- Joined
- Apr 8, 2014
- Messages
- 6,569
- Reaction score
- 4,321
- Points
- 113
RD1- Justin Reid S Stanford
IMO The Steelers will be waiting to see who falls. If there are 3 players they like here I could see them taking calls to move back and to pick back up that 4th they are missing.
But I believe Reid would be one of those guys they have interest in. A lot will be determined o free agency. But if they don’t get a high priority free agent Reid would be a nice fit. He has no holes in his game. He can play the run, he is instinctive in pass coverage, can even blitz.
RD2- Darius Leonard LB South Carolina St.
Leonard is a guy I recently scouted as I had him pegged as an OLB. But at SCS he played all over. Looking at the film he’s not a quick twitch athlete like Shazier but a fluid athlete like James Farrior. He kind of flows to the ball. Loose hips and sneaky fast. Why I picked him over Malik Jefferson is he’s very smooth in coverage and understands zone concepts very well. His size it not great but his long arms really help him in shedding blockers and defending passes.
RD3- Ian Thomas TE Indiana
Thomas looks the part of an NFL TE. He’s 6-4 259lbs with long 34” arms and banana hands at 11 1/2” long. He checks all the boxes. But he needs tons of work on route running, blocking, and he is such a humble kid he has no dog in him. But with Vance and the outlaw still on the roster this gives us a year or two to mold this kid into something.
RD5a- Royce Freeman RB Oregon
Freeman kind of reminds me of Bell. I think he’s playing about 10lbs heavier than he should and that will do a lot for his feet quickness. If Bell doesn’t sign before this summer he’s going to play out his tag and is gone next year. Freeman and Connor give us a great opportunity to see them in a limited role this year but give us a peak if we need to go RB early next year. Freeman is a patient runner with very good vision and block awareness. He has above average hands but is no Bell in that department. Needs work on Pass Pro like most do but definitely has the size.
RD5b- Hercules Mata’afa Defense Washington State
I’m not sure what this kid is besides a football player. He played DT at 253lbs and obviously won’t in the NFL. Has good athleticism but not sure he’s edge material. But what I do know is he flies off the snap and uses his hands extremely well winning vs much larger linemen. This kid has the heart of a pit bull in him. I feel at the very least he could be a situational pass rusher on sub packages.
RD7a- Brett Toth OL Army
Toth is a very quick footed OT that works well moving up levels in run blocking. Has decent size with room to grow. Played in a very heavy run based offense so will need help with technique but he could be a nice PS stash. I feel Hawkins gets his shot at the swing tackle this year but if he can’t produce Toth would have a shot to be signed from the PS and take his spot.
RD7b- Richie James WR Middle Tennessee St
James is a quick footed electric athlete which reminds me a little of AB. He has no fear, runs nice routes using his feet to set up his defender, hand catcher who adjusts to the ball, has return ability. I think he’d be a nice slot guy when it’s all said and done. Has two huge years as a freshman and sophomore but injury ended his junior campaign. As a sophomore had 105 catches, 1625 yards, 12 td receptions and had another 347 rushing yards 4 more tds.
Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
IMO The Steelers will be waiting to see who falls. If there are 3 players they like here I could see them taking calls to move back and to pick back up that 4th they are missing.
But I believe Reid would be one of those guys they have interest in. A lot will be determined o free agency. But if they don’t get a high priority free agent Reid would be a nice fit. He has no holes in his game. He can play the run, he is instinctive in pass coverage, can even blitz.
RD2- Darius Leonard LB South Carolina St.
Leonard is a guy I recently scouted as I had him pegged as an OLB. But at SCS he played all over. Looking at the film he’s not a quick twitch athlete like Shazier but a fluid athlete like James Farrior. He kind of flows to the ball. Loose hips and sneaky fast. Why I picked him over Malik Jefferson is he’s very smooth in coverage and understands zone concepts very well. His size it not great but his long arms really help him in shedding blockers and defending passes.
RD3- Ian Thomas TE Indiana
Thomas looks the part of an NFL TE. He’s 6-4 259lbs with long 34” arms and banana hands at 11 1/2” long. He checks all the boxes. But he needs tons of work on route running, blocking, and he is such a humble kid he has no dog in him. But with Vance and the outlaw still on the roster this gives us a year or two to mold this kid into something.
RD5a- Royce Freeman RB Oregon
Freeman kind of reminds me of Bell. I think he’s playing about 10lbs heavier than he should and that will do a lot for his feet quickness. If Bell doesn’t sign before this summer he’s going to play out his tag and is gone next year. Freeman and Connor give us a great opportunity to see them in a limited role this year but give us a peak if we need to go RB early next year. Freeman is a patient runner with very good vision and block awareness. He has above average hands but is no Bell in that department. Needs work on Pass Pro like most do but definitely has the size.
RD5b- Hercules Mata’afa Defense Washington State
I’m not sure what this kid is besides a football player. He played DT at 253lbs and obviously won’t in the NFL. Has good athleticism but not sure he’s edge material. But what I do know is he flies off the snap and uses his hands extremely well winning vs much larger linemen. This kid has the heart of a pit bull in him. I feel at the very least he could be a situational pass rusher on sub packages.
RD7a- Brett Toth OL Army
Toth is a very quick footed OT that works well moving up levels in run blocking. Has decent size with room to grow. Played in a very heavy run based offense so will need help with technique but he could be a nice PS stash. I feel Hawkins gets his shot at the swing tackle this year but if he can’t produce Toth would have a shot to be signed from the PS and take his spot.
RD7b- Richie James WR Middle Tennessee St
James is a quick footed electric athlete which reminds me a little of AB. He has no fear, runs nice routes using his feet to set up his defender, hand catcher who adjusts to the ball, has return ability. I think he’d be a nice slot guy when it’s all said and done. Has two huge years as a freshman and sophomore but injury ended his junior campaign. As a sophomore had 105 catches, 1625 yards, 12 td receptions and had another 347 rushing yards 4 more tds.
Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Last edited:
