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Apple to Alexander to WJIII - make your pick...

bermudasteel

bermudasteel

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Ok, we all know that our secondary needs help. That's obvious.

The question is - how do you value the top three names that are being linked to our first round pick???

Since I don't get paid for my opinions - I'll share them here and let's see what sticks to the walls...

IMO, I would rank them with the question of "who is a Day One starter?"

1. Mackensie Alexander - I know he's the smallest in stature; but, I think the kid has all the tools to be special...by a hair over...
2. William Jackson III - the decision between the two is VERY DIFFICULT because (and don't stone me) I see Ike Taylor 2.0, but WJIII can catch. With those qualities I think he fits the bill regardless of the school he played for in college.
3. Eli Apple - I just don't see the hype...but, he's better than everyone else behind him...
 
I'll go with WJIII for the simple reason I'm sick of the Steelers picking CB's under six feet tall. We have enough inside guys, it's time to re-stock the cupboard with legit outside corners. And by corners, I mean more than one, as I'm hoping we double dip later in the draft.
 
There was an article last week that showed the Steelers typically pick corners with a lot of playing time and older in age. If that is the case, they pick Jackson III if he is there at 25. That would also be my pick if all three are there but I would take any of the 3 if they were the only one available at 25. Very few other players would sway me from CB in round 1. Billings might and maybe one or two others.
 
kev4heels said:
My order is Jackson->Alexander->Apple.

Would like a draft of:
1. Jackson CB
2. Joseph SS
3. Hargrave NT
4. Ngakoue OLB
6. Maggit LB
7a. Adams QB
7b. An OL
Click to expand...

I'm in
 
I like it. Think we could maybe grab an OLB in 3 and NT in 4.


kev4heels said:
My order is Jackson->Alexander->Apple.

Would like a draft of:
1. Jackson CB
2. Joseph SS
3. Hargrave NT
4. Ngakoue OLB
6. Maggit LB
7a. Adams QB
7b. An OL
Click to expand...
 
Weird thing, is that I think 1-2 of them will be there at the end of rd 1. I think we could trade down with Denver and snag one, or maybe Spence at 31.
 
Jackson III, but I like Fuller too.
 
http://steelernation.com/showthread.php?7089-Players-that-I(you)-wouldn-t-mind-being-drafted/page2

CB-
Kendall Fuller VT Round 1
Fuller to me is the most NFL ready CB in this draft and that is even above Hargreaves III. He seems to have a natural understanding of the game, reads and reacts well, has the speed and burst to break on the ball, decent size, good hands, and enough long speed to keep up with most receivers. I feel we have a 2-3 year window left with Ben to win super bowls and if we go CB I want a guy you can plug in and play not wait and develop. Fuller is a guy I feel comes in is a day one starter on the outside. His injury will be the deciding factor. It happened early so he should be making significant progress. If he hasn't then I would drop him down my board.

William Jackson III Houston Round 1
Again I feel Jackson is close to NFL ready for the outside. He has good size, elite speed, nice hands, good body control, can press or play off. My only question is how much zone did he play and if he didn’t play a lot does he understand zone concepts. That is a huge question that I obviously can’t get answered not being a GM to speak with him. Right now I feel just off of ability he is a round one guy and if he seems coachable the sky is his limit. I think a position coach would do wonders for him.

Mackensie Alexander Clemson Round 1-2
I like Alexander’s technique, his tenaciousness, his attitude, love of the game. I don’t love his size, and I don’t love his long speed. I feel he might be better suited for the nickel spot but I give him every opportunity at the outside to see if he can rise to the challenge. Otherwise I am not convinced Golson can play nickel and might end up being more of a dime back and sub package DB. So we still might have a need at nickel Alexander could fill.

Xavien Howard Baylor Round 1-2
I am probably higher on Howard than most but I feel his game translates well for the NFL. He is long, fast, feels the ball is his when it’s in the air, and has a short memory. Again he played tons of man but always matched up with the other teams best receiver. I wish I could talk to him and see if he understands zone but I can’t. But what I see on film I like.

Eli Apple OSU Round 2
I like Apple but I feel he is at least 1 and probably 2 years away from contributing. He has the height, weight, speed and physically all the boxes are checked but I feel he is very raw and his instincts are just average at this point. Another year at OSU probably would have been beneficial. But physically he has the highest ceiling of any CB in this draft and that includes Hargreaves III.
Sleepers
Cyrus Jones Alabama Round 3-4
If the drafted falls in such a way that there’s not value at CB in round 1-2 I would be fine taking Jones with our third. I am probably higher on him than many but his return ability is the scale tipper for me. I feel worst case scenario he’s a stud return guy. I think he is coachable with tons of potential and even though he’s short he has long arms, big hands, and can flip his hips and run with anyone. My big question is he was charged with domestic violence but was later dropped in a few days. That is a red flag that needs to be addressed beforehand.
DJ White GT Round 4
I am probably the only guy on the DJ White bandwagon but to me he’s pretty much NFL ready. He’s a little short being a tick over 5-10 but has enough size. Not the fastest guy either but fast enough. I like how he competes, his technique, his overall game. I don’t feel his the next Deion Sanders but the next Casey Hayward… yeah.

This is my assessment of the CB class. I am in the minority but feel in our zone defense Kendall Fuller is the best fitted as long as he is healthy.
 
kev4heels said:
My order is Jackson->Alexander->Apple.

Would like a draft of:
1. Jackson CB
2. Joseph SS
3. Hargrave NT
4. Ngakoue OLB
6. Maggit LB
7a. Adams QB
7b. An OL
Click to expand...

lose any idea of Maggitt. We won't touch him.
 
William Jackson III Houston Round 1
Again I feel Jackson is close to NFL ready for the outside. He has good size, elite speed, nice hands, good body control, can press or play off. My only question is how much zone did he play and if he didn’t play a lot does he understand zone concepts. That is a huge question that I obviously can’t get answered not being a GM to speak with him. Right now I feel just off of ability he is a round one guy and if he seems coachable the sky is his limit. I think a position coach would do wonders for him.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong, but I don't think the cover corner or boundary corner positions are difficult to play zone concepts in. i think it is more when you are covering the slot it gets dicey. If he is fast and big on the outside he will generally be taking the deep 1/4 or 1/3.
 
kev4heels said:
My order is Jackson->Alexander->Apple.

Would like a draft of:
1. Jackson CB
2. Joseph SS
3. Hargrave NT
4. Ngakoue OLB
6. Maggit LB
7a. Adams QB
7b. An OL
Click to expand...

You think Nga will last to 4-25? I say no to Apple, not a fit.
 
I'm not sold Alexander, I think he is over-rated and may just be another slot guy. Apple probably has the most upside, but the word is he might take a few years to develop. Jackson is probably the most pro-ready.

I vote for William Jackson III
 
Great input thus far...

Like I said, in the OP, Alexander and WJIII, IMO, are so close that I'd be fine with either pick.

I actually forgot about Kyle Fuller - the kid can play but he needs some red beans and rice and couple of peanut butter sammichs...
 
WJ III. We NEED CB for sure and if he is there, take im.




Salute the nation
 
SteelerSask said:
I could be wrong, but I don't think the cover corner or boundary corner positions are difficult to play zone concepts in. i think it is more when you are covering the slot it gets dicey. If he is fast and big on the outside he will generally be taking the deep 1/4 or 1/3.
Click to expand...

Knowing when to pass off is huge and very difficult. It depends on a bunch of factors. It's a fluid defense that changes with the offense and has a ton of moving parts. Man is easy. Stop the X, Y or slot receiver. Chess vs checkers.
 
I am hearing Hargraves could fall out of the top 10 and if so based on the teams after we could move up to get him or it will assure that Jackson or Alexander are there at 25.
My preference if Jackson is gone

1 CB Alexander, yes heard he has no intc but can strick like glue to a top end WR,
2 Eli Apple has the frame to play press and zione with Ike Taylor prime days speed.
3 S Keanu Neal
4Trade out of rnd 1 and select CB Kendell Fuller or the Baylor CB
 
Jackson III.
 
Still want to trade with Denver and take the highest rated player at 31 of (WJIII, Apple, Alexander, Spence)
 
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