This Could be a Tough Draft for Steelers

[slashsteel]

I’d rather take the shot on the high ceiling player than the sure thing "good" player.

That sure thing good player could upgrade a position and be enough. that high ceiling high bust player, bombs out and it would leave you looking again in a few years.

Both of our approaches is our opinion. But I think history has shown Steelers to be more conservative.


And being so close to a SB and one Bostic injury of going with a not ready for prime time player?

At this time I'd still prefer a steady Eddie ready to play.

 

[Tibs]

The problem with trading oit of the first is you lose the fifth year option. You have to sign him long term by year three or you are looking at franchise tags.

Colbert was asked about that at his presser the other day. He said it doesn't even cross his mind.

 

[Tibs]

The thing that concerns me with Vander Esch is I've read on several sites he's a terrible blitzer. That he's good at sorting through plays that are in front of him, that he makes good reads and is solid in that regard. But when the job is to pin your ears back & rush the passer, he looks lost out there. Anyone else see this or agree with it? Is this something the coaches can fix? Is that something you want to see in a 1st round pick?

 

[slashsteel]

The thing that concerns me with Vander Esch is I've read on several sites he's a terrible blitzer. That he's good at sorting through plays that are in front of him, that he makes good reads and is solid in that regard. But when the job is to pin your ears back & rush the passer, he looks lost out there. Anyone else see this or agree with it? Is this something the coaches can fix? Is that something you want to see in a 1st round pick?

I saw that on game tape. He was always a step slow from what I saw getting there. To me that doesn't scream burst...

Like I said that prospect has many concerns.

And if the Steelers picked him I would root for him to hit that ceiling.


I would be really surprised to see it come to pass.

 

[Hines57]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think if "the" player we really want isn't there, we should go Derrius Guice here.......

We can plug a RB in next year after Bell walks. We run Bell's wheels off this year when he finally signs his tag.

If we're going to speculatively draft someone who isn't going to play then I go best QB available.

I think we have needs at DT (Hargrave isn't our answer there), ILB and OLB (Dupree should be a walk FA after his 5th year), DB, S, TE and G (Foster is in his last year). We can get a really good guard at that spot. It will NOT be a popular pick though.

 

[SteveA]

We can plug a RB in next year after Bell walks.

This is such a flawed thinking in today's NFL & why Bell is adament about changing that perception. A great RB takes your running game to another level...

I have said we should pay Bell....But even I am getting tired of this...We draft "The Guice" & we can move on & I will sign off on it....

 

[Spike]

**** defense, go offense

1st pick,
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

 

[antdrewjosh]

Barkley is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson because he's nothing like Adrian Peterson. In this incarnation of the NFL, it would be foolish to take any running back high who doesn't excel on passing downs. The position is changing, and the increased emphasis on spread principles should only make the rare do-it-all running backs worth more than before. It is such an advantage for the Cowboys, Steelers, Rams and Cardinals to have running backs who can stay on the field all three downs, pass protect, run between the tackles and, most importantly, run routes like a wide receiver.

That flexibility opens up options for offenses to change tempo and dictate matchups at will. Barkley's vision and smooth style is reminiscent of LaDainian Tomlinson, with an extra 20 pounds of muscle added to the mix. Guys like Barkley, Le'Veon Bell, Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott -- with their insane blend of size, speed and versatility -- were such rarities in the past, and it's fair to update how we view the position's value because the players and their roles are changing. There's no reason why a unicorn running back -- who doubles as a No. 3 receiver -- can't provide just as much value as a pass rusher or shutdown cornerback. Maybe even more.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-value-among-top-questions-ahead-of-nfl-draft

 

[Smash]

**** defense, go offense

1st pick,
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Or Hayden Hurst, TE

 

[ianv2012]

I was already having a gut feeling about it, but this only solidifies my feeling that by the time pick 28 rolls around, Mason Rudolph will be the BPA on their board and he's the pick. I'm honestly fine with it, IMHO

 

[Hines57]

This is such a flawed thinking in today's NFL & why Bell is adament about changing that perception. A great RB takes your running game to another level...

I have said we should pay Bell....But even I am getting tired of this...We draft "The Guice" & we can move on & I will sign off on it....

Its not about just moving on. We need compensation for letting Bell walk. I believe we are due none if we rescind the tag as we have it now. We need to get him to sign his tag, which he will after pre-season and before Week 1 and then next year let him walk. Our running game isn't at another level with Bell. Bell is at another level because he does everything you could ask him to do. He blocks extremely well, he runs above average but not great, he is an exceptional receiver. If we plugged in another RB we may have a better running game but lose the receiver out of the backfield or the safety chip block to save Ben from a late hit. Conner isn't going to be that guy receiving. He may improve his blocking but this line of thinking is exactly why RBs don't get big time WR money. The Broncos used to plug in any RB into their zone blocking scheme and that guy would always do well. If you can open holes and an RB has decent vision they are going to get yards.

We will get a Bell replacement next year. Let him play out this last year and probably our best shot at a ring with Ben still on the team and then move on so we can get a compensatory pick in the 2020 draft. Run his ******* wheels off like he did to Parker.

 

[bermudasteel]

I’d rather take the shot on the high ceiling player than the sure thing "good" player.

That sure thing good player could upgrade a position and be enough. that high ceiling high bust player, bombs out and it would leave you looking again in a few years.

Both of our approaches is our opinion. But I think history has shown Steelers to be more conservative.


And being so close to a SB and one Bostic injury of going with a not ready for prime time player?

At this time I'd still prefer a steady Eddie ready to play.

Tape hates BAMA...

Evans is the better player and everyone that watches football can see that on tape. If LVE ceiling was so high - why was he playing for Mary's School for the Blind instead of Bama, Penn St., Ohio, Clemson, etc...???

 

[Coach]

I

Here’s how i would rate the Steelers scenarios best case to worst.

1 Vander Esch at 28 - best mix of value and need. If medicals check out, could be a difference maker.

2 Sam Hubbard at 28 - best pass rusher that could possibly be available at 28

3 TE - Gesicki or Goedert at 28 - either could be best player available and have immediate impact on offense

4 Trade up for Vender Esch - if they feel he won’t make it to 28, a trade up for him is not bad so long as the price is not too high. It’s a big need and his athletic numbers mean star potential.

5 Trade back into round 2 where Evans or a Safety or QB would be better value and add extra picks.

6 Rudolph or Jackson at 28 - if the steelers are sold on one of them, it’s not the worst pick in the world to have one of them sit and learn for a few years

7 Rashaan Evans at 28 - he’ll be a good player but i doubt he’ll be a star. Feels like settling

8 Safety Ronnie Harrison at 28 - don’t like the value. I’d rather other safeties later.

9 RB at 28- Guice is the name thrown around. I’m not a fan. He’s just a guy to me. He can be productive but he’s not special. If they spend a 1st on a RB, he better be special. I’d much rather Rashad Penny. I have him as my #2 RB in this draft. I’d even prefer the value of a guy like Jackson on Northwestern in rd 4 or so.

so there’s my concerns on the first round pick. The steelers could easily see themselves in a bad situation. Because they turn in their card aboyt 10 seconds after they are on the clock, i’m not holding my breath for a trade.

Without a trade, they may have to settle at a position of need or take a wildcard like Gesicki or Mason Rudolph.

I would add the following players

1 ) DT/NT Payne. Light weight nose tackles don't sit well with me, Hargrave is too easily moved.

2 ) RB Sony Michel. A home run hitter and about 13 million a year cheaper than that guy who won't sign the tag amount as of 4-25-18

3 ) Reid. Size, speed, and a ball hawk. I think he'll be a good one.

If not Vander Esch, these three will do.



I would take Hubbard and Jackson off the board for round one!

 

[TDX27]

Gesicki in Rd. 1 and we win it all this year.

 

[oicu8ad]

**** defense, go offense

1st pick,
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Our defense already got ****** by Jacksonville (twice). They ****** us right out of the playoffs.
We need to fix the defense NOW. Time is running out with Ben at the helm. We are in now or never land.

 

[oicu8ad]

I was already having a gut feeling about it, but this only solidifies my feeling that by the time pick 28 rolls around, Mason Rudolph will be the BPA on their board and he's the pick. I'm honestly fine with it, IMHO

Then let's hope he's gone.

 

[Hines57]

Our defense already got ****** by Jacksonville (twice). They ****** us right out of the playoffs.
We need to fix the defense NOW. Time is running out with Ben at the helm. We are in now or never land.

That starts at DT and LOLB (Dupree) if you want to fix the weak links. They gutted us with runs to the right....right at Dupree who over ran too many plays. DT can't clog up the lanes in the middle and leaves us exposed.

 

[AggieSteel]

If we can land Sony Michel and Mike Gesicki in this draft, I will be ECSTATIC

 

[Coach]

If we can land Sony Michel and Mike Gesicki in this draft, I will be ECSTATIC

Both would have to be first round picks by the Steelers.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Tape hates BAMA...

Evans is the better player and everyone that watches football can see that on tape. If LVE ceiling was so high - why was he playing for Mary's School for the Blind instead of Bama, Penn St., Ohio, Clemson, etc...???

Same reason why JJ Watt started at Central Michigan or Big Ben went to Miami OH. Some guys are late bloomers.

Evans is better than LVE today, but if we are only worried about today then why draft at all? Just sign free agents.

As i mentioned earlier, it's like Shazier vs Hightower. Hightower was better as a rookie because Shazier had a lot to learn, but now Hightower can't eat the peanuts out of Shazier's ****.

You also have to consider when watching film of botyh guys, that Evans gets to play behind a DL that keeps him mostly clean to just pursue and make plays. Plays that he misses quite a bit in open field.

LVE played on a ****** defense where he was the main target of any blocker. Evans is not an offense's main concern.

But hey, Evans went to Bama and we know that every single Bama player is great. The steelers must be in on my Bama conspiracy because it's been a very long time sice they drafted somebody from Bama. Deshea Townsend may have been the last.

Or maybe it's because Saban likes BIG defenders to bully college offenses and they aren't always the fastest or most athletic and the Steelers prefer players that are athletic over guys that are just big. And just maybe, when i look at college players through the lens of the steelers, I too look for the more athletic guys that fit what the steelers are trying to do.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Besides, i'd be OK with drafting Mincah Fitzapatrick in the 1st.....unless Derwin James was still on the board

 

[Steeltime]

The draft is not about the first round!

The first round is overhyped and overrated.

Big Ben, Ryan Shazier, David Decastro, Watt, Heyward, Pouncey, etc. First round matters - a lot.

 

[Steeltime]

sometimes you have to take some risks in the draft. Would you have passed on Khalil Mack a few years ago?

Evans would be an upgrade to Vince Williams, but i’m not looking for a thumper. I can sign a guy in free agency to do that. If i’m spending a 1st on a LB, he better be a great athlete with potential to be a game changer. I think LVE does have that potential.

Alabama blitzed Evans a lot and that is telling. They know he’s a box player. He needs to be moving forward, not side to side. I was actually thinking he could be a decent 3-4 OLB prospect but then i saw his arm length is only 32 and short arms is a huge disadvantage to a pass rusher. He can be a good blitzer and beat blocking RBs but i doubt he could consistently beat OTs.

Dupree has struggled getting off blocks, but his athleticism alone has made him an OK starter as opposed to Jarvis who lacked the athleticism to be a starter.

When you miss on a great athlete, you can usually still get something from them.

LVE may have to be a project. He only started 1 year. He’s raw. I’d rather take the shot on the high ceiling player than the sure thing "good" player.

i think signing Bostic also gives the steelers the time to let LVE develop.

If Shazier was healthy, i might prefer Evans because he would fit perfectly with Shazier. But to try to replace Shazier, i don’t think Evans can do it and LVE possibly could.


If you look at the steelers draft philosophy, they tend to draft the higher ceiling project guy over the sure thing immediate impact guy.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to tapeANaspirin2it again."

Solid analysis, tape, and exactly how I feel about Evans. Vince Williams deluxe. That's it.

 

[Tibs]

First off, nice post tape.

1 Vander Esch at 28 - best mix of value and need. If medicals check out, could be a difference maker.

I've read from several sources the Steelers don't have injury concerns with Vander Esch. But I still can't shake the notion that somewhere in the back of their minds his neck issue may continue to linger. I just can't see how they're not a little bit spooked after what happened to Shazier.

When I read this from someone like Mike Mayock, I too have my doubts:

“Leighton Vander Esch, one of my favorite players in this draft, has a cervical issue,” Mayock said. “I know a lot of teams have him off the board. Some have discounted him, and some say he’s ok. I hope he goes in the first-round because I think he’s a heck of a football player. More importantly, I hope he stays healthy.”

Given the amount of contact an ILB undertakes play after play....I'd have sweaty palms turning in a first round draft card with his name on it.

So that tells me if we draft this kid, the Steelers must have bent over backwards making sure the doctors gave LVE a glowing medical report. I just can't see Colbert and Rooney gambling on a first round pick with possible cervical issues.

I like the kid and think he has plenty of athleticism and physical talent and wish him well. I'll be holding my breath if he's still on the board. Makes me friggin' nervous. Not sure that's how we should be feeling about a player who seems destined to be our pick.

 

[slashsteel]

* medical concerns - whatever the medical reports say he doesn't wear the neck brace for show and tell
* non power 5 school
* bad blitzer
* one year wonder with production
* has some issues getting off blocks


As I sit here scratching my head, I just wonder if the Steelers were just smoke screening with this one. Hoping he would be picked over Evans. Today will be a interesting watch.