Draft wishes

[Tibs]

I've grown weary of mock drafts, trying to pinpoint which players we'll be drafting per round, or even focusing on specific 'want' players we'd like the Steelers to draft. It simply NEVER works out that way. So switching gears, here's a list of things I'd like to see happen by the time we wrap up the draft, regardless of specific round or player:

Primary wishes:

- to draft a starting caliber corner
- to draft a starting caliber safety (FS or SS)
- to draft a defensive lineman, who at the minimum provides depth & pushes McCullers at NT. Ideally, this player will have a role in the d-line rotation, helps spell Cam & Tuitt or simply play in between our two bookends, pushing McCullers to a back-up role.
- to draft an edge/OLB that can either 1. be good enough out of the gate that we don't extend Jarvis, or 2. at the minimum provides developmental depth behind Jarvis/Deebo and helps on ST.

Secondary wishes:

- to draft a developmental defensive back - be it corner or safety - above and beyond those drafted already
- to draft a RB to add to the mix, possibly beat out Toussaint and provide solid depth behind Bell & DWill
- to draft a WR to add to the mix, possibly a kick/punt returner
- to draft an OT or OG to give Munchak a new tool for the toolshed. This could be a late pick, but we need to improve depth.

I realize these wishes amount to more players than we have draft picks. So let's say if we can hit 80% of them, I'd be estatic.

* I left QB off the list, as I'm presuming the Steelers will sign an experienced back-up. I figure we'll draft Ben's eventual replacement next couple of years.

 

[LeXX75]

* I left QB off the list, as I'm presuming the Steelers will sign an experienced back-up. I figure we'll draft Ben's eventual replacement next couple of years.

its gonna be tough finding Ben's replacement picking 32 the next couple of years

 

[Drink IRON City]

its gonna be tough finding Ben's replacement picking 32 the next couple of years

E-X-A-C-T-L-Y. !!!!!!!




Salute the nation

 

[Stryker]

its gonna be tough finding Ben's replacement picking 32 the next couple of years

Why? Are we trading back?

 

[Tibs]

I didn't want to start another thread - after all I'm not Spike or Coach looking for the limelight - so I'll put this here.

If you haven't done so, watch today's pre-draft presser with Colbert and Tomlin.

http://www.steelers.com/videos/vide...nference/1fb5e4ac-cc14-424c-a2cd-69457a80f4e1

Right about halfway through, they both pontificate on something I think a lot of fans don't understand as far as who makes decisions in the war room, how they go about making a pick when they're on the clock, et al. It's been repeated time and time again, yet very few Steelers fans understand the process. As Colbert says, they've already had their draft way before the draft actually goes down. They've had all their debates and arguments over the past two, three months. They've gone back and forth with the coordinators, position coaches, the Rooneys and have collectively stacked their board. When the draft is happening, they basically know who they will pick when their time comes based on their board. The only consideration they're dealing with, is whether to field trade offers. The players are lined up ahead of time, they will stick to it and pick the next guy on their list. Colbert mentioned there's a 'common sense' element to similarly ranked players based on need, ie, this year they'll draft a corner over a similiarly ranked QB, but that's basically it.

It also disproves the incorrect notion that Tomlin or Colbert - or really any one individual - decides draft picks. It's a collective effort, always has been with the Steelers. Colbert confirmed it's been this way with Noll, Cowher et al. The system, their method of draft prep and then actually managing the draft process hasn't changed one bit over the past few decades.

Just wanted to point that out. Not that it's going to change anything on this board or elsewhere. When a player ends up sucking, he'll be 'Tomlin's bad draft pick.' It is what it is. But the truth is out there, you just have to look for it.

 

[steel shinin]

I didn't want to start another thread - after all I'm not Spike or Coach looking for the limelight - so I'll put this here.

If you haven't done so, watch today's pre-draft presser with Colbert and Tomlin.

http://www.steelers.com/videos/vide...nference/1fb5e4ac-cc14-424c-a2cd-69457a80f4e1

Right about halfway through, they both pontificate on something I think a lot of fans don't understand as far as who makes decisions in the war room, how they go about making a pick when they're on the clock, et al. It's been repeated time and time again, yet very few Steelers fans understand the process. As Colbert says, they've already had their draft way before the draft actually goes down. They've had all their debates and arguments over the past two, three months. They've gone back and forth with the coordinators, position coaches, the Rooneys and have collectively stacked their board. When the draft is happening, they basically know who they will pick when their time comes based on their board. The only consideration they're dealing with, is whether to field trade offers. The players are lined up ahead of time, they will stick to it and pick the next guy on their list. Colbert mentioned there's a 'common sense' element to similarly ranked players based on need, ie, they'll draft a corner over a similiarly ranked QB, but that's basically it.

It also disproves the incorrect notion that Tomlin or Colbert - or really any one individual - decides draft picks. It's a collective effort, always has been with the Steelers. Said it's been this way with Noll, Cowher et al. The system, their method of draft prep and then actually managing the draft process hasn't changed one bit over the past few decades.

Just wanted to point that out. Not that it's going to change anything on this board or elsewhere. When a player ends up sucking, he'll be 'Tomlin's bad draft pick.' It is what it is. But the truth is out there, you just have to look for it.

For fans that aren't insane and always looking for a smoking gun none of this is surprising. The one thing that I respect about the Steelers above anything else is their stability and their commitment to being the true definition of an organization. Anytime you hear a player discuss this team it's always about the culture and the mindset and it's the same thing over and over. They look for Steelers type people and players and whether you are a coach or player or fan once you're involved with this organization you know what that is. You know what it looks like. I can't imagine they are letting anyone disrespect or disregard that behind closed doors.

 

[Tibs]

For fans that aren't insane and always looking for a smoking gun none of this is surprising. The one thing that I respect about the Steelers above anything else is their stability and their commitment to being the true definition of an organization. Anytime you hear a player discuss this team it's always about the culture and the mindset and it's the same thing over and over. They look for Steelers type people and players and whether you are a coach or player or fan once you're involved with this organization you know what that is. You know what it looks like. I can't imagine they are letting anyone disrespect or disregard that behind closed doors.

I agree steel shinin. Funny thing is, how many times do you come across posts talking about "Cowher's players" or ''Tomlin's draft picks". Every time I see that I know that person simply doesn't get it. As both Tomlin and Colbert explain quite clearly, the Steelers' system is bigger than any one individual. Each draft pick is the collective success - or failure - of the organization itself, not any one GM, head coach, coordinator, scout or position coach. Love it or hate it, it's the Steelers way of managing the draft.

I happen to admire the system they have in place. It has stood the test of time, regardless of multiple botched draft picks over the years. The fact is, there is no one single 'hero' or 'goat' in the process. For some reason, people don't want to comprehend that.