SF Board Mock Draft 2016 V1.0 Comments & Notices

[bradshaw2ben]

please take the survey and I'll share the results:

http://goo.gl/forms/GkbQ49R9t2

The idea is to see who you've learned about in the process and get Board Mock Draft crowdsourced prospect data.

[Legacy User]

B2B...

As always, thank you for your efforts. Love the board mock. Learn more about draft prospects here than anywhere else.

[Ice]

Seconded, for sure. Thanks as always. Probably the board activity I look forward to the most every year.

[bradshaw2ben]

Between researching for my own picks and learning about prospects the other 31 guys like-- it is, by far, the best education for learning about prospects available anywhere. You begin to see how the process works in real life-- you scout a certain region or certain positions, you cross check that with others, you put all of that info together-- knowledge.

I always feel like we study & watch more prospects here than at some of the major draft news sites. Even if we have access to less film-- you still get an idea of what to look for or what not to see and, over time, your eye becomes more educated as you relate to previous players you've seen who are similar or faced similar competition.

That's why I'm hoping you will also take a minute and fill out the draft survey-- a way of consolidating that info.

Again, thanks to everybody here for taking part and working diligently to pick well.

[Ice]

I was definitely upset and swearing a record number of times this draft. I don't know if it's because I did more research, or everybody else had a real bead on players and values, or a mixture of both, but you guys sent me back to the drawing board a whole bunch of times. Definitely fun and, like B2B said, and education.

[Legacy User]

I was definitely upset and swearing a record number of times this draft. I don't know if it's because I did more research, or everybody else had a real bead on players and values, or a mixture of both, but you guys sent me back to the drawing board a whole bunch of times. Definitely fun and, like B2B said, and education.

I had my pick sniped 4 times in a row. All were within 2-3 picks of my selection as well. Rounds 4-6, I was scrambling.

[bradshaw2ben]

What's weird is: I made all the way through to my last pick without having anybody seriously sniped from me. Even so, I didn't think I was guaranteed to get the guy I hoped might last. In most years, I get my hert ripped out multiple times.

I chalk it up to: I shut my mouth about prospects for a month before the Mock Draft and I even floated some disinfo... because, that how I roll.

[Thrillsseeker]

What's weird is: I made all the way through to my last pick without having anybody seriously sniped from me. Even so, I didn't think I was guaranteed to get the guy I hoped might last. In most years, I get my hert ripped out multiple times.

I chalk it up to: I shut my mouth about prospects for a month before the Mock Draft and I even floated some disinfo... because, that how I roll.

HAHAHAHA. Excellent!

Props for doing this yet again! Great stuff, enjoyed it immensely.

[Steelersfan]

I have a question for the SF "mock" makers? Every year I seriously consider taking a team, but I always talk myself out of it due to time constraints. Don't want to be the one that holds you guys up, plus I don't watch ANY college football. So, I feel, my knowledge level wouldn't be worthy. I do however, really soak up all the draft info I can that is Steeler related. And I always read through the "mocks" and threads about it.

My question: Has anybody ever compared the mocks of the past to see how close (percentages etc.) they line up with the real thing? Or do the "posters" that have the Steelers picks ever provide a recap (after their mock is over) to explain their picks and how the draft played out? (their thought processes for picks, players, positions etc.)

Can't do that for all teams, but all of us here care about the Steelers. I thought maybe there were some breakdowns I may have missed about how the "Steeler" portion of the draft "fell"' I don't even remember seeing a list of the Steeler picks after each draft was over to compare to the picks most of us were "mocking" to the Steelers. Anyway, maybe it takes too much time & work for those type threads to be done, BUT I thought they would make great threads for conversation for the off-season days leading up to the draft. Lots of knowledge on this site and you guys usually have a way for talking me into certain players & changing my mind on how I would approach the Steelers draft. I'd love to know the thoughts of the poster's picking for the Steelers when it's over and I would love to know some of the "historic" comparisons of the Steeler Fury experts versus the real thing.

[bradshaw2ben]

I've been picking for the Steelers in at least the first draft of each year for the past few years. I believe I have at least the last few saved that survived the board crash. I will compile for discussion.

[jebrick]

I have gone through to what round my picks go in vs the real draft. I have gotten one right by picking Andrew Luck for the Colts

[bradshaw2ben]

2016
1 28 PIT - B2B (from KC) - Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia
The Steelers secondary took big steps forward in the latter stages of the 2015 season. After the debacle in Seattle, they finished the season allowing 5.5 YPA, which (had it been over a full season instead of 7 games) would have led the NFL by a full yard. Takeaways were significant, points allowed was way down, and they were top 5 in rush defense. There are a few free agents that make the waters murky for immediate needs but the main difference in going good to great and being more consistent is adding an eraser to the secondary. The Steelers of '15 lacked a guy like Troy Polamalu or Ike Taylor who could take away a big hunk of what teams wanted to do-- to begin dictating to them, reather than being passive. Keith Butler and Tomlin wanted to play more zone defense but simply were a little short in guys who could do it well. Our pick here accelerated his level of play to the end of his college career like it was an opposing receiver or balcarrier. He can cover acres of ground and 1 on 1 a slot guy, he can hit, he can tae the ball away, but the thing I like most about his game is: he can tackle. He hits AND wraps up. He's never had an official concussion, despite being as big a hitter as anyone in this draft.

3 68 PIT - B2B (from SF) - Bronson Kaufusi, DE/Edge, Brigham Young
Had a bit of back and forth in our war room over the choices available here. Some really good players who fit and we had it out. When the dust settled, we decided to go for a player who offers us some position flexibility for multiple fronts-- something our GM just talked about a couple of weeks ago. He tested extremely well at the combine-- basically had the same test scores as Shilique Calhoun, despite being 34 lbs heavier. That extra mass serves him well vs the run, where he holds the point as well as anybody we've seen on tape... yet can bend the corner well enough to be a situational pass rusher when you go to nickel. He's not flashy, but he's a coach's son, has good technique, has a strong motor, is very football smart, loves the game, and has prototypical DE length at 6'6 1.2" 285 with 34 1/2 inch arms. He's an LDS senior, meaning he's 2 years overaged, but he can contribute immediately as a role player, can give a blow to our two stud DEs, and can even stand up and play the edge in a rotation. He's also an A+++ character and team guy-- what's not to like?

4 104 PIT - B2B (from Jax) - Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
Having addressed the team's three biggest needs to a degree, I turn to CB help. I have 3 CBs left on my board who I think are NFL starters on the outside. One of them is criminally overlooked, one is mostly overlooked, and one is this prospect-- whose draft slot in real life could be anywhere from R2 to UDFA. Lance Zierlein has him as the #3 CB in the class and most other raters have in here in early day 3. On film, he's tenacious, has great length, and he's not at all grabby-- He looked damn good vs Mike Evans and Sammie Coates. I think his game translates pretty well to the NFL and his upside is long cover corner a la Ike Taylor. In fact, he's physically/athletically just like a young Ike Taylor (6'2" with long arms and terrific speed) and has exactly the same potential. The missing piece that makes this guy a wild card instead of a surefire top 50 pick is: he was immature as a late teenager.

He got upset that his girlfriend was cheating on him with a teammate. He lost his cool and went in (not broke in, it was open) to his teammates room in search of his phone, so that he could satisfy his need to know the truth. Bad move. Bad consequences. The other player found out, the prospect admitted what he had done in the heat of the moment, the prospect got arrested and charged with trespassing in the other guy's room. That got him suspended and his lack of contrition kept him from being reinstated.

Apparently, in recent months, he has been all over admitting his mistake and expressing contrition for being so immature and stupid. We've been grabbing high character guys; it's a point where it's worth taking a swing at a guy we think is a terrific football player who has yet to put the atheticism, football smarts, and maturity all together. We think he will.

TRADED 3 69 PIT - B2B (from Jax) - Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
ACQUIRED 4 121 WAS - STD - Joel Heath, DE, Michigan State
The Washington Redskins trade the rights to their 4th Round selection Joel Heath, DE, Michigan State and OL Arie Koundjio for Steelers' 2nd 3rd Rounder, Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky.
6 184 PIT - B2B (from Jax) - Rico Gathers, TE, Baylor
Basically, Higbee and Ladarius Green are redundant. I was looking at Heath (a top notch 2 gap DE straight out of John Mitchell's factory outlet)-- probably would have taken him if we had signed Green before that pick. And my next selection puts the puzzle together.

Wow. This prospect's path has been a little crazy/unorthodox-- and that just the past few weeks. He said he was entering the draft, then it was leaked he wasn't, then it was confirmed he's declared for the draft. There have been times where I got fascinated with some kernel of information about a potential prospect and got sold, despite little info. I risked it on Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, Jimmy Graham, Clay Harbor, and Demetrius Harris and won; I risked it on Lawrence Okoye (looks like a failed experiment unless he transitions to OL) and who was that giant WR from the Pacific Northwest who signed with Green Bay and played for Detroit? Can't remember. Anyway, this is a big risk but for a few reasons, I feel like it's not a joke and it's worth spending this pick.

He's huge and a world-class athlete. His hands are soft like rubbed leather. He's 6'7" 269lbs and moves like a 200lb guy. His vertical is stunning. His 40 would be the best of any TE at the combine. He used all of that on the basketball court to the tune of averaging double double in a power conference-- perhaps the best rebounder in college basketball. If he can box out and outleap 6'10" guys to grab contested rebounds, he likely can contribute immediately as a red zone target. I'm sorry-- there's no one left on the draft board with that kind of upside, who is at least capable of contributing as well as a role player.
6 204 PIT - B2B (from Jax via PIT) - Mike Rose, OLB, North Carolina State
Edge rusher. Productive in major conference... in fact, more productive than Dadi Nicholas last two years in same conference. Size, bend, plays the run very well. Team leader and captain. Why is he invisible to draft media? Why no combine invite?

7 226 PIT (from DEN via SF]) - Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska
Running to the podium-- don't trip!

An unheralded big man. Holds the point. Decent get off. Powerful. Could see snaps both as NT and at DE. He freed up Maliek Collins and has a chance to be an even better pro.
7 233 PIT (from DEN) - Deandre Reaves, KR/PR/WR, Marshall
The Steelers arguably lost their cahnce to win the Super Bowl last year because they didn't have a backup PR option to Antonio Brown and the also spent most of the season playing with chumps on the KR. So, why not draft the best returner in college football? Devin Hester lite.
7* 253 PIT - B2B - Tyler Johnstone, OL, Oregon
It's interesting having the last pick. Knowing that every player you're interested in is theoretically available as a UDFA, if there's an opportunity here that exceeds their other options.

Several of my targeted Mr. Irrelevants were plucked in the last day of picks. Cheatham Norrils and Avery Young looked good for the gig. I also feel like I haven't picked too many B2B Directional State guys this year-- feel like I've let you guys down.

So, I looked over the 5-6 names I'm considering here. A well-thought of QB from a tiny school-- Ben's QB guru named him as the QB in this draft class with the most tools and upside. An athletic freak DL from an FCS school who had a great regional combine. An HBCU OL. A holy terror small-school edge player. I'm sure I'll pimp all of those guys before this process is over, but I'm going to boringly opt for a forgotten and overlooked power 5 OT who probably should have been picked 2 rounds ago. He missed 2014 due to injury, came back at less than 100% early in the year and worked his way back to form over the course of the season. He's basically mobile and in great shape, has long arms, has tools to play LT or LG. Needs a redshirt, some weight room work, and some Munchaking. This would be a great situation for him.

Sorry to be boring and go for the big school guy, but he's the best player available here.

2015 Round 1
1.32 Pittsburgh (via NE)-- B2B-- Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a little banged around in the mid first round, where their four top choices all got selected earlier than expected, including the dagger immediately before the 1.22 slot.

So, we flexed our plan, traded down for a mid 2, mid 3, and mid 4, then back up with essentially 2 6ths to get here. One of the three players we considered taking at 1.22 before the trade offer is still here, even though he's been recently talked about as a potential top 20 pick.

Everyone knows our secondary is a major issue. It's been that way and only getting worse. This player not only shares some good traits with Ike Taylor (size, length, speed) but he's already working out with Taylor taking him under his wing at his legendary Shaw Performance workouts.

This player is only just realizing his potential-- he was playing on athletic gifts until he started taking the craft seriously two years ago... and his play took off. He's the kind of guy who can run with absolutely anyone down the field and, with coaching to use his strength and size better, he's going to be a #1 CB in the league.

2.54 Pittsburgh (via Det)-- Ha'uoli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
The last 40 yards to the podium were faster than Jarvis Jones' 40 time.

The Pittsburgh Steelers dodged a bullet. One highly productive pass rusher from a major conference and top 100 film left on the board... And we *barely* got him.

3.77 Pittsburgh-- B2B via Cle-- Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
In rapid succession, the Steelers lost out on three prospects we anticipated could be our next THREE picks David Johnson, Anthony Harris, & Denzell Perryman). The contingency guys on the board were also decimated, some more than a round earlier than anticipated.

So.

We took the best player available who has the potential and plays a position where he could start for us on the opening weekend.

He's not the greatest athlete and he has average size-- but on the football field, he plays press and off man, he anticipates throws and undercuts routes, he supports the run. I will be wholly unshocked if he becomes a Steelers draft pick soon.

He truly stood out at the Senior Bowl-- I listened to a radio broadcast of the game in the car and I think they said his name every play, usually for something good.

3.88. Pittsburgh (via Det)-- B2B-- Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford
The Steelers once again sprint to the podium to select the best DL on the board and, perhaps the best in this class when it's all said and done.

4.111 Pittsburgh-- B2B via Cle-- Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech
My favorite sleeper OL in this draft. I've seen every snap of his available on the internet. I once saw a somewhat mediocre play. Once. Virtually every snap is a win, a knockout, or at least an effective win. Long arms, great lunch, good lateral movement skills. He's not be best at redirecting when running at full speed but he uses good technique. He could backup 4 positions or play either guard position or RT to begin, eventually he'll be a starter at LT.

4.122. Pittsburgh-- B2B-- Clayton Geathers, S, Central Florida
There aren't too many safeties in this draft who are the type who make plays all over the field... Some have that mentality but few actually can get it done in the deep middle, in the backfield, in the seams... This guy has NFL bloodlines and you can tell he loves to hit but makes the smart play rather than be too aggressive and be burned.

Anyway, you could not watch a game he was in and not notice him, which is a compliment.

6.183 Pittsburgh (via NYG)-- B2B-- Jean Sifrin, TE, UMass
There are no Heath Miller's in this draft class-- maybe Maxx Williams can be at that level someday but the others are either too small, too slow, or too limited in their talent to really be a #1 TE for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers as presently construed.
But this team can use a role player who can help with certain aspects of the game where we are deficient. Even if the player in question is roughly the same age as Larry Donnell and Jason Worilds. I look at it this way: can the guy do some things immediately to help the team and can he do enough to make it worth spending the 183rd pick on him. Well, yeah.
He's not perfect and he'll never be Heath Miller. He does have possibly the largest hands in the entire draft and the ability to catch the football with a catch radius that is absurd compared to any player we currently have on the roster. He can help in the red zone and he can do enough to make himself worthwhile elsewhere on the field for a contract's worth, which is all you can ask of a 6th round pick. He'll contribute more than the last TE they drafted from UMass.

6.202 Pittsburgh (via NYG)-- B2B-- Houston Bates, OLB, Louisiana Tech
The best edge rusher no one is talking about played for an FBS mid major team. He was a transfer from a power 5 conference, where he was a 3 or 4 star recruit, then a successful starter and won honorable mention all-conference-- the transfer was post-graduate, not character-related.

The transfer seemed like relatively minor news when it happened but it was a big deal for the player. He gave two reasons: 1. his family hadn't been able to come and see him play at the midwestern school; a move closer to home would allow him to share his college football experience with them 2. he thought his training regimen at his Big 10 school wasn't hard enough nor customized enough for him, compared to what he'd done with a family friend in New Orleans.

So, he went to the mid-major, became a captain and leader, went back to his original trainer... and got better and better. He wasn't bad at his first school, but he became more consistent and dangerous, even vs. Power 5 teams. He finished his career with a storybook ending: his new team faced his old Big 10 team in a bowl game-- and he played a James Harrison-like game for the ages. He had 5.5 sacks (one was wiped out by a foul after the pass) and what would have been 6.5 TFL. In fact, he was even more dominating than that stat line... he beat each guy on the OL at least once and caused havoc on nearly every pass play took more than a second and a half. His quote afterward summed it up, "If I die tomorrow, my life would be complete."

He can cover a bit, plays the run very well-- truly the only downside to his game I can relate is the occasional bad habit of being caught flatfooted when in space on the edge... something that's more coaching than lack of burst. He was a egregious combine snub and won't run/do drills until next week, but even so, I think his tape shows a very special skill at getting to the passer... and he's plain old, ol-school, hardnosedbluecollarthrowback... I mean, look at this photo... he looks like Karl Mecklenberg.

6.208 PIT-- B2B-- Dominique Brown, RB, Louisville
Well, this player was considered to be a high pick after the 2013 season but it was not to be. His star QB left school, his coaches put him in the doghouse, and he didn't take it well. All that promising size/speed and talent going to waste. He lost his job and became an enigma of a draft prospect. Some "draftniks" have him in round 4 and some have him UDFA and at least one thinks he's not even a RB at the next level... with his pass catching skills, that expert suggested he switch to H-Back or TE.

Fast forward to the East-West Shrine game. He played RB for the 2nd and fourth quarters... and from the very first play of Q2 it was obvious that he had some kind of a point to prove. He was like shot out of a cannon on his first carry and then followed that up with bouncing, spinning, running over guys and splitting the D.

Who knows which guy he is in the NFL but, when you add his size (6017... 234) to his ability to catch the football... if the effort is there like it was in 2013 and during the Shrine practices and game, he could be a terrific player. Worst-case, he is a viable option in short yardage, which we haven't had in some time.

7.238 Pittsburgh-- B2B-- Brandon Wegher, RB, Morningside
Two girls, one cup-- er... Two dogs, one bone.

I'm rolling the dice. This guy was a sensation of all college football as a freshman... a small high school phenom who dropped right in to the Big Ten and starting making spectacular plays... including a stellar effort in the Orange Bowl that year. This year, at a much smaller school, he dominated his competition to the point where his statistics may never be matched again, at any level of football, by anybody. In between, he's had quite a winding, bizarre journey.

Let's rewind. As a child, his parents apparently pushed him to be a star football player for the University of Iowa from an extremely young age. The fact that this obsession on the father's part actually succeeded is kind of mind-blowing. He did make it to Iowa and the biggest of stages... but the result of the achievement was a bit of a letdown. He battled a desire to walk away from the game. He told coaches his head wasn't right and they suggested he take a week off practice. He returned for a few practices afterward and determined that his heart wasn't fully into it. Appropriate in the context of this week's NFL announcements.

After taking some time off, he transferred to Oklahoma... where the process repeated itself and eventually, he was out of football. His life went to shit. He had trouble with the law, alienated friends and family... hit rock bottom. Then two years ago... almost three years since he starred in the Orange Bowl, he got around to fixing the basics of his life and repairing his relationships. He realized he missed football and how he had frittered away an opportunity that meant something to him, for whatever reason. He "swallowed his pride" and went to a lowly NAIA school to get back to football and a degree. Once there, it took him a whole year to get back to football shape, both physically and mentally. This year, he rushed for 2,680 yards and 39 TDs, averaging eight yards per carry. He also caught 29 passes and scored another four times on receptions.

He jumped out at the Medal Of Honor Bowl, such as it is... he seems to still have the ability and speed he once did when returning kicks, catching bullet passes with one hand, and running around and away and over defenders while at Iowa.

7.250 PIT-- B2B-- Jacob Hagen, FS, Liberty
I couldn't take the spectacular WR whose career is a highlight reel... except for when he avoided a big hit or got rattled by physical coverage... how is that guy going to play against the Ravens in December?

I also couldn't take the fine developmental QB... he's probably going to be an actual Steelers' UDFA this year, and that's okay. But, hey, we have Tahj Boyd!

I couldn't take another slot CB who just confuses things, since we have numbers... we just don't have top end guys. If I hadn't drafted two CBs already...

I couldn't bring myself to draft the Vince Wilfork 2.0 who was spectacular as a nose tackle can be in 2013, then got Marlon Brandoed into a 2014 who flashed brilliance but often just took up space... If we didn't have two good looking players at the position...

Lastly, I couldn't bring myself to draft a small school WR who is built like the proverbial brick shit house and blocks as if carrying a sledgehammer... he's a very good player but I'm not sure he improves the team, fills a need, nor has the upside of these two players.

Two players from the Big South Conference (FCS). The first offers two things severely lacking on the Steelers' squad: the ability to take away the football in the air and to force fumbles. Some guys have the knack; this guy intercepted 6 and forced 4 fumbles; he also recovered a couple including the trifecta of forcing a fumble, recovering it, and returning it for a long TD vs. North Carolina.

He's a tall, rangy FS who like to hit and high points the ball/wins 50/50 battles like a WR.

7.251 PIT-- B2B-- Neal Sterling, WR/TE, Monmouth
With our final selection, we take a swing for the fences.

Let me lay out my record on such things... it's been pretty good in these mock drafts. The OL I've overdrafted over the years include Jared Veldheer, Justin Britt, Ramon Harewood, Cornelius Lucas, Terren Jones, and David Mims... all of whom made an NFL team and 4 of whom are starters. Did well with Miles Burris and Paul Worrilow. Not too bad as a pretend GM, especially with lesser known or underrated guys.

With developmental TEs, I've had some misses with late picks but also have famously taken Jordan Cameron, Julius Thomas, and Clay Harbour... all solid and, in the case of Thomas, from way out in left field at the time I started pimping him.

So, this year's developmental TE has a higher floor than most and perhaps less ceiling than some... but I like his grit, good hands, and speed. He was a 6'3" 240lb WR in an mid FCS conference... even just being big would have worked for him... but last week at his heavily attended pro day, he ran in the 4.5s. He has good hands and can make the tough catch... he was his team's go to guy for two years and delivered often. Many in the NFL community apparently believe he can parlay his size, hands, movement skills and blocking ability to be a very good NFL tight end in the future.

I figure in the meantime, he can be the team's #4 or 5 Wr, play STs, and build towards being a TE of the future... he'll pan out just as Jean Sifrin ages out of the scene.



2014 Steelers Mock draft:
1.18 Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
2.38 Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
3.97 Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana
4.120 Dontae Johnson, CB, North Carolina State
4.127 Jay Bromley, DL, Syracuse
5.171 LaDarius Perkins, RB, Oklahoma State
6.190 Zack Kerr, NT, Delaware
7.219 Terrence Fede, DL/OLB, Marist
7.224 Nikita Whitlock, DL/OLB, Wake Forest
7.239 Logan Thomas, QB/TE, Virginia Tech
7.241 Eric Thomas, WR, Troy
7.243 Keith Lewis, CB, Lynchburg

Benjamin lit up the league for his first season. Jordan Tripp was a backup elevated to starter for Seattle. Dontae Johnson starting for SF. Bromley starter for NYG. Perkins found his way to Pittsburgh, briefly. Zack Kerr starting for Indy. Fede starting for Miami. Whitlock still kicking around as a FB/STs guy. I wanted him as a pass rusher... The NYG inserted him as a nickel pass rusher for a game and he got a couple of pressures and a sack. Logan Thomas still hanging around as a QB. Keith Lewis and Thomas still well-thought of. Solid draft from top to bottom.

2013
1.17 Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
2.80 Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
3.79 Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
3.91 Jon Bostic, ILB, Miami
4.127 Josh Boyce, WR, TCU
5.150 DJ Harper, RB, Boise State
5.161 Lucas Reed, TE, New Mexico
6.184 Steve Means, DE/OLB, Buffalo
6.186 Paul Worrilow, LB, Delaware
6.193 Demetrius Harris, TE, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
6.206 Lawrence Okoye, DL/LB, England
7.223 Terren Jones, OT, Alabama State
7.236 Mike Hermann, QB, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Got Shamarko right, even if he's been a disappointment for me and the real life Steelers. Trufant has been very good full time starter out of the gate & Bostic started for two years, has had health problems. Worrilow is one of the biggest home runs of my drafting era. Demetrius Harris went from a basketball player to the #2 TE for KC.

2012
1.24. Pittsburgh -- Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
I've gone back and forth on this pick in my mind... every so often I think they should go OL here... but then I keep coming back to Hightower being such a good complement to Timmons AND the fact that Hightower can offer something in pass rush either from the inside, a la Kendrell Bell, or as an edge rusher on 3rd downs. The eye-opening fact that his straight line speed is the same as Timmons' was coming out... you add in the fact that Hightower's instincts and reaction are better... they're both going to seem like a million miles an hour out there if they can fit together. On top of all that: OL is deep in this draft and ILB is not.

2.61. Pittsburgh -- Doug Martin RB, Boise State
Value Pick. I think he'll go early round 2. At the time, I was able to trade down, get a great value player and a pick... plus land one of the LGs I liked with the next pick. In retrospect, I think I should have taken my pick of the DBs or LG/LT types here and targeted Michael Smith later. That's what happens when you have to start a draft before your draft board is totally evolved. i feel like I just established my draft board now, after I've made all my picks. lol

3.86. Pittsburgh -- Senio Kelemete, OG/OT, Washington
Well, one one hand, his stock seems to be dropping... on the other hand, that's the kind of player the Steelers like to draft at value. I think he has the mobility and the personal qualities. Is he strong enough for guard? I think so. I like his footwork and I stand by the pick.

4.119. Steelers -- Asa Jackson, CB/KR, Cal-Poly
I heard interviews with a lot of draft prospects the past couple of years... Jackson stands out to me as a guy who understands the game better than most. I think that unit could stand to have someone with smarts... I feel like that's something that's been missing since Deshea left. He's also a nice return guy, a need which had to be filled at some point in this draft.

5.159. Steelers -- Brandon Hardin, FS, Oregon State
I'm intrigued by his combination of tools: he's a big hitter and physical in coverage, he's got great speed and quicks to cover for mistakes, he's a special, special special teams player. I think he can play some Safety in the box, some FS, some slot coverage... I'm certain he could be the team's best ST player.

5.165. Steelers -- Miles Burris, LB, San Diego St.
Guy who most jumped out to me on tape this year. He's like the mid-major conference college version of James Harrison. He's an assassin who is just a great finisher, he runs through double teams, plows FBs... whatever it takes to get his man. FC tells me he thinks Burris could play inside in the 3-4, too, which is yet another bonus. Love, love love this pick.

6.194. Steelers -- James Carmon, OT, Mississippi State
Carmon's a project, but he has size and some athleticism... long arms. I do think that a developmental guy is the right kind of choice for the Steelers, unless somebody perfect falls to them in Rd 2 or 3... and by that, I mean someone who could start at LG immediately and eventually have a shot to play LT.

7.231. Steelers -- Dale Moss, WR, South Dakota State
Raw talent, small school, but, hey, this is Round 7. His highlights are a plus... his upside is immense. Rolling the dice.

7.240. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Derek Carrier, TE/H-Back, Beloit College
Position flexibility and mad, mad agility + explosion. A true H-Back/TE/WR hybrid would make everyone forget about having a FB or lining up DJ in the backfield.

7.246. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Myles Wade, DT, Portland State
I had been thinking a lot about choosing a position-flexible DL here... had my sights on Markus Kuhn, a guy who played OL at NC State and then switched to DL with some success. He seems like he has the length and athleticism to be a 3-4 DE... just a question of if he can fill out enough to hold the point. In any case, Wade is a nice transition from Casey... he has Casey's size but with even more strength and more burst to his game. I think he can play 2-gap and offer something on 3rd downs, too.

7.248. Pittsburgh Steelers (comp) -- B.J. Coleman, QB, Chattanooga
Loved his interview. Just a guy who immediately catches your ear and makes you feel like you could follow him into battle. He had some struggles this year, mostly with fighting through an injury... but I think he sticks in the league.

Hightower and Doug Martin solid picks, Carrier started all season for Washington last year... my 7.240 pick. Miles Burris missed a season+ with injury but has started otherwise.

2011 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft:

1.31 Ben Ijalana OG/OT Villanova
3.72 Mason Foster LB Washington
3.95 Buster Skrine CB UT-Chattanooga
4.127 Jarvis Jenkins DT/DE Clemson
5.159 David Mims OT Virginia Union
6.162 Julius Thomas TE Portland St.
6.198 Colin Jones, S, TCU
7.214 Ryan Hill, CB/FS, Miami (Fla.)
7.215 Kris Durham, WR, Georgia
Foster, Skrine, Durham, Colin Jones all NFL vets with starting experience. Julius Thomas is a home run at 6.162. Jarvis Jenkins a damn good pick at 4.127-- won starting job in rookie year and still going strong.

Steelers 2010 Draft:
1.27 Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida -27
2.59 Jamar Chaney, ILB, Mississippi St. -160
2.62 Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale -7
3.65 Eric Norwood, OLB/ILB, South Carolina -59
3.82 Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU +95
3.91 Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi St. -82
4.116 Robert Johnson, FS, 2008 National Champs -32
5.134 Clay Harbor, TE/FB, Missouri St. +9
5.146 Nolan Carroll, CB, Maryland +1
5.151 Arthur Moats, OLB, James Madison -27
5.164 Scott Long, WR, Louisville -91
5.166 LaMarcus Coker, RB, Hampton -89
6.186 Bright Callahan, DT/Bad, Bad Man, Shaw -69
6.188 Benjamin Burney, CB/FS, Colorado -67
6.194 7.224 Ramon Harewood, OL, Morehouse +30
7.242 Garrett Lindholm, Tarleton St
Dunlap became an Pro Bowler and double digit sack guy. Chaney wasn't drafted until 7th round, was surprise starter for two seasons. Veldheer became top 5 NFL LT. Sanders not only went to Steelers, became quality WR. Clay Harbor 6 yrs as quality #2 TE. Nolan Carrol a veteran starter. Moats became a Steeler, eventually. Even Harewood made 5 starts in his 2nd season, before a career-ending injury.

[bradshaw2ben]

B2B as Steelers GM 2010-2016

Worst picks:
1.31 Ben Ijalana OG/OT Villanova, 2011
2.80 Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall, 2013
3.79 Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse, 2013

Best picks:
2.62 Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale -7, 2010
3.82 Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU, 2010
4.127 Jarvis Jenkins DT/DE Clemson, 2011
6.186 Paul Worrilow, LB, Delaware, 2013
6.162 Julius Thomas TE Portland St., 2011
6.190 Zack Kerr, NT, Delaware, 2014
7.219 Terrence Fede, DL/OLB, Marist, 2014
7.240. Derek Carrier, TE/H-Back, Beloit College, 2012

Became Steelers:
Emmanuel Sanders, Arthur Moats, LaDarius Perkins, Jacob Hagen

[Legacy User]

2011 and 2010 were fantastic. I laughed at the Ben Ijalana pick as well.

[Steelcody7]

A couple of thoughts on the draft so far.

I too thought Bosa would be a great pick for the Browns, but a friend of mine who works for them said he doesn't fit their system. He said Bosa is too big and slow, and can't stand up in a 3-4. He's a traditional 4-3 end. He sees Bosa ending up in Dallas.

NO WAY the Cowboys draft a QB that high, and that's way too high for Treadwell at 6. Hackenberg shouldn't even be drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. I'll laugh my ass off if he goes in the 1st. He's awful. Bell won't fall that far. In fact, I think the Steelers will take he or Apple and continue the OSU draft strategy.

[bradshaw2ben]

[url][/url]

A couple of thoughts on the draft so far.

I too thought Bosa would be a great pick for the Browns, but a friend of mine who works for them said he doesn't fit their system. He said Bosa is too big and slow, and can't stand up in a 3-4. He's a traditional 4-3 end. He sees Bosa ending up in Dallas.

NO WAY the Cowboys draft a QB that high, and that's way too high for Treadwell at 6. Hackenberg shouldn't even be drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. I'll laugh my ass off if he goes in the 1st. He's awful. Bell won't fall that far. In fact, I think the Steelers will take he or Apple and continue the OSU draft strategy.

God, I hope not. Apple and Bell might be two of the worst players at their positions I watched this year.

[Steelcody7]

[url][/url]

A couple of thoughts on the draft so far.

I too thought Bosa would be a great pick for the Browns, but a friend of mine who works for them said he doesn't fit their system. He said Bosa is too big and slow, and can't stand up in a 3-4. He's a traditional 4-3 end. He sees Bosa ending up in Dallas.

NO WAY the Cowboys draft a QB that high, and that's way too high for Treadwell at 6. Hackenberg shouldn't even be drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. I'll laugh my ass off if he goes in the 1st. He's awful. Bell won't fall that far. In fact, I think the Steelers will take he or Apple and continue the OSU draft strategy.

God, I hope not. Apple and Bell might be two of the worst players at their positions I watched this year.

I like Bell but not Apple.

[Jobu]

[url][/url]

A couple of thoughts on the draft so far.

I too thought Bosa would be a great pick for the Browns, but a friend of mine who works for them said he doesn't fit their system. He said Bosa is too big and slow, and can't stand up in a 3-4. He's a traditional 4-3 end. He sees Bosa ending up in Dallas.

NO WAY the Cowboys draft a QB that high, and that's way too high for Treadwell at 6. Hackenberg shouldn't even be drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. I'll laugh my ass off if he goes in the 1st. He's awful. Bell won't fall that far. In fact, I think the Steelers will take he or Apple and continue the OSU draft strategy.

God, I hope not. Apple and Bell might be two of the worst players at their positions I watched this year.

I like Bell but not Apple.

Apple made a bad choice coming out early, IMO. I think down the road he'll be a decent player. He's raw.
Bell is going to be a stud.

[bradshaw2ben]

Can one of you guys point me to a good game for bell? I saw a couple and thought he was awful.

[Steelcody7]

Can one of you guys point me to a good game for bell? I saw a couple and thought he was awful.

I can't point out specific games, as I watch every single OSU game. There were multiple games in which he stuck out and showed NFL ability.

[jebrick]

Can one of you guys point me to a good game for bell? I saw a couple and thought he was awful.

I can't point out specific games, as I watch every single OSU game. There were multiple games in which he stuck out and showed NFL ability.

I think he has shown better than Apple but nothing that would make me think he will be special

[Jobu]

Like I said in another thread...just my opinion from watching him play. Good player on a good defense.
I've been wrong before.

[bradshaw2ben]

2011 and 2010 were fantastic. I laughed at the Ben Ijalana pick as well.

Ijalana mounting an NFL comeback. Just re-signed somewhere a couple of days ago.

[bradshaw2ben]

Like I said in another thread...just my opinion from watching him play. Good player on a good defense.
I've been wrong before.

Bell seemed like JAG to me. I think that team is like Alabama lately-- lots of bodies up front make back end look elite.

[Jobu]

Like I said in another thread...just my opinion from watching him play. Good player on a good defense.
I've been wrong before.

Bell seemed like JAG to me. I think that team is like Alabama lately-- lots of bodies up front make back end look elite.

Fair enough B2B...I respect your opinion. You certainly do the work!

[bradshaw2ben]

Oh I make plenty of gigantic mistakes.

[bradshaw2ben]

2011 and 2010 were fantastic. I laughed at the Ben Ijalana pick as well.

I was thinking about this draft again-- Gronkowski was a huge miss, even considering need at the time, would take him over Pouncey.

The draft that year was loaded, making the choices of Worilds and Gibson in 2/3 particularly egregious.

If I'm re-writing history, I go:

Rd 1 TE Rob Gronkowski
Rd 2 LT Jared Vedheer
Rd 3 LB Navorro Bowman
Rd 4 DT Geno Atkins
Rd 5 Edge Greg Hardy
Rd 5c RB James Starks
Rd 6 WR Antonio Brown
Rd 7 TE Logan Paulsen
Rd 7 S Barry Church