Mel Kipers first mock - Steelers - Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson

[Spike]

NFL Mock Draft: Steelers select Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson

Analysis: The Steelers are long in the tooth at cornerback and need a player who can help early at that position (not an easy ask) but will get that kind of player if Johnson is still on the board here. Johnson has outstanding instincts and always seems to have a good idea of where the ball is going. He's got slightly above-average length and, while a lean guy, shows fearlessness as a tackler -- he's not shy about playing the run. The Steelers could also look for an edge player here coming off a season during which they had to call on James Harrison, but this is a sensible need pick.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...15/1/15/7552467/mel-kiper-mock-draft-steelers


same here

http://walterfootball.com/draft2015_1.php

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Cortez Allen was so bad against the Colts that he was actually trending on Twitter. Ike Taylor, meanwhile, was miserable in his return from injury. The Steelers are in desperate need of help at the cornerback position, and they're getting a prospect who fits their scheme well.

 

[USDA#1]

makes sense.

the OLB position isn't great, but that standing pool of dreck they call the CB roster needs to be addressed.

outside of Gay, they just ain't very good.

 

[Spike]

the OLB position isn't great, but that standing pool of dreck they call the CB roster needs to be addressed.

plus every tweener will be picked over before we get there

 

[Spike]

here's a CB list ranking (with Jr prospects if they declare)

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2015/CB

 

[Superman]

SNS was a-scooped by Supe

http://steelernation.com/showthread.php?2689-Talking-draft/page3

 

[freak]

like him

 

[steelpastor]

.

A six foot tall CB that weighs in at 175 pounds does concern me a bit. Plus, we OLB's... several of them!

.

 

[Drink IRON City]

We definately have a glaring NEED at CB. Not sure if that is the right pick (person) but glad thayt posityion is garnering some attention, through the media.



Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

I would be ok with PJ from Florida State. In comparison he is probably one of the safer corners and can support the run as well. Which we know is a desired trait for 3/4 corners. He is also fluid enough to be put on the outside and be solid there.

Other high rated corners have either size, injury, or character concerns.

Early out of the gates I would think it is a reasonable chance if the Steelers go corner in 1, that he is the pick.

 

[Steelerfan]

.

A six foot tall CB that weighs in at 175 pounds does concern me a bit. Plus, we OLB's... several of them!

.

Archer at CB! Worth a try.

 

[steelerscotty]

I think all the high-end pass rushers will be gone by the time we pick. I would want Trae Waynes at CB first but he will probably be gone by pick 15. Not opposed to KJ but we will see what happens with combine etc. Many will fall and rise and in the next 3 months.

Is this the year to move up?

 

[Spike]

Is this the year to move up?

for who?

all the top tweener OLB's are getting gobbled up way before us... now that all teams run a 3-4

 

[F83]

Rather get the MSU CB, played vs better competition and he is 6"1 180 and ran a 4.43
Waynes has seven passes broken up, three interceptions, and 40 tackles in 2014. He has been reliable in coverage and has demonstrated the ability to be a press-man corner. The junior is quick and physical.

Waynes notched four tackles, one interception and one pass broken up against Penn State. Versus Michigan, Waynes had five tackles with a pass broken up. He played well against Wolverines receiver Devin Funchess, although an idiotic official flagged Waynes falsely on one contested pass. He had two interceptions against Nebraska with good coverage. Waynes was called for two pass interference penalties, too, but only one was legitimate.

Waynes had excellent coverage all night against Oregon. On the first drive of the game, Mariota went his direction, but Waynes nailed a receiver to knock a pass away. Waynes had tight coverage throughout the night on receivers running deep down field. In the second half, Mariota tested Waynes deep, but he was in the hip pocket of the receiver. Waynes got away with some contact, but it was a better non-call.

8/27/14: While Darqueze Dennard received all the headlines in 2013, Waynes also had an excellent

This is the CB we have been lacking since the early years of Ike.
Has potential to be our best CB since Woodson or at worst Chad Scott

 

[slashsteel]

Rather get the MSU CB, played vs better competition and he is 6"1 180 and ran a 4.43
Waynes has seven passes broken up, three interceptions, and 40 tackles in 2014. He has been reliable in coverage and has demonstrated the ability to be a press-man corner. The junior is quick and physical.

Waynes notched four tackles, one interception and one pass broken up against Penn State. Versus Michigan, Waynes had five tackles with a pass broken up. He played well against Wolverines receiver Devin Funchess, although an idiotic official flagged Waynes falsely on one contested pass. He had two interceptions against Nebraska with good coverage. Waynes was called for two pass interference penalties, too, but only one was legitimate.

Waynes had excellent coverage all night against Oregon. On the first drive of the game, Mariota went his direction, but Waynes nailed a receiver to knock a pass away. Waynes had tight coverage throughout the night on receivers running deep down field. In the second half, Mariota tested Waynes deep, but he was in the hip pocket of the receiver. Waynes got away with some contact, but it was a better non-call.

8/27/14: While Darqueze Dennard received all the headlines in 2013, Waynes also had an excellent

This is the CB we have been lacking since the early years of Ike.
Has potential to be our best CB since Woodson or at worst Chad Scott

Dennard didn't exactly light it up in his rookie year. Plus Trae is light in the pants. Not sure the Steelers would be attracted to that in a scheme where they require their corners to be solid in run support.

Probably a mute debate because he probably won't be sitting there come time for the Steelers to pick in 1.

 

[slashsteel]

I think all the high-end pass rushers will be gone by the time we pick. I would want Trae Waynes at CB first but he will probably be gone by pick 15. Not opposed to KJ but we will see what happens with combine etc. Many will fall and rise and in the next 3 months.

Is this the year to move up?

In this years draft there is pretty good depth, with some interesting prospects that should be available come the Steelers second pick. Not top heavy as last years draft. I like the Washington kid Kikaha (6'3 - 250) he should be there in 2.

And that would free up the Steelers to target a corner in 1.

 

[Coach]

The Steelers have not used a 1st round pick on a corner back since Chad Scott in 1997.

Johnson entered Thursday night's ACC showdown with 37 career starts and 36 pass breakups under his belt. He'd shown a penchant for making the big play over his career, notching six interceptions and four fumbles (three of them forced) while earning all-conference honors each of the past three years.

The production is there, but he's rather thin. Film below:

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/20...ospect-to-watch-kevin-johnson-cb-wake-forest/

 

[Coryea]

We're picking at #22, there's going to be an issue with anyone we take

 

[Coach]

We're picking at #22, there's going to be an issue with anyone we take

That depends. There is always players that are picked from spots 16-32 that turn out good

Past Steeler examples. DeCastro pick #24, Holmes pick #25, Miller pick #30, Hampton pick #19.

We just have to match value with needs. No reaching. I think the best 3 edge rushers that project to a 3-4 will be gone by our pick, which is why going with a Corner or Nose Tackle might be the best solution. Then we can pick OLB in rounds 2-3. The Steelers have done very well picking OLB's outside of round one. Porter, Gildon, and Woodely for example.

 

[Djfan]

The Steelers have done very well picking OLB's outside of round one. Porter, Gildon, and Woodely for example.

Roll the Gil-dong and Woodley hate in 5, 4,3, .....

 

[Hines57]

Dennard last year was the guy I wanted. Shazier should still pan out but we could have traded down and collected picks instead of going for Shazier early.

We desperately need a CB and it puts us in a spot where I hope we don't trade up to get one and give away picks. We need each and every one of our picks to hit early in the draft to restock this roster.

 

[Coryea]

That depends. There is always players that are picked from spots 16-32 that turn out good

Past Steeler examples. DeCastro pick #24, Holmes pick #25, Miller pick #30, Hampton pick #19.

We jus. Thathave to match value with needs. No reaching. I think the best 3 edge rushers that project to a 3-4 will be gone by our pick, which is why going with a Corner or Nose Tackle might be the best solution. Then we can pick OLB in rounds 2-3. The Steelers have done very well picking OLB's outside of round one. Porter, Gildon, and Woodely for example.

My point was, I see everyone saying this guy is to light, this guy isn't tall enough, etc, so there's going to be no guys at 22 that are considered can't miss products, whoever we take will have some concerns.

 

[slashsteel]

My point was, I see everyone saying this guy is to light, this guy isn't tall enough, etc, so there's going to be no guys at 22 that are considered can't miss products, whoever we take will have some concerns.

I am guilty of that, noticing trends. But you are right. Also I would say this draft seems to be more about question marks starting from the top down.

Looks like good depth, but a shortage of superstars............

 

[Coach]

Roll the Gil-dong and Woodley hate in 5, 4,3, .....

Gidlon or Woodley ( in shape ) would easily be our best pass rusher. If we can get the same exact player in round one, I'll take him.

 

[Coryea]

I am guilty of that, noticing trends. But you are right. Also I would say this draft seems to be more about question marks starting from the top down.

Looks like good depth, but a shortage of superstars............

yeah, i agree on depth/superstars thing for sure.

 

[Litos]

trade the pick if there's no OLB or CB that isn't a reach. Get more 2nd and 3rd rounders