2016 Draft

[old1r1sh]

I think people are overreacting to the Bryant suspension. I don't think we need to draft a WR, but some people think otherwise. I'm not the only one thinking this am I?

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

I think people are overreacting to the Bryant suspension. I don't think we need to draft a WR, but some people think otherwise. I'm not the only one thinking this am I?

Not in rounds 1 or 2 but at this point if Bryant's depression story is true he may never see the field again plus I believe Wheaton is a FA next year, so we need one this year.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I think people are overreacting to the Bryant suspension. I don't think we need to draft a WR, but some people think otherwise. I'm not the only one thinking this am I?

Not sure why anyone would think that. Colbert already took out an insurance policy in the 3rd round of last year's draft. And signing DHB again all but eliminates the discussion for finding an immediate replacement for Marty B. DHB & Coates are more than capable of filling the shoes. There's currently no extreme need for a WR.

I think there are only 2 plausible cases for the debate,

1... Wheaton's future. Can they retain him next offseason after all these contract extensions start flying? After DeCastro, AB & Bell get paid... Not sure there will be much wiggle room. Hopefully he keeps his asking price within reason. If not, and I do think they have to prepare for this, they will need to find a suitable replacement. Looking ahead to 2017, AB & Bryant (assuming he gets his shit together) will be the main 2. Would they really see Coates or DHB in the slot? Not likely. Both are speedsters with mediocre/questionable hands. They need a route expert with great hands in the middle.

2... PR/KR specialist. Every offseason it feels like they try to get AB off of returns, but so far they haven't found a viable replacement. The Archer & postseason Wheaton experiments were ugly. They have already met with 2 guys at the combine that could fit the bill. 1 was a RB, the other a WR.

Considering how well the team has done in FA, all 6 picks in the draft are fairly wide open. I have 5 absolutes on my draft needs (S, CB, O-line, DT/DE, OLB/ILB) that I think are more likely. That would leave 1 pick up for debate. They could kill 2 birds with 1 stone by drafting a WR that could fill slot duties in 2017 & become the next return specialist. They also could find a diamond in the rough that is currently on the team, younger guys like Phillips & Rogers could fit the bill. Or they can plan ahead and draft a WR in this years draft. And there's always FA to think about... Options!

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Not sure why anyone would think that. Colbert already took out an insurance policy in the 3rd round of last year's draft. And signing DHB again all but eliminates the discussion for finding an immediate replacement for Marty B. DHB & Coates are more than capable of filling the shoes. There's currently no extreme need for a WR.

I think there are only 2 plausible cases for the debate,

1... Wheaton's future. Can they retain him next offseason after all these contract extensions start flying? After DeCastro, AB & Bell get paid... Not sure there will be much wiggle room. Hopefully he keeps his asking price within reason. If not, and I do think they have to prepare for this, they will need to find a suitable replacement. Looking ahead to 2017, AB & Bryant (assuming he gets his shit together) will be the main 2. Would they really see Coates or DHB in the slot? Not likely. Both are speedsters with mediocre/questionable hands. They need a route expert with great hands in the middle.

2... PR/KR specialist. Every offseason it feels like they try to get AB off of returns, but so far they haven't found a viable replacement. The Archer & postseason Wheaton experiments were ugly. They have already met with 2 guys at the combine that could fit the bill. 1 was a RB, the other a WR.

Considering how well the team has done in FA, all 6 picks in the draft are fairly wide open. I have 5 absolutes on my draft needs (S, CB, O-line, DT/DE, OLB/ILB) that I think are more likely. That would leave 1 pick up for debate. They could kill 2 birds with 1 stone by drafting a WR that could fill slot duties in 2017 & become the next return specialist. They also could find a diamond in the rough that is currently on the team, younger guys like Phillips & Rogers could fit the bill. Or they can plan ahead and draft a WR in this years draft. And there's always FA to think about... Options!

I just hope we don't get a repeat of the Archer pick a few years ago in the 3rd round where they grab a supposed return specialist higher than they should.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I think people are overreacting to the Bryant suspension. I don't think we need to draft a WR, but some people think otherwise. I'm not the only one thinking this am I?

If you're looking strictly at '16 and see DHB resigned and Coates waiting for his shot...you're right....But, as EWA PA mentioned...not a high priority, but it's starting to look as if Wheaton might be a one contract Steeler...decent player, but he hasn't really made us forget about Sanders.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Steelers normally meet with a player they intend to draft or have strong interest in...I forget the stat now, but of the 30 formal visits allowed not incl local schools...a very high % of these visits are drafted.

That said.

To date, per Steeler Depot...They have visits in PIT with;

Gerald Hawkins, OT, LSU, 6'6"/305 #7/61 Drafttek rank
Jayron Kearse, SS, CLEM, 6'4"/2016 #5/88 Drafttek rank
Ryan Smith, CB, NC Central, 6'0"/189 #35/368 Drafttek rank
Tavon Young, CB, Temple, 5'9"/183 #22/188...Drafttek rank

We do know they spent time with WJ3 in Houston and Billings at Baylor at their respective pro day.

I don't what this means yet, but at least we can follow the tea leaves.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers normally meet with a player they intend to draft or have strong interest in...I forget the stat now, but of the 30 formal visits allowed not incl local schools...a very high % of these visits are drafted.

That said.

To date, per Steeler Depot...They have visits in PIT with;

Gerald Hawkins, OT, LSU, 6'6"/305 #7/61 Drafttek rank
Jayron Kearse, SS, CLEM, 6'4"/2016 #5/88 Drafttek rank
Ryan Smith, CB, NC Central, 6'0"/189 #35/368 Drafttek rank
Tavon Young, CB, Temple, 5'9"/183 #22/188...Drafttek rank

We do know they spent time with WJ3 in Houston and Billings at Baylor at their respective pro day.

I don't what this means yet, but at least we can follow the tea leaves.

This isn't including the list of players they visited/interviewed with at the combine, right? Because they reportedly visited with Eli Apple, Jeremy Cash, Austin Hooper, Mackenzie Alexander, Vernon Butler, and a few others.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

This isn't including the list of players they visited/interviewed with at the combine, right? Because they reportedly visited with Eli Apple, Jeremy Cash, Austin Hooper, Mackenzie Alexander, Vernon Butler, and a few others.

No...just the official visits to the Burg so far.

Question...do meetings at pro days and combine count among the 30?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers brass dine with Houston CB William Jackson III after Pro Day visit

"For the head coach to come down here, that's a big deal," Jackson told NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. "I was like, 'Wow, they're here to see me.' It was crazy, I never thought I'd be in that predicament. That was a great atmosphere and a great dinner. It's a blessing to go from not talked about to talked about."

"I want to show them I'm a guy who can get along with teammates and will come in and work hard and earn a spot," Jackson said. "I don't want nothing given to me."



ATL already touched on this... But thought some people would like to read his quotes

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'm trying to follow the tracks here...they have visited with 3 top tier CBs...Apple, Alexander, WJ3...also lower tier CBs, the kid from NC Central I think and another CB from Auburn...the point is, it makes me think they are poised to take a CB if the right guy is there at 25...if not, they have options set for later in the draft.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

General AFCN thoughts post combine. Just surface level stuff I haven't drilled into the other team total moves.

CIN...resigned the key S, but lost WR depth...Still a lot of weapons...new OC again for Dalton...look for them to draft a WR by round 2 or 3.

CLE...the big loss imo was Mack...I understand now that he was the locker room glue...plus pro bowl play on the field...Schwartz imo was just a guy not a huge loss...WR loss did hurt...I think RG3 was a smart signing...they definitely should spend a top pick on a QB, but don't have to push him out there week 1...I'm going over if the over/under is 3...I think they get to 4 maybe and I expect the draft pick to be starting in '17...if not late this season.

BAL...losing Osemele was a blow, Weddle was a gain...I'm not sure what Wallace is at this point, but we know they like to throw deep...work to do still imo.

PIT...a lot has been said about our Steelers FA period already, retaining Foster, and Gay imo kept the draft pick at 25...squarely on the BPA plate, but the TE Green from SD is a welcome aggressive signing...Haley/Ben have that big target to attack the deep seam, and a bigger mismatch than Heath vs man...the depth at ILB is diminished, but not gone...recent signing...Steven Johnson is expected to provide some of what Garvin brought on ST.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Pittsburgh Steelers met with WR Jay Lee at Baylor Pro Day

Possible 7th or UDFA?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Su'a Cravens turns down requests for workouts with NFL teams

 

[ATL96Steeler]

He was a 2nd rd pick on a lot of mocks...we'll have to see what effect this has...my guess is he's running high 4.6s...at best.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I Hope he is Plan B, if they don't get Billings at 25.

John Mitchell Attends South Carolina State Pro Day - Steelers Depot

Javon Hargrave...similar skillset, small school, but stock rising apparently...initially thinking 3rd rd, probably have to strike at 58 to land him.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Pittsburgh Steelers host Alabama DT A'Shawn Robinson for official pre-draft visit

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Florida S Keanu Neal Set For Pre-Draft Visit With Steelers - Steelers Depot

I'm telling you...they are going S at 58 unless something knocks them off that path....Neal makes the 4th S to be brought in for a visit.