"2014 Mock Draft - Steelers War Room"

[ATL96Steeler]

I know that is the common thread about Ike, but what about Ike's game makes people believe he can play FS?

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure he can be the FS largely because of the tackling issue. I think the biggest benefit to keeping Taylor in any role would be leadership on the backend. As it stands, Allen, Thomas are really the only locks back there.

The question that I have is how does Troy fit into this picture? Cap wise it's going to be extremely hard to pay them both.

Me...I'm ready to bite the bullet, and get younger maybe on a faster pace than Colbert is, but my job is not on the line. There is a saying about being strong up the middle on DEF, and right now the Steelers are coming up short on the back end and to some degree the front end so this will be an interesting offseason to say the least.

Delmas I don't think will happen as other teams are emerging and it makes no sense to get into a bidding war over a guy with a bad wheel.

 

[element1286]

Ok, I'm on the same lines, he's about 20 lbs too light for FS, he's a decent tackler for a corner, he can't catch, and FS makes the calls, which I think most would agree isn't Ike's strong suit.

Will Allen makes sense as a stop gap, he actually plays FS, makes plays on the ball, plays a decent CF, not the Ryan Clark brand of FS the past few years.

But yea, I'm on board for a total youth movement.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Ok, I'm on the same lines, he's about 20 lbs too light for FS, he's a decent tackler for a corner, he can't catch, and FS makes the calls, which I think most would agree isn't Ike's strong suit.

Will Allen makes sense as a stop gap, he actually plays FS, makes plays on the ball, plays a decent CF, not the Ryan Clark brand of FS the past few years.

But yea, I'm on board for a total youth movement.

For me...yes, I could go with Thomas SS and Will Allen (stop gap) FS...and use the money saved on Taylor and Troy to sign Worilds, Woods, and Valesco. It would pain me to see Troy and Ike leave, but time waits for no man.

BTW...Ryan Carrethers was plucked, 1 NT option gone. Someone else we lost also..actually picked right after us in the 4th.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It looks like the cap is going to be raised by the NFL. They are raising it 7 mil and that will help us out a lot! Last I checked, the Steelers are 10-11mil over the cap so now its 3-4mil over.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000326792/article/nfl-salary-cap-expected-to-increase-to-about-130-m

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It looks like the cap is going to be raised by the NFL. They are raising it 7 mil and that will help us out a lot! Last I checked, the Steelers are 10-11mil over the cap so now its 3-4mil over.

NFL salary cap expected to increase to about $130M - NFL.com

Yes, it certainly is when comes to signing Worilds...I'm wondering if that will have any bearing on how they handle Woodley.

I guess you have put a 5th round pick pool together.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm thinking that Ladler is our guy unless we want to go NT?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I can't believe there is still 2nd & 3rd round talent still available… This mock draft has been pretty unpredictable!

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'm thinking that Ladler is our guy unless we want to go NT?

Let roll with the S...and turnover stones if need be to get our NT.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Let roll with the S...and turnover stones if need be to get our NT.

Sounds good to me!

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

One guy that seems to be getting overlooked is Southward. He is the 10th ranked Safety (combined FS & SS) on walterfootball. Ladler is 20th. Here is their writeup:

Dezmen Southward, S, Wisconsin
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
2/3/14: Southward finished 2013 with 40 tackles, five passes broken up and an interception. He played well late in the season and at the Senior Bowl to help his draft stock.

8/18/13: Southward was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2012. He totaled 69 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, two interceptions and five passes broken up. It was Southward's first full season as a starter and he could be better in 2013. Southward recorded a total of 43 tackles as a backup during his sophomore and freshman seasons.

Personal: An agricultural business major. Son of Caprice Southward and Eli Rasheed. His stepfather, Eli, is the defensive line coach at Toledo.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

One guy that seems to be getting overlooked is Southward. He is the 10th ranked Safety (combined FS & SS) on walterfootball. Ladler is 20th. Here is their writeup:

Dezmen Southward, S, Wisconsin
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
2/3/14: Southward finished 2013 with 40 tackles, five passes broken up and an interception. He played well late in the season and at the Senior Bowl to help his draft stock.

8/18/13: Southward was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2012. He totaled 69 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, two interceptions and five passes broken up. It was Southward's first full season as a starter and he could be better in 2013. Southward recorded a total of 43 tackles as a backup during his sophomore and freshman seasons.

Personal: An agricultural business major. Son of Caprice Southward and Eli Rasheed. His stepfather, Eli, is the defensive line coach at Toledo.

Love his size...would like to see him run faster than 4.6 though.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Walterfootball has 8 safeties rated higher than Ladler…

Antone Exum, CB/S Virginia Tech
Hakeem Smith, SS, Louisville
Alden Darby, SS, Arizona State
Nickoe Whitley, FS, Mississippi State
Ty Zimmerman, FS, Kansas State
Vinnie Sunseri, SS, Alabama
Sean Parker, SS, Washington
Isaiah Lewis, SS, Michigan State

I bolded the guys that are over 6'0"

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Love his size...would like to see him run faster than 4.6 though.

Whitley is the only safety that is taller and faster…

Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
2/3/14: Whitley collected five interceptions, two passes broken up and 55 tackles in 2013. He had a big game against Auburn with two interceptions. Whitley also played well against Texas A&M and its high-powered passing attack.

8/18/13: Whitley had an impressive 2012 season coming off an ACL injury. The junior made 88 tackles with three interceptions and one forced fumble. He showed a lot of improvements as a run-defender and continued to display the ability to create turnovers.

Whitley had only 34 tackles in 2011, but he showed off some ball skills with four interceptions. Whitley's production could have been even better, but he missed the last four games of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Alabama. If Whitley can stay healthy in 2013 and resume his ballhawking ways, he could rise up the rankings.

Exum is about the same… But plays more CB

Antone Exum, CB/S, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 224.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
2/3/14: Exum played in just two games in 2013. He only started playing again late in the year and recorded three tackles. An ankle injury caused him to miss multiple games late in the season.

8/17/13: Exum has split time at corner and safety during his collegiate career. He had a strong 2012 season playing cornerback and was a Second-Team All-ACC selection. Exum led Virginia Tech with five interceptions while also recording 16 passes broken up, two forced fumbles and 48 tackles. He played safety for the Hokies the year before and recorded 89 tackles with 10 passes batted, one interception and two forced fumbles.

After an ACL tear this year, Exum is expected to miss some time in the early portion of the season. Still, Virginia Tech and Exum are hopeful that he will play in 2013. Exum is a versatile player who could be used as hybrid safety/corner in the NFL.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It's hard not to like Ladler still… He's a more instinctive player, good tackler, decent speed, good ball skills, good durability, etc.

Exum was just selected.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Stick with your gut then.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Hopefully he's still there! What position should we look at for 6th round? NT, OL, WR?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Also if Ladler isn't there… Do we go Whitley coming off ACL surgery? He probably won't be around for his rookie season. There's Dontae Johnson, FS N Carolina St. 6'2" 199lbs. 4.58 40.. Zimmerman, FS Kansas St. 6'1" 204lbs. 4.57 40…

Unless we want to look at a SS-conversion… Smith & Sunseri

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Hopefully he's still there! What position should we look at for 6th round? NT, OL, WR?

Take a look at Justin Ellis, NT LaTech...I had him and Carrethers in the same boat...both have the perfect build for a PIT NT. He might be quicker than Carrethers

I've said his name before but give some thought to Shaq Barrett from Colo St....Porter turned this guy into a player...his stat line makes me think he's worth a pick.

OL...we do need a young G/C type guy in the fold in case of another injury to Pouncey, and insurance in case Pouncey is too expensive...Wallace or Valesco (if ACL is repaired) would be the next man up, but I don't think we're going to be able to keep both.

I wouldn't mind another T but I would wait until we've secured a NT.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Take a look at Justin Ellis, NT LaTech...I had him and Carrethers in the same boat...both have the perfect build for a PIT NT. He might be quicker than Carrethers

I've said his name before but give some thought to Shaq Barrett from Colo St....Porter turned this guy into a player...his stat line makes me think he's worth a pick.

OL...we do need a young G/C type guy in the fold in case of another injury to Pouncey, and insurance in case Pouncey is too expensive...Wallace or Valesco (if ACL is repaired) would be the next man up, but I don't think we're going to be able to keep both.

I wouldn't mind another T but I would wait until we've secured a NT.

Ellis was just snagged by the Dolphins… Any other NT prospects that fit the bill?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I see Zack Kerr… 6'2" 334lbs