Palmer’s Pre-Draft
2015 NFL Draft Preview
by PalmerSucks
April 27, 2015
The Stillers decided to take the biblical approach to free agency, believing the meek shall inherit the earth. Their lack of activity in March now puts extra pressure on the brain trust to produce a superior draft.
Fortunately, this is one of those rare drafts that intersects with the team’s needs and the athletes participating in it. We’ll get to that shortly.
When it comes to the draft, I’m BPA all the way (as in “Best Player Available.”) That’s why, if he had been available by some miracle, I’d have urged the Stillers to take Odell Beckham, the best player in last year’s draft. That’s why, despite the Stillers needing defensive help all over the place, they should take a long look at super offensive lineman La’ell Collins should he somehow slip down to their slot in the first round.
Of course, it’s no mystery what the Stillers’ needs are. DeAngelo Williams is a nice back, and certainly the team needs a stand-in for Bell while he sits out, but the team passed on courting some real defensive talent in free agency. Likely they’ll try to fill that gap come Thursday.
With the retirements of Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu, the Stillers defensive backfield is as thin as I’ve seen in years. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, this is the year of the cornerback, with at least 5 top-shelf prospects available (one reason I didn’t mind the team passing on drafting a corner in last year’s first round). What wide receiver was to the draft last year, cornerback is to the ’15 edition.
I’ve been following Michigan State CB Trae Waynes for a couple years, and thought he’d fit right into Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for the Stillers, Waynes ran a 4.3 at the combine, which means he’ll likely be gone long before they pick.
While Waynes is considered the top of the class, plenty of options remain at the position. All are big – 6’0 and over – and show superior athletic skills. Should the Stillers decide they must go cornerback, they’ll likely to be able to select from this trio:
MARCUS PETERS, WASHINGTON: The Stillers will have to decide if they can look past Peters’s dismissal from his team for disciplinary reasons. Peters showed great confidence in college and great ball skills at the combine. His 40 time wasn’t great, but he’s still listed on many boards as the top prospect after Waynes.
JALEN COLLINS, LSU: Big, fast and rangy, excellent in coverage, Collins may be the Stillers choice based on his run support ability. Probably the most physical of the top corner prospects, he’s been compared to Antonio Cromartie and Patrick Peterson.
BYRON JONES, CONNECTICUT: His workout numbers were outstanding, possibly bumping him up into the first round. Jones shows great closing burst and recovery speed – one concern is a season-ending shoulder injury. He should be available in round one should the Stillers decide he’s their man.
This draft is so stocked with corners I haven’t even mentioned Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest, who also wouldn’t shock me if he were taken by the Stillers. Another intriguing prospect is Florida State’s P.J. Williams, a strong corner talent who might also make an outstanding safety in the pros. Eric Rowe of Utah is another versatile DB who could play either safety or corner. Then there’s Steven Nelson of Oregon State, yet another member of this insanely deep group who’s likely to be gone by round 3. All of these DBs are standouts, and any would instantly become the best CB on the Stillers roster the minute they were drafted.
The Stillers will also be eyeing Alabama safety Landon Collins (should he drop), the only player at that position regarded as first-round-pick worthy. Collins made a load of plays at ‘bama, and would be suited to take over Mike Mitchell’s current spot should the Stillers move him over to the other side.
Should the Stillers pass on a defensive prospect, I suggest the following player: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota.
What? You, PalmerSucks, the same guy who bitched about Heath Miller when the Stillers picked him first – you of all people are suggesting a tight end?
Yes, I am, and for a couple of reasons. First, the game has changed since Miller was drafted, with the tight end taking on a much more prominent role. That is, to say, a certain kind of tight end, with the size, speed and agility to be a match-up nightmare for defenses.
What if, several years ago, the Stillers would’ve spent a first round pick on Rob Gronkowski. Would you say that would have been a waste?
And what if I told you that Williams was capable of doing this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIeKJPFs-M
That’s not one but two guys he jumped on the way to the end zone. But here’s what else got me – notice how he totally dusts the linebacker who’s responsible for covering him. (Something the announcers missed while they were busy drooling over the hurdles.) Yep, those magic words: match-up nightmare.
Notice also how Williams makes that last athletic move before scoring – avoiding the last would-be tackler -- after having covered so much ground. That’s remarkable athleticism and endurance for a receiver of his size.
During his college career, Williams showed great sideline catch ability and the knack for hauling it in from all angles. This, despite playing for a run-happy Minnesota offense that never really targeted him enough. With Heath Miller aging, the Stillers need to introduce his successor. Williams has Miller’s hands, and more athleticism. Williams particularly makes sense should the Stillers make a move and trade down.
Now, I’m not predicting Williams will turn out to be another Gronkowski, but in today’s game, the athletic downfield tight end rules. And with this year’s depth at corner, the Stillers can come back in round two with this player:
QUINTEN ROLLINS, DB, MIAMI OF OHIO: A dozen or so years ago I followed the career of a Miami player by the name of Ben Roethlisberger. Lately I’ve been watching another Redhawks standout, Quinten Rollins. A court-to-gridiron convert in the mold of another MAC product, Antonio Gates, Rollins earned MAC defensive player of the year honors despite playing only his first year of football. (His upside, therefore, is simply tremendous.) Rollins made the ‘ooh ahh’ play in the Senior Bowl, an acrobatic pick that got him noticed among the bigger-name DBs in the game. Rollins can play both press-man and zone, and has what scouts call “click-and-close” skills.
And – should the Stillers pass on Williams – why not take a corner in the first round and Rollins in the second? Instantly the CB position would go from a liability to an asset. These guys all have receiving skills, too, to go along with their closing bursts and mad hops – the better to defend Flacco and his moon balls.
Besides the corner crop, here are some other prospects I believe are circling Planet Stillers:
NATE ORCHARD, DL, UTAH: DE who will likely be converted to a 3-4 outside ‘backer, Orchard has a quick first step and an already developed set of pass rush moves. Orchard could man Worild’s old position, or step over to the bust side where Jarvis Jones lives. I consider Orchard a likely Stillers target if they plan on staying with their own 3-4 set.
MALCOLM BROWN, DT, TEXAS: The Stillers haven’t had a push up the middle since Casey Hampton – they might have success with another Longhorns DT. Brown has the bulk to play nose in a 3-4, with surprising quickness for a big man. He also has the versatility to play inside should Butler be thinking 4-3. His pass rush ability may be the clincher should they go for him in round 1.
ARIK ARMSTEAD, DT, OREGON: Here’s a player I don’t think the Stillers should take – I simply have a hunch they’re thinking about it, anyway. His massive 6’ 7” frame and long Watt-like ball-swatting arms make him tempting, but note that he needs some serious development as a pro. Probably best suited to rush from the edge in a 4-3.
ELI HAROLD, DE, VIRGINIA: Like Brown, Harold was a standout player on a so-so defense. Harold put up 7 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2014, and stood out in the Cavs’ big game vs. UCLA. At 250 lbs. he’s a candidate for 3-4 OLB – he’s a super athletic edge rusher -- this player I have no doubt is on the Stillers’ radar.
Harold, Brown and Orchard could offer the Stillers help where they need it most. One final dark-horse pick: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky. Dupree is huge for an OLB (270 lbs.) and may represent the next generation of players at the position. Dupree ran an amazing 4.56 40 and posted a 42-inch vertical at the combine – upping his stock tremendously (this size-speed ratio may make him a top 15 pick). Dupree has the bulk to hold the edge and the quickness to rush. Here’s a selection that would make Joey Porter smile.
Enjoy the draft, and as always, don’t be surprised if the Stillers come up with picks that surprise everybody.
Comments? Email me at PalmerSucks@Stillers.com
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