View topic - Stillers Mock Draft

[Steel Holiday Profile]

As has been the case recently during the draft in Pittsburgh, the Stillers don't have a large # of holes to fill on the team. A good looking player from last years draft eventually had to be put on waivers because the team needed his roster spot. This a draft for a trade up to get a guy the team feels confident about if someone slides, or a pick could be traded for multiple selections looking towards next off season... Rough to say exactly what our team is considering now. Here's what I say goes down if all the picks are made.

Rd 1. Mike Pouncey G- Drafting an M. Pouncey worked once. I'm sure it would work again....Could eventually become a RT for Pittsburgh.

Rd 2. Chykie Brown CB- As was mentioned by me in another thread, all three Texas defensive backs played with exceptional talent surrounding them their entire time in Austin. That level of competition, and the defensive scheme the Longhorns ran should make any of them an intriguing prospect for the Stillers.

Rd. 3 Eric Haag S- BIG hitter. Has some Ryan Clark in him. Good size. Has had success covering TEs. Also spent some time in the slot covering receivers... Would make a good tag team partner with the Big XII player selected above. Very solid option for the 3rd round.

Rd. 4 Austin Pettis WR- Productive, experienced player. Sweed will need to earn his keep.

Rd. 5 Edmund Gates WR- Impressive speed. Prospects from this school have a good history of success in recent years. A talent with this kind of potential would be a steal at this point.

Rd. 6 Jarriel King G/T- Moved well at the combine. Looks mean. His experience playing tackle and some at guard means he could fit right in with the Stillers revolving offensive line.

Rd 7 Tyrod Taylor QB- Doesn't matter that he will get drafted before this round. All that matters for me is that in the right situation he could be a better pro than Newton.

In the event of a lock out, rookies could find it very difficult to stick with the team which drafts them next season. With out mini camps and much time to go through work outs there is no way this years draft class can be fully prepared for the 2011-12 year. Rosters could become very wrangled as teams are forced to keep/use veterans who are long in the tooth in favor of a talented young guy.

[PSUPERCY Profile]

We need to address the defensive line. We are set at WR. Don't forget that we have Tyler Grisham who is ready to play now.

[Steelers76 Profile]

I would still go with a CB in the first round, even if Ike re-signs. McFadden and Gay are terrible, and were the 2 biggest reasons the pass defense was as bad as it was last season....

[Steel Holiday Profile]

We need to address the defensive line. We are set at WR. Don't forget that we have Tyler Grisham who is ready to play now.

Mm-ha. We definitely hope that Aaron Smith is able to contribute going forward. Both Nick Eason and Chris Hoke have expired contracts....good observation. Mike Mayock says this draft is deep at the DL position. That is something to watch carefully.

I would still go with a CB in the first round, even if Ike re-signs. McFadden and Gay are terrible, and were the 2 biggest reasons the pass defense was as bad as it was last season....

It is still early in the process, so there is no perfect measure for where the first corner backs will go. Db is my top priority, though. Right now my infatuation is with the Horns defensive backs. I'm trying to get a gauge for how good they may be. The fact that Texas ran an attacking defense with multiple blitz concepts has me considering that one of them could be the best player to plug in early. Getting the ideal player for the situation, and taking him in the second or third round would be a steal of a deal. (Or in Pittsburgh's case a "Steel" of a deal.... haha, yes I will be here during the draft. ) Won't necessarily say that any of them look good enough to select in round one, but again it is early.

As always, if the Stillers score the BPA (best player available) with their first pick that would be awesome. If he happens to fill an area of need then that would be even greater.

[Pump-N-Iron Profile]

Mike Pouncey will not make it past the first 16 picks in the draft. Considering that there may be no CBA, not many teams will be trading picks on Draft day. Good luck finding anyone who will let us move up 15-20+ spots in Rd 1 to get him. Not saying that it can't happen, I just don't think it is realistic. And I would rather not have us give away too much to get him.

As has been mentioned above, this is a DL rich draft, and the tread on the Big Snack is getting thin. The 3-4 doesn't work without a stout NT, and since Hoke is likely gone, this is a position of concern for me. I am not sure if he will be available at pick 31, but Stephen Paea is a prototypical Stiller NT. He is short, wide, and possesses ungodly strength. Due to his low center of gravity and aforementioned strength, he is difficult to move in the ground game. Unfortunately, like Fat Casey, he offers little in terms of pass rush.

I seriously doubt we will spend any picks on WR. We have plenty of depth at that position, both now and for the future.

OL is also a position of need, but, with the exception of Pouncey, our draft picks at this position have been suspect as of late. I expect Starks and Flozell to be back next year. This could possibly move Colon to his more natural position of Guard. If they can stay healthy, this might be as solid of an OL as we have had recently.

I do agree that CB and S must be priority picks in this draft. Unfortunately, by the time we get to pick # 31, all of the Rd 1 worthy DBs will be off the board. Colbert has done well in the Rd 2 & 3 recently. I would hope that both picks go to DB positions.

Don't be surprised if we spend a 5th or 6th rounder on a QB, since Dixon may not be the answer, Charlie is long-in-the-tooth, and Leftwich is a statue. McElroy from Alabama is a genius with good QB skills and Tyrod Taylor seems to be the type of QB the Stillers like as a backup.

[IronCityPsycho Profile]

Too often as fans we get caught up in looking at what we deem are the biggest needs of the team, and instantly try to correlate that with 'professional' mock drafts and combine results. Too many times we overlook the big picture as well as which player would best fit the scheme.

Last year: Maurkice Pouncey. The BPA who also fit a need.

And although many people agree that Mike Pouncey should be the Steelers pick at 1:31, it is highly unlikely he lasts that long. Sans his unlikely hood of being available, Pouncey would be a perfect fit along side his twin brother Maurkice.

Best we try to think like Kevin Colbert and what the teams position needs are rather than best player available. Or perhaps Mike Tomlin will step up and demand a certain scheme player. Either way, the Steelers oranization has drafted better than any other team in history. I doubt they'll let us down this year.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Version 2.0

1. Cameron Heyward DE- Son of the late bruising NFL running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. Young Heyward's draft stock is not what it once was. While he is probably a little disappointed not to be going in the top 15, I am thrilled that he may be an option for the Stillers! My take, is here's a guy who would be much happier in 2 years playing on a winning team with a world class organization, than getting drafted high and having to endure his football career.

2. Jerrell Powe NT- Pittsburgh could use a young nose tackle this in draft if they plan on continuing to run a 3-4 defensive set.

3. Rashad Carmichael CB- A more athletic version of William Gay. Would make a nice nickel corner.

4. Eric Haag S- Experts warn against falling in love with a player. That's not what's happening. I am falling in love with an idea--- covering tight ends. Almost every team has a 6'4 250 pound athlete who can catch. This is not the kind of player who should be covered by a dwarf. A good quarterback is going to exploit that match up all day. (See Tom Brady)

5. John Moffitt G- Last time Pittsburgh drafted a Badgers guard he busted out.... Mike T. was at the Wisconsin pro day. If he liked what he saw then this guy could join the team.

6. Cory Brandon T- Good experience protecting the passer.

7. Shiloh Keo S/ST- This kid was a hit at the combine. High effort guy whose tenacity will be refreshing. Should be a special teams demon.

Once again I have planned for the return of Ike Taylor. This draft assumes that B-Mac is going to be healthy and able to perform as the #2 CB, or that Keenan Lewis is going to become the player that we expect out of a third round pick.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

I seriously doubt we will spend any picks on WR. We have plenty of depth at that position, both now and for the future.

Not so fast. As difficult as it is to compromise with, Hines Ward will not play football forever. Ideally we watch Hines smile and ride off into the sunset a champion. Now, all the storybook endings included, when that fateful day arrives Pittsburgh's core of receivers will consist of a deep threat, a few slot guys, and a player who has potential. I don't see that as plenty of depth. Mike Wallace has amazing speed. He can score anytime, anywhere. Manny Sanders, Antonio Brown---outstanding picks. So far it looks like neither of that pair will ever run into an obstacle they can't hurdle. Incredible rookie seasons. Limas Sweed hasn't helped much so far, but he is an athlete that will impress us yet.

We are talking about a solid young nucleus here. The Stillers air attack contains some exceptional talents. Hines Ward though, Hines is the glue. He keeps it all together. The other players fit well into there roles, because Ward's presence is reliable. He's tough, a great blocker and a leader. He can also He represents everything that a Steelers wide receiver should be. When Ward is on the field he has to be accounted for. His presence opens up the passing attack, and his personality is contagious. As long as he is on the team, Pittsburgh should draft players to learn from the legend.

If we learned anything from last season it would have to be that the NFL is an offensive spectacle. Big Ben is the franchise. When he is properly equipped with weapons he can pass the ball with anybody. Pittsburgh already has a full roster. Should the opportunity to trade up for an elite big bodied wide receiver present itself, the Stillers must not sleep on that chance.

Version 3.0

#1 Trade Picks #31+#63+#128 to Jacksonville in exchange for #16 Who? Who?... HOO, HOO JuLI-OO JOO-nNeZz.
Julio Jones would compliment the Young Money Crew very well, and give Roethlisberger a supremely talented group of receivers to work with. Most mocks have him going in the first 10 picks, but Jones could fall out of the top 10 because of questions about his ability to separate. The Jaguars would pounce at the chance to trade back, and get a couple extra picks from Pittsburgh. Jones would be a perfect fit in the steel town. He has a good track record, has played on winning teams and is a willing blocker.

#3 Buster Skrine CB- The type of fast and explosive athlete that has found his way onto the roster from recent drafts.

#5 John Moffitt G- Good value at this stage.

#6 Eric Haag S- Again? Mmhm.

#7 Anthony Gray NT- Beastly strength in a compact body. Seems reasonable that they may select him and see if he can develop.

[No l Gravity l Profile]

Your second mock is probably the most realistic and best. Heyward looks dominant when he wants to be and would be a great successor to Brett Keisel. I still think Aaron Williams is our guy if he's there. If not, then we may trade down a few spots for Ras-I Dowling or Brandon Harris. In the second round I like CB Curtis Martin, S Rahim Moore, and G Marcus Cannon. I'd also be stoked as a fanboy to see us to pick up Casey Matthews in round 3 if he's there.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Thanks for the comment No Gravity. I was beginning to get that feeling of talking to myself again.

The NFL draft is names, faces and numbers to me. As a fan that's what there is to work with. Fortunately, the Stillers employ experts dedicated to making my team better. When it comes to the draft this organization gets it right more often than any other football franchise. From choosing the right athletes, to progressing them accordingly to ensure success. Pittsburgh is the dominating force in player development. Mocking its drafts in an attempt to tap into that reservoir of greatness is fun.

The more I look at all the prospects, the more I see players who seem like they could help out. Only, as has already been mentioned the roster is rather full, and as a matter of fact was Super Bowl quality just a season ago. Spots on this teams depth chart are already hard to come by, and just because a guy has talent doesn't ensure he can add to his positional units chemistry here. Trying to predict which guys will succeed going forward isn't necessarily about assessing the best players from the college teams. The key element, imo, is fitting a player into a role on the Stillers. My point is these are young athletes who have dreamed of league fame for years. Those who happen to make it, a good portion at least, probably aren't real receptive to the idea that roles outside of immediate superstar exist. So rookies, your role and shut your mouth.

Draft day mock

1. Aaron Williams CB- Another play maker in the secondary is something the Stillers need. Williams' intelligence, skills and football savvy should allow him to make an impact in his first season. Maybe this seems a bit obvious, but so was throwing at Anthony Madison and that didn't stop the Packers. There appears to be quite a bit of upside to this prospect, and the fact that he came out as a true junior makes him the kind of youngster Pittsburgh has targeted in recent years.

2. Will Rackley G- Big Ben is the franchise player on offense. Pass protection will be crucial as he enters his prime playing years.

3. Martez Wilson ILB- All the measurables are there for a top 60 selection. Questionable instincts and ability to perform every down will likely drop him to round 3.

4. Alex Henery K- It takes a special kind of talent to kick field goals at Heinz field. This kid has the fortitude.

5. Traded along with the original 3rd to move up 11 slots to select Wilson.

6. Jerrell Powe NT- Schematic comprehension concerns are what set this guy back. Then again, a nose really only has one way to go. I had originally suspected he could go as high as the 2nd.

7. Kris Durham WR- Impressive size/speed combo. The kind of pick that gets fans excited when he is selected in rd 3 because of the work out numbers. 2, 3 seasons later the "sleeper" is still . Better to not reach for a guy like this.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

WTF? A kicker? In the 4th!! . Please all that is good in the football universe forgive me. It is so important such an event doesn't take place that a separate post had to be entirely constructed in an effort to prevent something so daffy.