Season's Over - Time To Talk Draft?

[SteelBuckeye]

SteelBuckeye:

Is TMC posting on a different board? Where can I buy his 2015 player evaluations?

I think I saw him once on another board. Can't remember which one it was. He was there .... and then ... *poof* gone.

 

[bermudasteel]

With the loss in the divisional round of the playoffs, the 2014 season is at an end for the Steelers. Is it now time to talk about the draft, team needs and prospects who might fit our system(s)? I'm thinking that we will need to find prospects at the following positions:

1. CB - The number one priority imho. I have heard that this year's crop of CBs is not as talented or deep as last year's though. If this is the case, do you take one in the first round?
2. OLB - We may need a pass rushing OLB as desperately as we need CBs.
3. RT/LT - Beachum is serviceable on the left. PFF had him rated as the 5th best LT in the league this year. The combination of Gilbert and Adams at RT has proven to be erratic and ineffectual for much of this last season and I wonder if even Munchak's coaching can help this. Of course Gilbert's contract may make the Steelers decide to stick with him, but I think they need to look for someone to push him and Adams is not that guy. Of course if they can get a starting caliber LT, maybe you move Beachum to RT or LG.
4. SS/FS - Do they give Mitchell another year to prove himself? Does Shamarko get his shot. I'm not sold on Mitchell and if Shamarko was progressing like they imply, why didn't he see the field over Will Allen when Troy was hurt?
5. DE - need to find some depth guys here. Cam Thomas needs to be let go ... Today

That's all I've got. I would appreciate anyone else's thoughts and if anyone has ideas of players they'd like to see drafted by the Steelers, I'd like to see those too so I can keep an eye on them throughout the process of Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Days, etc.

Ok...

IMO, I'd chase FIRST a pass-rushing demon to compliment Heyward/McClendon/Tuitt at OLB. My pick so far:

Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
6-3, 226 pounds

"Floyd is a nightmare speed rusher who is also athletic enough to hold up in coverage and is effective as a sideline-to-sideline run defender. As a prospect, he compares favorably to a young Barkevious Mingo as a productive pass-rusher with an extremely high ceiling. He explodes out of the blocks with elite get-off speed and acceleration, and he shows good natural bend and body control. He has flashed the potential to effectively convert speed to power as a pass-rusher despite needing to improve his strength." Taken from: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draf...-nfl-draft-ranking-top-32-prospects-nfl-draft

SECOND - I'm still having problems with the OL. Foster and Gilbert scare me every time they're on the field. At present, my choice...

Laken Tomlinson, OG, 6'3" 320 - Duke (currently ranked as the 2 best OG)

THIRD - it's time to upgrade the CB/DB position; after getting more pressure up front, I'm looking at, right now, the best guy for this system...

Quinten Rollins, CB, 6'0" 205 - Miami (OH)

FOURTH - Many here think that we need to go all defense in this draft, but, the weak link in our offense is TE. Heath is aging and I want someone w/ the same skillset - right now...

Brian Vogler, TE, 6'6" 264 - Alabama


FIFTH - I've been in Florida now for nearly two years, Florida means SPEED and STRENGTH when I look at the players from Pee-Wee to Pro...I need more of that in Pittsburgh - especially at OLB...

Thurston Armbrister, OLB, 6'2" 230

This is all I've looked so far...and I'm sure my choices will change as we approach April; but, it's a start...

 

[slashsteel]

Ok...

IMO, I'd chase FIRST a pass-rushing demon to compliment Heyward/McClendon/Tuitt at OLB. My pick so far:

Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
6-3, 226 pounds

"Floyd is a nightmare speed rusher who is also athletic enough to hold up in coverage and is effective as a sideline-to-sideline run defender. As a prospect, he compares favorably to a young Barkevious Mingo as a productive pass-rusher with an extremely high ceiling. He explodes out of the blocks with elite get-off speed and acceleration, and he shows good natural bend and body control. He has flashed the potential to effectively convert speed to power as a pass-rusher despite needing to improve his strength." Taken from: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draf...-nfl-draft-ranking-top-32-prospects-nfl-draft

SECOND - I'm still having problems with the OL. Foster and Gilbert scare me every time they're on the field. At present, my choice...

Laken Tomlinson, OG, 6'3" 320 - Duke (currently ranked as the 2 best OG)

THIRD - it's time to upgrade the CB/DB position; after getting more pressure up front, I'm looking at, right now, the best guy for this system...

Quinten Rollins, CB, 6'0" 205 - Miami (OH)

FOURTH - Many here think that we need to go all defense in this draft, but, the weak link in our offense is TE. Heath is aging and I want someone w/ the same skillset - right now...

Brian Vogler, TE, 6'6" 264 - Alabama


FIFTH - I've been in Florida now for nearly two years, Florida means SPEED and STRENGTH when I look at the players from Pee-Wee to Pro...I need more of that in Pittsburgh - especially at OLB...

Thurston Armbrister, OLB, 6'2" 230

This is all I've looked so far...and I'm sure my choices will change as we approach April; but, it's a start...

Not sure I want a small school corner and to wait till three to get a corner if a better one is available one or two. also would prefer a RT in 2 if they went OL over Foster. If the value was there of course......

 

[bermudasteel]

RBs

Ryan Mathews - SD
Justin Forsett - BAL
C.J. Spiller - BUF
Ahmad Bradshaw - IND
Shane Vereen - NE
Stevan Ridley - NE
Frank Gore - SF
Jacquizz Rodgers - ATL
Knowshon Moreno - MIA
Matt Asiata - MIN
Darren McFadden - OAK
Roy Helu - WAS

Your list is absent TWO BIG NAMES...

Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice...not saying we'll approach either but they are available...

I also wanted to add to my first post - if I'm the Steelers, this year is not about the number of draft picks - it's about QUALITY PICKS. So, I'd trade up to get my guy, Leonard Floyd (lest he proves me wrong at the Combine), in the 1st round...

I'd look hard a considering packaging some of the other picks to move up in the 2nd to grab a better OG.

 

[bermudasteel]

Not sure I want a small school corner and to wait till three to get a corner if a better one is available one or two. also would prefer a RT in 2 if they went OL over Foster. If the value was there of course......

I can't argue w/ that - my selections are purely speculative at this point. One thing is for sure - picking at 1.22 is NOT going to get us a pass rushing demon. And what can be said for a CB/DB at 2.44??? I think we need to move up for both in order to get "plug-n-play" players this year...

But, I don't get paid by the Steelers so these are just my thoughts...

 

[bermudasteel]

steep price ................. perhaps....................

but would you trade Jarvis Jones and Shazier for him?

lot of ways to look at it, but I would say Houston just might be worth that............

Not Shazier - he's still very unknown and his ceiling is high. Now, perhaps either Spence or William in that deal w/ Jarvis - I wouldn't blink an eye...

 

[steelpastor]

.

First... we need OLB's and we need several. Floyd from Georgia is an amazing player but will not make it as a 3-4 OLB in our defense. He will not stand up against the run. Did you look at the OLB's for the Ravens? Suggs and Dumervil are 260... McPhee and Upshaw are 280+!!!

We need to beef up at OLB and we need to approach the position like chicken wings at a buffet! We need a plate-full! We need two or three MORE OLB's to make this defense go...RIGHT NOW! Our TWO starting OLB's this year ended with 13 sacks COMBINED! We need that from each side to make this engine run. Good grief! We had a DE lead our team in sacks! Now, don't get me wrong... I LOVE Cam Heyward, but he should not be leading our team in sacks. Heyward is a beast... and the OLB playing behind him should have 15 sacks!

OLB in round one and round two. Watch the loss to the Ravens again and make an argument! Our secondary did a remarkable job this year (especially in the second half) when you consider how poor we were at rushing the passer. If we go CB or Safety before round 3 (round 4 would be better), I will be...? I will be in disbelief.

 

[slashsteel]

.

First... we need OLB's and we need several. Floyd from Georgia is an amazing player but will not make it as a 3-4 OLB in our defense. He will not stand up against the run. Did you look at the OLB's for the Ravens? Suggs and Dumervil are 260... McPhee and Upshaw are 280+!!!

We need to beef up at OLB and we need to approach the position like chicken wings at a buffet! We need a plate-full! We need two or three MORE OLB's to make this defense go...RIGHT NOW! Our TWO starting OLB's this year ended with 13 sacks COMBINED! We need that from each side to make this engine run. Good grief! We had a DE lead our team in sacks! Now, don't get me wrong... I LOVE Cam Heyward, but he should not be leading our team in sacks. Heyward is a beast... and the OLB playing behind him should have 15 sacks!



OLB in round one and round two. Watch the loss to the Ravens again and make an argument! Our secondary did a remarkable job this year (especially in the second half) when you consider how poor we were at rushing the passer. If we go CB or Safety before round 3 (round 4 would be better), I will be...? I will be in disbelief.

I like your train of thought. At long as there isn't clearly a better value player sitting there in one or two. But in the same area talent wise yeah give me two pass rush possibilities. Even that might not be enough. perhaps Harrison and Moats returning or someone brought in to go with this. That experience factor where you can ease a LBer in in just pass rush situations early if their play warrants it.............

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Hau'oli Kikaha out of Washington looks to be a good second round option at OLB at 6'3" and 246 lbs. Nation's sack leader and can actually stack and shed when rushing the QB.

 

[Skott]

Randy Gregory from Nebraska, is he a DE or OLB at the pro level? Is worth trading up for?

 

[papillon]

Here is the kid that can come in and start immediately for the Steelers at OLB'er in a 3-4 Defense and make an immediate impact for the Steelers.

His name is Markus Golden and here is one of his highlight reels...

What I liked best about him is that he took care of his responsibility first and then went and found the ball, he never gave up contain, dick Lebeau would like that in an OLB.

Papillon

 

[bermudasteel]

Some will choke with this statement...I'm laughing as I type it...

What about Michael Sams??? Proven pass rusher in the collegiate ranks...could probably gotten on the down low for a jaw-dropping price tag (and a purse to match)...

 

[slashsteel]

Some will choke with this statement...I'm laughing as I type it...

What about Michael Sams??? Proven pass rusher in the collegiate ranks...could probably gotten on the down low for a jaw-dropping price tag (and a purse to match)...

goodell would fine him often

as I hear he is a head hunter

 

[ianv2012]

With the little footage I've been able to find on youtube, I really love what I see in this kid. He's tall, he's rangy, and physical. He is aggressive and shows no tentativeness about coming up to the LOS against the run and seems to enjoy the contact. He is very instinctive in coverage and closes on routes, screens, and runs quickly. Looks like a straight playmaker and has the ability to be a shutdown corner. Has a knack for finding the ball in the air whether for a PBU or INT which is something we have struggled with at CB, guys turning and finding the ball. Looks as though he has the ability to stick to his man like glue, rarely looks out of position and shows good technique. Again this is very little tape and they are highlights with no lowlights so this is only based on what can be seen above. It would not surprise me though to see him shoot up draft boards if he shows at the combine and pro day much like Kyle Fuller last year, to which he'd be out of our ability to draft him but I love the little bit I see.

 

[ianv2012]

And more.....

 

[ianv2012]

Some game tape, but this is pretty much it for film on him so far on youtube

 

[hook]

.With LeBeau will go Troy into retirement along with Ike, James Harrison and Keisel. The question is who will replace Dick?

Jim Haslett did leave the Redskins. I'd be ok with that.

 

[bermudasteel]

Jim Haslett did leave the Redskins. I'd be ok with that.

We already "know" who the heir-apparent is...

 

[Steelerfan]

Some will choke with this statement...I'm laughing as I type it...

What about Michael Sams??? Proven pass rusher in the collegiate ranks...could probably gotten on the down low for a jaw-dropping price tag (and a purse to match)...

He already choked when he had an opportunity. The gag would be another team picking him up. He just doesn't have the thrust to be an NFL player. The money shot is that when he pulled out of the media spotlight, they still spewed praise for him.

 

[bermudasteel]

He already choked when he had an opportunity. The gag would be another team picking him up. He just doesn't have the thrust to be an NFL player. The money shot is that when he pulled out of the media spotlight, they still spewed praise for him.

You sick, sick fellow...

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Steelerfan again.

 

[obxsteeler]

.

First... we need OLB's and we need several. Floyd from Georgia is an amazing player but will not make it as a 3-4 OLB in our defense. He will not stand up against the run. Did you look at the OLB's for the Ravens? Suggs and Dumervil are 260... McPhee and Upshaw are 280+!!!

We need to beef up at OLB and we need to approach the position like chicken wings at a buffet! We need a plate-full! We need two or three MORE OLB's to make this defense go...RIGHT NOW! Our TWO starting OLB's this year ended with 13 sacks COMBINED! We need that from each side to make this engine run. Good grief! We had a DE lead our team in sacks! Now, don't get me wrong... I LOVE Cam Heyward, but he should not be leading our team in sacks. Heyward is a beast... and the OLB playing behind him should have 15 sacks!

OLB in round one and round two. Watch the loss to the Ravens again and make an argument! Our secondary did a remarkable job this year (especially in the second half) when you consider how poor we were at rushing the passer. If we go CB or Safety before round 3 (round 4 would be better), I will be...? I will be in disbelief.

There were 9 olb's in the NFL last year w/ 10 sacks. Good luck with 13 on each side.