Predict your team's 1st round pick

[Across The Field]

I'm thinking they will go with a defensive player...maybe another linebacker or DB? Then go WR in the 2nd or 3rd round. If they go receiver it will probably be either Doctson or Treadwell, whichever is still available.

Doctson has been a really popular mock pick to them in the first. Not sure why - doesn't his skillset not really fit with Bridgewater's style?

 

[kcden]

Nkemdiche or Ifedi

 

[Across The Field]

Nkemdiche or Ifedi

I've seen in more than one place that Seattle would be interested in Joe Thomas for a 1st/3rd. I would love this move, what would you guys think?

 

[PhilSimms11]

(10)LB Reggie Ragland or OT Jack Conklin

 

[mall3013]

Wentz or Goff (small hands)

 

[Wamu]

With the 8th pick in the 2016 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns select...


a player that's not even eligible.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

You're dead on about Apple, he's an awful scheme fit in Pittsburgh. Not sure why anyone would mock him there. He belongs in a scheme like in KC, not a zone scheme like Pittsburgh.

Yep... Not trying to make him out to be a bad player by any means. But choosing a CB that needs around 2 years of development, in a bad-fit system that hasn’t developed a DB in a decade or so.... AND in a draft filled with defensive talent just seems like one of the worst ideas to me. But like I said, I could understand them taking him if all the guys they wanted weren't there. He's got enough upside to make him a worthy BPA candidate at 25 overall.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm starting to think those are the two guys high on the board, but I'm getting the vibe both will be gone, and Joesph, SS will be the pick...maybe after trading back if Lynch is on the board.

I hope you're wrong, but I wouldn't be upset with Joseph. He's a great fit if he's healthy. Probably more versatile than Cash would be (better coverage skills). I just worry about Joseph as a 1st rounder. The value at that spot seems off for either Joseph or Cash. But if Colbert & Tomlin are confident in what they saw at the WVU pro day then by all means!

I just envision if by chance they did take Joseph in the 1st, that by the time their 2nd pick rolls around @58 overall that Cash could still be there. And since PIT & IND seem to be the only 2 interested, Joseph could slide to 58.

 

[Across The Field]

Yep... Not trying to make him out to be a bad player by any means. But choosing a CB that needs around 2 years of development, in a bad-fit system that hasn’t developed a DB in a decade or so.... AND in a draft filled with defensive talent just seems like one of the worst ideas to me. But like I said, I could understand them taking him if all the guys they wanted weren't there. He's got enough upside to make him a worthy BPA candidate at 25 overall.

I don't know if he merits the "BPA" tag when he's such a poor scheme fit. Even if Jackson isn't there, I think Pittsburgh is smart enough to know to look at another hole to fill, like on the DL or OLB.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I don't know if he merits the "BPA" tag when he's such a poor scheme fit. Even if Jackson isn't there, I think Pittsburgh is smart enough to know to look at another hole to fill, like on the DL or OLB.

I agree, and I really hope it doesn't happen. But as we all know it's all about value in that situation. I'm obviously not Kevin Colbert, so take this all with a grain of salt... But as I see it: FS, CB, & DT are the areas of highest need. OLB, ILB or DE are areas of future need, but not dire. It would have to be a big name prospect that slid down the board if they took any of those positions in the 1st.

FS... There is really only 1 safety (Ramsey) worth taking in the 1st without making it look like a bit of a reach. I could possibly see Joseph (WVU) going in the 1st, but there isn't much interest around the league so he could very well slide. Also they have to consider that there are a lot of safeties projected to go in the 2nd Rd (Bell, Joseph, Cash, Green, Davis, etc). Meaning the likelihood of a good 2nd Rd prospect being available is greater there. Better value IMO.

CB... Already discussed so you know where I stand here.

DT... IMO there are only 2 or 3 1st Rd DT's that would fill the vacancy at NT/DT in Butler's scheme. The rest I would consider a reach at 25. Billings seems to be the only one out of that group that makes it to the 23-27 range in almost every mock that I've seen. It's also a tough sell when you consider that McLendon (last year's starter DT, signed with the Jets) was only on the field for around 30% of defensive snaps per game. The 2-3 DT's I chose are scheme changers, in that I believe Butler would find it necessary to keep them on the field greater than that 30%. All of that has to go into the equation for PIT's value at 25.

Considering all that... And other scenarios that I am probably forgetting lol.. Most times I go through these scenarios I find myself with the same 3 prospects in my mind. Mock drafts are far from an exact science, so anything is possible. Take last year's draft for example. Nobody had ever considered the possiblity of a top 10-15 prospect like Bud Dupree falling all the way to the Steelers. Crazy things happen on draft day lol.

 

[Across The Field]

I agree, and I really hope it doesn't happen. But as we all know it's all about value in that situation. I'm obviously not Kevin Colbert, so take this all with a grain of salt... But as I see it: FS, CB, & DT are the areas of highest need. OLB, ILB or DE are areas of future need, but not dire. It would have to be a big name prospect that slid down the board if they took any of those positions in the 1st.

FS... There is really only 1 safety (Ramsey) worth taking in the 1st without making it look like a bit of a reach. I could possibly see Joseph (WVU) going in the 1st, but there isn't much interest around the league so he could very well slide. Also they have to consider that there are a lot of safeties projected to go in the 2nd Rd (Bell, Joseph, Cash, Green, Davis, etc). Meaning the likelihood of a good 2nd Rd prospect being available is greater there. Better value IMO.

CB... Already discussed so you know where I stand here.

DT... IMO there are only 2 or 3 1st Rd DT's that would fill the vacancy at NT/DT in Butler's scheme. The rest I would consider a reach at 25. Billings seems to be the only one out of that group that makes it to the 23-27 range in almost every mock that I've seen. It's also a tough sell when you consider that McLendon (last year's starter DT, signed with the Jets) was only on the field for around 30% of defensive snaps per game. The 2-3 DT's I chose are scheme changers, in that I believe Butler would find it necessary to keep them on the field greater than that 30%. All of that has to go into the equation for PIT's value at 25.

Considering all that... And other scenarios that I am probably forgetting lol.. Most times I go through these scenarios I find myself with the same 3 prospects in my mind. Mock drafts are far from an exact science, so anything is possible. Take last year's draft for example. Nobody had ever considered the possiblity of a top 10-15 prospect like Bud Dupree falling all the way to the Steelers. Crazy things happen on draft day lol.

Same thing happened with Decastro falling to you guys in 2012. Lucky bastards.

Billings seems like a good fit there, perhaps A'Shawn Robinson (who I think is going to fall).

What about WR? Bryant is done for the year it appears, so Treadwell or Doctson would look awful nice on the other side of Brown.

 

[jwolt92]

Chicago Bears (11):

Shaq Lawson
Sheldon Rankins

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I hope you're wrong, but I wouldn't be upset with Joseph. He's a great fit if he's healthy. Probably more versatile than Cash would be (better coverage skills). I just worry about Joseph as a 1st rounder. The value at that spot seems off for either Joseph or Cash. But if Colbert & Tomlin are confident in what they saw at the WVU pro day then by all means!

I just envision if by chance they did take Joseph in the 1st, that by the time their 2nd pick rolls around @58 overall that Cash could still be there. And since PIT & IND seem to be the only 2 interested, Joseph could slide to 58.

Agree on the value...I'm hearing the scouts think Billings is a 3 down player and will go before 25. Hargreaves is going no later than OAK imo...Some team is going to bite on Apple's potential early. I think WJ3 has jumped Alexander...so I don't think either will be there at 25.

Not even sure I saw WVU play LY...mostly following the tea leaves on Joesph...reportedly he's the only player they dbl dipped on...at his pro day and invited to PIT. I like the in the box presence of Cash, but don't like either as 1st rd picks.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Same thing happened with Decastro falling to you guys in 2012. Lucky bastards.

Billings seems like a good fit there, perhaps A'Shawn Robinson (who I think is going to fall).

What about WR? Bryant is done for the year it appears, so Treadwell or Doctson would look awful nice on the other side of Brown.

Not for a 1st Rd pick. Colbert already took out a few insurance policies on Bryant's dumb ass. He drafted Sammie Coates last year, and resigned Heyward-Bey this offseason. The future of the position looks grim with AB & Wheaton being in contract years. AB is a no-brainer, but will Wheaton price himself out of the 'Burgh this season? Hard to say. They could always tag him, so there's options.

I only see a WR being drafted to fill the return specialist position. They have been trying to years to get AB off punt returns with nothing to show for it. The Dri Archer experiment failed miserably.

 

[Bolts]

It should be Ramsey or Buckner, I'm guessing they choose Ramsey.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Same thing happened with Decastro falling to you guys in 2012. Lucky bastards.

Billings seems like a good fit there, perhaps A'Shawn Robinson (who I think is going to fall).

What about WR? Bryant is done for the year it appears, so Treadwell or Doctson would look awful nice on the other side of Brown.

I like Billlings a lot and I think many feel he's a 3 down player and will go before 25....if A. Robinson is there...maybe...I think he can play some NT and DE, but 25 is pretty far down for him imo.

WR...doubtful that early...they have Coates from LY's draft and he's got a yr in the system...just got Green via FA for a big seam target.

 

[Across The Field]

Not for a 1st Rd pick. Colbert already took out a few insurance policies on Bryant's dumb ass. He drafted Sammie Coates last year, and resigned Heyward-Bey this offseason. The future of the position looks grim with AB & Wheaton being in contract years. AB is a no-brainer, but will Wheaton price himself out of the 'Burgh this season? Hard to say. They could always tag him, so there's options.

I only see a WR being drafted to fill the return specialist position. They have been trying to years to get AB off punt returns with nothing to show for it. The Dri Archer experiment failed miserably.

Yeah I couldn't believe how badly Archer played in Pittsburgh. I had high hopes for him, I lived not far from Kent when he was there and saw him play.

I haven't seen anything from Wheaton really, so I'm not sure how big of a season he'll need to price himself out. Coates has flashed a bit, but DHB has to be getting towards his twilight I'd imagine. I guess if they took a top-tier WR this year, it would at very least be insurance if Wheaton leaves, and then when Bryant comes back you're set.

Why the hell am I trying to imagine scenarios when you guys are successful? I think I need to go lay down.

 

[Across The Field]

I like Billlings a lot and I think many feel he's a 3 down player and will go before 25....if A. Robinson is there...maybe...I think he can play some NT and DE, but 25 is pretty far down for him imo.

WR...doubtful that early...they have Coates from LY's draft and he's got a yr in the system...just got Green via FA for a big seam target.

If Robinson and Billings are gone, I think they may look to wait until the 2nd or 3rd and go after someone like Austin Johnson or Sheldon Day. Adolphus Washington would be an awesome plug in at DE, as well.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Yeah I couldn't believe how badly Archer played in Pittsburgh. I had high hopes for him, I lived not far from Kent when he was there and saw him play.

I haven't seen anything from Wheaton really, so I'm not sure how big of a season he'll need to price himself out. Coates has flashed a bit, but DHB has to be getting towards his twilight I'd imagine. I guess if they took a top-tier WR this year, it would at very least be insurance if Wheaton leaves, and then when Bryant comes back you're set.

Why the hell am I trying to imagine scenarios when you guys are successful? I think I need to go lay down.

LOL! I appreciate the gumbo, though!

There's definitely a good argument to bring WR into the discussion. But not a chance it will be a 1st round pick. Tomlin has made his 3rd pick sort of a "wild card" the last few years (Archer, Coates). So I wouldn't doubt there is a surprise or 2 in store. I'm simply hopeful that they will use at least 6 picks on the defensive side of the ball.

Archer... Speed was there. But he was far too hesitant. Almost as if he was afraid to get hit sometimes.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not for a 1st Rd pick. Colbert already took out a few insurance policies on Bryant's dumb ass. He drafted Sammie Coates last year, and resigned Heyward-Bey this offseason. The future of the position looks grim with AB & Wheaton being in contract years. AB is a no-brainer, but will Wheaton price himself out of the 'Burgh this season? Hard to say. They could always tag him, so there's options.

I only see a WR being drafted to fill the return specialist position. They have been trying to years to get AB off punt returns with nothing to show for it. The Dri Archer experiment failed miserably.

Wheaton...'15 numbers

44/79...749...5td...32 1stdwn...that's pretty good production...but I don't think he's going to price himself out with those numbers.