Kirwan's final 3 round mock draft

[tony hipchest]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

Draft week is finally here, and there are still a number of veteran transactions that can have a profound impact on the early rounds.

Will the Washington Redskins sign a veteran left tackle such as Flozell Adams, and then attempt to move down in the first round and acquire more picks in the process?

The Miami Dolphins' trade for Brandon Marshall eliminated their need for a receiver, but created a need at that position in Denver. Speaking of the wide receiver position, that wasn't even a consideration a few weeks ago in Pittsburgh, but now the Steelers -- who traded Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets -- may be looking more closely at the position.

The trade of Ted Ginn Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers probably won't impact the draft too much, but if the Broncos send tight end Tony Scheffler to a place such as Cincinnati, then that will have a ripple effect on the first round.

If Jason Taylor signs with the Jets, that will significantly affect the Jets' draft plans.

Finally, mocking Round 2 -- which we attempt to do right here -- is even more difficult. The time off between Round 1 and Round 2 is a new experience for all decision-makers and teams will have additional time to re-stack their draft boards and get on the phone to work out some trades. This will change the whole complexion of the second day of the draft. It is going to be the most interesting draft in years.

Here is a look at my final mock draft -- this time going three rounds deep -- before the real thing kicks off Thursday (starting at 7:30 p.m. ET).

18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

Holmes is gone and there really isn't enough talent in the receiver group to avoid taking a pass catcher high in the draft. The Steelers like Mike Wallace, but Hines Ward is aging and Limas Sweed is struggling. Thomas is a big athlete with close to 19 yards a catch in a triple-option offense in college.

52. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

After solving their new receiver issues in the first round, the Steelers get the much-needed corner here. Jackson comes from the Alabama Cover-2 scheme and possesses solid tackling skills.

82. Pittsburgh Steelers
Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State

Carrington has the traits the Steelers look for in a "five-technique" defensive end: Tall, long arms and speed. He's a steal in the third round.

we pass on wilson, iupati, and pouncey in the 1st round.

robinson, ducasse and valdeheer in the 2nd.

tennent and spikes in the 3rd.

i think we payed enough for turdball santonio in the first place. i certainly dont wanna pay another 1st rounder for his replacement. with that being said, he very well could be the most talented playse on their board when they select.

i sure hope we can squeeze another 2nd or 3rd out of this draft and dump some of the dead weight off of the back end.

[Psyychoward86]

I think if we take a wide receiver early, it's gonna be Golden Tate in the 2nd. I'd be OK with Pat's draft.

[MasterOfPuppets]

i'd be very disappointed with that draft. ... especially another DE in the first 3 picks .

[St33lersguy]

Pass on Kyle Wilson for a guy who's unworthy of the top 20 at an area that is not a need. The steelers may have traded Santonio for basically nothing but I am confident that they are still too smart to make THAT dumb of a move

[The Duke]

I usually agree with kirwan, but definitely not on this one

WR is not a major need for this team

I really hope the earliest they draft a receiver this year is the 3rd. if that....

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by St33lersguy

I am confident that they are still too smart to make THAT dumb of a move

your hatred for any kirwan mock aside, i wish i was as confident.

stupid is as stupid does.

they gave in to bens pandering for big targets after letting plexico walk- moved up to draft holmes, spent a 3rd on spaeth, and a second on sweed. (thats about 5 throw away picks right there, unless sweed pans out).

then they gave in to arians bitching about the use of a true fullback, (gave him about 5 posers who could try to pretend to be one), and watched as we handed over our smashmouth identity to a kid who cant even keep his dick in his pants if he walked into chuck-e-cheese.

nothing at this point suprises me.

the smartest thing we done in the past 3 years was get rid of the internet porn pusher we called an offensive lineman, and dumped the multi-million $$$ contracts of over the hill linemen such as simmons and smith.

franchising starks twice wasnt too brilliant either.

all things considered, everything points to us drafting a wr. might as well take dez bryant and all of his character concerns.

[revefsreleets]

Interesting...we are now a stupid franchise, and Kirwan mock has more merit than the Steelers FO simply because......he's Kirwan?

Thomas hasn't visited the Steelers. He WAS a 1st round projection, but he broke his foot. He's a 2nd rounder at best. I'm OK with the next two picks but hate this one...

[whatdoiknow]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

Interesting...we are now a stupid franchise, and Kirwan mock has more merit than the Steelers FO simply because......he's Kirwan?

Thomas hasn't visited the Steelers. He WAS a 1st round projection, but he broke his foot. He's a 2nd rounder at best. I'm OK with the next two picks but hate this one...

Thomas is easily considered a 1st rounder, and not a 2nd. Especially after what is told was a good showing yesterday at his workout. However with all that said, I don't want Pittsburgh to select him in round 1, and at 18 either. My biggest concern with Thomas is that in his GT Triple-option run game, Thomas was NEVER at anytime ever double-teamed. He always saw single coverage. And alot of his passes were when defenses didn't expect it. He is a big, physical WR, with big hands. But I still have a little concern. But he will go round 1 I think. Just around the 23-27 area.

[revefsreleets]

He was always a top 20 pick UNTIL he broke his foot, then he dropped down as low as 3-4 rounds. Now, if he worked out yesterday and looked okay, maybe he will be back in the 1st round, but, regardless, he hasn't visited so I'm thinking the Steelers have little to no interest in him.

MOST importantly, I just don't see them taking a WR with #1 again, and certainly not on a guy who doesn't run crisp routes and may have trouble separating at the next level.

[whatdoiknow]

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

He was always a top 20 pick UNTIL he broke his foot, then he dropped down as low as 3-4 rounds. Now, if he worked out yesterday and looked okay, maybe he will be back in the 1st round, but, regardless, he hasn't visited so I'm thinking the Steelers have little to no interest in him.

MOST importantly, I just don't see them taking a WR with #1 again, and certainly not on a guy who doesn't run crisp routes and may have trouble separating at the next level.

Oh I absolutely agree with you there. I mean losing Holmes production, and how he removed alot of defensive pressure that Hines saw, and maybe even Wallace saw. But we did get El, and he did get 50 catches last year for well over 500 Yds, and he is a good slot WR, if Wallace goes to the outside. However since I still feel Sweed is a lost cause. I do think that a lower selection of a WR who has a good work ethic, and has shown great route running abilities and good hands would be a good selection.


That;s why, even though he to has not visited the Steelers is why I might like to see a Jordan Shipley drafted by us in round 4 if he falls that far. Or maybe someone else. But 1st round WR...No. I'm right there with you.