SP's Pick
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
While I have been mainly pessimistic and convinced the Steelers would take one of two players most of us dislike (Kevin Johnson or Eli Harold), my thought process has recently changed. The front office has been known to roll the dice a bit and catch a falling player that was highly rated on their board. Jarvis Jones and Mike Adams being recent examples. As for all of the talk about a first round corner, let's remember this is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise hasn't drafted a CB in round 1 in the last SEVENTEEN years and have spent only 3 top 2 round picks on the CB position in the last 21 year. They have, however, spent a top 2 round pick on a linebacker 5 times in the past 8 drafts. The Steelers defense is predicated on a strong pass rush which happens to be their number 1 weakness right now. Shane Ray is a player who until the past few weeks was regarded as a surefire Top 15 and possible Top 5 pick in the draft. Medical reports about a gimpy foot and a pot posession charge the week before the draft will very likely drop him into the Steelers range. Known as a conservative franchise that avoids character risks, the Steelers seem to understand that a large portion of the players in the draft pool also use recreational marijuana. In the past they have gambled on players with a marijuana history namely Marvel Smith, Santonio Holmes, and Mike Adams. If they view Shane Ray as an elite edge rusher, and his medicals checked out, then I think they will be willing to overlook the isolated drug incident in which Ray was just involved and pull the trigger.
As a player, Ray is relentless and explosive. Although I have some questions his ability to dip around the edge, he has the athleticism, tenacity, and speed to create havoc in the backfield. His coach at Missouri, Gary Pinkel, said Ray “is one of the great competitors I’ve been around in my life." Do yourself a favor and watch Shane Ray abuse potential 1st round LT DJ Humphries and tell me Colbert and Tomlin would be willing to pass on this guy because of a boo-boo on his foot and a dime bag in his car. http://draftbreakdown.com/video/shane-ray-vs-florida-2014/ My guess is the Steelers try to catch a falling star and select Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri.
FC's Pick:
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
I believe the Steelers will select Marcus Peters. The biggest reason for this is Marcus Peters will be the best player available when they pick. I will go a step further and say in my not-at-all humble opinion he fits the Steeers needs better at CB than anyone to enter the draft since that Darelle Revis kid out of Pitt. Getting Peters will be a BPA pick and also fill the team's biggest need. I also believe the pick would have been Shane Ray if he did not get busted for herb.
B2B's Pick:
Landon Collins, SS Alabama
I won't like this pick, mostly because I believe the Steelers need a FS and some game changing playmakers, but I see Landon Collins as the pick. Landon Collins to me is more steady than dynamic, and is an in-the-box type of Safety. That said, I could see the Steelers brain trust selecting the big Strong Safety out of Alabama. They do seem to favor big school producers with high floors, especially if that player is an underaged prospect with the potential to grow into more than what he already is. Collins checks all of those boxes. He would be a typical safe Steelers 1st round pick and replace the recently departed Troy Polamalu. My dark horse pick for the Steelers is La'el Collins. (Editors note: this comment was made before the murder investigation story broke)
