Looking back
Coach's annual draft review, 2019.
Coach's annual draft review, 2019.
Round one. ILB Devin Bush. I'd compare Bush to Lawerence Timmons, a bit faster and with more range to the sideline and better in coverage. Not quite as powerful as a run stopper, and I'll guess not as durable as Timmons was an iron man. Bush should be an asset on the blitz. You have to like NFL bloodlines mentored by a hall of fame player. I project a three-down linebacker, quick enough to contain mobile QB's and shadow backs, but probably a bit too short to cover TE's. I also think he might struggle a bit to shed blocks due to his lack of size.
The big question is he worth a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick? If he's the next Ryan Shazier, sure. I don't think Bush will be think be as good as Shazier, so IMO the trade up was too costly.
My choice, not to trade up, I'll take Montez Sweat. A proven SEC pass rusher, and a stand out at the senior bowl week. He'll take a very average Bud Durpee's job, and would save us whatever the amount ( 7-13 million ) a season it costs to re-sign Durpee. Sweat is very good vs. the run too, and can be an asset in coverage thanks to his length and athleticism. He fell due to a misdiagnosed heart condition. Most teams had a top 10-15 grade on Sweat before this medical stuff came out. That's why I never put him in my mocks. He fell unexpectedly. Paired with Watt you have one heck of a pass rush. And oh that cap space would be nice next for the future.
Round two. Pick traded.
My choice D.K. Metcalf. He could be the next Wallace or Bryant. Very big and fast, with big catch radius and hands to make those did you see that type of catches. Metcalf proved it in the SEC, and did it with a mediocre QB to boot. Ben makes this type of players great. Our receiving unit lacks speed, and to an extent size. Metcalf would solve both issues and force the opposing defense to account for his speed, meaning less double coverage for Ju-Ju.
Round three A. The Steelers picked a productive but smaller and slower WR in Johnson. We have those types. Doing it in the MAC you'll have to wonder what his separation looks like in the NFL. I felt this pick was a reach. Johnson in round 5 would have been nice. Much better players were on the board, history will show that. We need a big WR and a Speed WR. Johnson is neither. Some may say, but Brown was that type of player coming out. Okay, sure, the odds of Johnson being as good as Brown are very long.
My choice: ILB Germaine Pratt. A big, fast and very productive inside linebacker, he'd easily upgraded us and would be great value here in round three for the Steelers. Pratt looks impressive on film and would start for us. A former free safety turned linebacker, he's good in coverage too.
Round 3B. CB Justin Layne. I like this pick. Layne has solid cover skills and is a master at using his very long arms to break up passes. For example, he broke up 15 of them last season vs. good competition in the Big Ten. Good height. Average speed and acceleration. He needs to put on some weight. Layne could make an ideal free safety too. I would not put him in the slot or one on one vs. a burner, but I think he'll hold his own as an outside man or zone corner.
My choice. Same player.
Round 4. Snell. Why? He isn't going to beat out Conner and can't do what Smalues does. He's big and slow in a time when the NFL doesn't start big and slow backs. In addion to lacking top speed, Snell lacks acceleration and charge of direction ability. He's an in-between the tackles back only. Sure he's a power runner. So is Conner. A 3rd string back. And yes, I have seen him play. Good college player, suspect in the NFL. Someone may say but what if the two front line guys get hurt. That can be applied to most positions too.
My choice. ILB Burr-Kirven. You won't find a more productive player. Burr-Kriven had a workout with 1st round numbers. He's a bit small, but so is Bush. Very productive and smart in coverage. Could be a Zach Tomas type of player if he pans out. Should be a top special teams guy.
Round 5. TE Zach Gentry. Another pick I did not like. Gentry is slow and stiff legged with mediocre hands. Not a power blocker either as he has a slimmer type of build. Okay, he's 6'8" tall and might be a good option 2nd for short yardage. James was better.
My choice: WR Hunter Renfro. Very quick and polished route runner. Top hands. Productive for a big-time program. I think he could be a solid slot guy or dependable 4th WR who beats his man more often than not when the ball comes his way. Renfro shined at the senior bowl.
Round 6A LB Sutton Smith. Very productive, but small. I think ILB might be his best fit as he will be meat vs. NFL tackles vs the run and won’t be able to get around them as a pass rusher. At ILB, however, he might able to find a home. A solid blitzing option. The Steelers looked at him already at FB. A football player, and solid athlete type who is likely a backup and best and a special teams guy.
My choice: DL I . Buggs, who the Steelers selected with their 2nd pick in round. Strong. Productive. Stood out. Did it in the SEC. Not a rangy DT / NT but good enough to play the run or add something as a bull rusher.
Round 6B. Buggs. I liked this pick a lot.
Who I would have taken. Since I took Buggs with pick 6A, I'll go with Punter Fox. Has a good leg. Better than Berry's. Fox averaged 45.5 per punt last year. He has good hang time to force a fair catch. A good athlete and solid tackler if needed. Also, a fine runner or passer for trick plays.
Round 6C Ulysees Gilbert III. An odd pick since we took two players that were small at LB like him. He's very small, and lightly built. Reports say he's not aware and struggles in coverage. A head-scratcher of a pick.
My choice: S. Nick Scott. Very fast and productive didn't start a lot of games. A leader type, with upside to fill.
Round 7. OT Gray. While he's big, he lacks the feet to play tackle in the NFL, and may not be a quick enough player out of his stance to play guard. A tweener type.
My choice: S Darius West. Blazing fast. Made 86 tackles last season Three interceptions last season. I'm not sure why he wasn't drafted, probably due to the leg and knee injuries. Worth a gamble in round seven. The Steelers did not draft one safety, go figure.
