Season's Over - Time To Talk Draft?

[SteelBuckeye]

With the loss in the divisional round of the playoffs, the 2014 season is at an end for the Steelers. Is it now time to talk about the draft, team needs and prospects who might fit our system(s)? I'm thinking that we will need to find prospects at the following positions:

1. CB - The number one priority imho. I have heard that this year's crop of CBs is not as talented or deep as last year's though. If this is the case, do you take one in the first round?
2. OLB - We may need a pass rushing OLB as desperately as we need CBs.
3. RT/LT - Beachum is serviceable on the left. PFF had him rated as the 5th best LT in the league this year. The combination of Gilbert and Adams at RT has proven to be erratic and ineffectual for much of this last season and I wonder if even Munchak's coaching can help this. Of course Gilbert's contract may make the Steelers decide to stick with him, but I think they need to look for someone to push him and Adams is not that guy. Of course if they can get a starting caliber LT, maybe you move Beachum to RT or LG.
4. SS/FS - Do they give Mitchell another year to prove himself? Does Shamarko get his shot. I'm not sold on Mitchell and if Shamarko was progressing like they imply, why didn't he see the field over Will Allen when Troy was hurt?
5. DE - need to find some depth guys here. Cam Thomas needs to be let go ... Today

That's all I've got. I would appreciate anyone else's thoughts and if anyone has ideas of players they'd like to see drafted by the Steelers, I'd like to see those too so I can keep an eye on them throughout the process of Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Days, etc.

 

[TDX27]

Must go CB and S in the first 2 rounds. Enough of the BS best player available. It must be best player available at our areas of glaring need. From there, I look at a OLB, TE and the rest on depth but mostly on D.

 

[slashsteel]

You bring in a OLBer and a CB two above average players not bottom feeding scrubs.

You draft a SS, RT, CB, OLBer, Punter late............

 

[Skott]

They need the best OLB and CB they can get.

Okay makers, no more mediocre.

Vic Beasley or Randy Gregory would be immediate upgrades to Jarvis Jones. They are play makers!

 

[SteelerFan448]

1. Outside linebacker - Save me the cornerback talk, the Steelers need a dynamic pass rusher who can actually get to the quarterback. Harrison is done, Jones hasn't shown anything and Worilds seems to only get his sacks when he comes unblocked. I'm tired of scrub QBs looking like stars because they have all day to throw.

2. Cornerback - There is no starting talent at the position. We have a bunch of good No. 3 and 4 corners.

3. Safety - Troy is no longer a starter and may be done, Mitchell showed nothing, Thomas is an unknown.

 

[slashsteel]

1. Outside linebacker - Save me the cornerback talk, the Steelers need a dynamic pass rusher who can actually get to the quarterback. Harrison is done, Jones hasn't shown anything and Worilds seems to only get his sacks when he comes unblocked. I'm tired of scrub QBs looking like stars because they have all day to throw.

2. Cornerback - There is no starting talent at the position. We have a bunch of good No. 3 and 4 corners.

3. Safety - Troy is no longer a starter and may be done, Mitchell showed nothing, Thomas is an unknown.

Gay is a starting talent, he just needs a partner on the other side (No pun intended)

 

[SteelerFan448]

Gay is a starting talent, he just needs a partner on the other side (No pun intended)

Gay is best in the nickel and if he's there next season, they situation at cornerback will be in much better shape.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Ahh, but WHO are the prospects that you see as fits for this team? Keeping in mind that we will draft at either 21 (if Cinci wins today) or 22 (Cinci loss). This is the time of year that you miss guys like TMC. He'd have already had a short list of prospects filed away and ready to present.

 

[slashsteel]

Gay is best in the nickel and if he's there next season, they situation at cornerback will be in much better shape.

at one time that was perhaps the thought of many. But Gay's play improved. I see him as a solid number two corner.

But it isn't like I am against someone outplaying him knocking him down to the nickle.

I just feel opposite of him needs to improve talent wise first............

 

[Spike]

My FF draft isn't till the end of august - I hope I get Odell Beckham ******* Jr.

It's all about me now

 

[SteelBuckeye]

at one time that was perhaps the thought of many. But Gay's play improved. I see him as a solid number two corner.

But it isn't like I am against someone outplaying him knocking him down to the nickle.

I just feel opposite of him needs to improve talent wise first............

Man, they need to get Cortez to see a sports psychologist in the off season. Hell, they should've had him seeing one as soon as they demoted him.

 

[slashsteel]

Ahh, but WHO are the prospects that you see as fits for this team? Keeping in mind that we will draft at either 21 (if Cinci wins today) or 22 (Cinci loss). This is the time of year that you miss guys like TMC. He'd have already had a short list of prospects filed away and ready to present.

KC OLBer Houston for one, maybe Orakpo on a one year friendly contract.... That is assuming Jarvis is the last man standing at the position.

Chris Harris Jr., Cornerback, Denver Broncos He played solid for them........

Hell get Houston and Thomas and the D instantaneously becomes solid.

 

[SteelerFan448]

If the Chiefs allow Houston to get away, their GM should be fired. You have to assume he will be franchised.

 

[TAS]

Why would we need tmc? We have a pile of blowhards to tell us Tomlin is great and not question his draft prowess

Ahh, but WHO are the prospects that you see as fits for this team? Keeping in mind that we will draft at either 21 (if Cinci wins today) or 22 (Cinci loss). This is the time of year that you miss guys like TMC. He'd have already had a short list of prospects filed away and ready to present.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Say what you want about TMC; agree or disagree with his evaluation of Tomlin/Colbert drafts, he knows his stuff when it comes to evaluating the talent available in the draft. His draft guide was as complete as any of the ones you found out there by the mass media.

 

[slashsteel]

yep loved TMC's body of work. And I didn't agree with everything he put out. (or felt I needed to) But nobody did more research.....................

 

[Chicoman]

Here is the kid that can come in and start immediately for the Steelers at OLB'er in a 3-4 Defense and make an immediate impact for the Steelers.

His name is Markus Golden and here is one of his highlight reels...

 

[mightyguru]

pass rush...find it.

 

[ianv2012]

Ahh, but WHO are the prospects that you see as fits for this team? Keeping in mind that we will draft at either 21 (if Cinci wins today) or 22 (Cinci loss). This is the time of year that you miss guys like TMC. He'd have already had a short list of prospects filed away and ready to present.

Based upon what everyone seems to be pointing to as positions to look for in the draft here is what we'd be looking at least 1st round wise (And granted the Jr players declare for the draft)

OLB- Vic Beasley (Sr Clemson 6'3, 235), Randy Gregory (Jr Nebraska 6'5, 255), Dante Fowler Jr. (Jr Florida State 6'2, 261)- All 3 will most likely be gone by the time we pick at 21-22. So we'd be looking at guys like Shane Ray (Jr Missouri 6'3, 245) Only just started watching tape on him, but so far he is very quick off the snap with an immediate burst that can knock back OTs and uses a variety of pass rush moves. Hau'oli Kikaha (Sr Washington 6'3 250), Alvin Dupree (Sr 6'4, 267)

CB- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon Sr 5'10, 185), Trae Waynes (Michigan State Jr 6'1, 185), Alex Carter (Stanford Jr 6'0, 204), Marcus Peters (Washington Jr 5'11, 193), Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest Sr 6'2, 215)

S- Gerod Holliman (FS Louisville Jr 6'0, 202), Derron Smith (FS Fresno State Sr 5'11, 200), Durrell Eskeridge (FS Syracuse Jr 6'3, 207), Landon Collins (SS Alabama Jr 6'0, 215), Anthony Harris (SS Virginia Sr 6'1, 190)

Granted rankings and value will change with combine and pro days. I haven't started watching film yet but just a preliminary list of names for people to look up if they so choose

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Any "Mauler" type RTs with a nasty streak and athleticism? I think that one thing this OL is missing is that mean, nasty, junk yard dog type of player. I can't think of one guy on that line with a nasty disposition.

 

[Chicoman]

Based upon what everyone seems to be pointing to as positions to look for in the draft here is what we'd be looking at least 1st round wise (And granted the Jr players declare for the draft)

OLB- Vic Beasley (Sr Clemson 6'3, 235), Randy Gregory (Jr Nebraska 6'5, 255), Dante Fowler Jr. (Jr Florida State 6'2, 261)- All 3 will most likely be gone by the time we pick at 21-22.

All 3 of these guys are Jarvis Jones 2.0. Fast, athletic, but lack the ability to fight off blocks. Something that is a must in the NFL.

Markus Golden is the kid the Steelers should target in the 2nd or 3rd for an OLB position. That kid can fight through double teams, has great upper body strength and a motor that doesn't stop....check out his highlights above.

 

[ianv2012]

All 3 of these guys are Jarvis Jones 2.0. Fast, athletic, but lack the ability to fight off blocks. Something that is a must in the NFL.

Markus Golden is the kid the Steelers should target in the 2nd or 3rd for an OLB position. That kid can fight through double teams, has great upper body strength and a motor that doesn't stop....check out his highlights above.

Well Gregory and Fowler are significantly bigger than Jarvis, but I understand your point. I think both Ray and Golden are great options from Mizzou.

 

[Chicoman]

Well Gregory and Fowler are significantly bigger than Jarvis, but I understand your point. I think both Ray and Golden are great options from Mizzou.

They are bigger and Fowler is a lot bigger but the fact that the kid can't fight off the run blocking especially when he's run at shows me the kid is nothing but a larger version of Jones. No thank you!

I'm all for Ray or Golden from Mizzou. Right now I think Golden does a better job fighting off his blocks and in run support than Ray does so I'm more of a fan of Golden in the 3rd rd.

 

[diver]

If they draft defensive backs, I hope they draft some guys with length. Now they have to have talent, but if things would be relatively equal talent wise, they gotta go for length. I think it is one of the things that makes the Seattle DBs so tough. Their length makes the windows for the QBs smaller.

 

[ianv2012]

If they draft defensive backs, I hope they draft some guys with length. Now they have to have talent, but if things would be relatively equal talent wise, they gotta go for length. I think it is one of the things that makes the Seattle DBs so tough. Their length makes the windows for the QBs smaller.

Look no further than Kevin Johnson of Wake Forest, he's moving up draft boards maybe late to mid first round. He's 6'3 215.