mesaSteeler
03-11-2009, 07:01 PM
Mocking the Steelers: Trying to Figure Out the Steelers' Picks
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/03/11/mocking-the-steelers-trying-to-figure-out-the-steelers-picks/
Posted Mar 11th 2009 9:05AM by JJ Cooper (RSS feed)
I love the draft, but a friend of mine puts me to shame. He has set aside a chunk of his brain to analyze the draft year-round. And when spring arrives he shifts into top gear, putting together mock drafts throughout the spring,
With his permission, here's a reprint of one of his recent seven round mock drafts, and another scenario that maps out why it may make sense for the Steelers to trade down. The mock drafts assume that the Steelers will receive a fourth-round supplemental pick for losing free agent Alan Faneca last year, and they pick up an additional seventh-round pick from last year's trade of Sean Mahan to the Buccaneers.
Both drafts requires players to be available per the NFL Draft Scout overall player rankings when the Steelers select, and include no trades by the Steelers.SCENARIO I:
1. Alex Mack, C-OG, 6-4, 311, Cal – If the Steelers want to draft the best offensive lineman available at their pick, Mack is the likely choice. But Pittsburgh could trade down a little and pick from several other solid center/guard types (see Scenario II). William Beatty is another possibility, but that is less likely with Max Starks being franchised and likely inked up long-term. Of course, the Steelers would have to strongly consider Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore if he fell a few spots. However, only Michael Oher at No. 28 or closer deserves trade-up consideration. Mack gets the nod over Wood or Unger because his potential ceiling at center is higher than either player at any position. Mack competes with Stapleton for a starting job at OG as a rookie and should slide over to start at center in 2010 when Justin Hartwig hits free agency.
2. Mike Mickens, CB, 5-11, 184, Cincinnati – The CB falloff after round two is too precipitous to ignore, and Mickens is not only a perfect Steeler-type CB, but actually grew up a Steeler fan. he could immediately compete for playing time. If he doesn't beat out William Gay in '09 which is likely considering the complexity of the Steelers' defense, Mickens would likely be a starter by 2010. This kid is a player.
3. Alex Magee, DE, 6-3, 289, Purdue – Perfect 3-4 type-end, although our brass might wish he was 1-2 inches taller. Still, at 6-3, he is big enough. The Steelers don't have a defensive end who is younger than 30, so an infusion of youth is needed.
4. Sebastian Vollmer, 6-7, 314, OT, Houston – Huge developmental RT prospect with lots of upside and not as much of a project as 2008 draftee Tony Hills. With a cap, Willie Colon becomes an UFA in 2010 and that may be too early for Vollmer to start. Without a cap, we have Willie through the 2011 season and Vollmer may push him to guard (where he should be already) before then. Unfortunately, there is a drop-off at tackle around the early parts of the fourth round; so there is a good chance that Vollmer could be off the board before the Steelers' pick. If he is gone,write in OT Gerald Caddogan from Penn State, who is a Colon clone, plus two inches.
4b. Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 306, NT, Michigan – Boom-or-bust type, who could represent great value at this spot. He is all over draft boards, though, going between rounds 2-6. He may be gone here, because there are few true 3-4 NT prospects in this draft. Taylor could come in and redshirt as the No. 7 DL. Casey Hampton's contract is up after the 2009 season, so the Steelers may have a need for a nose tackle in 2010. If Hampton leaves, Taylor could compete with -- or more likely -- share the NT spot with Hoke for 2010 and then slide in as a starter in 2011 if he develops. Or he could pull an Orien Harris and be cut coming out of training camp.
5. C.J. Spillman, 6-0, 197, S, Marshall – I used to want this guy in round six, but his combine performance probably pushed him even higher than this spot. A potential replacement for Clark in 2010. Starter potential in the fifth round at free safety would be a nice pick.
6. Deon Butler, 5-10, 182, WR, Penn State – He may have pushed himself past this spot with his 4.38 40 at the combine, but his film does not show him running by people in the Big Ten and he is small. Still, with Sweed at No. 3 having everything except for hands, it would be nice to have a sure-handed, reliable gamer as the No. 4 WR and Butler could fill that bill as a rookie.
7. Worrell Williams, 5-11, 240, ILB, Cal – D.J. Williams' younger brother is a decent athlete who could make the squad as a No. 8 LB, especially if Pittsburgh does not re-sign Fox, although I am hoping the Steelers do. Still, with his athleticism, I would be very surprised if he were available in this spot.
7b. Brannan Southerland, 6-0, 242, FB, Georgia – Many Steeler fans are clamoring for them to pick Quin Johnson from LSU, but Bruce Arians will not keep a pure one-dimensional blocking FB over Carey Davis, especially with how bad Pittsburgh's o-line is thanks to Colbert's screw-ups in managing this group over the last few years. Great at most other aspects of the game, but he has been horrible at managing the o-line. Southerland is an upgrade over Davis at all three aspects of the game for a FB and would fight him for a roster spot.
Also there is Scenario II which shows what the Steelers could do with a trade down.
The second includes the Steelers trading down their first (No. 32 overall) and 5th-round pick for the first of the Dolphins' two second-round picks (No. 44 overall) and their third-round pick (No. 87), which is an equal trade based on the draft value chart.
2a. Eric Wood, 6-4, 304, OG-C, Louisville – A more natural fit at OG than Mack, but does not possess Mack's upside at center. Still, could beat out Stapleton in 2009 and start at center in 2010.
2b. Mike Mickens, 5-11, 184, CB, Cincy – You can tell I like this guy and see a dropoff at the end of the second round at CB.
3a. Feneki Toupu, 6-5, 314, RT, Oregon – A lot like Colon, except taller and maybe a little better in pass protection. Could start in 2010 and serve as the No. 3 tackle in 09.
3b. Alex Magee, 6-3, 289, DE, Purdue – Again, not many 3-4 ends in this draft and the Steelers need one in the first four rounds.
4a. Kenny McKinley, 6-0, 182, WR, South Carolina – Tough, possession WR who ran better than expected at the combine and scores TDs.
4b. Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 306, NT, Michigan – Not enamored with this guy, but the Steelers do need a NT in this draft.
6. Darcell McBath, 6-1, 198, S, Texas Tech – Good potential at FS and value in this spot. He probably goes higher due to measurables, but a lot of projections have him available around this time.
7a. Brannan Southerland, 6-0, 242, FB, Georgia – McHugh signing may signal Steelers' decision to go with what they have, but Southerland is more athletic than any fullback on the team's current roster.
7b. Johnny Williams, 6-2, 242, OLB, Kentucky – With Frazier and Harrison both likely gone, this guy could compete with Bailey for the No. 4 OLB spot.
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/03/11/mocking-the-steelers-trying-to-figure-out-the-steelers-picks/
Posted Mar 11th 2009 9:05AM by JJ Cooper (RSS feed)
I love the draft, but a friend of mine puts me to shame. He has set aside a chunk of his brain to analyze the draft year-round. And when spring arrives he shifts into top gear, putting together mock drafts throughout the spring,
With his permission, here's a reprint of one of his recent seven round mock drafts, and another scenario that maps out why it may make sense for the Steelers to trade down. The mock drafts assume that the Steelers will receive a fourth-round supplemental pick for losing free agent Alan Faneca last year, and they pick up an additional seventh-round pick from last year's trade of Sean Mahan to the Buccaneers.
Both drafts requires players to be available per the NFL Draft Scout overall player rankings when the Steelers select, and include no trades by the Steelers.SCENARIO I:
1. Alex Mack, C-OG, 6-4, 311, Cal – If the Steelers want to draft the best offensive lineman available at their pick, Mack is the likely choice. But Pittsburgh could trade down a little and pick from several other solid center/guard types (see Scenario II). William Beatty is another possibility, but that is less likely with Max Starks being franchised and likely inked up long-term. Of course, the Steelers would have to strongly consider Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore if he fell a few spots. However, only Michael Oher at No. 28 or closer deserves trade-up consideration. Mack gets the nod over Wood or Unger because his potential ceiling at center is higher than either player at any position. Mack competes with Stapleton for a starting job at OG as a rookie and should slide over to start at center in 2010 when Justin Hartwig hits free agency.
2. Mike Mickens, CB, 5-11, 184, Cincinnati – The CB falloff after round two is too precipitous to ignore, and Mickens is not only a perfect Steeler-type CB, but actually grew up a Steeler fan. he could immediately compete for playing time. If he doesn't beat out William Gay in '09 which is likely considering the complexity of the Steelers' defense, Mickens would likely be a starter by 2010. This kid is a player.
3. Alex Magee, DE, 6-3, 289, Purdue – Perfect 3-4 type-end, although our brass might wish he was 1-2 inches taller. Still, at 6-3, he is big enough. The Steelers don't have a defensive end who is younger than 30, so an infusion of youth is needed.
4. Sebastian Vollmer, 6-7, 314, OT, Houston – Huge developmental RT prospect with lots of upside and not as much of a project as 2008 draftee Tony Hills. With a cap, Willie Colon becomes an UFA in 2010 and that may be too early for Vollmer to start. Without a cap, we have Willie through the 2011 season and Vollmer may push him to guard (where he should be already) before then. Unfortunately, there is a drop-off at tackle around the early parts of the fourth round; so there is a good chance that Vollmer could be off the board before the Steelers' pick. If he is gone,write in OT Gerald Caddogan from Penn State, who is a Colon clone, plus two inches.
4b. Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 306, NT, Michigan – Boom-or-bust type, who could represent great value at this spot. He is all over draft boards, though, going between rounds 2-6. He may be gone here, because there are few true 3-4 NT prospects in this draft. Taylor could come in and redshirt as the No. 7 DL. Casey Hampton's contract is up after the 2009 season, so the Steelers may have a need for a nose tackle in 2010. If Hampton leaves, Taylor could compete with -- or more likely -- share the NT spot with Hoke for 2010 and then slide in as a starter in 2011 if he develops. Or he could pull an Orien Harris and be cut coming out of training camp.
5. C.J. Spillman, 6-0, 197, S, Marshall – I used to want this guy in round six, but his combine performance probably pushed him even higher than this spot. A potential replacement for Clark in 2010. Starter potential in the fifth round at free safety would be a nice pick.
6. Deon Butler, 5-10, 182, WR, Penn State – He may have pushed himself past this spot with his 4.38 40 at the combine, but his film does not show him running by people in the Big Ten and he is small. Still, with Sweed at No. 3 having everything except for hands, it would be nice to have a sure-handed, reliable gamer as the No. 4 WR and Butler could fill that bill as a rookie.
7. Worrell Williams, 5-11, 240, ILB, Cal – D.J. Williams' younger brother is a decent athlete who could make the squad as a No. 8 LB, especially if Pittsburgh does not re-sign Fox, although I am hoping the Steelers do. Still, with his athleticism, I would be very surprised if he were available in this spot.
7b. Brannan Southerland, 6-0, 242, FB, Georgia – Many Steeler fans are clamoring for them to pick Quin Johnson from LSU, but Bruce Arians will not keep a pure one-dimensional blocking FB over Carey Davis, especially with how bad Pittsburgh's o-line is thanks to Colbert's screw-ups in managing this group over the last few years. Great at most other aspects of the game, but he has been horrible at managing the o-line. Southerland is an upgrade over Davis at all three aspects of the game for a FB and would fight him for a roster spot.
Also there is Scenario II which shows what the Steelers could do with a trade down.
The second includes the Steelers trading down their first (No. 32 overall) and 5th-round pick for the first of the Dolphins' two second-round picks (No. 44 overall) and their third-round pick (No. 87), which is an equal trade based on the draft value chart.
2a. Eric Wood, 6-4, 304, OG-C, Louisville – A more natural fit at OG than Mack, but does not possess Mack's upside at center. Still, could beat out Stapleton in 2009 and start at center in 2010.
2b. Mike Mickens, 5-11, 184, CB, Cincy – You can tell I like this guy and see a dropoff at the end of the second round at CB.
3a. Feneki Toupu, 6-5, 314, RT, Oregon – A lot like Colon, except taller and maybe a little better in pass protection. Could start in 2010 and serve as the No. 3 tackle in 09.
3b. Alex Magee, 6-3, 289, DE, Purdue – Again, not many 3-4 ends in this draft and the Steelers need one in the first four rounds.
4a. Kenny McKinley, 6-0, 182, WR, South Carolina – Tough, possession WR who ran better than expected at the combine and scores TDs.
4b. Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 306, NT, Michigan – Not enamored with this guy, but the Steelers do need a NT in this draft.
6. Darcell McBath, 6-1, 198, S, Texas Tech – Good potential at FS and value in this spot. He probably goes higher due to measurables, but a lot of projections have him available around this time.
7a. Brannan Southerland, 6-0, 242, FB, Georgia – McHugh signing may signal Steelers' decision to go with what they have, but Southerland is more athletic than any fullback on the team's current roster.
7b. Johnny Williams, 6-2, 242, OLB, Kentucky – With Frazier and Harrison both likely gone, this guy could compete with Bailey for the No. 4 OLB spot.