Mock 3.0. Needs defined after the Steelers say they are pretty much done in free age

[Coach]

With the Steelers pretty much done in free agency, mocks change. Our defense took two hits in free agency ( McCain and Worilds ), and added no one.


Round one. NT Jordan Philips

I want a pass rusher and corner worth the pick. I think 4-5 edge rushers will be gone and the only CB worth the pick will be gone. So I’m going BPA on what I view is a need position. Our run defense is soft. 4.4 yards per rush against with an easy schedule? To run a 3-4 you need a powerful NT. Our 3-4 was at its best with players like Steed and Hampton. In addition a player like Shazier could really shine with a stud NT.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jordan-phillips?id=2552492



Round two. OLB Nate Orchard. I’ve got a bit of a man crush on this guy. He’s a gamer type who plays better than he works out. Orcahrd can play the run or rush the passer. He proved he could hold his own at the senior bowl vs the run. High character player with off the charts game production.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/nate-orchard?id=2552299



Round three. CB Ifo Olomu. Loved his production. Tough, quick, and instinctive. Top level ball skills. A bit short, and coming off an injury, he would be a steal for us in rounds three. Could be a slot corner or #2 man corner. I like him enough for round two.

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



Round four. FS Kurtis Drummond Tall with long arms and marginal timed speed, but decent football speed in pads. You have to love his ball skills and production. Could be a Darren Perry type. The NFL these days requires taller safety types with ball skills. Our starting safeties last year had 0 interceptions and too many flags.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/kurtis-drummond?id=2552393



Round five. OLB Zack Wagenmann. A small school player who impressed at the combine. I think he could be a steal.


http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/zack-wagenmann?id=2552679



Round six. TE Ben Koyack. Tall with fine hands and good power. Needs to improve in certain areas. Should add value as a 2nd TE.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/ben-koyack?id=2552396



Round six, comp pick. OT Jake Rodgers. A small school player with untapped upside. Big, yet he has smooth feet. Adams and Beachum will be free agents soon.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jake-rodgers?id=2553236



Round seven. WR Mario Alford. A speedy WR type who can return kicks. Archer’s replacement.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/mario-alford?id=2552650

 

[Confluence]

so I was just saying to myself:

"self, why hasn't Coach done another mock draft thread?"

Then I replied:

"You're right! That is exactly what SN Elfing needs!"

 

[Coach]

so I was just saying to myself:

"self, why hasn't Coach done another mock draft thread?"

Then I replied:

"You're right! That is exactly what SN Elfing needs!"

Haha. This is likely the last one until the week of the draft.

 

[steelhurt]

They will not take a NT in round one. Tomlin is quite pleased with Steve MAC's progress and I do not think Orchard is there when we pick in round #2. I still think if Bud Dupree is there at #22 they jump on him or maybe the CB Peters who would be too good to pass up.

 

[TDX27]

The Steelers are happy with McClendon and McCullers at nose. I don't see them drafting a NT in the first 2 rounds, if at all. The front 3 starters will be Tuitt, McLendon and Heyward with McCullers getting more and more snaps.

 

[bermudasteel]

so I was just saying to myself:

"self, why hasn't Coach done another mock draft thread?"

Then I replied:

"You're right! That is exactly what SN Elfing needs!"

I think Confluence needs to write the next "Emmitt Smith Mock Draft"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bermudasteel]

Coach, thanks for your, er, ah, efforts...

Like TDX & Hurt state - it'd be quite a sssstttttrrrrrreeeeettttcccchhhh for us to take an NT/DT at 1.22.

Realistically, Peters is the correct choice - if we stay pat at 1.22. With the vast amount of pass rushing ends in this draft, and now Gregory will likely plummet - I take Gregory in the second...

 

[In Ben We Trust]

This team needs secondary help so bad it's pathetic. They simply have to address that in round 1. I can tell you this....if the Steelers pass on Peters the CB from Washington and he makes it all the way to Baltimore they will sprint to the podium.

 

[bermudasteel]

This team needs secondary help so bad it's pathetic. They simply have to address that in round 1. I can tell you this....if the Steelers pass on Peters the CB from Washington and he makes it all the way to Baltimore they will sprint to the podium.

I bet Harbaugh straps himself, naked, to a rocket with Homie Da Clown tattooed on his back, and he rides to the podium stating, "Rog, Homie, don't play dat - w/ the 24th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Ravens select 'Marcus Peters' - screw you, Steelers"...

 

[Steelerfan81]

All the CB and OLB must have to big of heads, eh coach?

 

[Coach]

Coach, thanks for your, er, ah, efforts...

Like TDX & Hurt state - it'd be quite a sssstttttrrrrrreeeeettttcccchhhh for us to take an NT/DT at 1.22.

Realistically, Peters is the correct choice - if we stay pat at 1.22. With the vast amount of pass rushing ends in this draft, and now Gregory will likely plummet - I take Gregory in the second...

I like Peters if we trade down in round one. Corners have a high bust rate in round one. Peter's is not that fast and could quickly burn out if he's off to a rough rookie start. He needs to be in the right system, ideally with a very fast FS to help him out.

Cowher nailed it. This team has become soft. 4.4 yards against per rush playing an easy schedule in 2014

 

[Coach]

All the CB and OLB must have to big of heads, eh coach?

I try to stay away from above or below the waist type of comments.

To answer your question as long as they do not have a concussion history, I'm fine with size. The last SS we picked, Shark Thomas had has a few already.

 

[SteelerAl]

There is no way in hell we take a NT in round one.

 

[Confluence]

This team needs secondary help so bad it's pathetic. They simply have to address that in round 1. I can tell you this....if the Steelers pass on Peters the CB from Washington and he makes it all the way to Baltimore they will sprint to the podium.

NOBODY makes picks faster than the Steelers!!
If this was a timed event a la Combine, the organization could get "**** Trades, We Are Run To The Podium Champs!" caps

 

[Coach]

There is no way in hell we take a NT in round one.

I heard the same thing many years ago when Hampton was drafted. I would like a Corner or OLB, but what if the value isn't there and we can't trade down?! McClendon's contract is up in 2015.

 

[SteelerAl]

I heard the same thing many years ago when Hampton was drafted. I would like a Corner or OLB, but what if the value isn't there and we can't trade down?! McClendon's contract is up in 2015.

Blah, blah, blah. IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

 

[Steelers1356]

I heard the same thing many years ago when Hampton was drafted. I would like a Corner or OLB, but what if the value isn't there and we can't trade down?! McClendon's contract is up in 2015.

There is no way in hell we take a NT in round one.

 

[jdell]

Kevin Johnson!

 

[insaniti]

I like Peters if we trade down in round one. Corners have a high bust rate in round one. Peter's is not that fast and could quickly burn out if he's off to a rough rookie start. He needs to be in the right system, ideally with a very fast FS to help him out.

Cowher nailed it. This team has become soft. 4.4 yards against per rush playing an easy schedule in 2014

A big reason why we were ranked that way in run defense wasn't McClendon, or McCullers even... look no further than Cam Thomas. Cam filled in for McClendon when he missed time with a shoulder injury, when he wasn't filling in there he was starting at DE. Until the end of the year when Tuitt took over at starter, McClendon somewhat came back, and McCullers started seeing the field more...Cam Thomas is soft as baby ****. He played the entire year on skates...and I actually liked the signing when they picked him up, so I'm being kind.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Unless a NT is a very special player and can play some inside pass rush in certain alignments I don't think you can spend a first on one. You could go edge rusher. Corner or Safety. There has to be a draft worthy player available at our spot in one of those three positions.

 

[Coach]

A big reason why we were ranked that way in run defense wasn't McClendon, or McCullers even... look no further than Cam Thomas. Cam filled in for McClendon when he missed time with a shoulder injury, when he wasn't filling in there he was starting at DE. Until the end of the year when Tuitt took over at starter, McClendon somewhat came back, and McCullers started seeing the field more...Cam Thomas is soft as baby ****. He played the entire year on skates...and I actually liked the signing when they picked him up, so I'm being kind.

So you saying Tomlin is partly to blame by not playing the right guys? Okay, I can buy into that a bit. Counterpoint, we did not face a top level group of running backs. McClendon is just okay vs the run and his contract is up in 2015. McCullers is huge, but limited.

 

[Wingman]

McCullers could learn how to play better. He has had very little experience and was considered a project. I am not sure that McClendon can learn how to play bigger. The defensive line is not all that good. There is hope though. Tuitt may be a real good maybe even great end and Heyward seems to have good as his ceiling. I do not think this line will become as good as Smith, Hampton, Von Olhoffen, with Kiesel as a back up but could become good.

 

[Coach]

McCullers could learn how to play better. He has had very little experience and was considered a project. I am not sure that McClendon can learn how to play bigger. The defensive line is not all that good. There is hope though. Tuitt may be a real good maybe even great end and Heyward seems to have good as his ceiling. I do not think this line will become as good as Smith, Hampton, Von Olhoffen, with Kiesel as a back up but could become good.

On McCullers. He is hard to move and has value in a 3rd and short type of defense. He can move his man backward on a bull rush. However he's very tall, might be prone to cut blocks. He's very slow lacks range or mobility to make plays. Essentially he's a good sub package player or back up NT.

 

[FordFairLane]

This is my very generic guess at a mock without knowing who is off the board.

RD1- T.J. Clemmings OT Pittsburgh
Beachum, Foster, DeCastro, and Adams all need to be signed. I don't doubt Beachum gets a deal done but maybe not this year so why not get a guy who can potential play LT, LG, RG and RT. I personally feel the Steelers want Danny Shelton or Vic Beasley to fall but neither will happen.

RD2- Kevin Johnson CB Wake Forest
Smart and athletic CB with decent hands. Not going to be Deion Sanders but should be a very solid starter.

RD3- Markus Golden OLB Missouri
High motor guy who won't blow you over with his size, speed, or strength but will out work you and out hustle you. Perfect guy to learn from Harrison and keep pressure on JJ and Moats.

RD4- David Johnson RB Northern Iowa
I personally have Daivd Johnson ranked 3rd for all running backs this year behind Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley. Johnson is a very good zone blocking scheme running back. He has a little wiggle but mostly is a north south runner and has some wheels. I know we have LB and we just signed Williams but Williams is 32 and LB already got in trouble once. Having a quality back like this on the roster might be a luxury but I feel could be a luxury we might need if LB gets suspended again and Williams shows his age this camp.

RD5- Jean Sifrin TE UMass
Sifrin is a very good athlete with awesome hands. He is very raw but a perfect later round pick to get into camp while Miller is still an effective player and then possible replacement for Miller. Otherwise we will need to spend a first round pick on a TE in 2017.

RD6a- Gerold Holliman S Lousville
No one in football was a bigger ballhawk than Holliman last year with 14 interceptions. His timed speed and the fact he is not know to be a tackler I hear will have him fall on draft day but the fact is he can read a coverage like Mozart playing a piano. Dude reads and re-acts like no other and has very good hands. I feel he has the willingness to tackle but he lacks form. It is almost like he wants to make that big hit every time but needs to learn to just wrap up and take down.

RD6b- Bobby Richardson DL Indiana
With Keisel being released we need to get some depth behind Heyard, Tuitt, and the god awful Thomas. Not real tall but real long arms, big hands, a strength.

RD7- Deandre Smelter WR GT
Could be the steal of the draft. Got injured at a horrible time so won't be able to show his wheels but he has nice size at 6-2 226lbs and huge hands at 11". He is awesome after the catch and I feel would compete with Markus Wheaton for the slot position when he is cleared to play.

 

[F83]

round 1 OLB/De Alvin Dupree Kuntucky
round 2 CB Kevin Jhonson Wake Forest
round 3 CB Olumu to good to pass up if still here OIregon
round 4 S Anthony Harris Virgina
round 5 OLB/De Deon Barnes Penn ST
round 6 RB Dominique Brown, Louisville
round 6 comp DT Kaleb Eulls, Mississippi State
round 7 P Kyle Loomis Portland st
round 7 comp WR Darren Waller Georgia Tech, huge target fast poor stats due to Tech's triple option O, could be a great steal and really put heat on DHB