two picks, depending on what they do in free agency.

Unless we sign a starting caliber CB or FS in free agency the Steelers should not go OL with their first two draft picks, there are just way too many other holes to fill. We already have 10 OL on our roster returning next year (Starks, Colon, Kemoeatu, Essex, Hartwig, Foster, Urbik, Legursky, Stapleton, Hills) whereas we have no depth whatsoever at the safety position and a huge hole at CB opposite Ike Taylor. Do we really want to see Gay, Burnett, Lewis, Trae Williams or God forbid Anthony Madison starting there next year? No one will argue that we could use an upgrade on the OL but we need to choose either a safety or a CB in the first 2 rounds next year. When Bruce Gradkowski looks good against your secondary you know there is a problem.

While it is true that 10 OL will return next season, the likes of Legursky, Stapleton & Hills can hardly call themselves 'locks' to get out of Traiing Camp. And the Steelers desire to draft a young OC last season, and subsequent failure to do so, means that drafting an OC early this year is certainly not out of the question. Remember- who backs up Hartwig at this point?

At DB, it would seem 'unlikely' that the Steelers would give up on all the young CB's on the roster- Gay has 1 year of starting experience, Lewis & Burnett were rookies last year, Williams is promising (but no lock to make it out of Training Camp) & Madison is purely ST. Chances are they will draft a CB, but unless Haden falls to #18, or Robinson inspires a lot of confidence, look for rounds 3-4 for CB. Zero depth at Safety though, that means the Steelers will look EARLY at a safety, regardless of Clark leaving or staying.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

On the list of o-lineman we currently have, there appears to be more depth now than there has been in recent years, but we don't have a single guy who I think can challenge to be a Pro Bowl offensive lineman. If we feel Bulaga can be a Pro Bowl tackle, isn't that an upgrade? If we feel Iupati can be a Pro Bowl guard, isn't that an upgrade? If we feel Pouncey can be a Pro Bowl center, isn't that an upgrade? Don't discount the possibility of spending an early round pick on the o-line.

If Haden doesn't fall to #18 (I don't expect he will), then I don't think that there is another CB who is worthy of 18, but there appears to be a plethora of CB's with a second round grade (such as Donovan Warren, Brandon Ghee, Trevard Lindley, Patrick Robinson, Javier Arenas, Perrish Cox, Dominique Franks, and Kareem Jackson). With a history of Colbert taking CB's in the 2nd round (he did it in back-to-back seasons with Colclough and McFadden), there is a decent possibility that CB may be a round 2 target.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Regardless of depth, the right side of our OL and center could be replaced. And as Chadman stated, we have NO depth at center. But if the players they have targeted are gone at #18 and Bulaga is sitting there, I would be surprised if they didn't take him. But between CB, S, and ILB, there is bound to be one of their targets sitting there (assuming that they are targeting one of those positions, of course).

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Well, I wouldn't say that they have NO depth at center. Behind Hartwig, both Stapleton and Legursky can play center (which is the reason why T-Rex Shipley thought his chances were better in Philly than here). But if we can get a Maurkice Pouncey in round 2, I'd be up for that. He's primarily a center, but also has the position flexibility that Tomlin loves.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

We have many draft needs this year, more than i can usually remember us having.

We could use a CB, NT, FS, ILB, C, SS, RB, OT, TE and DE...hope we get some good comp picks and maybe trade down at least once to acquire some more.

Do you think there's any chance we may be a little more aggressive in free agency this year? Are there any good free agents out there that are "Steeler-type" signings that could potentially fill some of our needs?

[NW Steeler]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I think that this is one of those years that we need to sign a good starting-caliber player in free agency. Whether it is a FS, CB, LB, etc., I don't know. But we have had some good signings in the past like Farrior, Kimo, & Hartings. I don't know the list of FA players that fit the Steelers mold, but hopefully this is the year that we make a significant signing. That will open up more possibilities in the draft.

[papillon]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I hope Bradford and Claussen go that high in this draft. That will push 2 outstanding talents down the draft board and possibly leave a great selection for the Steelers. I just don't see Claussen or Bradford having value that high in the draft. Bradford missed all of last year with an injury, didn't he?

This is probably a good thread in which to ask this question. The following players may all be a vailable when the Steelers draft this year based on searching the internet for mock drafts:

Brandon Spikes - ILB
Terence Cody - NT
Dan Williams - NT
Earl Thomas - FS
Taylor Mays - SS

Who would you take if you were Kevin Colbert?

I'd take Earl Thomas, he's young, he has ball skills and he tackles. What say you?

Pappy

Spikes is being considered by some as a potentially dropping in the draft like Rey Malauga (sp?) did last year because of concerns over his speed. Not sure I'm ready to buy into that yet.

Still wouldn't touch Cody because of fitness issues.

Dan Williams may be a good pick but at #18 that is probably overdrafting him.

Thomas is solid, but do you really need to draft a safety at #18 in a draft that has the most depth at the Safety position in years. Will be able to get a solid pick in Rounds 2 and 3. Waiting may be the best value, especially when he is unlikely to see the field or contribute in his rookie year because of a defensive scheme that even the most remarkable rookie talents (Troy P) can't seem to understand.

Mays. Same same comments as for Thomas. Only advanatge that Mays has is ability to play Strong Safety that Thomas probably can't do. This may be value if you expect Troy's injury probelms to be recurring or we can keep him healthy and on the field more at FS. I think Mays may also slide more and more in the draft as the workouts and film work disects his play.

If I had to pick from your list I think It would be between Spikes and Thomas. Given needs and how Farrior wore down I would probably take Spikes.

However a better set to pick from in my mind and potnetially more contribution and therefore value as rookies would be from this list of three:

RB-CJ Spiller
OT-Bryan Balaga
TE-Jermane Gresham

Who would you take from that list??????????????? Our offense seems more primed to get a rookie on the field sooner and contributing. Won't that be best value?

With Mendenhall coming on this year and showing that he's got what it takes to be an NFL running back he isn't coming cheap when his contract expires. Drafting another first round running back will put them in a bind financially at that position. I don't see this happening.

Same with the TE, the Steelers just signed Miller and probably have exceeded their allotment for the TE position with his contract having two first rounders at that position will become a financial nightmare.

The only one fron your list that I would select would be the OT. We'll know soon enough if that is a consideration depending on what they do with Colon. Starks is signed long term, if they extend Colon they probably aren't going to draft an OT in round one.

I'd like to see an RB taken second day or even a TE if one they have rated falls their way. But, rounds 1 - 3 should be defense, the offense is going to take off next year, IMO.

Pappy

Following you same logic for RB and TE, didn't we just sign both Starks and Kemo to big contracts? Extend hartwig? Sign Essex? And likely will tag Colon. Just following your logic I have to think we are near the max allocation for the OL too.

Just look at the impact that Percy Harvin and Shonn Green have had on the Vikings and Jets respectively. Rookie RBs with speed can win games for you. Just don't think we can ignore that position because while Mendy is good we do not have any real depth behind him. Moore is limited. Parker will be gone. Summers is a big question mark. Redman is just a pre season illusion.

IMO if we don't get a quality #2 back in the draft or FA then we won't have to worry about discussions about whether we throw too much because we won't have a choice if Mendy gets hurt. You need at least three qualoity backs in the NFL these days. Look at the Ravens with Rice, McGahee and McClain. That is what we need accordining to a vocal portion of this board but yet we don't want to take the biggest game changing RB available in this draft if he is available. Doesn't make sense to me.

Starks is the only linemen breaking the bank. I believe Kemo's contract is average or a bit above average. I'm pretty sure that Hartwig's contrasct could be absorbed with little or no ramifications. That being said, unless, an absolute "can't miss" tackle falls to the Steelers I wouldn't draft an offensive player in the first two rounds. Ben got what he wanted over the past few years, he'll have to make do with Holmes, Mendenhall, Wallace Miller and Ward. I think he'll manage.

I did see the what Harvin did for the Vikes he was only slightly better than Wallace. Mendenhall is easily as good as Shonn Greene, so, I think the Steelers got the impact players on offense they were looking for.

McClain wasn't a first round back and neither is Ray Rice. McGahee may have been back in the day, I',m not sure.

defense, defense, defense and more defense this draft in the early rounds.

Pappy

[Shawn]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I agree Pappy...we must draft BPA but on the D side of the ball and it doesn't need to be an OLB...anything else I'm ok with.

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

pap

[

max got "big" money. kemo is about average for starting OGs, and hartwig's contract is very easily swallowed up if he's cut.

as some others have said, there isn't really a big need for a 2nd TE. dallas tried that approach with taking a TE pretty high with already a good one on the roster(witten) and wound up changing 2nd round pick into a 4th rounder when they dealt him to miami (fasano). they've tried it again with bennent... again, does anyone notice him on the dallas offense?

sure we could use a lil upgrade at the 2nd TE spot, but its probably not even in the top 10 of the priority list. good 2nd TEs could be had later in the draft.

same goes for the RB position. none of those backs you listed in balt were chosen in 1st round. mcgahee was at one point but was traded for much less then that.
as we've seen, there are plenty of productive backs taken later in the draft. i dont think anyone would be against taking one in rounds 3-5 if willie doesn't come back

[papillon]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

[quote=NJ-STEELER] pap

[

max got "big" money. kemo is about average for starting OGs, and hartwig's contract is very easily swallowed up if he's cut.

as some others have said, there isn't really a big need for a 2nd TE. dallas tried that approach with taking a TE pretty high with already a good one on the roster(witten) and wound up changing 2nd round pick into a 4th rounder when they dealt him to miami (fasano). they've tried it again with bennent... again, does anyone notice him on the dallas offense?

sure we could use a lil upgrade at the 2nd TE spot, but its probably not even in the top 10 of the priority list. good 2nd TEs could be had later in the draft.

same goes for the RB position. none of those backs you listed in balt were chosen in 1st round. mcgahee was at one point but was traded for much less then that.
as we've seen, there are plenty of productive backs taken later in the draft. i dont think anyone would be against taking one in rounds 3-5 if willie doesn't come back

[/quote:2aldfq1k]

Sorry NJ, I didn't see your post when I logged in and was poking around. Lets just say that "great minds" think alike.

Pappy

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

[ikestops85]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I have to go along with Pap and NJ (although nobody has ever confused me with having a great mind ). Our early picks should be on the D side of the ball -- anything other than OLB. Maybe if a stud O-lineman drops in the first we can consider but definitely NO skill player on the offense.

We have more than enough weapons on offense and we do a lousy job of utilizing them as it is. The last thing we need is another that we don't use.

Two years ago Moore was a machine at converting 3rd downs and this year we hardly looked at him. We have a punt and KO returner whom our own defensive players say is nearly impossible to bring down in space but do we get him the ball other than returns? Uh, NO!! We have a TE who as a rookie catch 3 TDs in his first 3 games but do we target him in the red zone? Again, a resounding NO!!

Maybe when Arians and Ben figure out how to use the weapons we already have can we consider getting another one. Until that time I think our glaring need is lack of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. That should be the focus for this draft.