So TMC, can you stack your top-5 to 10 DB's and OLB's now? Just talking first two rounds options. Don't list anyone you don't think is worth the #62 pick.
From the talk in the thread is the consensus Awuzie is ahead of Tebor, Wilson and Desmond King? Do you put Kevin King above them as well?
What is your choice Watt vs. McKinley at #30 if it falls that way? Do you have a preference?
Baker vs. Obi vs. Conley or Humphrey?
Just theoretically stacking the board for the Steelers (and I know there are unknowns from the interview process we will never know and these are likely split hair decisions and often not a "wrong" answer).
Well, that is more difficult that you realize because I don't know the exact direction the Steelers want to go in. I mean, do they draft for the nickel? Is it the true 4 DL nickel with 2 pure ILBs or is it a 3-3-5 like I am thinking with 3 true DL, 2 OLBs, and Shazier. So, I'll throw out some options, CBs probably won't change much, but the OLBs definitely will. I'll start with the corners....
1-Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State- he is first, but it could be him, Humphrey, or Lattimore. He is the most polished.
2-Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State-most athletic of the top 3.
3-Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama-biggest upside of the top 3.
4-Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado-most versatile corner in the draft.
5-TreDavious White, CB, LSU-criminally underrated.
6-Adoree Jackson, CB, USC-similar to Awuzie, can play inside or outside, biggest knock is he is a gambler and his height.
7-Kevin King, CB, Washington-long, athletic, good in press. He makes plays. Being the 3rd best DB at Washington still makes you pretty damn good.
8-Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida-another solid secondary, he was the guy that had man coverage without help.
9-Sidney Jones, CB, Washington-if not for his injury, he would be in the group with Conley, Lattimore, Humphrey, top 15 talent.
10-Fabiran Moreau, CB, UCLA-minus his injury, he would go late first, early 2nd.
And, I think guys like Rasul Douglas, Howard Wilson, and Damontee Kazee should be getting some love too. In a less CB heavy draft, they would all be highly sought after. I should also add that, I think some NFL teams will see guys like Budda Baker, Desmond King, and even Obi Melinfonwu as potential corners. I've also softened on my stance on Peppers. In watching more Michigan film, when he locks up on guys in the slot, before I noticed what I thought was hesitation in his game, but I think he had outside contain responsibilities that caused him to pause. When in straight man, he runs well with guys. So, wide open, almost a "what's your flavor type deal".
As for edge rushers, I'll break this out into two groups. If we are looking for QB killers, guys that play up the field, here are my top 10 (even past #62):
1-Takk McKinley, OLB, UCLA
2-Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
3-Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee-not my first choice, but I think he is on the radar as a down DE type.
4-Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan-same as Barnett.
5-Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State
6-Jordan Willis, OLB, Kansas State
7-Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic
8-Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois
9-Tarrell Basham, DE, Ohio
10-Keionta Davis, DE, Chattanooga
If coverage/versatiltiy is our thing, some of these guys will fall off. If we are going for more of a 3-3-5, multiple front scheme, then I think coverage and overall skills are bigger factors than holding the point and rushing the passer, so these guys may give up some there, but have more coverage skills:
1-Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple-perfect Swiss Army Knife for the OLB/ILB/Passrusher/coverage guy. With him, you can present a multitude of fronts.
2-TJ Watt, OLB, Wisconsin-good in coverage, good enough at the point, developing pass rusher.
3-Ryan Anderson, OLB, Alabama-not quite as athletic as others, but steady and consistent, just does what needs to be done.
4-Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston-to me, a poor man's (not that poor though) TJ Watt. Maybe better in coverage and athletically.
5-Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama-good athlete and pass rusher, off the field really kills him for me.
6-Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin-flashes about as much on film as Watt does. Limited athlete that just plays.
7-Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois-undersized but plays his *** off.
8-Samson Ebukam, OLB, Eastern Washington-I think he desperately need coaching, but has the athletic attributes to develop into a Reddick type kid.
9-Javancy Jones, OLB, Jackson State-a small school pass rusher that can do a lot of things.
10-Jayon Brown, OLB, UCLA-another guy that does multiple things for the defense, can play ILB, OLB, and rush the passer.
So, to blend those groups into a big mess based on talent....
1-Haason Reddick
2-TJ Watt
3-Takk McKinley-injury pushes him down
4-Carl Lawson
5-Derek Rivers
6-Ryan Anderson
7-Tyus Bowser
8-Tim Williams
9-Vince Biegel
10-Carroll Phillips
I think the top 4 probably come before any CB at #30 and the next group are your targets at #62.
Adding this...as for Baker or Obi, I take Baker and not think twice. Baker can play anywhere on the field. He played deep as a single. He played deep in Cover-2. He played in the box. He covered the slot. He played outside as an edge corner. They had no fear lining him up where they needed him. Now, he can struggle with bigger WRs that can high point passes because he isn't tall. But, that is about the only hole in his game. Excellent student of the game, knows how to line people up, smart. Great pre-snap reads and instincts. Sees throws coming before the QB releases the ball. Obi, as a 4-year starter, has to see the ball in the air before he breaks. He still doesn't have great pre-snap reads. He has excellent closing ability and can walk down in the box, but outside of that (and his ability to play man), he doesn't give much. You won't put him deep because he reacts too slowly. I mean, redshirt as a freshman, 4 years starting, still reacts like a rookie. Not sure he ever changes. Give me the guys that get it between the ears, see it, play with those instincts. That is what made Polamalu so great, he knew formations and tendencies. When they dumped short, he was already coming. That is Baker.
As for Conley or Humphrey-depends on what you want. If you want a guy that will walk in early and take a starting spot and play it well for a decade, that is Conley to me. If you want a guy that might be a little longer to develop but once he gets there, you have a multiple trip Pro Bowl talent, that is Humphrey. His upside is greater, but Conley is NFL ready. He just doesn't make many mistakes. He can do about what you want and do it with such consistency. You watch him and keep waiting for him to make a mistake and they just don't happen. He may never be elite, but he will be very, very good. Humphrey could be elite, but he has to develop further. He is a bigger reward but comes with a bigger risk.
