| Overview: This is one of my favorite drafts of the Kevin Colbert era. Considering the draft pool lacked top end talent and mid-to-late day three depth that is saying something. There were probably 10 to 12 players in this class that would have been selected in the first round last year if they had individually entered that draft with their current resume. The Steelers arguably got one of those players at 22 in Bud Dupree. Sammie Coates was considered a first rounder early in the process before teams were scared away by his lack of polish. He is similar to Martavis Bryant last year because of his incredible physical upside, his being held back by poor passing game coaching and QB play. Not a single selection was wasted on the third day which never happens. The double dips at corner and OLB brought back players in the fourth and sixth rounds that could have legitimately been picked on the second day. The outlaw Jesse James arguably has the most physical upside of any TE in this class. He came out early because a coaching change de-emphasized his position in the offense. L.T. Walton was drafted several rounds later than he could have been and is a perfect scheme fit. Thorpe Award winner Gerod Holliman tied the FBS sub-division single season record with 14 interceptions in his only year as a starter. Ike Taylor had 14 interceptions in 12 years. In fact the three defensive backs taken combined for 29 interceptions last season, the Steelers as a team managed a paltry 11 interceptions. My only problem with this draft is second rounder Senquez Golson. I understand his selection is a concession that a corner is needed on the field immediately. Players like Quentin Rollins or Alex Carter that could have been picked are bigger projects that more than likely would not have been ready for a year. Golson might be the Steelers second best corner behind William Gay right now without his ever having looked at the playbook or practiced with the team. This is a stinging rebuke of the Steelers corners, not meant as an endorsement of Golson. The problem with Golson is simple. He weighs 176 lbs. and already appears to be physically maxed out. His ability to hold up physically at the next level seems tenuous at best. 1. 22 - OLB Alvin "Bud" Dupree - Kentucky Third straight first rounder used on a linebacker. Had him going at 6 in my mock so obviously love the pick. Team captain, started the final 38 games of his career. Just turned 22. Long frame, ridiculous athleticism. Perfect scheme fit at strong side OLB giving Jarvis Jones one more season to see if he can stay healthy to develop on the weak side. Utilized all over the field in multiple roles at Kentucky. Experienced, productive as an edge setter against the run and in coverage. Has gotten some criticism for not being more productive as an edge rusher. Still by the end of the season had 23.5 career sacks, the most by any active SEC player.
*times from pro day, all unmarked measurements/times from combine 2. 56 - CB Senquez Golson - Mississippi There are plenty of things to like about Golson. Top competitor, smooth, cat quick, solid recovery speed, productive, excellent hands, experienced in zones. His 16 career interceptions in 4 seasons are more than Ike Taylor's 14 career interceptions in 12 seasons. Sorry to keep picking on Ike. Sounds great, right. His being slightly under 5'9” doesn’t even really bother me all that much. The problem is simple, he weighs 176 lbs. and appears physically maxed out. Dri Archer only weighed in a couple of pounds less than Golson at the combine. Did Colbert and Tomlin learn nothing? Archer was overwhelmed physically despite running .2 seconds faster in the 40 and having a job in which he is supposed to avoid contact. Golson has to cover receivers and then in many cases hit them. How does he hold up against an adequate division foe like Muhamed Sanu let alone A.J. Green?
3. 87 - WR Sammie Coates - Auburn Can be described in three words. Big, fast and raw. Has the speed and acceleration to separate, stretch the field. Especially effective against press coverage when corner forced to turn and run. Has the length, physicality to win on contested balls. Big game performer that torched rival Alabama last season for 206 yards and a pair of TDs on 5 catches. Often out of synch with Nick Marshall. Dropped way too many passed. How much of that should be blamed on Coates as opposed to Marshall? Not sure. Played in a rudimentary passing scheme without top level coaching. Basically the reincarnation of Martavis Bryant.
4. 121 - CB Doran Grant - Ohio St Lacks the top athleticism of Golson. Grant being an inch and a half taller, 24 pounds heavier and drafted two rounds later makes all the difference in how I feel about this pick. Boundary corner with press responsibilities in Columbus. Lack of size, top turn and run ability makes him a better fit in zones which is likely why he will be wearing black and gold. Intelligent, instinctive, rarely fooled, a good tackler active in run support. Has a chance to succeed outside in this scheme which is good since Golson appears limited to the slot by size.
5. 160 - TE Jesse James - Penn St In a perfect world would have benefited from staying in school. Came out early due to coaching change that de-emphasized his position. Only 20 years old. Born in McKeesport like me, alas 32 years and 364 days later. Ridiculously long frame with the ability to add more muscle. Showed straight line speed on tape and at his pro day, not sure why he ran so poorly at the combine. Good feel for finding openings in zone defenses. Has a penchant for making spectacular, one handed, ESPN highlight reel circus catches. I really like this player. Sometimes looks sluggish, seems only to be just doing enough as a run blocker. Not sure if his size has something to do with giving that appearance. A pedestrian Matt Spaeth career arc appears to be his floor. Ceiling much higher, plus was drafted two rounds later than Spaeth.
6. 199 - DE Leterrius Walton - Central Michigan High upside, broke out in his final season. Inexperienced having been recruited as an offensive lineman. Good athlete for such a big man, former basketball and baseball player. Has the frame to add more bulk. Scheme fit as a run stuffing 5-technique. Has physical traits to develop into at least an adequate pass rusher despite short arms that can make disengaging from tackles more difficult.
6. 212 - OLB Anthony Chickillo - Miami FL Former five star recruit, dominated East West Shrine game and had a great combine after losing some weight in the off season. Father and Grandfather were both drafted. Somewhat misused at Miami being asked to put on weight and then moved around on their four man front. Technically sound, hard worker. Incredibly confident. If lack of burst on tape, pass rushing production was truly attributable to carrying too much weight then could become a difference maker on the edge.
7. 239 - S Gerod Holliman - Louisville Only started 11 games in his career, 9 last season. Came out of nowhere to tie the FBS sub-division single season interception record, win the Thorpe Award as the nation's best DB. Added 17 passes defensed. Intercepted Jameis Winston twice last season. Incredible ball skills, just seems to know exactly what to do when the ball is in the air. Came out early as a redshirt sophomore I guess to strike while the iron was hot. Horrible tackler. Not interested at all in run defense. Didn't take part in timed/measured drills at the combine despite going through the DB workout, then tested incredibly poorly at his pro day. Decidedly not you’re normal Steelers pick. I have no idea if Holliman can or even wants to correct the flaws in his game. He is worth the gamble anyway at this point in the draft. A team with 11 total interceptions last season just can't ignore those 14 interceptions.
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