2020 Draft & FA

[Superbelt]

There's the RB.

 

[Yo Tee]

Anthony McFarland Jr. from Maryland? Did we really need a RB with Conner, Samuels and Snell on the roster? Plus, Kerrith Whyte played great last year filling in and we just signed Derek Watt. Yes, he's a FB, but so was Samuels when he was drafted and he's a pretty decent backup RB.

We now have 9 RBs on the roster including Watt.

 

[Superbelt]

Pick again in 10 picks:

Prince Wangoho
Shane Lemieux
Tyler Biadasz

Bradlee Anae
Benito Jones

Kenny Robinson
J.R. Reed
K'Von Wallace

Jake Fromm...

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Ugh... I love the Dotson pick... But I think they severely missed on McFarland when K'Von Wallace went a few picks later.

F*ck I always feel like I get disappointed when I watch the draft lol

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Knee-jerk grades so far...

Claypool... B+
Highsmith... A
McFarland... D
Dotson... B

 

[SteelersPride]

McFarland, RB Maryland

don’t know anything about this pick. @SteelersPride ?

was alot of ppls sleeper rb, i like it

 

[SteelersPride]

mcfarlands ok, im serious.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Highsmith... Yep, didn’t tout him to u guys because by the time I was going to propose his name he got taken. Great player and should be able to contribute.

124 & 135... Gotta go S & OL right? Maybe Brooks Jr, Reed or Wallace? John Simpson, Shane Lemieux, Kevin Dotson...

Bingo! Not a name I had considered, but he and Hunt got a lot of attention from a La Tech.

McFarland? Lot of likes, but doesn't fit the recent draft profile...younger, faster Whtye?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Biggest thing that worries me about Claypool is that he struggles to get separation... Just like the rest of this receiving corps, outside of maybe DJ.

I hope he turns out to be more than a workout warrior that only shows up in the gym.

Even though I was for OL for 49...I'm okay with Claypool given their recent history drafting the position...I didn't think they would take Akers or Dobbins there.

The size and long speed had to be enticing for Ben...in terms of 1st yr production, I think RB or WR were the positions that would deliver the most bang for the buck in that area...hopefully they got the right guy.

NT is the biggest need at this point....Benito Jones territory between now and the end of the draft....let's see what they do.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Bingo! Not a name I had considered, but he and Hunt got a lot of attention from a La Tech.

McFarland? Lot of likes, but doesn't fit the recent draft profile...younger, faster Whtye?

Did you see Munchak snagged Cushenberry & Muti? Bet they’ll be pro-bowlers in a year or 2 lol

 

[Superbelt]

Steelers Draft this year:

1.18 All-Pro FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
2.49 WR Chase Claypool
3.83 - LB Devin Bush Trade up
3.102 OLB Alex Highsmith
4.124 RB Anthony Mcfarland, Jr.
4.135 OG Kevin Dotson
6.198 SS Antoine Brooks, Jr.
7.232 NT Carlos Davis

 

[SteelersPride]

side note, gonna be very funny when/if drew lock tanks

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Knee-jerk grades so far...

Claypool... B+
Highsmith... A
McFarland... D
Dotson... B

Now having seen all the picks...the knee jerk grade is a C+ for me.

Breaking them down.

49...Claypool B+, looking at the board...my guy Cush iii was there, but they were looking for more instant impact...Mims was liked by a lot of people, but it looks like they wanted more size and at 6'-4" 230+ with 4.4 speed Ben gets a big tall deep threat that will get the FS attention and loosen the underneath...with him, McD, and Ebron...they have legit size in the RZ.

102...Highsmith B, this was an agonizing round to watch because there were a lot of starting caliber players going by the way side...at this point on the board...Highsmith was the best option unless they were going to go OG...with Simpson and Kindley on the board, but they got equivalent talent in Dotson later. Another option...Fotu at NT who went 114. With Chickillo gone, with more upside, Highsmith slides right into the competition for the OLB3 job.

124...McFarland C, I would've preferred K'von Wallace or Rashard Lawrence, but McF does bring top end speed to the RB room. Up to Randy to figure out how to get him some touches.

135...Dotson B+, this was exactly the type of player they needed...no, he's not ready or needed to start week one, but he will get a shot to compete for the LG...I think we're looking at the '21 starting LG.

198...Brooks Jr C, the people killing this pick are looking at him as a terrible coverage option...this guy is a box S/ILB. Now I see why they left Wallace on the board...he looks like the Barron/Morgan Burnett hybrid...he certainly brings the size...he could surface as a sub pkg player but ST stud for now.

232...Davis D...looks more like 43 DT...Benito Jones imo was a better run stopping 2 down prospect. Not sure if this pick will make the 53.

Overview...I think they could've done better at DT...they left several starting caliber players on the board at this position. No real ILB was taken, so they are pretty comfortable with that room. I think Claypool adds some immediate impact, and there's a chance we see McFarland make some plays...longer term, Dotson should pay dividends as a starter...the rest we shall see.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Now having seen all the picks...the knee jerk grade is a C+ for me.

Breaking them down.

49...Claypool B+, looking at the board...my guy Cush iii was there, but they were looking for more instant impact...Mims was liked by a lot of people, but it looks like they wanted more size and at 6'-4" 230+ with 4.4 speed Ben gets a big tall deep threat that will get the FS attention and loosen the underneath...with him, McD, and Ebron...they have legit size in the RZ.

102...Highsmith B, this was an agonizing round to watch because there were a lot of starting caliber players going by the way side...at this point on the board...Highsmith was the best option unless they were going to go OG...with Simpson and Kindley on the board, but they got equivalent talent in Dotson later. Another option...Fotu at NT who went 114. With Chickillo gone, with more upside, Highsmith slides right into the competition for the OLB3 job.

124...McFarland C, I would've preferred K'von Wallace or Rashard Lawrence, but McF does bring top end speed to the RB room. Up to Randy to figure out how to get him some touches.

135...Dotson B+, this was exactly the type of player they needed...no, he's not ready or needed to start week one, but he will get a shot to compete for the LG...I think we're looking at the '21 starting LG.

198...Brooks Jr C, the people killing this pick are looking at him as a terrible coverage option...this guy is a box S/ILB. Now I see why they left Wallace on the board...he looks like the Barron/Morgan Burnett hybrid...he certainly brings the size...he could surface as a sub pkg player but ST stud for now.

232...Davis D...looks more like 43 DT...Benito Jones imo was a better run stopping 2 down prospect. Not sure if this pick will make the 53.

Overview...I think they could've done better at DT...they left several starting caliber players on the board at this position. No real ILB was taken, so they are pretty comfortable with that room. I think Claypool adds some immediate impact, and there's a chance we see McFarland make some plays...longer term, Dotson should pay dividends as a starter...the rest we shall see.

Now that I've had more time to digest...

Claypool - B+
Sticking with my original grade here. Like I said before, I worry about this pick being nothing more than a combine star. But I've had some time to watch some film. And the writeups are true that he is quite the physical presence. He surely doesn't play like his combine workout indicated, but it was hard to tell judging by his usage. Maybe there is another level to his game that hasn't been unlocked. Still, Mims was my guy if WR was the choice. Mims is the more accomplished & dynamic player IMO. But I'll defer to Colbert's WR drafting! lol. We've learned to stop doubting the man when it comes to receivers.

Highsmith - A
Agreed on the agonizing round to watch. So many names I wanted just kept getting crossed off. And yea, this was definitely a BPA pick. But I loved Highsmith long before they took him. Great value and surprised he lasted that long. He'll be a contributor this year on ST & in relief of the star OLBs.

McFarland - C-
Upgrading this grade a touch. Still feels like they misplayed this pick. They probably didn't feel like the OL picks fit the value at this time, and the DBs they wanted were still fairly flush, so they opted to wait. And by making this decision they knew they couldn't wait until Rd6 to grab O-line, so it was opting to wait on DB until the 6th. After they took McFarland these safeties came flying off the board: Wallace, Hawkins, Sneed... Ugh. That was a gut-punch for me. Its debatable they could have found a similar scat-back type of RB in the 6th Rd. Eno Benjamin lasted until the 7th, which was a very comparable pick (and even higher rated prospect). Benjamin isn't as fast, but he's just as effective.

Dotson - B
Considering how long they waited, this was a good value pick in comparison to the last several OLineman taken. It was a decent choice to wait, but like I said, I think they were deadset on picking OL here after passing @124 before the wait for the 6th Rd. Dotson measures up well to some players taken as high as the 2nd Rd, not just in size but in ability as well. But this is a BIG man.

Brooks Jr - C-
Feels like they knee-jerked here after missing out on superior talents in the 4th. He was the highest combine-rated Safety available, but I liked Geno Stone more (went to BAL in the 7th). Brooks Jr looks like a Marcus Allen clone. Box type safety with piss-poor coverage skills. This means Edmunds will NOT be transitioning to the hybrid role Barron left behind unless someone else can step up & fill the FS role. Agree on this looking like not much more than a ST pick. Hard to see him impacting elsewhere until much further down the road.

Davis - D-
Everything I'm reading about him reminds me of McCullers. But this is a poor-man's Big Dan. Hefty man with poor technique. Plays short-armed & straight-legged (pad level too high). Seems destined for PS. They had a need at DT so the pick fills that need, but still looks like a low ceiling player that probably could have been signed as UDFA. "effectiveness plummets when he's forced to play on the move. He's not a plus run defender and offers no value as a rusher..." lmao. If he didn't fill a position of need I would easily give this pick a F.

Overview - C-
Can't help but feel like they mispicked at 124 & 198 which brings this draft's value way down. McFarland appears to be a sleeper of sorts so I'm optimistic, but again, Eno Benjamin could have been had in the 6th. K'Von Wallace @124, and Benjamin @198 would have been way more valuable to this team this year. I loved the Highsmith pick. Obviously if we take into account Minkah as the 1st Rd pick then this overall grade skyrockets to an easy A-. I'm optimistic enough about what Claypool, Highsmith & Dotson bring to the table to even consider this draft in the B territory.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Now that I've had more time to digest...

Claypool - B+
Sticking with my original grade here. Like I said before, I worry about this pick being nothing more than a combine star. But I've had some time to watch some film. And the writeups are true that he is quite the physical presence. He surely doesn't play like his combine workout indicated, but it was hard to tell judging by his usage. Maybe there is another level to his game that hasn't been unlocked. Still, Mims was my guy if WR was the choice. Mims is the more accomplished & dynamic player IMO. But I'll defer to Colbert's WR drafting! lol. We've learned to stop doubting the man when it comes to receivers.

Highsmith - A
Agreed on the agonizing round to watch. So many names I wanted just kept getting crossed off. And yea, this was definitely a BPA pick. But I loved Highsmith long before they took him. Great value and surprised he lasted that long. He'll be a contributor this year on ST & in relief of the star OLBs.

McFarland - C-
Upgrading this grade a touch. Still feels like they misplayed this pick. They probably didn't feel like the OL picks fit the value at this time, and the DBs they wanted were still fairly flush, so they opted to wait. And by making this decision they knew they couldn't wait until Rd6 to grab O-line, so it was opting to wait on DB until the 6th. After they took McFarland these safeties came flying off the board: Wallace, Hawkins, Sneed... Ugh. That was a gut-punch for me. Its debatable they could have found a similar scat-back type of RB in the 6th Rd. Eno Benjamin lasted until the 7th, which was a very comparable pick (and even higher rated prospect). Benjamin isn't as fast, but he's just as effective.

Dotson - B
Considering how long they waited, this was a good value pick in comparison to the last several OLineman taken. It was a decent choice to wait, but like I said, I think they were deadset on picking OL here after passing @124 before the wait for the 6th Rd. Dotson measures up well to some players taken as high as the 2nd Rd, not just in size but in ability as well. But this is a BIG man.

Brooks Jr - C-
Feels like they knee-jerked here after missing out on superior talents in the 4th. He was the highest combine-rated Safety available, but I liked Geno Stone more (went to BAL in the 7th). Brooks Jr looks like a Marcus Allen clone. Box type safety with piss-poor coverage skills. This means Edmunds will NOT be transitioning to the hybrid role Barron left behind unless someone else can step up & fill the FS role. Agree on this looking like not much more than a ST pick. Hard to see him impacting elsewhere until much further down the road.

Davis - D-
Everything I'm reading about him reminds me of McCullers. But this is a poor-man's Big Dan. Hefty man with poor technique. Plays short-armed & straight-legged (pad level too high). Seems destined for PS. They had a need at DT so the pick fills that need, but still looks like a low ceiling player that probably could have been signed as UDFA. "effectiveness plummets when he's forced to play on the move. He's not a plus run defender and offers no value as a rusher..." lmao. If he didn't fill a position of need I would easily give this pick a F.

Overview - C-
Can't help but feel like they mispicked at 124 & 198 which brings this draft's value way down. McFarland appears to be a sleeper of sorts so I'm optimistic, but again, Eno Benjamin could have been had in the 6th. K'Von Wallace @124, and Benjamin @198 would have been way more valuable to this team this year. I loved the Highsmith pick. Obviously if we take into account Minkah as the 1st Rd pick then this overall grade skyrockets to an easy A-. I'm optimistic enough about what Claypool, Highsmith & Dotson bring to the table to even consider this draft in the B territory.

Very fair imo.

No NT is the glaring view right now...I know it's a sub pkg player the way this team plays today, but in a DIV with Joe Mixon, Chubb, and the #1 rushing OFC that just added Dobbins...this is very much a power running division still...I'm curious how the base D is going to look now....as of today, McCullers is probably the week one NT.

Aside from that I can't kill the draft even though I feel the say way you do about 124 & 198...on paper, the best pick of the draft looks like Dotson...the worst...to me, Davis. If Highsmith develops into a legit pass rush option and becomes that OLB3 guy...I would consider that pick a huge bonus.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

No NT is the glaring view right now...I know it's a sub pkg player the way this team plays today, but in a DIV with Joe Mixon, Chubb, and the #1 rushing OFC that just added Dobbins...this is very much a power running division still...I'm curious how the base D is going to look now....as of today, McCullers is probably the week one NT.

Dick LeBeau should contemplate coming out of retirement looking at this division...

 

[SteelersPride]

more i read on highsmith, the more it was a good pick, lots of ppl high on this kid, and all this stuff about how he was flying up boards, and ACTUAL NFL folks were really high on him

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

@SteelersPride

Holy hell, just saw this come across my TF... Haven't dug any further but sounds like bullshit considering the Steelers' cap:

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Regardless of the validity... I never imagined Winston would settle for a backup salary & role. 1-yr deal though, so he could come out in 2021 in high demand.

 

[SteelersPride]

@SteelersPride

Holy hell, just saw this come across my TF... Haven't dug any further but sounds like bullshit considering the Steelers' cap:

crazy, but both places have heir apparent status, the taysom hill stuff is BS.........he chose NO......