I guess I didn't think Cockrell played that poorly. When he got beat it usually was more because of the lack of pass rush as he covered his guy for 4+ seconds and no one was even near the QB. Also, I am really not sure of the Steelers plans with Gilbert. He started getting playing time near the end of the season so do they feel he has potential? And then the 64 thousand dollar question is can Golson stay healthy. For a guy who never had injuries he since being drafted definitely caught the injury bug. Is it due to playing vs bigger stronger players in the NFL? Gay is not spectacular but I feel is still serviceable.
Also, I saw a lot more missed assignments from our safeties than our CB's. One time Golden allowed Hogan free in the end zone and the next Mitchell got caught looking in the backfield and Hogan flew by him. I like what I see in potential from Davis but feel a ballhawk safety taking that deep ball and seem up the middle away is a definite need.
Our line is very solid but I don't want to get soft via depth. Hubbard seems to be a nice depth guy at tackle but not so great at guard. Also, RFA this year but UFA next. Harris is all but gone. Hawkins comes back from injury so if a late round pick can't beat him out put on PS and see if they can win a spot next year. Again, not a need. Same thing at guard we have good starters but depth is always something you need.
I did this before Ben announced he's considering retirement. Honestly, if he retires we are screwed and would be better off trading any good player over 28. Or over spending on a Romo or Cutler in hopes we can squeeze enough out of them to be competitive.
Now I don't think Ben will retire but I have been projecting a 2019 early pick for his replacement as Ben would be 37 then and that would give us 1-2 years to groom a backup. You don't want to be the Broncos and draft a guy too early and then be forced to overpay to keep them before you know if he's any good. And you don't want to be the Packers and have to boot your HOF QB for a younger guy because your HOF QB keeps saying he's going to retire. So if I am the Rooney's I have a meeting in a few weeks with Ben maybe a month and ask how serious he is about retiring. That gives him time to reflect and to wash the defeat off and maybe make some requests to how the roster is being shaped. Maybe he is sick of turning late round picks into pro bowlers and wants to be surrounded with a few more weapons. Or maybe he really only has 1-2 years left in the tank. If so I would seriously look at that Kizer from Notre Dame. He has everything physically you want so I could see him being a riser in the draft but is currently rated a late 1st early 2nd round prospect. He has a strong arm, quick feet, good accuracy. His problems stem from late delivery and a little bit of stare down my WR syndrome. Those traits worry me as we never fixed Kordell of those two issues. But maybe a year of getting his footwork in place and speeding up his decision process would be all he needs. Another guy to look for in round 2-3 is Brad Kaaya and as seen above has the arm and skills just footwork and decision making needs to be quicker. He also is thinner and I feel that makes him a later round prospect than Kizer. The last guy I would consider (as of right now) is Davis Webb from Cal. He has a much stronger arm than Goff and maybe even better accuracy. He does make some boneheaded decisions (theme with the QB's I took) but you can't get everything from a QB picked not in the top 5 so I take physical ability and hope the scouts and coaches can find a guy who is teachable.
Kind of where i'm at with Ben as well. If he intimates that he is on his last legs, it't time to look at a franchise guy early.
If he gets upset and not adding to his arsenal and instead, building for the future, so be it. The Steelers can't wait around hoping he returns each year.
Ideally, Ben comes in and says I want to play a few more years but I need weapons. Rooney/Tomlin/Colbert should be on the hook to go out and get him weapons.
One specific weapon that would help Ben is bolstering the defense. In FA, resign Bell, Brown, Cockrell, Timmons, Matthews, Tuitt. I would cut Green for his own personal safety and the fact that he will never play
more than 6 games a season. Make one big FA splash - Stephon Gilmore. Will he cost 8-9 mil per year? Yep. This gives you two outside CB's that can play both man and zone.
Golson will hopefully be back and Cockrell is your dime guy. This would be my draft:
Trade your 4th to move up 5-7 spots. We should get a 4th comp for Beachum anyway.
1. Takkarist McKinley OLB: Dynamic edge guy that will take a year or so but has HUGE upside.
2. Justin Evans S: Mike Mitchell with better athleticism and MUCH better hands. The guy is a missile and has great ball skills.
3. Evan Engram TE/WR: I believe he is more WR than TE but what a mismatch down the seam. Let James do the blocking and bring in another big TE via FA.
4comp. Nathan Peterman QB: Good developmental guy that will serve as a backup until Ben retires, at which point we draft a 1st rounder to come in and start.
5. Kareem Hunt RB: Let Karlos Williams/Touissant and him battle it out for #2 RB position behind Bell.
