2013 Draft: Maybe it needs to be about offense instead of defense

[GoFor7]

Anybody notice how the seemingly "great" defenses are giving up a lot of points in the playoffs? We've seen final scores of 38-35, 45-31, and 30-28. Wallace and Mendenhall are likely gone, as are Starks and at least one of Colon or Foster. Heath Miller may not be ready for the start of the 2013 season. For a team that needs more from its offense, that unit won't exactly be put into a position to succeed next season if this upcoming draft is mostly about defense.

I won't be disappointed if the Steelers draft a pass-rushing OLB in one of the higher rounds, but this team will desperately need at least a TE, RB, a tall WR, and maybe even another OG above any other defensive position. Resigning Plax also needs to be an option for depth.

[teegre]

I hear what you're saying. Overload one side of the ball. It's clever.

Let me counter with a few thoughts.

1. Resign Wallace. He had a bad year... and was still good. If he's resigned, then no need for a WR.

2. Heath's injury made TE a need. But, Paulson looks like a good #2 (pass catcher, but not blocker). Maybe a third TE, to replace Pope.

3. I'm not a fan of taking a RB early. It's a weak draft at the top... but, a deep draft. I'd add a RB to compete... but, honestly, I'm not sure any RB not drafted would be better than what the Steelers already have. Maybe a rookie "could" be better, but maybe not; no one blows me away in this draft.

I say draft Lattimore, IR him until week 7, and then insert him into the line-up.

4. The one area where the Steelers could upgrade is LG (Warmack, Cooper, Barrett Jones). That would help ANY RB. That said, I think that they go with Beachum (or Foster).

5. DEFENSE
The Steelers could be a smothering type of defense, if they add a few parts.

The secondary was great, and adding a young S will only make it better.

Troy had his "injured season" this season; next season is his healthy season. (He alternates seasons.)

Harrison was coming on at the end. Adding a young OLB (rotating with Harrison) will help keep him fresh.

Woodley will get a kick in his butt, and come back to his 12-sack form for next season.

McClendon will get a chance to start. And, Heyward will rotate.

Lastly, Spence should be an upgrade.

SUMMATION:
If it were somewhere in between, here's what I would propose.

R1: S
R2: OLB
R3: WR (tall)
R4: RB (Lattimore)
R5: TE

[SteelersCanada]

R1. Dion Jordan
R2. Robert Woods / Giovani Bernard
R3. Nico Johnson
R4. Robert Lester

All we need is a RB and we're fine. Delanie Walker and Martellus Bennett are both UFA's and won't command top dollar as a stop-gap TE.

[casteeler]

Rd 1- RB
Rd 2- LB
Rd 3- TE/Backup QB (if the Steelers cannot acquire one through trade)
Rd 4 -SS
Rd-5- WR

[WokeUpWithaWoodley]

I would have to agree many people including myself wanted a heavy defensive draft. However looking at the teams like you said in the playoffs they all can put up points in bunches.

And looking at our defense without our older stars Harrison Hampton foote Troy and Clark and ill add dabread we have a lineup that looks like

Safety- Robert golden a guy the organization likes. No one really after him
Corner- ike( few more years) lewis( I believe we resign him), Allen, brown
Olb- Woolley, worlds( led our team in sacks till last game with limited time), not much after them
Ilb- Timmons, spence, slyvester
De- heyward, hood, fangupo, woods
Nt- McClendon, Taamu

Starters lineup you would have.
Safeties- golden, other spot?
Cb- Ike, Lewis, Allen brown
Olb- Woodley, worlids
Ilb- Timmons, then spence? Slyvester?
De- hood, heyward
Nt- McClendon

So the only ? That we have that will be pressing needs in a few years will be safety and ilb. And Troy and Clark have at least one year left maybe two based on health. So coming into this draft you have ilb concern. And just depth everyone else.

So I can agree that this draft can be heavy on offense and I wouldn't mind it.

The oline could always use a upgrade and warmack or cooper would be nice even Ben jones
Wr- I think Wallace will be gone to much money he wants and doesn't fit in Haley's system, so I think a high draft pick there. Sanders is best as a slot so we need a guy opposite brown
Rb- need a upgrade we have backups on our team
Te- Heath has a major injury and having good te is a must in the league now

We need help on both sides but offense may be the most pressing need

[teegre]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

R1. Dion Jordan
R2. Robert Woods / Giovani Bernard
R3. Nico Johnson
R4. Robert Lester

All we need is a RB and we're fine. Delanie Walker and Martellus Bennett are both UFA's and won't command top dollar as a stop-gap TE.

That draft was a consensus w/ Gofor7. My draft is/has been some mixture of these three positions: S, OLB, ILB... (followed by Lattimore or another S, or a CB...).

We agree (S, OLB, ILB), although, you have those as three of the first four picks, and I see those as the first three picks.

Q: You have wanted a R2 WR. Are you now thinking/suggesting swapping that pick for a RB?

[GoFor7]

Originally Posted by teegre

Let me counter with a few thoughts.

1. Resign Wallace. He had a bad year... and was still good. If he's resigned, then no need for a WR.

I would like to see them resign Wallace, although realistically I'm not getting my hopes up. Even if he resigns, can the Steelers afford to keep Sanders too? Might need to start thinking future with a tall WR.

2. Heath's injury made TE a need. But, Paulson looks like a good #2 (pass catcher, but not blocker). Maybe a third TE, to replace Pope.

Paulson is at best a backup. The Steelers need to start thinking about getting a TE with enough pedigree that could someday replace Heath as #1.

3. I'm not a fan of taking a RB early. It's a weak draft at the top... but, a deep draft. I'd add a RB to compete... but, honestly, I'm not sure any RB not drafted would be better than what the Steelers already have. Maybe a rookie "could" be better, but maybe not; no one blows me away in this draft.

I wouldn't draft an RB any higher than the third round. Even then, that RB could have better pedigree than Dwyer and Redman

4. The one area where the Steelers could upgrade is LG (Warmack, Cooper, Barrett Jones). That would help ANY RB. That said, I think that they go with Beachum (or Foster).

If they're serious about protecting Ben, then they need to do better than Beachum.

[WokeUpWithaWoodley]

I don't think olb is going to be our first round pick. It's not a pressing need as everyone thinks. Woodley had a bad year and should come back strong next year he will be a steeler for years. Harrison will be back one more healthy year then he is done. And Jason worlids showed his ability this year in very limited time and coming of wrist surgery, I believe he will be a good olb the verdit is out on him and he will be given one more maybe two to show his worth. So I don't think olb is such a pressing need to pick someone in the first one and I don't believe any olb that is worth a first round pick will be there at 17.

[PhantomJB93]

As long as the first pick is a OLB, ILB, S, or WR I'll be fine with it. No RBs worth taking in the first and we have the personnel at OL to have a good one. I wouldn't necessarily be upset with a WR but we could still get a good one in the second if we wanted. TE isn't something worth addressing in the first yet and QB obviously no. This isn't a great year to take offense in the first round.

We definitely need a RB in the first three rounds though and we could use another receiver if Wallace leaves.

[Hawaii 5-0]

our defense is a helluva lot older than our offense though...