Day Two Projections

The first day of the draft is in the books and we are rolling towards the second and third rounds today. The Steelers still have obvious needs at safety and corner but more improvements are needed on the front seven. Even with the drafting of Bud Dupree out of Kentucky the Steelers still have to improve the pass rush to help out our young and struggling secondary.

The second round pick (56th overall) will have most fans calmouring for a defensive back but I'm unsure it will happen here. The problem is the next tier of corners, Rowe, Williams and Collins to name a few, will most likely be gone by the time the Steelers pick. I doubt we will reach for a corner that we could most likely grab in the third round either. Like it or not its like I said yesterday, the Steelers will draft pass rush over pass coverage.

Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma makes sense the most sense to me here at 56. Now, before everyone starts screaming about the secondary remember for our defense to run fluid and with optimal efficiency we need a solid nose tackle. And Jordan is the best of the very few pure nose tackles in this draft. Casey Hampton's ability to cover multiple gaps was the reason our defense looked so good. It was impossible for any team to cover that line (Keisel, Hampton and Smith) with just five guys and a guy like Jordan Phillips could bring that back to help out our linebackers. Oh, yeah, being 6'6 and 334 lbs helps.

This would be the second year in a row that we've taken a defensive lineman in the second round, Stephon Tuitt 46th last year, but Tuitt is not a nose tackle. We don't have a true nose tackle and while there have been splashes from McCullers, McClendon and Thomas, they are not the answer up front. We need a big man to cover two gaps so that our linebackers can run free. Phillips is that guy. Keep in mind if there is a premium corner left at 56, I bet the Steelers will snatch them up instead.

With the pick in the third round (87th overall) I think they finally grab a corner. Keep in mind most corners and safeties available in these mid rounds are right around the same skill level so there isn't a huge drop off, instead your making guesses based on whether they are pro ready and what kind of potential they have. With this pick I'm a huge fan of the idea of drafting Steven Nelson from Oregon State.

Steven isn't as big as other corners in this draft but that doesn't mean he is smaller than the league average. The best thing about him is his experience. He worked his way up from the junior college ranks to playing for a great program in a major NCAA conference.

Steven's spent two years at College of the Sequoias tallying 71 tackles and six interceptions before transferring to Oregon State. In his two years there he anchored the Beaver defense totaling 122 tackles with eight interceptions. He literally has earned everything he has, worked hard for it and I think could be an instant upgrade on the corner for us.

This is Pittsburgh and we need bring your lunch pail to work type players. No boys permitted.

First Round Wrap Up

Leading up to the draft I seen plenty of social media post by Steeler fans calling for a corner or safety. I read them all quietly to myself dismissing the idea, not because I thought it was a bad idea, but because Pittsburgh historically will worry about their pass rush over pass coverage. I mean, after all we are a franchise built on linebacker and Bud Dupree fits our team.

If you think you need first or second rounders in the secondary to win championships just look at the Steelers over the last ten years and you can see the evidence to the contrary. During our memorable Super Bowl XL run, only Troy Polamalu was drafted during the first two rounds. Chris Hope (3rd round 94th overall), Ike Taylor (4th round 125th overall) and Deshea Townsend (4th round 117th overall) were all later round guys who played well because our front seven didn't leave them out to dry. During the next run, Super Bowl XLIII, Troy was joined by second round pick, Bryant McFadden (62nd overall) and other than that Ike Taylor (yep, fourth rounder) and Ryan Clark (former undrafted rookie) finished the secondary. Two championships, only one first rounder and one second rounder.

So, why were these late round guys so successful? Pass rush.

Just look at the amazing front seven during those championship years. Von Olehoffen, Keisel, Porter, Harrison, Hampton Farrior and the list goes on and on.

So, what changed? Less than stellar drafts.

Over the last five years, not counting 2014, we have picked 44 times with 13 of those being front seven guys. Only seven of those spent multiple years with the Steelers and only one is still with the team. These have been atrocious drafts for the front seven and you can't expect to win titles with a poor pass rush. If you don't draft well up front then you can't keep pressure on the opposing quarterback and thus give them more time for them to pick apart a weaker secondary.

Bud Dupree looks the part. He is much bigger than our last two first rounders, Jarvis Jones (6'2 245 lbs) and Ryan Shazier (6'1 237 lbs), as he stands 6'4 and weighs a whopping 269 lbs. Dupree's play reminds me of Jason Gildon and who wouldn't want that kind of production? Gildon's 77 sacks are the most in franchise history. He is big and deceptively fast (4.56 40 yard dash) with exception character, something we should never underestimate.

The biggest thing to remember is that there are tons of defensive backs in this draft. If the Steelers don't grab some in the second or third rounds, I'd be shocked. The Steelers will continue, until hell freezes over, to fix their pass rush because lets face it, a Steelers team without a great pass rush just isn't a Steelers team.

Defense wins championships. Bud Dupree for President.

2015

It's literally been one year since I've posted to this site. The companies that I run have grown so much and so much extra work has been added to me that I just couldn't update consistently. With the growth though I was able to bring someone on to help me out, which has freed up time. Hence me posting again.

Now, its really close to the draft, tomorrow is round one actually, but you have to get back into it at some point and why not today. I'm really excited about this draft, as I always am. There is a sense of new hope for aspects of our game that our boys in black and gold need to work on and that is always exciting to know that we could fix it all, or crash and burn.

So, what is my opinion about our draft needs?

It shocks me as a Steeler fan to say this, but we need defense. Our secondary has been in rabbles for years with our linebackers and defensive line not much better. We've signed some really intriguing players from the CFL ala Shawn Lemon and Ian Wild but there are a lot of holes to fill. This draft is full of pass rushers and defensive backs, which bodes well for us.While there is always a need for something offensive, a new reciever and another young running back would be nice, but could be grabbed in later rounds. I hope that we stick to the defensive side of the ball and rebuild what we've always been known for in the Burgh.

Round One

Round 1, Pick 15
Ryan Shazier- LB Ohio State
Ryan led the Big Ten in tackles (134 TOT, 94 UA) and was a first team All-American and Big Ten player. He was constantly behind the opposing line of scrimmage, racking up 39.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. He completed his career at Ohio sixth all time in solo tackles and tackles for loss.

 

Shazier is extremely productive and has incredible ability to get to the gaps with his sub 4.4 speed. He has a quick first step and opens up fluidly to make his open field movement extremely quick and reliable. The only fear I have is over aggressiveness and his lack of diagnosing plays earlier enough to prevent getting gobbled up by larger defenders. Each of those will get better with time though.

I was a bit confused by the idea of an edge rusher in the first round, mainly because of last year's first round pick Jarvis Jones and our 2013 sack leader Jason Worilds. Word is though that they are going to move him inside and as long as our DL holds up like the lines of old, he should be able to use that speed to improve our run stopping.

Projection: Week One Starter

I'm Back!

Its been, well, over a year since I last posted here. So, much has come up and I just kind of lost the time. I have been increasing the size of my business and acquiring new ventures as well. But its time to come back and continue writing about something I truly care about, the Steelers. So, I will start posting about this years draft very soon.

Undrafted Report

The Steelers snatched up fifteen undrafted rookies at the conclusion of the NFL draft. The Steelers went offensive line heavy with this group signing six different hog-mollies, as I like to call them. Instead of breaking down every player I'm going to break down my top three and my sleeper pick.

The entire list of the players signed by the Steelers looks like this:

Brian Arnfelt, DE, Northwestern; Alan Baxter, LB, Northern Illinois; Nik Embernate, G, San Diego State; Reggie Dunn, WR, Utah; Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State; Mike Golic Jr, OG, Notre Dame; Cordian Hagans, DE, Louisiana-Lafayette; Chris Hubbard, G, UAB; Omar Hunter, DT, Florida; Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii; Joe Madsen, C, WVU; Curtis McNeal, RB, USC; Ivory Wade, C, Baylor; Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State; J.D Woods, WR, WVU.

My top three focuses on what I feel are depth issue positions. What I'm looking at is positions where the players we have are questionable or the depth there is in question. I ask myself three questions when breaking down these players; Is this player better then who is already here? Can he be better in the next few years then who is here? Will he be safe on our practice squad?

Here is how my top three look:

Number One
Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State
This is a big guy and a player I'm shocked didn't get drafted at some point in time. Farrel has commanding size at 6'6 305lbs. He took over at left tackle after graduation decimated the Lions following the 2011 season. During that 2011 season he also helped Penn State lead the Big Ten with only 14 sacks allowed.

Outlook
With the Steelers not resigning Max Starks that means he will compete for one of most likely four spots. Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert will be starters regardless and Kelvin Beachum has started at right tackle but is considered to be a guard. Prior to the draft the Steelers brought in 6'5 304lb Joe Long, brother of Rams left tackle and former first overall pick Jake Long. With all that being said, I think the stars have aligned for Farrell to make this roster. He is big, strong and very experienced. If he can just show up and be the same type of player he was at Penn State he will make this team.

Number Two
Mike Golic Jr, C/OG, Notre Dame
The Steelers and other sites have listed Golic as an offensive tackle but he is a natural guard and center. As a fifth year Senior on Notre Dame's undefeated team, he started all thirteen games at guard and has played well at center throughout his career. He has good size for a guard at 6'3 300lbs and has shown some great flashes of ability at Notre Dame. He made a name for himself this year with his play but he has had some consistency issues.

Outlook
Ramon Foster and last years first round pick, David DeCastro, will be the starters this season. That means that Golic will be competing with the three other guards on roster and the two other undrafted free agents brought in this weekend. Beachum is a lock for a roster spot and John Malecki has the inside track to the fourth spot. What works well for Golic is his ability to play center as well. Right now the Steelers have only one center on roster, Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey; but don't forget those two undrafted free agents the Steelers brought in to compete. As of right now I think that Golic is better then Cheadle and the other rookies brought in; I think he makes the roster as a backup guard and center.

Number Three
Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State
The Steelers have had a thing for huge lineman this offseason and White fits that bill. The son of Hall of Famer Reggie White, Anthony is a monster at 6'2 320lbs. He took a longer road to Michigan State through JUCO program, Fort Scott, but he started 16 games for the Spartans tallying 65 tackles and one sack.

Outlook
The Steelers defensive line has become rather crowded with pre and post draft signings. Currently there are six defensive lineman on roster, but don't forget the Steelers drafted one and signed four others including White. Right now there are five lineman who most likely will have roster spots (Keisel, Heyward, Hood, Woods and McClendon), this means that White will compete with six players for the final one or two spots. White has the size to get a spot but production and consistency issues I think leave him on the practice squad to start the season but he could have an impact with some seasoning.

Sleeper
Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii
I know its odd to have a long snapper on this list but Ingram is a player to watch. The Steelers are still looking to cut salary and going from a veteran salary to a rookie minimum could save them a lot of money. If you think back to Greg Warren's entry into the NFL, he replaced a talented Mike Schneck so the Steelers could save money in a very similar situation. Warren is a nine year veteran who has fought off every rookie attempt to take his job but Ingram is an experienced and talented snapper. He's played in every game in his college career, 53 total games. If he can show the Steelers there will be no drop off from Greg Warren to himself, they could very well cut the veteran for the youngster.

Stay tuned for more articles as I get back into the full swing of Steelernation greatness.

Day Three

The final day of the draft has come and gone and I think I speak for most fans when I say I'm pretty happy with it. They addressed some needs and added a lot of much needed depth. So how did the final day pan out for the Steelers?

Round 4, Pick 14 (111)
Shamarko Thomas- This kid is a powerful hitter, has great speed running a 4.2 forty and has great instincts. He could have an immediate impact if Polamalu or Clark go down with injuries. Now, he is injury prone but hopefully taking a reserved role for a year or two will prevent that from becoming a problem.

Round 4, Pick 18 (115)
Landry Jones- The Steelers finally this season have addressed our poor backup quarterbacks. They signed the talented Bruce Gradkowski and now have drafted a young prospect. Landry has good size at 6'4 225lbs. He has a good arm but has a knack for making poor decisions more then he should. But the negativity and questions you may have can't really be brought to the forefront since he won't be asked to play anytime soon. If Big Ben goes down the Bruce will be the man under center. Landry will most likely sit for the next three or four years to learn.

Round 5, Pick 17 (150)
Terry Hawthorne- This is a relative unknown to me but as I dived into the corner I really liked what I saw. He is a big corner at 6'0 195lbs. The big thing with Hawthorne is that he is mainly a containment corner. His back pedaling is not that great, he has issues with taking unnecessary risks and doesn't use his height to extend to get passes. He needs to be polished but this could turn out to be a great late round pick.

Round 6, Pick 18 (186)
Justin Brown- Brown is a big guy at 6'3 209lbs. Now, I'm a bit partial but I do not like this pick at all. There were in my opinion better receivers on the board like DeVonte Christopher, Mark Davis and Ryan Spadola. I have an issue with his loyalty and willingness to work past adversity after leaving Penn State to play a season at Oklahoma. I don't like the pick and I don't expect him to make the roster.

Round 6, Pick 38 (206)
Vince Williams- I'm confused by this pick as well. Once again there were in my opinion a lot better linebackers still available like Chase Thomas or Michael Mauti, seriously how did they pass up those guys? He is injury prone and don't even say Mauti is because he had one injury in his collegiate career. Williams is camp fodder in my opinion and a wasted pick because they could have got him as an undrafted free agent.

Round 7, Pick 17 (223)
Nick Williams- This a behemoth of a man at 6'4 309lbs. I love this pick and I'm really excited to see him this camp and preseason. He is explosive running a 4.97 forty at 300 plus pounds. He is so versatile being able to play a 3-4 tackle or an end in a 4-3 scheme. This little known player from a little known school could be one the steals of this draft if he takes advantage of the opportunities he will be given.

So, there they are. The future prospects of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Overall I give the Steelers a B grade. They addressed some needs, added some great depth and some great prospects. But in true head scratching fashion they still passed on some very talented players.

My favorite picks were Shamarko Thomas and Nick Williams.

Stay tuned for my report on the undrafted rookies signed by the Steelers.