- Joined
- Apr 8, 2014
- Messages
- 6,338
- Reaction score
- 4,115
- Points
- 113
#15- Ryan Shazier LB Ohio St. ~ A-
The only reason this gets a minus is because I am not sure the Steelers explored all their trade options. It seems as of late the Steelers rush the podium and don't sit back and listen to or make calls. Just MY OPINION but that's the minus. I feel the Steelers probably picked this because of his draft value. I think they thought he was one of the few height, weight, speed, production defensive players in this draft and thought he would be gone. I also feel they thought Odell Beckham Jr. and Daqueze Dennard would both be there but when the options were between Dennard and Shazier they took the higher rated player. Shazier will be a run and shoot ILB who will play all three downs. His speed makes him dangerous in crossing and stunt blitzing up the middle and his athleticism allows him to stay on the field on cover during passing plays. I have read he's a gym and film rat always lifting or studying film. He has experience at both ILB and OLB so I hope his learning curve isn't too great. The defense needed speed and we got some.
#46- Stephon Tuitt DL ND ~ A+
I thought Tuitt could sneak into the first round to a team like the Pats and if the Texans didn't take Clowney would not have made it past them. Tuitt has long arms, power, speed for a big man, already plays and understands the 34. Again height, weight, speed and productive college player. I feel this was the nail in the coffin so-to-speak for Keisel coming back barring training camp injury but we needed to inject some youth and speed into this defense and our first two picks do exactly that! (I also would have been fine with Stanley Jean-Baptiste here)
#97 Dri Archer WR/RB Kent St ~ B+
The most electrifiying player in the draft and has already put a charge into some members on this board. Archer will try to fit the McCluster role as a chess peice for Haley trying to get mismatches and get chunks of yards. Archer is a big play kind of player who can take it to the house at any moment. Also, his return ability makes him an asset on special teams. People can compare him to Chris Rainey which is fine I will call that his floor. I feel his upside potential could be a Dante Hall for return ability and as for offense a Tavon Austin/Dexter McCluster type player. I also like the versatility as he can play WR/RB filling two game day spots to allow for an extra person at another position.
#118- Martavis Bryant WR Clemson ~ A
Bryant has #1 receiver potential but also has Limas Sweed type hands at this point. So far our coaching staff has done a bang up job with late round talented wide outs turning them into star or at least good receivers, i.e. Wallace, Brown and Sanders. Bryant could end up being the best of them all if he ever lives up to his physical ability. I like the pick because he is a low risk this late but high potential. Some mocks had him going in the second much like Stephon Hill did because of his upside but we wait and he falls to the 4th. Again another speed option for Roethlisberger.
#157- Shaq Richardson CB Arizona ~ C+
Height, weight, speed guy that looks the part of an NFL CB. But same things were said about Terry Hawthorne. I feel because of our lack of depth at the position Richardson has a good shot of making the team year one but how much he improves will determine how early we go CB in 2015.
#173 Wesley Johnson OL Vanderbilt ~ C+
Johnson is a smart and technically sound lineman that will fit nicely in a utility roll. He reminds me a lot of Beachum and as a game day guy to suit up gives you depth at several line positions. I doubt he is ever more than a backup but if he can play special teams and serve as a backup to OT, OG, and OC he will be a valuable player to have.
#192 Jordan Zumwalt LB UCLA ~ B
Everything you look at this for him looks average. Average size, speed, production but when you watch him on film he plays with passion and throws his body around. That's the kind of guy who makes a team and that's the kind of backup and special teams guy you want. I feel his ceiling is a good NFL starter but his floor is special teams ace and backup of several positions. OLB/ILB mack buck whatever. I like him also as a utility guy.
#215 Daniel McCullers DT Tennessee ~ A
McCullers was not as high on my board as others. I seen him going as high as 2nd in mocks but I did have a solid 4th round grade on him so in the 6th he is a steal. McCullers is a guy who can and should strengthen the middle and eat up blocks. Some plays I see him taking on two guys, holding his ground, and then shedding to make a play on the ballcarrier. Sometimes he seems to get sucked out or pushes him easily and from what I can see is he lacks technique and stanima. Loose 30lbs and if he really puts himself into being coached up he can overcome both. You can't teach a guy to be 6-7 and have almost 37" arms but you can help them lose weight and learn technique.
#230 Rob Blanchflower TE Umass ~ C-
I see Blanchflower as a blocking TE not providing much in the passing game. Haven't watched much of him but from what I saw he has good hands but lacks burst, route running, and body positioning. But as a blocker provide decent punch and movement. I thought there was better talent on the board and although we did get Jones from Shepherd there was still a few more talented guys I feel bring upside to the team.
Total grade A-
I feel the Steelers likely hit starters in the first two rounds and at the very least should get a capable return man in the 3rd with the potential being much greater. The followed up rounds 4-7 getting a variety of either physically gifted players like Bryant, Richardson, and McCullers or getting capable depth and solid football players in Zumwalt, Johnson, and Blanchflower. This is probably my favorite draft all time of the steelers and I actually picked the first four picks on my draft along draft and that has never happened. My best year before that was 2003 when I picked TP and Ike Taylor. The Steelers had a plan to strengthen the defense up the middle, get faster, and inject some youth into both side of the ball and I personally believe they did just that.
The only reason this gets a minus is because I am not sure the Steelers explored all their trade options. It seems as of late the Steelers rush the podium and don't sit back and listen to or make calls. Just MY OPINION but that's the minus. I feel the Steelers probably picked this because of his draft value. I think they thought he was one of the few height, weight, speed, production defensive players in this draft and thought he would be gone. I also feel they thought Odell Beckham Jr. and Daqueze Dennard would both be there but when the options were between Dennard and Shazier they took the higher rated player. Shazier will be a run and shoot ILB who will play all three downs. His speed makes him dangerous in crossing and stunt blitzing up the middle and his athleticism allows him to stay on the field on cover during passing plays. I have read he's a gym and film rat always lifting or studying film. He has experience at both ILB and OLB so I hope his learning curve isn't too great. The defense needed speed and we got some.
#46- Stephon Tuitt DL ND ~ A+
I thought Tuitt could sneak into the first round to a team like the Pats and if the Texans didn't take Clowney would not have made it past them. Tuitt has long arms, power, speed for a big man, already plays and understands the 34. Again height, weight, speed and productive college player. I feel this was the nail in the coffin so-to-speak for Keisel coming back barring training camp injury but we needed to inject some youth and speed into this defense and our first two picks do exactly that! (I also would have been fine with Stanley Jean-Baptiste here)
#97 Dri Archer WR/RB Kent St ~ B+
The most electrifiying player in the draft and has already put a charge into some members on this board. Archer will try to fit the McCluster role as a chess peice for Haley trying to get mismatches and get chunks of yards. Archer is a big play kind of player who can take it to the house at any moment. Also, his return ability makes him an asset on special teams. People can compare him to Chris Rainey which is fine I will call that his floor. I feel his upside potential could be a Dante Hall for return ability and as for offense a Tavon Austin/Dexter McCluster type player. I also like the versatility as he can play WR/RB filling two game day spots to allow for an extra person at another position.
#118- Martavis Bryant WR Clemson ~ A
Bryant has #1 receiver potential but also has Limas Sweed type hands at this point. So far our coaching staff has done a bang up job with late round talented wide outs turning them into star or at least good receivers, i.e. Wallace, Brown and Sanders. Bryant could end up being the best of them all if he ever lives up to his physical ability. I like the pick because he is a low risk this late but high potential. Some mocks had him going in the second much like Stephon Hill did because of his upside but we wait and he falls to the 4th. Again another speed option for Roethlisberger.
#157- Shaq Richardson CB Arizona ~ C+
Height, weight, speed guy that looks the part of an NFL CB. But same things were said about Terry Hawthorne. I feel because of our lack of depth at the position Richardson has a good shot of making the team year one but how much he improves will determine how early we go CB in 2015.
#173 Wesley Johnson OL Vanderbilt ~ C+
Johnson is a smart and technically sound lineman that will fit nicely in a utility roll. He reminds me a lot of Beachum and as a game day guy to suit up gives you depth at several line positions. I doubt he is ever more than a backup but if he can play special teams and serve as a backup to OT, OG, and OC he will be a valuable player to have.
#192 Jordan Zumwalt LB UCLA ~ B
Everything you look at this for him looks average. Average size, speed, production but when you watch him on film he plays with passion and throws his body around. That's the kind of guy who makes a team and that's the kind of backup and special teams guy you want. I feel his ceiling is a good NFL starter but his floor is special teams ace and backup of several positions. OLB/ILB mack buck whatever. I like him also as a utility guy.
#215 Daniel McCullers DT Tennessee ~ A
McCullers was not as high on my board as others. I seen him going as high as 2nd in mocks but I did have a solid 4th round grade on him so in the 6th he is a steal. McCullers is a guy who can and should strengthen the middle and eat up blocks. Some plays I see him taking on two guys, holding his ground, and then shedding to make a play on the ballcarrier. Sometimes he seems to get sucked out or pushes him easily and from what I can see is he lacks technique and stanima. Loose 30lbs and if he really puts himself into being coached up he can overcome both. You can't teach a guy to be 6-7 and have almost 37" arms but you can help them lose weight and learn technique.
#230 Rob Blanchflower TE Umass ~ C-
I see Blanchflower as a blocking TE not providing much in the passing game. Haven't watched much of him but from what I saw he has good hands but lacks burst, route running, and body positioning. But as a blocker provide decent punch and movement. I thought there was better talent on the board and although we did get Jones from Shepherd there was still a few more talented guys I feel bring upside to the team.
Total grade A-
I feel the Steelers likely hit starters in the first two rounds and at the very least should get a capable return man in the 3rd with the potential being much greater. The followed up rounds 4-7 getting a variety of either physically gifted players like Bryant, Richardson, and McCullers or getting capable depth and solid football players in Zumwalt, Johnson, and Blanchflower. This is probably my favorite draft all time of the steelers and I actually picked the first four picks on my draft along draft and that has never happened. My best year before that was 2003 when I picked TP and Ike Taylor. The Steelers had a plan to strengthen the defense up the middle, get faster, and inject some youth into both side of the ball and I personally believe they did just that.
Last edited:
