Hello Steeler Nation

[jbourque]

My name is Jason and I am new here. I seek your wisdom!

I am a Saint's fan and a regular poster on saintsreport.com, under the same name: jbourque. Each year we hold a GM mock draft where a member chooses a team and drafts as GM for a respective franchise. This is my first year, and I have the Steelers.

• I know just a few things thus far, your targeting offensive line help, I'm not sure if both guard & tackle??

• I know Wallace re-signing is a big priority and that both parties have not agreed to terms. Do you anticipate him back? If not, would a WR then be priority #1 in the draft?

• What is Mendenhal's status? Do you see the Steelers drafting a RB?

• IIRC, Farrior is no longer a Steeler, does this mean a LB in the draft is an option.

In short, what is the status of the franchise and where are the needs you anticipate filling in the draft. Have you made any free agency moves?

In closing, I was a Steelers fan perhaps longer than some this forum. I'm 42 and when I was a kid you either liked the Steelers or the Cowboys.....the Saint's were a favorite, but were just so bad. The Steelers were my team and I was a huge Terry Bradshaw fan and can even remember watching the them on NBC-channel 7! I can also remember, no matter how good the Steelers played on a given year, the Bengals played them tough in those days. Good memories, and now I live in Cowboy country-North Dallas....funny how life turns out. And if anyone is curious, aside for my disdain of the Falcons, the Cowboys are a close second.

I have a tremendous respect for your franchise and the physical nature of the team. Best of luck in the 2012 season and any thoughts you can share to help me prepare for your draft are greatly appreciated. I can even post a link to the draft if it is allowed.

Thank you again,

jbourque

Mods: If this is not the appropriate place for this thread, my apologies.

[TRH]

wow, those are all real big "IFS" around here too. I'm not sure to a confidence point on any of the 4 points you mentioned.
There has been zero chatter, even around Steeler parts, on Wallace. Not from the outside, not from the inside, other than a generic "we'd love to sign Mike to a long-term deal", but that was a month ago and there's not even crickets chirping at this point. I'm just not sure on this one. We do have some depth at WR, so if Wallace does leave, we may get one, but certainly not a #1 draft priority (we have other pressing needs such as OL, DL, defensive backfield...). LB will be a priority somewhere in the draft. Look for the Steelers to nail a good unknown.
Not sure if Mendenhall will be back this year. My guess is that we'll get a good, solid RB somewhere, but again...not a #1 or #2 priority as Redman looks to be able to vill the void nicely.
I'm sure you'll get alot of other opinions.

[Bayz101]

We'll be targeting three positions more than likely, those being DT, OT/OG and ILB. We're set at running back with Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch and Redman all showing promise at the position. I think Wallace will return this year and leave next, just my opinion.

[StainlessStill]

* I know just a few things thus far, your targeting offensive line help, I'm not sure if both guard & tackle??

Guard is our most concern right out of the gate, on either side of the line but most in need, is left guard protecting Ben's blind side. We decided to cut ways with Kemoeatu on an already thin offensive line, so expect us to take the best available position at #24 and that very well can conclude a multitude of positions, starting with LG, then MLB, then NT. Kevin Colbert, always picking late in drafts, is known to take best player available, or when it comes to lineman, versatile lineman that can either play tackle OR guard so you must keep an eye on that process as well when it comes to tweeners.

* I know Wallace re-signing is a big priority and that both parties have not agreed to terms. Do you anticipate him back? If not, would a WR then be priority #1 in the draft?

It's looking more and more like Wallace will play for the Steelers atleast for another year and will eventually sign the 2.7 mil contract for 1 year (at the moment.) As you can see, WR's are getting huge pay-days and most of the teams in the running for Wallace's services have signed their men (9'ers-Moss/Manningham, Saints/Colsten, Pats/Welker/Lloyd, etc) so all those teams that looked to a big-play wideout from now on aren't willing to give out the front-loaded contract AND the 1st round draft pick in the process. I look for Wallace to remain a Steeler for one more year so WR at #1 is ludicrous, especially since the Steelers rarely go #1 on wideouts minus Troy Edwards in '99 and Holmes in '06.

* What is Mendenhal's status? Do you see the Steelers drafting a RB?

Mendenhall will probably start the season on the PUP list because he suffered a late season ACL tear and this could be a career altering problem since RB's of his nature need to shift and pivot off their lower-half. Mendenhall will stick around for another year, so I look for the Steelers to go out and try to find some RB value in the 3rd or 4th rounds as a possible future replacement. Until then, we are comfortable with Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer & Jonathan Clay.

* IIRC, Farrior is no longer a Steeler, does this mean a LB in the draft is an option.

If there's any indication, the Steelers have went defense the past two straight seasons and Pittsburgh will forever be a defensive run city. It's hard to really replace a veteran's presence, especially the Mike-backer in our defense so MLB could very well be our #1 pick at #24 since it's an IMMEDIATE need, ala offensive guard.

When it comes down to it , I believe our first round pick will be either a G/MLB automatically and we will turn our attention to the defensive line, offensive line and even a late corner or safety in the later rounds.

[Kingmagyar]

If your doing the mock draft for the steelers you could try in this order by who is left on the board.

David Decastro
Luke Kuechly
Cordy Glenn
Donta Hightower
Jerell Worthy

[jbourque]

Okay, so something like this:

Round 1: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 2: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 3: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 4: CB, FS
Round 5: CB, FS
Round 6: WR, RB
Round 7: WR, RB

Are the Steelers expecting any compensatory picks from last year?

Would the Stelers draft a TE at any point?

Thanks,

JB

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by jbourque

Okay, so something like this:

Round 1: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 2: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 3: OG/OT, MLB, DT
Round 4: CB, FS
Round 5: CB, FS
Round 6: WR, RB
Round 7: WR, RB

Are the Steelers expecting any compensatory picks from last year?

Would the Stelers draft a TE at any point?

Thanks,

JB

pretty close , but i'd say...
rounds 1-4 - OG . ILBer , NT, OT
rounds 5-7 - TE, WR, RB, FS

left guard . NT , and INSIDE LB being the most pressing
remember the steelers run the 3-4 so keep that in mind for LBer and NT
also the steelers like Olinemen that can play multiple positions , so pay attention to prospects that have played more than one position in college.

OG - position is open for competition
ILBer- position is open for competition
NT - need depth and areplacement for hampton
OT - need depth bad

TE - 3RD TE got suspended and most likely cut
rumor is we may get 2, 7th rd comp picks

[StainlessStill]

I can see a Tight End pop up in the picture around RD.5 or Rd.6, defiantly. Here's how I have it:

1. MLB
2. NT
3. OG
4. OT
5. SS/FS
6. TE
7. DE/OLB tweener

[jbourque]

Would it shock anyone if the draft went:

NT
OG/OT
ILB
OG/OT
BPA in no order TE, WR, RB, FS

[jbourque]

Originally Posted by jbourque

Would it shock anyone if the draft went:

NT
OG/OT
ILB
OG/OT
BPA in no order TE, WR, RB, FS

The reasoning:

• Hampton is suspect coming off injury, also NT's seem to be taken earlier in rounds if you want t good one.

• The draft seems to be deeper in offensive guards, meaning there would still be good value in the 2nd & 4th.

• 3rd round seems like a good spot to find value at ILB.