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Here's my annual draft review, with the fun part being three years watching the guys who I didn't think could play initially by defended by homers, then ultimately flop, while at the same time seeing the picks I endorsed shine. I'm not going to list all of my called busts or approved picks that were good players, you've seen and heard them before. Sure I can be wrong. My main issue is with the number of resources the Steelers have, why do I often do a better job than they do? Like always, I encourage anyone to say who they would have taken. Funny the loudest critics here never seem to do it.
Round one. Colbert traded our first-round pick for Fitzpatrick during the season. I was for this move, and Fitz is one of the best three safeties in football. We have him signed for cheap too for years, and that's key. A move I approved of when it happened. A+
Coach's call. The same player
Round Two. While I really wanted Taylor and would have tried to trade up to get him if possible, I also felt Claypool was a top talent with a freak like abilities / workout numbers would not fall to us in round two. He did, partly because this was a very good WR draft. Claypool reminds me a bit of Plexico Burress, who, when he had his head on right worked very well with Ben. Unlike Burress, Claypool is a monster blocker and has long-striding deep speed to hit the home run. Claypool will open up the sideline passes, can be uses on some TE patterns, will become a very dangerous red-zone weapon a 50/50 type of receiver, and deep ball option either on play-action or vs . cover 3 in the middle. While he doesn't have sudden acceleration to separate or sharp cuts, there is a lot to like on his route tree. Who's going to cover him? A mismatch weapon.
Grade A-
Coach's call. Same player. I would have seriously considered Dobbins, but he failed to work out either t the combine or on Pro day. Prove your speed and agility.
Round Three. Highsmith. While I like Highsmith's effort, this could be a case of small school pass rusher star meeting NFL Tackles. If the Steelers keep Dupree, Highsmith will remain a backup, and he might not be strong enough vs. he run or quick enough as a pass rusher to shine in the NFL. There were better players and more urgent needs on the board.
Grade C
Coach's call. Guard, John Simpson. Simpson needs some work, but he has pro bowl ability as a run blocker. This is a very huge, strong man with long arms and very big hands. Watch him root out a DT's. On screenplay, the other guy, better be quick to get around him because few can stop him head-on. He'll need some seasoning, but the tools are for him to become a really good NFL player.
Round Four ) Running back, MacFarland. The Steelers passed on some good backs in round two. None of the backs that were viewed as starting material fell to them in round 3 . I wonder if they tried to trade up for Taylor? I would have. So when it was their turn round four, this is what they get. While McFarland has good speed and can run outside, I don't view him as a successful in-between the tackles NFL runner, but he could be a nice change of pace 3rd down back bringing speed to a backfield that lacks it. Unfortunately, he's a little small and has injury issues, which likely means I think he'll have injury issues in the NFL, maybe not a rookie, but sooner or later. He also could be a starter sooner than later, too, as Conner is very fragile ( And fumble prone ). Snell is to slow feature, and Samuels too limited / lacks the feel of an every-down back. I am intrigued by Whyte. Not a back pick, but does he solve a long term need?
B
Coach's Call. Same player.
Grade B
Round four ) Guard Kevin Dotson Who? This is a small school player, who I don't recall looking good in the college all start practices or games where he could have proved something was a mystery pick. I checked, Dotson was hurt and underwent surgery and did not attend the senior bowl. He has good timed speed, but reports say he's not agile and has issues with pass blocking. In general, I want to see small school draft prospects prove they can play in the college all-star games. The Steelers have issues on OL. Pouncey is expensive an in decline; age is an issue elsewhere. Dotson is likely not to get a hat. He's raw, and developmental. C+
Coach's call. Center Tyler Biadasz. A blue-collar battle-tested player who can ope up holes and combo block, he would have been a much safer pick. Dotson looks like a project type, a good gamble on for round six, not in round four with needs. I predict since he's taking a big step up in competition, He'll be without a hat on game day unless injuries hit.
Round six. Safety S Antoine Brooks. Quick, someone tell Tomlin short and slow doesn't work at safety and to lose his hard-on for hybrid players. " big safties " This guy better be good on special teams as he's meat in coverage. To small to cover TE's, too slow to cover any receiver man to man. Not much of a vertical, with shorter than average arm length. C-
Coach's call. Safety Josh Metellus A faster and taller safety with better ball production ( 5 picks, 10 passes defended in the past two years ). Metellushas longer arms and a better vertical in comparison to Brooks, with a solid shuttle time. I suspect Brooks lacks agility and didn't run this drill. Metellus tackles well, and can be your in the box SS or add something to coverage, which Brooks won't.
Round Seven ) DT NT Carlos Davis. Not a terrible pick for round 7, he doesn't ;offer much as a 4 man rusher.
Grade C-
Coach's call. DT.NT Benito Jones. Jones made a lot of plays at a DT/NT on a bad team in the SEC, which is impressive. This to me suggests he could be a nice role player in the NFL. I have no idea why he fell. Did he have an injury of character issues?
Overall, this isn't a bad draft thanks to Ftizpatrick. The question is can any of the picks after round two become NFL starters or a quality role players?
Round one. Colbert traded our first-round pick for Fitzpatrick during the season. I was for this move, and Fitz is one of the best three safeties in football. We have him signed for cheap too for years, and that's key. A move I approved of when it happened. A+
Coach's call. The same player
Round Two. While I really wanted Taylor and would have tried to trade up to get him if possible, I also felt Claypool was a top talent with a freak like abilities / workout numbers would not fall to us in round two. He did, partly because this was a very good WR draft. Claypool reminds me a bit of Plexico Burress, who, when he had his head on right worked very well with Ben. Unlike Burress, Claypool is a monster blocker and has long-striding deep speed to hit the home run. Claypool will open up the sideline passes, can be uses on some TE patterns, will become a very dangerous red-zone weapon a 50/50 type of receiver, and deep ball option either on play-action or vs . cover 3 in the middle. While he doesn't have sudden acceleration to separate or sharp cuts, there is a lot to like on his route tree. Who's going to cover him? A mismatch weapon.
Grade A-
Coach's call. Same player. I would have seriously considered Dobbins, but he failed to work out either t the combine or on Pro day. Prove your speed and agility.
Round Three. Highsmith. While I like Highsmith's effort, this could be a case of small school pass rusher star meeting NFL Tackles. If the Steelers keep Dupree, Highsmith will remain a backup, and he might not be strong enough vs. he run or quick enough as a pass rusher to shine in the NFL. There were better players and more urgent needs on the board.
Grade C
Coach's call. Guard, John Simpson. Simpson needs some work, but he has pro bowl ability as a run blocker. This is a very huge, strong man with long arms and very big hands. Watch him root out a DT's. On screenplay, the other guy, better be quick to get around him because few can stop him head-on. He'll need some seasoning, but the tools are for him to become a really good NFL player.
Round Four ) Running back, MacFarland. The Steelers passed on some good backs in round two. None of the backs that were viewed as starting material fell to them in round 3 . I wonder if they tried to trade up for Taylor? I would have. So when it was their turn round four, this is what they get. While McFarland has good speed and can run outside, I don't view him as a successful in-between the tackles NFL runner, but he could be a nice change of pace 3rd down back bringing speed to a backfield that lacks it. Unfortunately, he's a little small and has injury issues, which likely means I think he'll have injury issues in the NFL, maybe not a rookie, but sooner or later. He also could be a starter sooner than later, too, as Conner is very fragile ( And fumble prone ). Snell is to slow feature, and Samuels too limited / lacks the feel of an every-down back. I am intrigued by Whyte. Not a back pick, but does he solve a long term need?
B
Coach's Call. Same player.
Grade B
Round four ) Guard Kevin Dotson Who? This is a small school player, who I don't recall looking good in the college all start practices or games where he could have proved something was a mystery pick. I checked, Dotson was hurt and underwent surgery and did not attend the senior bowl. He has good timed speed, but reports say he's not agile and has issues with pass blocking. In general, I want to see small school draft prospects prove they can play in the college all-star games. The Steelers have issues on OL. Pouncey is expensive an in decline; age is an issue elsewhere. Dotson is likely not to get a hat. He's raw, and developmental. C+
Coach's call. Center Tyler Biadasz. A blue-collar battle-tested player who can ope up holes and combo block, he would have been a much safer pick. Dotson looks like a project type, a good gamble on for round six, not in round four with needs. I predict since he's taking a big step up in competition, He'll be without a hat on game day unless injuries hit.
Round six. Safety S Antoine Brooks. Quick, someone tell Tomlin short and slow doesn't work at safety and to lose his hard-on for hybrid players. " big safties " This guy better be good on special teams as he's meat in coverage. To small to cover TE's, too slow to cover any receiver man to man. Not much of a vertical, with shorter than average arm length. C-
Coach's call. Safety Josh Metellus A faster and taller safety with better ball production ( 5 picks, 10 passes defended in the past two years ). Metellushas longer arms and a better vertical in comparison to Brooks, with a solid shuttle time. I suspect Brooks lacks agility and didn't run this drill. Metellus tackles well, and can be your in the box SS or add something to coverage, which Brooks won't.
Round Seven ) DT NT Carlos Davis. Not a terrible pick for round 7, he doesn't ;offer much as a 4 man rusher.
Grade C-
Coach's call. DT.NT Benito Jones. Jones made a lot of plays at a DT/NT on a bad team in the SEC, which is impressive. This to me suggests he could be a nice role player in the NFL. I have no idea why he fell. Did he have an injury of character issues?
Overall, this isn't a bad draft thanks to Ftizpatrick. The question is can any of the picks after round two become NFL starters or a quality role players?
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