lamberts-lost-tooth
04-20-2008, 03:57 AM
Who should the Steelers take?
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Columnist John Harris spoke to pro football writers and analysts to get their opinions -- the results might surprise you.
Chances are, the Steelers will select a defensive lineman with the No. 23 overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft....Or a linebacker who also can play defensive end.... Or an offensive lineman.....Or a running back..... Or a wide receiver.
You get the idea.
In other words, no one really knows what the Steelers will do.
"I don't have a clue," said Houston Chronicle pro football writer John McClain, who's preparing for his 32nd draft. "Nobody knows what anybody else is doing, including the teams."
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said one surprise pick early can throw the entire first round out of whack.
"As soon as a team changes one pick, everything goes awry. It's the domino effect," Kiper said.
"Certainly, (the Steelers) could take an offensive lineman or a linebacker who can play defensive end, but you can usually get them later in the draft.
(North Carolina defensive tackle) Kentwan Balmer, they could get him."
Or not.
"It's hard to say what the Steelers are going to do," Dallas Morning News pro football writer Rick Gosselin said. "There's going to be wide receivers; (California's) DeSean Jackson's probably going to be in that range. There may be a running back there like (Arkansas') Felix Jones or an offensive lineman, maybe a Chris Williams (from Vanderbilt)."
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com also suggested Jones for the Steelers. Jones is a speedster who played in Darren McFadden's shadow at Arkansas. McFadden is a projected top-10 pick.
"I like Felix Jones. I think he would be a good pick. He'll be there when they draft," Czarnecki said. "I think it's a need."
Sporting News pro football writer Clifton Brown suggested a bigger running back for the Steelers -- Oregon's Jonathan Stewart. Brown said Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus is another option with the No. 23 pick.
"If (Oregon's) Jonathan Stewart is around, he's a guy I think fits their style. He's more of a Steeler-type back," Brown said. "Cherilus should also be on the board."
Among other players the Steelers have on their draft board, Kiper projects Auburn defensive end/outside linebacker Quentin Groves as a second-round pick. Kiper also said that Virginia guard Branden Albert, who's expected to play left tackle in the pros, will be long gone before the Steelers select in the first round.
McClain thinks the Steelers will have an opportunity to choose from a pair of tackles, Pitt's Jeff Otah or Cherilus, if they're set on taking an offensive lineman early.
"The Steelers haven't made a whole lot of mistakes in the (first round)," McClain said. "Otah and Cherilus should both be there when they pick."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_563375.html
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Columnist John Harris spoke to pro football writers and analysts to get their opinions -- the results might surprise you.
Chances are, the Steelers will select a defensive lineman with the No. 23 overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft....Or a linebacker who also can play defensive end.... Or an offensive lineman.....Or a running back..... Or a wide receiver.
You get the idea.
In other words, no one really knows what the Steelers will do.
"I don't have a clue," said Houston Chronicle pro football writer John McClain, who's preparing for his 32nd draft. "Nobody knows what anybody else is doing, including the teams."
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said one surprise pick early can throw the entire first round out of whack.
"As soon as a team changes one pick, everything goes awry. It's the domino effect," Kiper said.
"Certainly, (the Steelers) could take an offensive lineman or a linebacker who can play defensive end, but you can usually get them later in the draft.
(North Carolina defensive tackle) Kentwan Balmer, they could get him."
Or not.
"It's hard to say what the Steelers are going to do," Dallas Morning News pro football writer Rick Gosselin said. "There's going to be wide receivers; (California's) DeSean Jackson's probably going to be in that range. There may be a running back there like (Arkansas') Felix Jones or an offensive lineman, maybe a Chris Williams (from Vanderbilt)."
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com also suggested Jones for the Steelers. Jones is a speedster who played in Darren McFadden's shadow at Arkansas. McFadden is a projected top-10 pick.
"I like Felix Jones. I think he would be a good pick. He'll be there when they draft," Czarnecki said. "I think it's a need."
Sporting News pro football writer Clifton Brown suggested a bigger running back for the Steelers -- Oregon's Jonathan Stewart. Brown said Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus is another option with the No. 23 pick.
"If (Oregon's) Jonathan Stewart is around, he's a guy I think fits their style. He's more of a Steeler-type back," Brown said. "Cherilus should also be on the board."
Among other players the Steelers have on their draft board, Kiper projects Auburn defensive end/outside linebacker Quentin Groves as a second-round pick. Kiper also said that Virginia guard Branden Albert, who's expected to play left tackle in the pros, will be long gone before the Steelers select in the first round.
McClain thinks the Steelers will have an opportunity to choose from a pair of tackles, Pitt's Jeff Otah or Cherilus, if they're set on taking an offensive lineman early.
"The Steelers haven't made a whole lot of mistakes in the (first round)," McClain said. "Otah and Cherilus should both be there when they pick."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_563375.html