Okay, so I spent a couple hours going through players the Steelers have visited, had dinner with, brought in, and generally been showing interest in during the draft cycle. I’m sure I missed some because I haven’t tracked it as closely as I normally do, but I took the list I had and cross referenced it with a couple sites including CBS Sport and NFL.com to get a general consensus for where they rank the players the Steelers have liked. This kind of takes my personal bias out of it and I think it gives me a clearer picture of the feel of where these players might go. Not scientific by any means, but it helps me create buckets for each round. What I found interesting this year was the buckets don’t have big gaps in them, meaning a guy that is a “2nd round prospect” carries a damn close grade to a guy considered a “1st round prospect”. And, it really blurs like hell as you move down. In the past, the buckets were usually 5-8 players in the first, maybe 10 in the second (because a first might slide), 10 in the 3rd, and I’d group the rest after that. Often, guys slide down and a 2nd round prospect is taken in the 3rd, a 3rd in the 4th and maybe even into the 5th, leaving the 4th down group to fill out the rounds (or someone off the radar). So, without further ado, here is what I have:
First Round
Taco Charlton, OLB, Michigan-doubt he is there, but they took him to dinner with Wormley. I think Wormley is the target, but it would be a mistake to not list him.
David Njoku, TE, Miami-again, unlikely to be there, but I think he is high on the list.
Takk McKinley, OLB, UCLA-highest rated OLB, just behind the top 2, injury might make him available.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama-was surprised he wasn’t rated higher, still don’t think he is there.
Budda Baker, FS, Washington-I put the line above Baker because I think they are gone and he might be the highest rated guy when the Steelers select. Two other players had the same general score, but Baker was the only DB. Again, using prospect rankings from other site. I would have Awuzie here, but he really wasn’t tied to the Steelers in any way.
Jarred Davis, ILB, Florida-visited, rates right with Baker, but do they go ILB?
Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt-see Davis.
(It should be noted that NFL.com rated all these guys between 5.9-6.3)
Second Round
Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama-actually rated with Baker, Davis, and Cunningham, I just had a tough time putting him in the first round.
TJ Watt, OLB, Wisconsin-I get the middle 2nd feel for him, could go higher, might slide. Tough to peg the general feel, some think his upside is great, some think he is a name.
Patrick Mahommes, QB, Texas Tech-probably goes first round, but his grade puts him here.
Josh Jones, SS, NC State-another guy rising, but have to stay true to the grade.
Marcus Maye, FS, Florida-very underrated player.
Chris Wormley, DL, Michigan-I have a feeling he is a target.
Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama-tough slide here, talent puts him ahead of Baker and behind Humphrey, off-the-field puts him here.
Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia-long corner that can cover and hit. I have him as a 3rd, but I can see this.
Obi Melifonwu, SS, UConn-combine has people talking 1st round, film should have him in the 3rd.
Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State-I think the Steelers are hoping for a slide to the 3rd. They have a 3rd/4th bucket for WRs that is 4-5 deep.
Jake Butt, TE, Michigan-I’d be surprised if injury did not push him down to the 3rd.
Nathan Peterman, QB, Pittsburgh-another tough one to rank, decent QB, pro-style offense, but does he warrant a 2nd round pick?
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan-I have him as a 3rd/4th, most have him higher.
(All these guys between 5.7-5.8 except for Everett and Tim Williams, who were 5.9 and 6.0)
Third Round
Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn-I think the Steelers have him much higher and would be a strong 2nd consideration.
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova-he should go in the high 3rd, but because he is so raw, might make it to us.
Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State-fair film, not enamored with him, but he is athletic and could be coached up. Should go late 2nd, early 3rd.
Raekwon McMillian, ILB, Ohio State-if he is there for us in the 3rd, probably draws strong consideration.
Carlos Watkins, DL, Clemson
Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami-Steelers showed strong interest in Kaaya, too much for my liking.
Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M-start of that WR bucket.
Mack Hollins, WR, UNC
Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia
Davis Webb, QB, Cal
Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois
Keion Adams, OLB, Western Michigan
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo
(Rated between 5.4-5.6)
Fourth Round down
Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee
Samson Ebukam, OLB, Eastern Michigan
Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin
Jalen Myrick, CB, Minnesota
Glen Antoine, NT, Idaho
Javancy Jones, OLB, Jackson State
Montae Nicholson, SS, Michigan State
Treyvon Hester, NT, Toledo
Scott Orndoff, TE, Pittsburgh
Ryan Lewis, CB, Pittsburgh
Jason Crooms, TE, Tennessee
Now, if I had to mock a four round draft based on what I think will happen, I would go:
1st-Budda Baker, FS, Washington
2nd-Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn
3rd-Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia (I think he slides)
3rd-Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
4th-Mack Hollins, WR, UNC or Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson.
That is the early feeling I have.
