2015 Steelers Draft Primer, UPDATED 4/24

April 22, 2015 by Steel Haven

This Steelers draft primer enumerates team needs with possible draft targets examined in varying detail. Most players listed as visiting have already been to the South Side, a few are still scheduled to come to town with a little more than a week to go before the draft begins. Interviews could have happened at the Senior Bowl, combine, a pro day or even in a phone conversation. Mike Tomlin made it a point to take multiple players out to dinner after their pro day so that is listed as a separate category even though it really is just an extension of the interview process. Remember that players not coming for a visit or being directly contacted in no way precludes them from being selected by the Steelers. More than a few direct contacts have issues either on or off the field that needed to be clarified. Some may not even end up on the team’s draft board. I accumulated this information from a myriad of sources, some small subset of which might be incorrect despite every attempt at verification. A mistake of omission is also possible, probably more possible to be honest. Sorry in advance for any errors.

Updated 4/24 with late visits in red

CB: The most desperate/current need

Depth Chart Overview: There is no hiding corner as the most pressing immediate need. Ike Taylor has mercifully retired, he wouldn't have been back anyway. Taylor was a solid starter on two Super Bowl winning teams and for that we as Steelers fans should always be thankful. Alas his play (and health) fell off precipitously in the past several seasons. Almost no team would have been hurt this badly by losing a mediocre talent like Brice McCain in free agency. Cortez Allen face planted after signing a big money extension. Allen will be given every opportunity to rebound, of course counting on a bounce back season would be a mistake. William Gay just turned 30 and after being allowed to leave for Arizona in free agency returned a few years ago to easily become the top corner on the roster despite always being best suited to a complimentary role in the slot. Antwon Blake has fourth corner upside. Perhaps BW Webb can develop into something, probably not.

Draft Outlook: At least two picks (arguably three) need to be used on this position, at least one (arguably two) on the first two days. The stock of Trae Waynes has risen to the point that there is little chance of his being available at 22. Mocks have lately focused on Kevin Johnson and to a slightly lesser extent Marcus Peters to the Steelers in the first round. Neither are perfect (or even good) fits. Johnson is rail thin and looks physically incapable of ever providing the kind of run support the Steelers prefer. Peters was kicked off Washington due to clashes with the new coaching staff and then tested worse than expected at the combine/his pro day. Fast risers Jaelen Collins, Byron Jones and Eric Rowe seem to be more likely targets in the first round. Collins is a relatively inexperienced surprise early entrant having started only 10 games. He did play in 39 total games on one of the deepest teams/secondaries at the highest level of college football. Jones and Rowe both moved from safety to corner as seniors. All three tested extremely positively in post season workouts. Jones missed the final 5 games of the season due to a shoulder injury. He set an all-time combine long jump record of 12'3". Taking the best player available within reason at 22 even if he ends up not being a corner remains within the realm of possibility. Corner is not a position the Steelers normally target with their first pick. The last taken by the Steelers in the first round was Chad Scott in 1997. Quinten Rollins is an intriguing second round possibility. He was a four year starter at point guard coming off MAC defensive player of the year honors in his only season of football since HS. Alex Carter and Doran Grant are scheme fits that would provide second day value especially in the third round if available. Rollins, Carter and Grant all have the skills to end up at safety if they fail outside.

Visits: Carter – Stanford, Senquez Golson – Mississippi, Grant – Ohio St, Dexter McDonald - Kansas, Steven Nelson – Oregon St, Peters – Washington, Darryl Roberts – Marshall

Pro Day Dinners: Collins – LSU, Charles Gaines – Louisville, Johnson – Wake Forest

Interviews/Pro Day: Justin Cox - Mississippi St, Quandre Diggs - Texas, Nick Marshall - Auburn, Rollins - Miami OH, Rowe - Utah, Waynes - Michigan St, Kevin White - TCU

OLB: Playmaker wanted/needed

Depth Chart Overview: Clearly lack explosiveness on the edge. Jason Worilds parlayed approximately 6 decent games to close out the 2013 season into more than $9 million playing under the transition tag in 2014, then he took his money and went home. The surprise Worilds retirement was different than the somewhat shocking retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. Worilds was a free agent unlikely to return that never showed a passion for the game. James Harrison and Arthur Moats were resigned as stopgaps. At least the aging Harrison won't back down or ever quit. Moats has a role as a two down edge setter against the run despite his lack of playmaking ability. Former first rounder Jarvis Jones looks like a bust with only 3 career sacks in two seasons. Hopefully he can stay healthy and the light will finally come on, no one should be holding their breath.

Draft Outlook: Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory, Shane Ray or Bud Dupree could be taken as the best player available at 22 if they are still on the board. Actually trading up for any of them should not be considered out of the question. Beasley and Dupree are the more likely targets if the Steelers harbor any hopes for Jones because unlike him they possess the size to hold up on the strong side. A day two pick on someone like Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Eli Harold, Danielle Hunter, Nate Orchard in the second round or Lorenzo Mauldin in the third is probably more likely. There would be worse ideas than an additional day three pick. Max Valles stands out on tape opposite Harold as a surprise early entrant, high upside late round possibility.

Visits: Tavarus Dantzler – Bethune Cookman, Kyle Emanuel – North Dakota St, Gregory – Nebraska, Harold – Virginia, Orchard – Utah, Davis Tull - UT Chattanooga, Valles – Virginia

Pro Day Dinners: Dupree – Kentucky, Markus Golden – Missouri, Hunter – LSU, Mauldin – Louisville, Ray – Missouri

Interviews/Pro Day: Beasley - Clemson, Trey Flowers - Arkansas, Hauoli Kikaha - Washington, Odighizuwa - UCLA, Lynden Trail - Norfolk St

TE: Not getting any younger

Depth Chart Overview: The only offensive players still on the roster with two rings are Heath Miller and Ben Roethlisberger. Miller turned 32 in October, primary backup Matt Spaeth hit 31 in November. Rob Blanchflower and Michael Egnew round out the roster. Blanchflower spent last season on the practice squad and provides Spaeth type backup upside. For what it's worth the coaching staff reportedly likes him. Egnew washed out in Miami, a one dimensional pass catcher without the athleticism to be a true difference maker which makes his being kept around in Pittsburgh highly unlikely.

Draft Outlook: The sheer volume of visits and interviews with tight ends suggests the Steelers are serious about adding at the least a developmental prospect on the third day. Basically anyone that could be selected in the first four rounds except for early entrant Tyler Kroft of Rutgers plus quite a few late round in-line projects were all contacted in one way or another. The focus on either every down in-line prospects or blockers of course fits the offensive scheme. Should Maxx Williams fall into their laps in the second round or Clive Walford in the third either could legitimately be the pick. Blake Bell, Jesse James and Cameron Clear are interesting third day prospects. Bell is a converted QB. James a huge, surprisingly athletic raw early entrant. Clear a blocking TE some project as a developmental tackle.

Visits: Kennard Backman – UAB, Clear – Texas A&M, Jeffrey Heuerman – Ohio St, James – Penn St, Wes Saxton – South Alabama, CJ Uzomah – Auburn, Walford – Miami FL

Interviews/Pro Day: Bell - Oklahoma, AJ Derby - Arkansas, Ben Koyack - Notre Dame, Nick O'Leary - Florida St, Williams - Minnesota

WR: Three is not enough

Depth Chart Overview: Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton are a formidable top three. Brown wanting more money shouldn’t be an issue in the short or long term. He deserves more money and something will be worked out. History does suggest in the long term that only one of Bryant and Wheaton, probably Bryant, will be signed to a second contract. Kevin Colbert has repeatedly replaced talent like Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. Forgetting about anything beyond 2015 there still needs to be options added beyond the top three. The resigning of Darius Heyward-Bey was more about special teams than offense. Heyward-Bey is currently the fourth receiver, he probably should be the sixth.

Draft Outlook: At first I thought wide out was unlikely to be addressed until the third day. Then players that could fall in the second day were brought in for a visit like Jaelen Strong into the mid-second round due to a wrist injury and Sammie Coates into the mid-third round due to fears about his lack of polish. Seems the Steelers are serious about using a second day pick at receiver if value presents itself. Interesting that third day conversion projects Devin Gardner and Tyler Murphy in addition to projected corner Marshall were brought in for visits. The Steelers made out very well with their last conversion project Antwaan Randle El. Actually before that multi-year starter Kordell Stewart originally made his mark as "slash". Not that Gardner, Murphy or Marshall have the upside at quarterback of Stewart or the athleticism of Randle El.

Visits: Coates – Auburn, Gardner – Michigan, Murphy – Boston College, WR Breshad Perriman – Central Florida, Strong - Arizona

Pro Day Dinners: WR DeVante Parker – Louisville

Interviews/Pro Day: WR Tre McBride - William & Mary

S: End of an era

Depth Chart Overview: The Troy Polamalu era is over. At least his retirement means he won’t toil for a year or two in another uniform. The face of the defense for years, age took away the quickness and speed that made him special. S Mike Mitchell didn’t fit well with Polamalu because his game based on quickness, speed and freelance ability was too similar. Mitchell actually played better when Will Allen was on the field due to Polamalu’s varied injuries. Allen was resigned hopefully for depth. The belief is that 2013 fourth round Shamarko Thomas is ready. Robert Golden served as a special teams co-captain last season.

Draft Outlook: An interesting possible early rounder is versatile Shaq Thompson whose draft stock seems to be all over the board. Some list him as a top 20 pick. I am not sure if the Steelers could afford to take him with their first rounder. Others list him as a mid-second rounder. Should Thompson fall he would provide tremendous value. Thompson played outside linebacker and running back last season. Some like NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock project him as a safety. Thompson is obviously not an every down outside backer in the Steelers scheme. However, in what has become a passing league having an ultra-athletic defender that can cover tight ends or backs plus blitz both off the edge or from the middle of the field and also perhaps be an emergency fill-in on the other side of the ball at running back would be incredibly valuable no matter at what position he is listed. A ball hawking safety to patrol the deep zones like Gerod Holliman or Cody Prewitt has not really been a priority in the Steelers zone blitz 3-4 scheme. Tackling has always been more of a concern under Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin and their various defensive coordinators.

Visits: Landon Collins - Alabama

Pro Day Dinners: Holliman – Louisville

Interviews/Pro Day: Durrell Eskridge – Syracuse, Prewitt - Mississippi, Jermaine Whitehead - Auburn

DE: Lack depth

Depth Chart Overview: The development of rookie Stephon Tuitt in the second half of the season solidified the starting unit with Cam Heyward and Steve McLendon. Huge Daniel McCullers looks like a keeper in reserve. Brett Keisel resigned last season out of necessity won’t be back. Free agent signee DE Cam Thomas is still around despite being a major disappointment. Getting him off the roster and saving his cap hit would be optimal.

Draft Outlook: A value pick on the first or second day is possible although a third day depth addition more likely. Someone like Arik Armstead in the first, Carl Davis in the second or Henry Anderson in the third would have to be seriously considered. None are particularly likely to be available. Interestingly enough the linemen the Steelers have shown the most interest in during the process have been one gap disruptors that don’t seem to fit their scheme. This could signal some change under new DC Keith Butler, but is more likely just the front office and coaching staff doing their due diligence.

Visits: Xavier Cooper – Washington St, Preston Smith - Mississippi

Interviews/Pro Day: Michael Bennett - Ohio St, Grady Jarrett - Clemson, Gabe Wright - Auburn

OL: Upgrade couldn't hurt

Depth Chart Overview: Line coach Mike Munchack really did do a remarkable job last season. Bringing in an upgrade over Ramon Foster is not the worst idea. Finding an upgrade over Kelvin Beachum allowing him to move inside to replace Foster could also work. That wouldn't be particularly easy given how well Beachum has played on Roethlisberger's blind side despite lacking length and top athleticism. Marcus Gilbert, David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey are set. Mike Adams and Cody Wallace provide some measure of depth outside and inside.

Draft Outlook: Would the Steelers pull the trigger if someone like La’el Collins or Ereck Flowers unexpectedly fell into their laps at 22? Perhaps the front office would feel they have no choice. The selection would undoubtedly not go over well with the fan base or media given the needs on defense plus the simple fact that this unit already sports a pair of past first and second round picks. A third day pick will definitely be used on an interior or swing lineman.

Visits: TJ Clemmings – Pittsburgh, Quinton Spain – West Virginia

Pro Day Dinners: Max Garcia – Florida

Interviews/Pro Day: Collins - LSU, Flowers - Miami FL, Sean Hickey - Syracuse

RB: Develomental project wanted

Depth Chart Overview: Aging DeAngelo Williams was signed to back up LeVeon Bell. Backs on their second contract don’t particularly thrill me let alone an injury prone 32 year old on his third contract. Diminutive Dri Archer will get another season to try to develop into a splash player with limited touches. He probably should have been a fifth rounder last year, not a third rounder. Last post season showed a fourth more complete back to groom behind Bell and Williams is needed especially given Bell’s suspension. Josh Harris should not be back.

Draft Outlook: Before signing Williams the Steelers talked to a number of second day backs at the combine. Now a late rounder seems to be the ceiling for a runner being taken. A change of pace power back is more likely to be added than another undersized pass catcher.

Pro Day Dinners: Matt Jones – Florida

Interviews/Pro Day:Devin Cobb - Minnesota, Tevin Coleman - Indiana, David Johnson, Northern Iowa, Duke Johnson - Miami FL, Jeremy Langford - Michigan St, TJ Yeldon - Alabama

QB: Roethlisberger better stay healthy

Depth Chart Overview: Roethlisberger signed a relatively team friendly, extremely front loaded extension to remain in Pittsburgh through at least the 2019 season. Bruce Gradkowski remains as his uncontested, somewhat pedestrian 32 year old backup. The attempt to find a young developmental prospect on the third day of the draft has not been a success. Tajh Boyd was signed as a camp arm, possible practice squad stash.

Draft Outlook: The only hope really is that a conversion project as mentioned earlier will be selected and utilized as an emergency third quarterback freeing up the roster spot that has been wasted on Landry Jones the past two seasons.

ILB: Enough resources already used

Depth Chart Overview: The first and last first rounder of the Tomlin era have been spent on this position. Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier provide the speed inside with which the new defense is being built. Shazier of course needs to stay healthy and develop. Vince Williams and Sean Spence were more than adequate replacing Shazier rotating depending on defensive package. Spence has comeback from a debilitating knee injury that was feared to be career ending. Terrence Garvin is a solid special teams contributor. Jordan Zumwalt will get a look inside after showing nothing as a rookie outside before landing on IR.

Draft Outlook: Thompson was discussed with safety as a possible high upside pick.

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