polamalubeast
02-27-2016, 01:24 PM
The more I get into the 2016 draft, the more I start to think it will be more like the 2003 draft for the Steelers.
The Steelers went into that draft needing help at both safety and cornerback, with free safety Brent Alexander and corner Dewayne Washington both on the wrong side of 30.
Of course, as is usually the case, cornerback was considered the priority. It often is, since it’s the more flashy position.
But instead of settling for the third-best cornerback - Terence Newman and Marcus Trufant were both selected ahead of the Steelers - they were pro-active, trading up to get the top safety in the draft, Troy Polamalu.
Interestingly enough, right after the Chiefs took Larry Johnson with the pick they received from the Steelers in the first round, Tennessee took corner Andre Woolfork, Two picks later, San Diego selected Sammy Davis, a corner many thought the Steelers would pick. Oakland grabbed Nnamdi Asomugha one pick later and Charles Tillman went to the Bears at the top of the first round.
In fact, there were a lot of good corners available in that draft, many of which were taken in the second round or later - Rashean Mathis, Terrence McGee, Ike Taylor, Asante Samuel and several others who played for extended periods in the league.
But there weren’t too many star safeties.
That’s what leads me to believe that, owning the 25th pick this year, the Steelers could take a similar approach and go safety-corner in this draft.
First, because the defensive line talent in this draft is so deep, there will be a number of those taken ahead of the Steelers. But the corners expected to be taken ahead of their pick - Jalen Ramsey, Mackensie Alexander and Vernon Hargreaves - will leave the Steelers with the choice of taking the fourth-rated corner or perhaps their No. 1-rated safety.
And the difference, to me, between the fourth-rated corner and whoever they have rated 10th at cornerback won’t be as steep as the difference between their top-rated safety and the fifth-rated safety.
And that will be the difference between their first two picks.
read more
http://www.observer-reporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20160227%2FBLOGS08%2F160229600#.VtH o4gi9OBg.twitter
The Steelers went into that draft needing help at both safety and cornerback, with free safety Brent Alexander and corner Dewayne Washington both on the wrong side of 30.
Of course, as is usually the case, cornerback was considered the priority. It often is, since it’s the more flashy position.
But instead of settling for the third-best cornerback - Terence Newman and Marcus Trufant were both selected ahead of the Steelers - they were pro-active, trading up to get the top safety in the draft, Troy Polamalu.
Interestingly enough, right after the Chiefs took Larry Johnson with the pick they received from the Steelers in the first round, Tennessee took corner Andre Woolfork, Two picks later, San Diego selected Sammy Davis, a corner many thought the Steelers would pick. Oakland grabbed Nnamdi Asomugha one pick later and Charles Tillman went to the Bears at the top of the first round.
In fact, there were a lot of good corners available in that draft, many of which were taken in the second round or later - Rashean Mathis, Terrence McGee, Ike Taylor, Asante Samuel and several others who played for extended periods in the league.
But there weren’t too many star safeties.
That’s what leads me to believe that, owning the 25th pick this year, the Steelers could take a similar approach and go safety-corner in this draft.
First, because the defensive line talent in this draft is so deep, there will be a number of those taken ahead of the Steelers. But the corners expected to be taken ahead of their pick - Jalen Ramsey, Mackensie Alexander and Vernon Hargreaves - will leave the Steelers with the choice of taking the fourth-rated corner or perhaps their No. 1-rated safety.
And the difference, to me, between the fourth-rated corner and whoever they have rated 10th at cornerback won’t be as steep as the difference between their top-rated safety and the fifth-rated safety.
And that will be the difference between their first two picks.
read more
http://www.observer-reporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20160227%2FBLOGS08%2F160229600#.VtH o4gi9OBg.twitter