mock our draft

[steelerscotty]

I thought it would be interesting to do a "mock the mock" on our actual draft.
Same rules apply, you can't draft anyone already taken before each of our picks;only choose the players we actually took or any one still not drafted for each round. Plus this: one trade allowed, but be realistic! No giving your self a crap load of picks trading back nor not giving anything up or completely mortgaging our future to move up.

Here it goes:

1.15: trade down with Packers for 1.21 and 4.21.
I believe we did field trade offers but could not get fair value. In this scenario, with myself calling the shots, I would not have had Shazier so high on my board. Knowing how historicaly deep this draft was I would have accepted lesser value to get an extra pick. I also think Green Bay could have been looking for a trade up.

1.21: Dennard, cb, Mich. St.
We get our help at corner.

2.14: Tuitt, de, Notre Dame.
Love this pick!

3.33: Brant, wr, Clemson.
I didn't think he would last until the end of the third and certainly not into the 4th! I wouldn't have tempted fate and took him here.

4.18: Thomas, rb, Oregon.
Coach Haley gets his science project.

4.21: (from GB). Johnson, db, NC State.
Homer pick, yes. But the guy can play any position in the secondary . . .Coach LeBeau's science project.

5.17: Carrethurs, nt, Ark. St.
A new big body for the base D.

5.33: Johnson, ol, Vandy.
I agree with this pick. Lineman that plays multiple positions, just the way we like 'em.

6.16: Zumwalt, lb, UCLA.
Still scratching my head about this one but in this mock it makes good sense here. I've read the coaches think he can play outside too.

6.39: Blanchflower, te, UMass.
I know Tomlin and co. like this kid so I took him here because of my plan for the 7th.

7.15: Van Den Lamp, P, Iowa St.
I know the last time we drafted a punter it was a train wreck. I just don't trust any of the punters we have signed.

I'm really starting to warm up to Shazier as our first pick. Through this entire mock I tried to find a similar player to draft but never found one. Closest I could find was the lb Howard we signed as a free agent.

OK this will be my last "what if" ***** post for awhile. Its time to close ranks and support the black n' gold! Here is a link to the entire draft from NFL.com if you want to add your own mock to mine:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/tracker/by-round#dt-by-round-input:1

 

[TMC]

I'll play, but it needs to be noted that someone reported that the Steelers had no trade offers while on the clock. None. So, to me, trading down is not an option.

1.15-Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State-I questioned the fit during the draft, but I am also not privileged enough to sit in a room and see the direction they want to take this defense. I have wanted, damn near begged, for a quicker coverage linebacker for about five years. I have said before, either you go smaller and quicker on the DL and a little bigger at LB or you go big at DL and quicker at linebacker. It appears the plan is to go quicker at LB, bigger up front, but they have went out and found a pair of DEs that can also rush the passer. I like the plan. I am on board with this.

2.15-Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame-again, see the plan, like the plan. He fits. Pair him with Heyward and you have two big DEs that can stuff the run and get after the passer. Neither tends to get pushed around in the run game. Both can rush the passer. Both will need some attention. Should help keep LBs clean.

3.33-Bruce Ellington, WR, SC-has speed (4.39 forty) and excellent quickness. He is a basketball player turned WR. Excellent hands, large catch radius, solid route runner that is still developing. He returned kicks and was the backup punt returner. He can run with the football in his hands. More of a pure WR. Gives the slot a guy that could instantly play if needed and could contribute on special teams. Has the bulk on his 5'9" frame to handle the rigors of the NFL and does not have a fumble problem. Very steady and consistent.

4.18-Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson-said all along I would double up at the position and I would. Love the size, think his issues are correctable.

5.17-Shaq Richarson, CB, Arizona-has the things you look for in a corner this late. He has the size and speed warranted. He plays man and zone. Not the greatest COD, but could easily survive as an edge guy. Carnell Lake recruited him to UCLA and liked him a lot, says he can run with any WR. Good enough for me.

5.33-Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt-has the height but I am never a fan of an OT under 300 because I question their strength. I did with Johnson. On film, he looked scrappy and battled, but I just wondered if he could hold up against more powerful players. In all honesty, even though his film was good, I never went back to check his strength numbers, which turn out to be pretty solid. I see the value here. I am on board.

6.16-Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA-not a big fan of his because I think in games, he just is not aggressive and physical enough play in and play out. Butler likes him. If that is the case and he thinks he can do something with him, fine. Not like you are going to find an elite player without holes this late. If Butler thinks he coach him up, we damn sure need the help at LB.

6.39-Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee-many people had him in the 3rd and I hated him that high. He is big, stiff, and does not move well. But, he also does not get pushed around much and has very poor technique. Get his weight down, get him a little more flexible, and get his pad level down, he could be an excellent monster in the middle.

7.15-Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts-he can work as a receiver and block. Solid at both at his level. Works inline, stacked, and split out. Versatile. Has an NFL body.

Priority Free Agent-LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State-he would work as your third down back. Since I took a pure WR in the 3rd and not some hybrid, it creates a need for a RB.

 

[Idioteque]

As for whom I would have taken if I were in the war room and didn't have the hindsight of who ultimately got drafted and where:

1. (from New Orleans; I get their 3rd) Ra'Shede Hageman / DL / Minnesota
2. Davante Adams / WR / Fresno State
3a. Bruce Ellington / WR / Louisville
3b. Antonio Richardson / OT / Tennessee
4. Rashaad Reynolds / CB / Oregon State
5a. Ryan Carrethers / NT / Arkansas State
5b. Antone Exum / CB / Virginia Tech
6a. Isaiah Crowell / RB / Alabama State
6b. Kasim Edebali / OLB / Boston College
7. Jackson Jeffcoat / OLB / Texas
Priority FAs: DE Anthony Johnson, LSU; TE Xavier Grimble, USC; ILB Shayne Skov, Stanford; CB Marcus Roberson, Florida; G Dakota Dozier, Furman

 

[Stryker]

I'll play, but it needs to be noted that someone reported that the Steelers had no trade offers while on the clock. None. So, to me, trading down is not an option.

1.15-Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State-I questioned the fit during the draft, but I am also not privileged enough to sit in a room and see the direction they want to take this defense. I have wanted, damn near begged, for a quicker coverage linebacker for about five years. I have said before, either you go smaller and quicker on the DL and a little bigger at LB or you go big at DL and quicker at linebacker. It appears the plan is to go quicker at LB, bigger up front, but they have went out and found a pair of DEs that can also rush the passer. I like the plan. I am on board with this.

2.15-Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame-again, see the plan, like the plan. He fits. Pair him with Heyward and you have two big DEs that can stuff the run and get after the passer. Neither tends to get pushed around in the run game. Both can rush the passer. Both will need some attention. Should help keep LBs clean.

3.33-Bruce Ellington, WR, SC-has speed (4.39 forty) and excellent quickness. He is a basketball player turned WR. Excellent hands, large catch radius, solid route runner that is still developing. He returned kicks and was the backup punt returner. He can run with the football in his hands. More of a pure WR. Gives the slot a guy that could instantly play if needed and could contribute on special teams. Has the bulk on his 5'9" frame to handle the rigors of the NFL and does not have a fumble problem. Very steady and consistent.

4.18-Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson-said all along I would double up at the position and I would. Love the size, think his issues are correctable.

5.17-Shaq Richarson, CB, Arizona-has the things you look for in a corner this late. He has the size and speed warranted. He plays man and zone. Not the greatest COD, but could easily survive as an edge guy. Carnell Lake recruited him to UCLA and liked him a lot, says he can run with any WR. Good enough for me.

5.33-Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt-has the height but I am never a fan of an OT under 300 because I question their strength. I did with Johnson. On film, he looked scrappy and battled, but I just wondered if he could hold up against more powerful players. In all honesty, even though his film was good, I never went back to check his strength numbers, which turn out to be pretty solid. I see the value here. I am on board.

6.16-Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA-not a big fan of his because I think in games, he just is not aggressive and physical enough play in and play out. Butler likes him. If that is the case and he thinks he can do something with him, fine. Not like you are going to find an elite player without holes this late. If Butler thinks he coach him up, we damn sure need the help at LB.

6.39-Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee-many people had him in the 3rd and I hated him that high. He is big, stiff, and does not move well. But, he also does not get pushed around much and has very poor technique. Get his weight down, get him a little more flexible, and get his pad level down, he could be an excellent monster in the middle.

7.15-Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts-he can work as a receiver and block. Solid at both at his level. Works inline, stacked, and split out. Versatile. Has an NFL body.

Priority Free Agent-LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State-he would work as your third down back. Since I took a pure WR in the 3rd and not some hybrid, it creates a need for a RB.

I was expecting more variation from you. Since the Steelers selected everyone but Ellington (Archer), I assume this was a BPA draft and the Steelers did alright for themselves?

 

[ZACKB]

I like our draft, but would probably substitute a cb for Archer. Maybe Breeland from Clemson.

 

[TMC]

I was expecting more variation from you. Since the Steelers selected everyone but Ellington (Archer), I assume this was a BPA draft and the Steelers did alright for themselves?

Well, once you see the direction and reasoning behind the pick, either you agree or don't. After listening to the interviews, I see the reasoning behind the picks of the guys they selected. Now, this reasoning comes from the coaches. I see why Butler wants Shazier, what he thinks he can do with him. I see why he likes the versatility of Zumwalt (played inside and outside). Mitchell was giddy over Tuitt and said things I can get on board with in regards to McCuller. I wanted Bryant, why change? I see the value in Wesley Johnson, Richardson, and Blanchflower.

The only player that I think fails to fit is Archer. People keep saying things like switch him with Bryant and he is a 4th, so there. Does not work for me because when we took a similar player (Rainey) in the 5th, I had the same damn issues. It is not the pick. It is not the value. It is the fact that he is 23-years old, at the end or near the end of his growth cycle, added weight from 150 to 175, so not likely he can continue to pack on pounds, has small hands and short arms (means a small frame), so he is what he is. And, those small guys usually fail. Well, not usually, almost always. It is almost a slam dunk, all we can hope for is fate hits the back the rim on this one. I just do not like those types of gambles. Hey, Wesley Johnson is a gamble, but he is an NFL size, NFL attributes, elite collegiate resume type of gamble. Much safer. Much more likely to payoff.

As I went back understanding the direction of this draft, looking at the numbers of some of these guys (a couple did not play to their size like Shazier and some were too big like McCullers and Tuitt-last season), I can see how the draft unfolded well. Out of the whole draft, only two I really have issues with are Archer and Zumwalt and my issues with Zumwalt are much less severe. He flashes the aggressiveness and pop, just does not show it enough.

 

[Superman]

Honestly, I was hoping for Antonio Richardson instead of Archer.
I've still not found why he dropped out of the draft.

 

[deljzc]

I was sure the trade down partner that was available would have been Miami, but a PFT report said Dallas could NOT find a trade partner when Martin was still on the board at #16.

Miami was very active on day 2/3 with trading and I am shocked a deal couldn't be worked out with their #19 pick for Martin vs. James.

That said, if a trade WASN'T available, at all, then I think I'm becoming okay with Shazier as our pick (very reluctantly).

I think I would have really traded down twice (both to Miami and then to New Orleans) and stockpiles 3rd round picks. We could have gotten Nix, Gaines, Ellington and/or Bryant or some combination of those types of players.

I mean, if we had NOT traded last year's pick (which I didn't if I was the Steelers), then you're looking at the potential of 4 3rd rounders (picks #81, #83, #86 and #97). Along with then pick #27 (from New Orleans) and pick #46.

My picks look like:

#27 - B. Roby, CB
#46 - S. Tuitt, DE
#81 - M. Bryant, WR
#83 - L. Nix, NT
#86 - B. Ellington, WR
#97 - B. Thomas, OT/OG
#118 - T. Smith, ILB
#157 - C. Smith, OLB/DE
#173 - L. Seastrunk, RB
#192 - R. Reynolds, CB
#215 - D. McCullers, DT/DE
#230 - Y. Smallwood, LB

I think that's pretty close except there was a high likelihood of probably trading back up in the middle rounds using my #192 or #230 since I have a lot of bodies for camp (although when you look at my list, there's a roster spot possibility for everyone).

 

[FordFairLane]

I can pick some of the later round picks apart if I want but I am happy all around with this draft. Yeah, we might have waited on bigger needs but the way the board fell I would have done the same thing... literally. I picked our first four picks which is the first time ever I got more than two right out of our first four. With our first 5th I was thinking E.J. Gaines or maybe Antone Exum but they went with Shaq Richardson. Knowing now the history Lake has with him and the fact he has the length and speed you look for I am fine with the pick. It's who floats your boat at this time in the draft and our DB coach recruited him and has a history so I am onboard with the pick. Wesley Johnson actually reminds me of Kelvin Beachum in the fact he has the smarts and ability to play all positions on the line and as in the Beachum pick I liked the utility value of him. I personally was thinking John Urschel as he is a Nittany Lion and I feel with his smarts would be a nice guard for Munchak. Again, it's who floats your boat so I am not that upset at Johnson and the fact he can play OT and interior helps me like the pick. Urschel is an interior guy only. In the 7th there was a few guys left on my board I thought fell to great value, one in Howard Jones we signed as an UDFA the others were Trevor Reilly who went to the Jets. Seantrel Henderson who is a physical specimen that has NFL LT talent just not sure about his head. Again, 7th round you can cut him in two months if he can't get his head right. Jeff Janis who had NFL speed and size but with Archer and Bryant I see why they didn't draft him. And the guy I most likely would have drafted is Jonathan Dowling. Again he has some character concerns but he also has length, speed, and hands and is a football player. I am willing to gamgle 7th round on character just to see if the kid can get onboard with a program in a new city and around the right type of players and coaches. And no knock on Blanchflower I feel he will be a run blocking TE and likely makes the team but upside is not a starter in my book and Howard, Hanis, Reilly, Henderson, and Dowling all have starter or even pro bowl potential.

 

[SteelerAl]

I was sure the trade down partner that was available would have been Miami, but a PFT report said Dallas could NOT find a trade partner when Martin was still on the board at #16.

Miami was very active on day 2/3 with trading and I am shocked a deal couldn't be worked out with their #19 pick for Martin vs. James.

That said, if a trade WASN'T available, at all, then I think I'm becoming okay with Shazier as our pick (very reluctantly).

I think I would have really traded down twice (both to Miami and then to New Orleans) and stockpiles 3rd round picks. We could have gotten Nix, Gaines, Ellington and/or Bryant or some combination of those types of players.

I mean, if we had NOT traded last year's pick (which I didn't if I was the Steelers), then you're looking at the potential of 4 3rd rounders (picks #81, #83, #86 and #97). Along with then pick #28 (from New Orleans) and pick #46.

My picks look like:

#28 - B. Roby, CB
#46 - S. Tuitt, DE
#81 - L. Nix, NT
#83 - M. Bryant, WR
#86 - B. Ellington, WR
#97 - B. Thomas, OT/OG
#118 - T. Smith, ILB
#157 - C. Smith, OLB/DE
#173 - L. Seastrunk, RB
#192 - R. Reynolds, CB
#215 - D. McCullers, DT/DE
#230 - Y. Smallwood, LB

I think that's pretty close except there was a high likelihood of probably trading back up in the middle rounds using my #192 or #230 since I have a lot of bodies for camp (although when you look at my list, there's a roster spot possibility for everyone).

Seriously dude, you are not playing by the rules in just inventing all these trade downs that you even admit were not available to Colbert. You're on the record proclaiming yourself as superior to Colbert, that seems like a pretty hollow claim when you then have to jerry-rig the game in your favor on top of already knowing how the entire draft played out. Why stop there, just trade down to the point where you can claim to have 17 3rd round picks and then you'll really look smart...

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I'd leave it as is. The Shazier pick worries me a bit as he does not pack enough of a wallop on contact and seems lighter than his claimed weight. Based on the simple principle of mass times velocity equals force, Shazier should be blowing people up. Where is it, as Shazier supposedly has the velocity? Archer may well have been a reach and the "love" for him has been exhausted in another thread (all 16 pages of it) but he is a chess piece that can be used to alter the tempo of a game in the vein of McCluster and Austin (his fumbles do worry me but he has ludicrous speed and can break ankles - just hopefully not his own). Once you have been battered by Bell and Blount the last thing you are going to want to see is this electric jitterbug. Cornerback does not appear to have been the issue many had thought (although that remains to be seen). I still think more signings will come once the savings from Woodley's cap come available after June 1st. On the whole is was a pretty good effort given what was available.

 

[ZACKB]

Shazier was actually 10 lbs heavier than college at his pro day and can easily ad another 10 lbs. He will be fine.

 

[ark steel]

Honestly, I was hoping for Antonio Richardson instead of Archer.

Probably a lot I would have done instead of Archer and I haven't even looked at what was there at the time.

 

[deljzc]

Seriously dude, you are not playing by the rules in just inventing all these trade downs that you even admit were not available to Colbert. You're on the record proclaiming yourself as superior to Colbert, that seems like a pretty hollow claim when you then have to jerry-rig the game in your favor on top of already knowing how the entire draft played out. Why stop there, just trade down to the point where you can claim to have 17 3rd round picks and then you'll really look smart...

I really, honestly think those trade downs were available. The only question mark is Miami to get the ball rolling. I have to imagine they thought Martin was a much better prospect than James. It's almost universal on that opinion that Martin was the last of the elite O-linemen left. Trading their 3rd and 1st is right in line with every other trade up prospect.

The New Orleans trade was certainly available since they actually DID trade up with the exact same selections to Arizona at #20. If I'm sitting on the clock at #19 and New Orleans calls, I trade back.

I've said from the beginning of this process, if trade backs were available to get extra 3rd rounders, you should strongly consider them. With the actuality of the draft, trade backs were readily available.

As for our pick from last year, my "what I would have done" did not include trading away a pick for Landry Jones/S. Thomas. No way, no how. I'm pretty sure 99% likely Thomas would have been there had we not done anything and I have him down in my "What I would have done", but if not, I'm already on record as saying I'd pick Biccardi Rambo instead at safety.

There is no "making up the rules". Colbert has confirmed we had trade back offers. I just would have taken them. Once we traded back once, I would have done it again based on the depth available. Even at pick #19 I would see Roby, Dennard, Hegeman, Ford, Lee and Verrett as possibilities. I know Cooks is who 49ers are trading up for. I know Clinton-Dix is in the next 7 picks as well (most likely). And this isn't even consider a team trading back up for a QB.

I just think it's very realistic that I could get a CB at pick #27 with another trade back with New Orleans and if not, I can live with someone highly ranked on my board knowing I have 4 3rd rounders in my pocket at that point.

 

[Hines57]

Think the only thing I change like TMC said is the Archer pick, I go with Bryant in round 3 and Desir DB in round 4. Or flip flop that and go McGill DB round 3 and Bryant as is.

One of the problems with a kick returner is that the kickers can just punch the ball through the end of the end zone for the first 8+ weeks of the season until weather slows that down later in the year. Sure the guy can return punts but I would have rather we brought in more depth for our secondary, which was a much bigger need than KR/PR/gadget player.

 

[Spike]

who gives a **** about more mock ******* drafts ?

get on-board with supporting your team or get the **** out and take your madden GM diploma and get on with your life's work

 

[SteelerAl]

Think the only thing I change like TMC said is the Archer pick, I go with Bryant in round 3 and Desir DB in round 4. Or flip flop that and go McGill DB round 3 and Bryant as is.

One of the problems with a kick returner is that the kickers can just punch the ball through the end of the end zone for the first 8+ weeks of the season until weather slows that down later in the year. Sure the guy can return punts but I would have rather we brought in more depth for our secondary, which was a much bigger need than KR/PR/gadget player.

I think there will be plenty of KR opportunities because he'll run it out even if it's 9 yards deep which is quite different from the approach when Jon Dwyer is returning kickoffs...

 

[Stryker]

Think the only thing I change like TMC said is the Archer pick, I go with Bryant in round 3 and Desir DB in round 4. Or flip flop that and go McGill DB round 3 and Bryant as is.

One of the problems with a kick returner is that the kickers can just punch the ball through the end of the end zone for the first 8+ weeks of the season until weather slows that down later in the year. Sure the guy can return punts but I would have rather we brought in more depth for our secondary, which was a much bigger need than KR/PR/gadget player.

I disagree about kick returning theory. The first half of the season, KRs are downing long KOs in the end zone, or watching them fly out of the back of it. When the weather cools and the ball is landing at the 5, that's when a KR should be making hay for your team.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

who gives a **** about more mock ******* drafts ?

get on-board with supporting your team or get the **** out and take your madden GM diploma and get on with your life's work

Boom...


Ladies and gentlemen- welcome to the offseason

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

who gives a **** about more mock ******* drafts ?

get on-board with supporting your team or get the **** out and take your madden GM diploma and get on with your life's work

This. After months of nothing we're actually looking at the future of the team, not daydreams.

 

[Spike]

Boom

this...

my karma sac should be overflowin by now...the man is keeping me down

 

[TMC]

Here is what I do not get, if you are not interested in mock drafts, why open the thread?

 

[zeus50]

Only thing I would have changed is the 3rd round pick, and I would have been happy with either of these 3. Also, 6a, wasn't crazy about, but not really sure at that point who else I would take. Not upset about that pick, like the 3rd rounder. but over all i actually liked our draft. Sadly, I haven't liked a draft this much since, the Mendy/Sweed draft......hopefully we have different results.

1.15-Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
2.15-Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

3.33-Bruce Ellington, WR, SC McGill-CB-Utah Desire-CB-Lindenwood

4.18-Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
5.17-Shaq Richarson, CB, Arizona
5.33-Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt

6.16-Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA

6.39-Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee
7.15-Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts

 

[zeus50]

Only thing I would have changed is the 3rd round pick, and I would have been happy with either of these 3. Also, 6a, wasn't crazy about, but not really sure at that point who else I would take. Not upset about that pick, like the 3rd rounder. but over all i actually liked our draft. Sadly, I haven't liked a draft this much since, the Mendy/Sweed draft......hopefully we have different results.

1.15-Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
2.15-Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

3.33-Bruce Ellington, WR, SC McGill-CB-Utah Desire-CB-Lindenwood

4.18-Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
5.17-Shaq Richarson, CB, Arizona
5.33-Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt

6.16-Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA

6.39-Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee
7.15-Rob Blanchflower, TE, Massachusetts

 

[Superman]

Here is what I do not get, if you are not interested in mock drafts, why open the thread?

******* gotta *****