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A possible Steelers draft board.
- Thread starter Coach
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Guy’s I like from the link
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska - 6'6", 240 lbs. He'll be long gone before the Steelers get to pick, but if he's there the Steelers rep will look like Secretariat as he gallops forward to deliver the note. Gregory may well be the #1 overall player on the Steelers Board. If you feel like torturing yourself with dreams that can never come true, this scouting report is a good place to start. This is a neat video conversation between Randy Gregory and Shawn Merriman.
>>>Would offer our 2nd and 4th round pick to get him via trade up to pick him in round one.
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri - 6'3", 245 lbs. A ridiculous athlete with everything you could ask for in a Steelers OLB. Back in the good old days when no one else played a 3-4 the Steelers could have fantasized about a player like Ray falling far enough to grab, but not any more. Sigh, alas, boo-hoo, and all of that. At least it's better than having a record bad enough to earn a legitimate shot at a player with this much potential. At least one opposing SEC coachcompares Shane Ray's prospects to Terrell Suggs with more explosive talent than recent Missouri starts like Kony Ely, Michael Sam, and Markus Golden.
>>would offer our 3rd round pick to trade up and get him in round one
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State - 6'1", 183 lbs. A player who flat-out fits the mold in every way, with one tiny exception: He grades out as a "merely fantastic" athlete rather than someone who makes "OMG did you see that?"plays. Killing the combine would move him into top-10 consideration. As-is, in this CB class, he's not going to make it out of the 20's. You can find Neal Coolong's BTSC scouting report here. Make sure to read the Comments too for added depth.
>> I like him in round one IF the best pass rusher are gone. Need to check his speed and agility.
Danny Shelton, NT, Washington - 6'2", 332 lbs. A pure Nose Tackle, and a good one. Aside from everything else, Shelton is athletic enough to create real pressure up the middle on passing downs and thus might be that elusive 3-down plug for the middle of the field. If so, the Steelers will give him a long, hard look. McLendon's contract expires after the 2015 season and Big Dan McCullers has shown enough to foreshadow a long term contributor, but not necessarily a starter. The biggest issues on Shelton seem to be clubhouse things. If the reports really do show a "selfish" attitude, he won't be a Steeler. OTOH, can it really be a coincidence that Washington's two biggest defensive starts, Shelton and Marcus Peters, both had ongoing run-ins with the coaching staff that replaced the guys who recruited them?
>>I like him a lot if the best pass rushers are gone! A 3 down NT.
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest - 6'0", 175 lbs. Often mocked to the Steelers, Kevin Johnson has several years of solid tape showing everything but the heft that teams are looking for in a 1st-Round pick (tall enough but very thin). Reports laud the overall length, nimble feet and hips that let him cover shiftier guys, and his willingness to make tackles. Add in the lack of any drama in his background. All that makes for a player with a very high floor. If the workouts show someone with an equally high ceiling, Kevin Johnson could indeed be an early Steelers pick. Thisadoring November review comes from the normally reliable Rob Rang at CBS, but should be balanced by thismore critical scouting report from the NFL site. This scouting report from a Bills site is less authoritative but just as nice because it includes some footage clips and discussion.
>> Could be our pick in round one
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon - 5'9", 195 lbs. Remember Jason Verrett last year? That's IEO this year. "If he was 4" taller and 20 lbs. heavier, he'd be a candidate for the top-10." Speed, quicks, hands, head ... he's got it all except height. Translating to draftese, IEO is a ‘safe' pick because he has such a high floor that it's hard to see him being less than a really good slot corner. But how high in the 1st does that get you when a true #1 has to cover the Calvin Johnsons of the world as well as the Antonio Browns? Ekpre-Olomu started the process with a 1st-round grade. The current ranking reflects a downgrade for what is being described as a "serious knee injury" that occurred on December 17 and kept him out of the college playoffs. NOTE: Last year projected 1st round corner Aaron Colvin fell to the 4th because of an ACL tear. If IEO has suffered a similar injury, a similar drop could be in the cards.
Had a low first round grade in my book, but got hurt. An ideal pick for round two?
Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah - 6'4", 255 lbs. Had a breakout 2014 that will make him a serious candidate for someone's 2nd-round pick. And it might just be the Steelers, if they believe he can carry his pass rush on to the next level while learning to drop back in coverage. Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network did this excellent and well-balanced scouting report after Orchard's fine Bowl game against fellow edge-of-the-1st prospect Ty Sambrailo. Thisscouting report boasts some gifs in support of its conclusion that Orchard shouldn't be picked until Day 3. Thisbrief scouting report is less useful for analysis, but makes the point that Orchard has been capable of taking over games on his own. This excellent scouting report is about Hauoli Kikaha but could have been written about Orchard since their styles are so similar. This article provides good background going back to High School, as does this pre-season 2014 scouting report and interview from CBS.
>>Love this guy. Enough for round one!
Za'Darius Smith, OLB, Kentucky - 6'5", 264 lbs. A young man who's been tagged with that awful kind of "damnation through faint praise" description... at least until he flat out dominated the line at the East West Shrine Game. The truth is that he has a lot of potential but is still very, very raw. IMHO that makes him one of the best developmental prospects out there. Just don't expect anything in the first year or two, since the Pittsburgh OLB position is one that's notoriously hard to learn, let alone to master.
>>>looked good at east –west game. More of a 4-3 end type though
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon - 6'6", 300 lbs. Fisher was pressed into service when the designated starter (Tyler Johnstone) tore an ACL in August, and performed well beyond any expectations despite having the difficult job of protecting a Heisman-candidate QB (Marcus Mariota) that opposing defenses targeted for destruction on every play. More than that, when Fisher himself was injured during the season, it really showed - so it was his play that made the difference even more than Mariota's mobility. He won't measure as well at the Combine as some might wish, but that's the only reason he might be available at a round the Steelers can afford to spend on their offensive line
>>> Could be a starting LT. Worth try in round two or three
Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State - 6'1", 202 lbs. A solid, well-rounded player who has contributed for several years to an elite college defense. He's a Day 2 guy because he lacks elite speed and needs to add some bulk in order to thump at the level required for a Steelers Safety. This is a nice October 1st scouting report and interview from Dane Brugler of CBS Sports.
>>> A steal in round three. I like him a lot
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska - 6'6", 240 lbs. He'll be long gone before the Steelers get to pick, but if he's there the Steelers rep will look like Secretariat as he gallops forward to deliver the note. Gregory may well be the #1 overall player on the Steelers Board. If you feel like torturing yourself with dreams that can never come true, this scouting report is a good place to start. This is a neat video conversation between Randy Gregory and Shawn Merriman.
>>>Would offer our 2nd and 4th round pick to get him via trade up to pick him in round one.
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri - 6'3", 245 lbs. A ridiculous athlete with everything you could ask for in a Steelers OLB. Back in the good old days when no one else played a 3-4 the Steelers could have fantasized about a player like Ray falling far enough to grab, but not any more. Sigh, alas, boo-hoo, and all of that. At least it's better than having a record bad enough to earn a legitimate shot at a player with this much potential. At least one opposing SEC coachcompares Shane Ray's prospects to Terrell Suggs with more explosive talent than recent Missouri starts like Kony Ely, Michael Sam, and Markus Golden.
>>would offer our 3rd round pick to trade up and get him in round one
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State - 6'1", 183 lbs. A player who flat-out fits the mold in every way, with one tiny exception: He grades out as a "merely fantastic" athlete rather than someone who makes "OMG did you see that?"plays. Killing the combine would move him into top-10 consideration. As-is, in this CB class, he's not going to make it out of the 20's. You can find Neal Coolong's BTSC scouting report here. Make sure to read the Comments too for added depth.
>> I like him in round one IF the best pass rusher are gone. Need to check his speed and agility.
Danny Shelton, NT, Washington - 6'2", 332 lbs. A pure Nose Tackle, and a good one. Aside from everything else, Shelton is athletic enough to create real pressure up the middle on passing downs and thus might be that elusive 3-down plug for the middle of the field. If so, the Steelers will give him a long, hard look. McLendon's contract expires after the 2015 season and Big Dan McCullers has shown enough to foreshadow a long term contributor, but not necessarily a starter. The biggest issues on Shelton seem to be clubhouse things. If the reports really do show a "selfish" attitude, he won't be a Steeler. OTOH, can it really be a coincidence that Washington's two biggest defensive starts, Shelton and Marcus Peters, both had ongoing run-ins with the coaching staff that replaced the guys who recruited them?
>>I like him a lot if the best pass rushers are gone! A 3 down NT.
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest - 6'0", 175 lbs. Often mocked to the Steelers, Kevin Johnson has several years of solid tape showing everything but the heft that teams are looking for in a 1st-Round pick (tall enough but very thin). Reports laud the overall length, nimble feet and hips that let him cover shiftier guys, and his willingness to make tackles. Add in the lack of any drama in his background. All that makes for a player with a very high floor. If the workouts show someone with an equally high ceiling, Kevin Johnson could indeed be an early Steelers pick. Thisadoring November review comes from the normally reliable Rob Rang at CBS, but should be balanced by thismore critical scouting report from the NFL site. This scouting report from a Bills site is less authoritative but just as nice because it includes some footage clips and discussion.
>> Could be our pick in round one
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon - 5'9", 195 lbs. Remember Jason Verrett last year? That's IEO this year. "If he was 4" taller and 20 lbs. heavier, he'd be a candidate for the top-10." Speed, quicks, hands, head ... he's got it all except height. Translating to draftese, IEO is a ‘safe' pick because he has such a high floor that it's hard to see him being less than a really good slot corner. But how high in the 1st does that get you when a true #1 has to cover the Calvin Johnsons of the world as well as the Antonio Browns? Ekpre-Olomu started the process with a 1st-round grade. The current ranking reflects a downgrade for what is being described as a "serious knee injury" that occurred on December 17 and kept him out of the college playoffs. NOTE: Last year projected 1st round corner Aaron Colvin fell to the 4th because of an ACL tear. If IEO has suffered a similar injury, a similar drop could be in the cards.
Had a low first round grade in my book, but got hurt. An ideal pick for round two?
Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah - 6'4", 255 lbs. Had a breakout 2014 that will make him a serious candidate for someone's 2nd-round pick. And it might just be the Steelers, if they believe he can carry his pass rush on to the next level while learning to drop back in coverage. Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network did this excellent and well-balanced scouting report after Orchard's fine Bowl game against fellow edge-of-the-1st prospect Ty Sambrailo. Thisscouting report boasts some gifs in support of its conclusion that Orchard shouldn't be picked until Day 3. Thisbrief scouting report is less useful for analysis, but makes the point that Orchard has been capable of taking over games on his own. This excellent scouting report is about Hauoli Kikaha but could have been written about Orchard since their styles are so similar. This article provides good background going back to High School, as does this pre-season 2014 scouting report and interview from CBS.
>>Love this guy. Enough for round one!
Za'Darius Smith, OLB, Kentucky - 6'5", 264 lbs. A young man who's been tagged with that awful kind of "damnation through faint praise" description... at least until he flat out dominated the line at the East West Shrine Game. The truth is that he has a lot of potential but is still very, very raw. IMHO that makes him one of the best developmental prospects out there. Just don't expect anything in the first year or two, since the Pittsburgh OLB position is one that's notoriously hard to learn, let alone to master.
>>>looked good at east –west game. More of a 4-3 end type though
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon - 6'6", 300 lbs. Fisher was pressed into service when the designated starter (Tyler Johnstone) tore an ACL in August, and performed well beyond any expectations despite having the difficult job of protecting a Heisman-candidate QB (Marcus Mariota) that opposing defenses targeted for destruction on every play. More than that, when Fisher himself was injured during the season, it really showed - so it was his play that made the difference even more than Mariota's mobility. He won't measure as well at the Combine as some might wish, but that's the only reason he might be available at a round the Steelers can afford to spend on their offensive line
>>> Could be a starting LT. Worth try in round two or three
Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State - 6'1", 202 lbs. A solid, well-rounded player who has contributed for several years to an elite college defense. He's a Day 2 guy because he lacks elite speed and needs to add some bulk in order to thump at the level required for a Steelers Safety. This is a nice October 1st scouting report and interview from Dane Brugler of CBS Sports.
>>> A steal in round three. I like him a lot
This will be a telling draft. We all know the secondary needs attention more than anything and yet we have questions at OLB with our pass rush blowing last year. Does the FO go best available or pick for need? They've been going best available almost every year. Don't think we can have a Dewayne & Chad secondary with our high flying offense next year.
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I wouldn't give much thought to trading until I see these guy's at the combine. More than a few may move themselves.
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Randy Gregory is a great athlete that will probably be a 3-4 OLB. Even though he is a bit tall at 6'6 for an OLB. He's a bit light to play DE in a 4-3. My only worries with him is his motor. He played great against some teams like Miami but not great against USC. At times he doesn't chase while other time it's like his hair is on fire. He can play extremely fast at times and others you wonder where he went.
Shane Ray is a perfect fit for a 3-4 OLB. He played DE in college but has the right height, weight and athletic ability to move to LB in a 3-4. My only issue with him is that he is a speed guy. He has blazing speed but has issues disengaging from blocks and he has very few pass rush moves. He kind of reminds me of a faster Jones.
Drummond I have already stated I like a lot. The combine will hurt or help him a lot. He's is good size for a CB but in today's NFL you need some speed. If he can show some at the combine I think he will rise up the boards. If he has a bad day I think he can drop pretty far.
Shane Ray is a perfect fit for a 3-4 OLB. He played DE in college but has the right height, weight and athletic ability to move to LB in a 3-4. My only issue with him is that he is a speed guy. He has blazing speed but has issues disengaging from blocks and he has very few pass rush moves. He kind of reminds me of a faster Jones.
Drummond I have already stated I like a lot. The combine will hurt or help him a lot. He's is good size for a CB but in today's NFL you need some speed. If he can show some at the combine I think he will rise up the boards. If he has a bad day I think he can drop pretty far.
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Two things I do not see the Steelers doing in the 2016 draft. 1) They will not trade multiple draft picks for a another 1'st round pick or to move up in the first. 2) They will not draft a CB in round 1 unless one damn good falls to them.
A lot also will depend on the Worrilds situation too but I can see them going after an OLB big time in round one at their spot.
A lot also will depend on the Worrilds situation too but I can see them going after an OLB big time in round one at their spot.
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I think you meant to say 2015 NFL draft.
Trading up can work. It worked for Troy. The Steelers should have an extra 4th round pick comp pick this season. If if only cost us a 2nd and 4th to move up and get Gregory, I'd do it.
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I did, sorry! For reasons unbeknown to me, this team never seems to draft a CB in the first round. I thought for sure last year would break that trend when there were some pretty good ones but no we didn't move up and no we didn't even draft Denard from Michigan State when he was thee for us so I don't think it will happen this years either.
This team as you're well aware needs some that can create a pass rush so I think they may have the radar set at OLB but again. We have to wait and see what happens with the Worrilds situation.