Coach's draft grades

[Coach]

Below are my annual draft grades, combined with whom i would have selected. i will not use the benefit of hindsight, i’ll say who i would have picked if the player were on the board and i was unaware of where the players would have fallen later.

as a disclaimer, i do not have access to character references/ reports, or wonderlic scores like the steelers do.



I grade for need 25%, value in the round 25%, and what type of player i think will he will be in the nfl 50%.



Overall i think this was a good draft for the steelers, primarily because Colbert did a good job of drafting for need in almost every round. Bravo Kevin.



The defense is broken at olb and db. This draft has a chance to improve our weakness on defense.





Round one. Dupree.



value in the round A

need A

what type of player i think he will be in the NFL B ( 50% of grade )



Dupree is going to be a nice upgrade from jarvis jones, who i wanted no part of two years ago. You have to love Dupree’s run defense, size, and speed for OLB. I think his run defense is his best asset. Dupree is a player who can play the run or pass well in the nickel and dime, as well as in a base 3-4. He’s so much better than Jones.



I think dupree will be a decent nfl pass rusher, but a notch below the Porter’s Greenes’, or Harrison’s. His film to me did not a first round grade. He’s slow to diagnose, and I just don't see a great pass rush burst. He could be a slow learner type, and I’d really like to see his wonderlic score to make sure there isn't a red flag. His technique needs work. Dupree plays below his workout numbers. Perhaps NFL coaching or the right scheme can make him a star, but in three college seasons started, 7.5 sacks is high mark for a season. Was he the right pick over Gregory or Ray? Time will tell.



overall grade B+ I like the pick.



!ho i would have selected. Randy Gregory. The film and upside for me is too much. I think Gregory will prove to be a very good pass rusher, and plus pass defender capable of swatting passes or intercepting them. I do not have the Steelers in depth character report on Gregory, and unless it was a lot worse than pot, I’d stick with the pick.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/randy-gregory?id=2552446







Round two. Golson.



value in round D

need A

what type of player i think he will be B- to C +



While i value a slot corner, i think golson was a reach. He’s under 5’9” tall, is rather light ( 176 pounds ), has short arms under 30”, a lower than average 33.5” vertical leap ( And he needed better to off set being short ) , and really is not that fast ( 4.46 40 yard dash ). This to me means he’s a slot or short to medium type of one defender only. Taller WR’s will eat him alive on the outside. I think he will have trouble tackling as well. Golson is aggressive and small, so I question his durability in the NFL I like him as a slot corner, I think he’s a bust in terms of being a starter. And in round two, you want the player to start. The NFL has some minimum requirements for starters and Golson is on the edge of being a reject in many areas. On the plus size he is instinctive, has very good ball skills, and made a lot of plays. In defense of Colbert, this round did not fall well for us.



overall grade C+



Who i would have selected? FS Rollins. Rollins to me could make a fine safety. I liked his quickness, instincts, run support, and football IQ. Rollins dominated in 2014. 7 interceptions, 72 tackles, 1 FF, 9 PD’s and 1 TD.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/quinten-rollins?id=2552263







Round three



WR Coates

value in round B

grade for need C-

what type of player i think he will be B- to C +



This pick ticked me off. With no injuries Coates is our 4th WR as a rookie. Maybe 5th if Hayward Bey sticks around. We already have one like him in Bryant. Big, fast, and dangerous with the football, Coates also has iffy hands, and isn't a return guy. Colbert has been excellent picking WR’s lately. Seems like a boom or bust type of pick.



overall grade C+



Who i would have selected? CB Grant. He’s been on my radar in my mocks in round three. As stated I’m not using the benefit of hindsight, knowing I could get him in the 4th.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/doran-grant?id=2552440







Round four.



CB Grant

Grade for value A

Grade for need A

What type of player I think he will be B



I see a smart, physical, fast and alert DB, capable of playing the slot, or being a solid #2 CB.



Who I would have selected? I picked Grant in round three, so it’s Za’darius Smith for me here. A big powerful type of pass rusher with a big time motor. Smith stood out in the all star and senior bowl games. He reminds me a bit of an in shape and focused Woodley. With Gregory and Smith, the Steelers would have a thunder ( power ) and lighting ( Speed ) type of speed pass rush.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/zadarius-smith?id=2552279





Round 5. TE James



Grade for value in the round B
Grade for need B-

What type of player I think he will be in the NFL? C





James is one of those big TE's who can block. I felt his stats were a bit weak, and he isn't very quick or a natural as a receiver. He should be able to add a bit as a 2 TE set, and thanks to his height he offers value in the End Zone.



overall grade c+



Who i would have selected? TE O’Shaughnessy.. This guys’ work out numbers and stats on the field were very impressive. The Steelers can always add an extra tackle for the run. The way the NFL is trending, a player maker type is needed at TE, and O’Shaughnessy fits the bill



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/james-oshaughnessy?id=2553318





Round six



nt/de walton.

grade for need B

grade for value B

what type of player i think he will be in the nfl. C+



I have not been happy with the run defense. The Steelers gave up 4.4 yards per carry last year vs. a very weak schedule. Walton has the frame to become a good run defender. He’s a project type, but one with some untapped upside. I did like his film clips. He moves well for a big man.



overall grade B





Who i would have selected? Same player




round 6, compensatory selection

olb/de Chickillo

grade for need B ( we picked durpee in round one )

grade for value in the round B

what type of player i think he will be in the NFL. C+



Chickillo is based by me, so i have seen him play live and on tv a few times. He was a former 5 star high school recruit who went to a school that had quite a few players suspended. The coching at UM was terrible. For a big guy he’s moves well and has an excellent motor. As a pass rusher he’s okay, but he’s a high effort type who can fight his way into making plays. If he’s an OLB I'd like to see him lose some weight. If the Steelers try him at DE, he needs to add at least 20 pounds.



overall grade B-



who i would have selected? CB Olomu. He’s currently hurt, but the film shows a strong and compact guy who can really play. His instincts, hands, and ability to play press or off coverage was impressive. I liked him a slot as a slot guy or #2 CB. Worth a gamble in round six I think! I had a 3rd round grade on him.



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/ifo-ekpre-olomu?id=2552257





round 7. FS Hollman



grade for need B

grade for value in the round C+

what type of player i think he will be D



Hollman was a one-year wonder with very impressive production. However he’s too slow to play DB ( 4.65-4.68 40 ) and missed too many tackles. Stats say he had 44 tackles with 20 missed tackles. Essentially he’s a dime DB that has to be deployed well behind the Line of scrimmage. Due to poor tackling skills a limited speed, he won’t help much as a kick coverage player either.



Overall grade C



who i would have selected? WR Gavin Luttman. Luttman is a small school player who worked out and measured well. 6’4”, 4.46 forty, 4.09 20 yard shuttle. He’s got good hands, and was productive. Could be a nice 3rd or 4th option with some polish.





http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/gavin-lutman?id=2553290

 

[jdell]

I am happy to see that you took the time to come up with draft grades, but immediate draft grades are a joke. We will see in due time how they do, but no one knows **** until they play in pre-season or regular season games.

 

[Coach]

I am happy to see that you took the time to come up with draft grades, but immediate draft grades are a joke. We will see in due time how they do, but no one knows **** until they play in pre-season or regular season games.

Well you can grade a draft on the needs, and the value of the round in which the player was picked. How good the player turns out is an educated guess.

 

[SteelerAl]

Well you can grade a draft on the needs, and the value of the round in which the player was picked. How good the player turns out is an educated guess.

It's all ******* stupid. Who cares if a team gets an A++++++++ on filling needs but drafts a bunch of ****** players? Likewise, a grade based on value really means "did they get this guy before, at or after where he was projected to go based on the 2,200 mock drafts I read on the internet." That's why people say things like "Le'veon Bell was a reach in round 2"...because he was "mocked" to go in round 3. Every ******* NFL team could have had Bell rated as a #2 pick, but Coach would still come here to tell us that he was a reach...

 

[chipped ham]

If I'm not mistaken, Dupree was an academic all-American so I have to believe thag he would have scored pretty well on the wonderlic. And unless you were to get the Vince young "6" or however low he scored on it, I don't see it as much of a concern.

 

[ark steel]

I think there is some value in grading a draft now, but only if you are willing, as Coach does to provide insight as to who you would have taken instead. The "value" you get from it is to look at it over the next few years to see both how your evaluations of the pick panned out and how the prospects you would have taken instead panned out.

 

[bermudasteel]

Before I read this - it is gonna force me to the bar or bottle???

 

[SteelerAl]

I think there is some value in grading a draft now, but only if you are willing, as Coach does to provide insight as to who you would have taken instead. The "value" you get from it is to look at it over the next few years to see both how your evaluations of the pick panned out and how the prospects you would have taken instead panned out.

But the whole thing is tainted by knowing how the draft played out. What's the value in me saying "I would have taken Ifo in round 6 and La'el Collins in round 7" when truthfully guys were shouting for us to take them starting in round 3?

 

[bermudasteel]

Good on you Coach - I'll reserve my judgment of the draftees for 3 years down the road; but, whatever wets your whistle...

I know this for sure - you have set the record for total number of threads started...

 

[ark steel]

But the whole thing is tainted by knowing how the draft played out. What's the value in me saying "I would have taken Ifo in round 6 and La'el Collins in round 7" when truthfully guys were shouting for us to take them starting in round 3?

None, in that case.

Coach did, specifically, reference this and kept Grant as an "I would have picked him here". I guess you have to have some believability in the character of the person generating the grade. I have no reason to doubt Coach now or Ford when he posted his in another thread. If the middle or end of the season is when I first saw the list, I'd have a harder time believing it, although, maybe not from those, two. I would be, definitely, less interested in reading it, then.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I am happy to see that you took the time to come up with draft grades, but immediate draft grades are a joke. We will see in due time how they do, but no one knows **** until they play in pre-season or regular season games.

All of us were right about Jarvis Jones though when we said "WTF?".

 

[Coach]

But the whole thing is tainted by knowing how the draft played out. What's the value in me saying "I would have taken Ifo in round 6 and La'el Collins in round 7" when truthfully guys were shouting for us to take them starting in round 3?

I did not use the benefit of hindsight. If I did I take Gregory in the 2nd, and pick another player in round one and Grant in the 4th as opposed to the 3rd.

 

[Coach]

Good on you Coach - I'll reserve my judgment of the draftees for 3 years down the road; but, whatever wets your whistle...

I know this for sure - you have set the record for total number of threads started...

You could say I'e reached the finish line on the 2015 draft. Final mock, and who I would have selected were posted here. As you said it will take 3 years to grade, but I think the fans will know what type of draft we had by 2016.

 

[steelhurt]

Too early for this crap but it never stops some of you guys from going through these ridiculous exercises. Wait a couple seasons then grade your draft.

 

[Vader]

Too early for this crap but it never stops some of you guys from going through these ridiculous exercises. Wait a couple seasons then grade your draft.

I give coach credit for saying who he would have selected before and after the draft. Anybody can come in after the fact and say "I would have drafted X" in 3 years. I didn't have time this year to put together my entire draft. So I couldn't say "I liked X over Y". I liked most of the picks because the first 3 came from the SEC and I'd seen all of them many times in real games. So I'm a little bias.

 

[steelhurt]

I give coach credit for saying who he would have selected before and after the draft. Anybody can come in after the fact and say "I would have drafted X" in 3 years. I didn't have time this year to put together my entire draft. So I couldn't say "I liked X over Y". I liked most of the picks because the first 3 came from the SEC and I'd seen all of them many times in real games. So I'm a little bias.

Don't give Coach too much credit. He'll start to get the big head like Troy whose head was too big as I think it was Coach who made that proclamation years ago.. You guys remember that one?

 

[Wingman]

Yep, I remember that one and the great commentary that followed.

Also I like the fact that guys that had other ideas for picks are tossing them out now instead of later, it will make it nice to follow up with later when the see I wanted this guy instead of that guy later.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Also I like the fact that guys that had other ideas for picks are tossing them out now instead of later, it will make it nice to follow up with later when the see I wanted this guy instead of that guy later.

Unless the board crashes and everything is lost again. Probably a conspiracy.

 

[Steel Not A Player]

Draft grades are pretty useless until about 3 years out. That's when you'll know what you've got.

 

[Coach]

Don't give Coach too much credit. He'll start to get the big head like Troy whose head was too big as I think it was Coach who made that proclamation years ago.. You guys remember that one?

Good news. I'm only looking at height, weight, and hand size for body measurements. I could only guess at your avatar? 36 D is my guess.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

If I'm not mistaken, Dupree was an academic all-American so I have to believe thag he would have scored pretty well on the wonderlic. And unless you were to get the Vince young "6" or however low he scored on it, I don't see it as much of a concern.

Not only are you not mistaken, Dupree is set to receive his bachelor's degree in 5 days. He stayed at Kentucky while others were training in Arizona/Florida, etc and took a course load of 4 classes to make sure that he had his degree before entering the NFL. Think about that. The kid was training for the combine/Pro Day, dealing with traveling to various cities to meet with teams AND taking above an average course load so that he could accomplish his goal of graduating before playing pro football. That's intelligence and motivation.

So, no Coach, the evidence doesn't support your "slow learner" analysis.

 

[steelhurt]

Good news. I'm only looking at height, weight, and hand size for body measurements. I could only guess at your avatar? 36 D is my guess.

Coach you are too funny. 36D it is my good man.

Seriously though I think as usual we're all getting a little too carried away here. This one is too short, or this one should have had more sacks, or he drops the ball too much. Something to consider here friends. We have to remember how these guys were used in college. For instance Richard Mann made a great assessment of Sammie Coates. He said that what happens in case like this is that he was constantly in and out of the game and therefore never really developed a rhythm and that's what can cause guys to lose focus and cause the drops. As for his route tree, Richard said they are going to expand that for him and work with him like they did Bryant but he added that Sammie is coming in here more polished and ready than Bryant who was just a one year starter.

Chikillo (spelling) according to Joey has one of those high RPM Motors you like to see and they think he may not have been used to maximize his full potential. In other words the Canes had a good player that they failed to exploit his talent and was used incorrectly. Also he had an injury that he played with.He's a tough guy that Joey seems to really like and spoke well of him.

Both our CB's Golson and Grant although short in stature make up for that in skill, athleticism and heart. These guys will add playmaking ability to a very lackluster secondary. I don't care about height as long as they can do the job. See William Gay and Deshea Townsend.

Jesse James was highly regarded by the Steelers as well. The guy has Gronk size and can block. He moves well for a big man and could be a real gem. Now he gets to work with a real QB instead of just some guy throwing the ball at Penn State. Like this guy a lot.

Bad Bud, what can I say since he's the guy I pimped from day one. I think the sky is the limit for this young man. He wants to learn, has a great work ethic, despite what some say (coach) he's a pretty smart young man. Academic All American that's actually going to get his degree. How refreshing is that. And he's a clean character guy unlike the Shane Rays and Gregory's of the world. We don't need that crap really we don't. I love the pick and think this guy will be an eventual pro bowl player.

Relax and just lets get through rookie camp, training camp and the pre season and see how this shapes up. No sense be concerned on whether we should have drafted this guy or that guy. This is our rookie class and now we go from here.

 

[insaniti]

It's all ******* stupid. Who cares if a team gets an A++++++++ on filling needs but drafts a bunch of ****** players? Likewise, a grade based on value really means "did they get this guy before, at or after where he was projected to go based on the 2,200 mock drafts I read on the internet." That's why people say things like "Le'veon Bell was a reach in round 2"...because he was "mocked" to go in round 3. Every ******* NFL team could have had Bell rated as a #2 pick, but Coach would still come here to tell us that he was a reach...

This ^^

I've always hated the "value" argument as we will NEVER know the true Steelers draft board rankings. You only know what the media has beaten to death over the last several months. I will also say that I hate the "if we would have taken him in this round instead" type of statements...No one knows if that player would have been available later in the draft. My stance is who the **** cares where they are taken. With the salaries slotted, as long as they got the player that THEY wanted, great! This years argument will be Senquz Golson, and everyone is saying we reached and took him too early...but this is all based on personal opinion or the opinion of the media. It's not the opinion of the Steelers FO or any other teams FO for that matter. No one ever comes out and says "we were targeting this player, but they were taken so we took this player instead" It's never going to happen.

All I care about is what we needed going into the draft, and what they grabbed to potentially fill those needs. We needed help in the OLB, DB, TE, and WR areas and we addressed all of those areas. Good enough for me, now it's up to those prospects to live up to the expectations the team has for them.

 

[south dakota STEEL]

nice thread, Coach. Happy that you said who you would have taken...here's to all the picks being hall of famers.

 

[Litos]

This ^^

I've always hated the "value" argument as we will NEVER know the true Steelers draft board rankings. You only know what the media has beaten to death over the last several months. I will also say that I hate the "if we would have taken him in this round instead" type of statements...No one knows if that player would have been available later in the draft. My stance is who the **** cares where they are taken. With the salaries slotted, as long as they got the player that THEY wanted, great! This years argument will be Senquz Golson, and everyone is saying we reached and took him too early...but this is all based on personal opinion or the opinion of the media. It's not the opinion of the Steelers FO or any other teams FO for that matter. No one ever comes out and says "we were targeting this player, but they were taken so we took this player instead" It's never going to happen.

All I care about is what we needed going into the draft, and what they grabbed to potentially fill those needs. We needed help in the OLB, DB, TE, and WR areas and we addressed all of those areas. Good enough for me, now it's up to those prospects to live up to the expectations the team has for them.

surprisingly most of the media liked the pick, some fans hated it at the moment and some others disliked it.
Personally I think he was taken a bit early, still I didn't hate it and understand the logic behind it