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Talking draft.

C

Coach

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The way I see it, our primary needs are OLB, CB, NT, and S.

With the 22nd pick, it is likely the best three edge rusher and best three DB's will be gone. I do not want to reach for a Jarvis Jones or Chad Scott type in round one. So what do we do? IMO, our run defense, once a hallmark of excellence has become soft. When the Steelers were advancing in the playoffs, we had great DT's or NT's. Men like Joe Greene, Joel Steed, or Casey Hampton. McClendon is adequate ( and a free agent soon ) but he's also part of a run defense that gave up 4.4 yards a carry. Only a a handful of teams were worse. To compound the problem, Shazier isn't a big guy and will likely have issues shedding blocks. But if you keep a player like Shazier clean from traffic, he can really shine.

A new man in the middle is needed. The good news is there is one with a projected mid to late first round grade. That man is Danny Shelton.

Shelton is a true two gap NT, who not only can occupy blockers, he can be disruptive! For a nose tackle he has rare production in terms of sacks and QB pressure. In addition he hustles a lot and has been reported as a bright young man. Don't get me wrong, I want OLB Gregory, or OLB Ray in round one. If mock drafts are close to accurate, both Ray and Gregory are top 12 picks.

http://www.seniorbowl.com/prospect-profiles-view.php?p=616

So perhaps we don't reach for OLB or CB in round one, and pick a player who can upgrade the run and pass D. Then pick BPA in rounds 2-4 on OLB, CB, and S.

Thoughts?
 
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I want a lockdown CB, if one exists...trade up if theres one that can be had......if not an option im not opposed to an OLB....we have to strike hot this time around on either position. Im not opposed to filling the CB role via Free agency though....
 
blitzburghv5 said:
I want a lockdown CB, if one exists...trade up if theres one that can be had......if not an option im not opposed to an OLB....we have to strike hot this time around on either position. Im not opposed to filling the CB role via Free agency though....
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This ^ the #1 thing this team needs is a cover corner who can lock down the side of the field without safety help. If they can get one watch our linebackers improve and get sacks if our secondary can cover for more than 2 seconds. With the upcoming schedule they're going to need secondary help.
 
We've had plenty of options in strong CB drafts the last couple years and Tombert hasn't pulled the trigger.

I sort of feel like Tombert philosophical does not want to invest that high a resource in the CB spot (just like some teams don't invest 1st rounders in WR's). I think because Tomlin comes from a system where CB's are predominately zone guys and are required to tackle, that criteria of prospects can be found later in the draft (which is why you see us always take 4th/5th round corners).

We'll see what happens but I suspect O-Line, D-Line, LB again. That's where Tombert likes to invest.
 
blitzburghv5 said:
I want a lockdown CB, if one exists...trade up if theres one that can be had......if not an option im not opposed to an OLB....we have to strike hot this time around on either position. Im not opposed to filling the CB role via Free agency though....
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No lock downs this year. I did like Fuller last season. This year, I do not see one as good as Fuller. Because CB is a huge need these days, players are drafted a few spots ahead of where they should be.

This year, Trae Waynes might be the best CB.He's got height and ball skills. Carter, Olomu and Johnson all have mid first to late 2nd round grades. Olomu was a hot prospect , but he suffered a bad knee injury an might only be 5'9" tall. His combine / campus workouts / medical check will be very important for his stock.
 
One thing is clear. The Steelers can't afford to play the penny stocks at cornerback. A 5th round pick isn't the solution. A top 1-3 pick is needed here.
 
Coach said:
No lock downs this year. I did like Fuller last season. This year, I do not see one as good as Fuller. Because CB is a huge need these days, players are drafted a few spots ahead of where they should be.

This year, Trae Waynes might be the best CB.He's got height and ball skills. Carter, Olomu and Johnson all have mid first to late 2nd round grades. Olomu was a hot prospect , but he suffered a bad knee injury an might only be 5'9" tall. His combine / campus workouts / medical check will be very important for his stock.
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Kevin Johnson of Wake Forest is this years Kyle Fuller, he'll be shooting up draft boards the closer we get to draft day
 
we need great players in a lot of position take the best available
 
We need to focus on the pass rush and corners with some size and cover skills. I don't see NT as a weakness because McLendon played well when healthy this year plus we have McCullers as a back-up. And the way the NFL is evolving - with 3 WR sets being so common - Casey Hampton in his prime would only be on the field for 40% of the snaps today anyway.
 
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I like the way Trae Waynes plays the ball. I'm tired of watching our DB's with their back to the ball.
 
21STEELERS21 said:
I like the way Trae Waynes plays the ball. I'm tired of watching our DB's with their back to the ball.
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I have seen some clips on Waynes. Waynes either has all time instincts, or is lucky that QB's throw the ball in the wrong spot. It could have been both! I have not seem him break on a ball out of positon and make a play. More like he's always close to the receiver and the ball comes his way. I do like his hands, and height. I want to see his recovery speed, and short area quickness.
 
A new man in the middle is needed. The good news is there is one with a projected mid to late first round grade. That man is Danny Shelton
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I like the line of thinking, but I think we'll be ok with the McPair. Perhaps next year we should go NT since we have more glaring needs. McCullers is developing and McLendon is fine (assuming he re-signs in 2016).
 
As small as Shazier is maybe they could move him to safety, he sure as hell seems to be too lite to play LB.
 
Steelerfan said:
I like the line of thinking, but I think we'll be ok with the McPair. Perhaps next year we should go NT since we have more glaring needs. McCullers is developing and McLendon is fine (assuming he re-signs in 2016).
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McCullers is tough to move, but he's very unaware, and has limited range. I hope he can be coached up to predict QB throwing lanes and get his 36" arms up swat passes. At his height, staying low, and avoiding cut blocks could be an issue.

I do like his value as a sub package player though.
 
Shazier isn't being moved to strong safety.

Not happening.
 
To clear a few things up:

Shazier is not going to SS or OLB. If Worlids will come back a reasonable price we will bring him back. We will run both 3-4 and 4-3, Shamarko will start next year, but Allen may be used to compete with him or provide depth. I have been reading chats and articles, so please consider this the plan by the FO. The FO also like Steve and McCullers, so no NT early in draft.


My draft idea as of now:
1. Dante Fowler-edge rusher
2. Jalen Collins-corner
3. Olomu-slot corner
4. Haeurmann-TE, Miller Clone
5. Langford-RB from MSU, was actually Bell's backup at MSU
 
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I want a legit pass rusher first, but if there isn't one and there is no CB and we don't move, I'd be happy with shelton.
 
I think we need more small and fast linebackers. Never get enough of those.
 
Superman said:
why not move him to Worilds' spot?
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As an edge defender?

That doesn't make sense. Shazier's weakness is taking guys on, shedding blocks, over-pursuing and getting too deep to the line of scrimmage. He can't edge defend. I just don't see that as part of his skill set. I mean you can put him there, sure, but he's not going to excel at it.

Shazier is best in space. Shazier is best gliding along the line uncovered and then attacking downhill with his acceleration (either in blitz, run support or vs. screens). He's capable in coverage but is still very young and is a bit stiff in zone right now and doesn't quite have the nuances of man-to-man yet (angles, correct shoulder coverage, understanding route concepts, and turning to spot the ball). The talent is there, but he's so raw.

You aren't uncovered when you are an edge defender. You ALWAYS take on someone mano-y-mano. And many times that's a tackle or in-line TE.

Shazier is best when he's 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and when some bigger guys clog up the middle and don't let interior O-lineman have a clean shot at him (where he can use his downhill speed to go past pulling or second level blockers).

I just don't see anything about his game that would indicated any type of position change. None. He's either a weak-side ILB or weak-side OLB (in the 4-3). That's it.
 
deljzc said:
As an edge defender?

That doesn't make sense. Shazier's weakness is taking guys on, shedding blocks, over-pursuing and getting too deep to the line of scrimmage. He can't edge defend. I just don't see that as part of his skill set. I mean you can put him there, sure, but he's not going to excel at it.

Shazier is best in space. Shazier is best gliding along the line uncovered and then attacking downhill with his acceleration (either in blitz, run support or vs. screens). He's capable in coverage but is still very young and is a bit stiff in zone right now and doesn't quite have the nuances of man-to-man yet (angles, correct shoulder coverage, understanding route concepts, and turning to spot the ball). The talent is there, but he's so raw.

You aren't uncovered when you are an edge defender. You ALWAYS take on someone mano-y-mano. And many times that's a tackle or in-line TE.

Shazier is best when he's 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and when some bigger guys clog up the middle and don't let interior O-lineman have a clean shot at him (where he can use his downhill speed to go past pulling or second level blockers).

I just don't see anything about his game that would indicated any type of position change. None. He's either a weak-side ILB or weak-side OLB (in the 4-3). That's it.
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This is how I see it too. One Caviet. I do think Shazier could be used on the old " fire inside linebacker blitzes " where players cross and force an interior OL to pick them up, OR the time delayed Blitzes due to his quickness and acceleration. James Farrior used to be good on these type of plays. I also think Shazier can be used a bit like a corner blitzer with good results on change up bllitzs on 3rd and long.

The Steelers do not have ANY speed rushers at all.
 
deljzc said:
As an edge defender?

That doesn't make sense. Shazier's weakness is taking guys on, shedding blocks, over-pursuing and getting too deep to the line of scrimmage. He can't edge defend. I just don't see that as part of his skill set. I mean you can put him there, sure, but he's not going to excel at it.

Shazier is best in space. Shazier is best gliding along the line uncovered and then attacking downhill with his acceleration (either in blitz, run support or vs. screens). He's capable in coverage but is still very young and is a bit stiff in zone right now and doesn't quite have the nuances of man-to-man yet (angles, correct shoulder coverage, understanding route concepts, and turning to spot the ball). The talent is there, but he's so raw.

You aren't uncovered when you are an edge defender. You ALWAYS take on someone mano-y-mano. And many times that's a tackle or in-line TE.

Shazier is best when he's 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and when some bigger guys clog up the middle and don't let interior O-lineman have a clean shot at him (where he can use his downhill speed to go past pulling or second level blockers).

I just don't see anything about his game that would indicated any type of position change. None. He's either a weak-side ILB or weak-side OLB (in the 4-3). That's it.
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actually, his weakness is staying on the field.
i was just wondering if his quickness would allow him to be an edge rusher.
 
Superman said:
actually, his weakness is staying on the field.
i was just wondering if his quickness would allow him to be an edge rusher.
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too light. He'll be ok next year when healthy as a coverage ILB in the 3-4, that will free up TImmons more to blitz and clog the lines
 
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