Was Dri Archer The Steelers Worst Draft Pick Of The Last Five Years?

[polamalubeast]

Was the selection of Kent State running back Dri Archer in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft the worst pick that the Pittsburgh Steelers have made dating back to 2011? Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com certainly seems to think so.

The NFL Nation reporters were asked recently to assess the worst draft decisions over the last five years from the teams that they cover and Fowler chose Archer for the Steelers and here is his reasoning:


read more


http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/04/dri-archer-steelers-worst-draft-pick-last-five-years/

[Steeldude]

Was the selection of Kent State running back Dri Archer in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft the worst pick that the Pittsburgh Steelers have made dating back to 2011? Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com certainly seems to think so.

The NFL Nation reporters were asked recently to assess the worst draft decisions over the last five years from the teams that they cover and Fowler chose Archer for the Steelers and here is his reasoning:


read more


http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/04/dri-archer-steelers-worst-draft-pick-last-five-years/

Jarvis Jones because he was a first round pick.

[Born2Steel]

Definitely Archer. JJ has not been what we hoped he would be, by a long shot, but he at least has contributed, even been a starter. Archer never saw the field as more than a distraction. Our Jamarcus Russell.

[Mojouw]

When the debate on worst draft pick involves Dri Archer and no massive first round busts - then you are talking about a team with a pretty decent track record in the draft.

Oh no! OUr 3rd round gadget/return guy didn't work out! Fire everyone!

[steelreserve]

Curtis Brown would be another strong contender for the honor. Archer didn't contribute, but Brown made negative contributions when he was in the game.

Alameda Ta'amu is another one who did less than nothing; in fact, his only contribution was a DUI and police chase. One round lower than Archer, but not really since Archer was a comp pick after the third. But I think we were hoping for bigger things out of him.

Jones and Worilds would also be in the running here because they were drafted higher.



When the debate on worst draft pick involves Dri Archer and no massive first round busts - then you are talking about a team with a pretty decent track record in the draft.

Oh no! OUr 3rd round gadget/return guy didn't work out! Fire everyone!


Pity it doesn't go back slightly further, then you'd have Ziggy Hood or the entire wasted 2008 draft to talk about. When Tomlin first arrived, we SUCKED SHIT at the draft. But we have seemed to get the hang of it since.

[Born2Steel]

I forgot about Ta'amu. Fairly solid evidence there, huh.

[Dwinsgames]

I would say Shamarko Thomas and its not even close .. fact is he cost us 2 draft picks has done nothing on defense and is mistake prone with just ridiculously stupid penalties on ST ...

[steelreserve]

I would say Shamarko Thomas and its not even close .. fact is he cost us 2 draft picks has done nothing on defense and is mistake prone with just ridiculously stupid penalties on ST ...

He only cost us one draft pick. We didn't have a 4th that year, so we traded the next year's 3rd. So that puts him on about equal footing with Archer pick-wise. But yeah, I would say his contributions have been pretty much zero as well.

[Count Steeler]

Archer would have been a long time ago, had it not been for his 1 splash play in the pre season against the Giants. That one play bought him 2 years on this team's roster and that is one area that Tomlin has to get better. 1 splash play should not wash over the obvious lack of fundamental necessity of having that first move to make people miss.

Not only did Archer not have that first move, I swear the wind of a passing defender tackled him a couple of times. I've never seen someone that could that easily be knocked off his feet.

[polamalubeast]

The pick of Archer was the worst of the steelers since 2011 since the steelers had not need of a player like that!

[Dwinsgames]

He only cost us one draft pick. We didn't have a 4th that year, so we traded the next year's 3rd. So that puts him on about equal footing with Archer pick-wise. But yeah, I would say his contributions have been pretty much zero as well.

my bad was thinking we shipped a pick besides the next years 3rd ... either way still has contributed less in my eyes once you consider his negative effect via penalties

[86WARD]

Jarvis Jones is number 1, Archer is number 2.

[steelreserve]

The pick of Archer was the worst of the steelers since 2011 since the steelers had not need of a player like that!


That's an excellent point. At least the other players would've served a purpose for us if they'd been good.

[ALLD]

They picked Chris Rainey and then doubled down with Archer. Let's not forget about Sweed either. Long list of top 3 round busts, but some serious future HoF contenders too.

[fansince'76]

Not only did Archer not have that first move, I swear the wind of a passing defender tackled him a couple of times. I've never seen someone that could that easily be knocked off his feet.

Really?

http://rivista-cdn.pittsburghmagazine.com/images/2010/august/09_CIN2da_0022.jpg?ver=1279895078

And at least Archer had an excuse, being all of about 160 lbs - he was simply too small for the NFL, period. This huge puss didn't have such an excuse, however. Easily the softest "big back" I've ever seen. I can't believe how easily he just gave up and went to the ground.

[Count Steeler]

Really?

http://rivista-cdn.pittsburghmagazine.com/images/2010/august/09_CIN2da_0022.jpg?ver=1279895078

And at least Archer had an excuse, being all of about 160 lbs - he was simply too small for the NFL, period. This huge puss didn't have such an excuse, however. Easily the softest "big back" I've ever seen. I can't believe how easily he just gave up and went to the ground.

Yeah, kind of put him in the guys that never should have been a Steeler, so he has been flushed from my memory. Something I will be doing with Archer now.

[Born2Steel]

Deangelo Williams is #34, and that is no Deangelo Williams!! Away with him!!

[Cyphon25]

There are so many ways to look at this and make a reasonable argument.

Jones is only in the running because of the round he was picked in. He has been disappointing but at least has made some contributions and lasted his entire contract.

Archer is bad for many reasons. He was a luxury pick in an earlier enough round to hurt, he barely contributed and specifically just wasn't a good fit for us. We had too many weapons to find a spot for a tweener guy who wasn't very good at either position we could have used him.

Thomas we traded up to get and was supposed to be Troys eventual replacement and if anything he has had a negative impact.

There are some other bad choices but I think it comes down to Archer and Thomas.

[pczach]

Archer was a luxury pick, taken at a time when the Steelers defense was abysmal. Instead of using the pick to draft a player that would have an opportunity to help the team on the defensive side of the ball, they draft a midget with breathtaking straight-line speed from a small school with nowhere to play him because of the talent already on the roster.

Not only did he play a position that wasn't needed, but he was a complete failure in the very limited playing time he did get. He was a terrible return man that clearly is afraid to get hit playing in the NFL. Thomas has been a disaster as well, but at least Thomas tries. Archer would catch the kickoff and work his way to the sideling so he could run out of bounds and avoid contact nearly every time. He couldn't even attempt to be used as a running back, could not block, and was ineffective as a receiver or trick play specialist in the backfield.

Is there anything I missed?

Archer was a complete swing and a miss in every conceivable way.

[lipps83]

I still can't believe they even had Archer rated higher than Bryant, who they also wanted to select in the 3rd. They gambled that Bryant would still be there for them in the 4th, and thankfully he was.

They probably could have grabbed Archer in the later rounds, if not even as a free agent.

[Mojouw]

Curtis Brown would be another strong contender for the honor. Archer didn't contribute, but Brown made negative contributions when he was in the game.

Alameda Ta'amu is another one who did less than nothing; in fact, his only contribution was a DUI and police chase. One round lower than Archer, but not really since Archer was a comp pick after the third. But I think we were hoping for bigger things out of him.

Jones and Worilds would also be in the running here because they were drafted higher.





Pity it doesn't go back slightly further, then you'd have Ziggy Hood or the entire wasted 2008 draft to talk about. When Tomlin first arrived, we SUCKED SHIT at the draft. But we have seemed to get the hang of it since.

Yeah. Colbert and company got more than a little arrogant for a bit there. Remember all that talk of there not being roster spots available for 6-8 draft picks?

[fansince'76]

I still can't believe they even had Archer rated higher than Bryant, who they also wanted to select in the 3rd. They gambled that Bryant would still be there for them in the 4th, and thankfully he was.

Not that Bryant hasn't turned into a monumental disappointment himself and will be just as useful to the team in '16 as Archer will be. Which is apparently also why he was still there for us in the 4th.

It's also why Steelers fans should think twice before throwing stones at Josh Gordon. Bryant's career trajectory is on the exact same path so far.

Maybe I wouldn't mind it so much if the clock wasn't seriously ticking on Ben's career...

[zulater]

I disagree with the negativity directed towards Shamarko Thomas. While I agree that was a poor draft choice, the negative sum equation thing I disagree with strongly. Yes he's made some blunders on special teams. But he's also made his share of good tackles and blocks on those units as well. That's why they continue to send him out on every special teams snap we play.

By the way...

I would probably go with Curtis Brown over Dri as thge Steelers worst pick in the past 5 years.

[86WARD]

Thomas has made some nice plays and he's probably a good player...he's just football dumb.

[zulater]

The Browns absolutely own this category! :sofunny: Just consider they blew a first round pick on Johnny Manziel and he's not even worthy of consideration as their worst pick! Not when they've used the 3rd overall pick on Trent Richardson and 6th overall pick on Barkevious Mingo! Throw in other first round flops Justin Gilbert and Brandon Weedon, and they just set the bar to a place no other team can approach! :lol:

[Craic]

Pity it doesn't go back slightly further, then you'd have Ziggy Hood or the entire wasted 2008 draft to talk about. When Tomlin first arrived, we SUCKED SHIT at the draft. But we have seemed to get the hang of it since.


Um, no, not really.

2007 draft -

Lawrence Timmons. Still playing for us at a high level
LaMarr Woodley. We got some very good seasons from him before dealt with injury. Still a good draft choice in hindsight.
Matt Spaeth. Still on the team. Not an every-play type of TE, but we weren't drafting Heath's replacement either. Decent draft.
Daniel Sepulveda. We had horrible punting. Sep. was supposed to fix it, and he did. his problem was injuries. Can't fault a coach for that at all.
5th Round - William Gay. Still playing, possible the best CB on the roster today. Great pick at 5th round (almost 6th).

That's 5 good or very good picks his first year in, three of whom are still with the team.

2008

Mendenhall was the only good pick.

2009

Kraig Urbik. didn't work out here. But he's still in the league and playing decent.
Mike Wallace. Put up some very good stats here. For a 3rd pick, he worked out decently well.
Keenan Lewis. Looked like he was going to be good in our system, but left and hasn't had the best of times. Still, a decent pick.

2010

Pouncey. Great first round pick
Worllids. Not a bad pick. Not exactly a good pick either. He'd still be in the NFL if he wanted, but chose to reture
Sanders. Whatever we think of him, he was a very good pick at 3rd.
Stevenson Sylvester. Another very good pick at 5th, but that knee injury kept him out for two years.
Antonio Brown. Nothing needs to be said.


So, in his first four years, Tomlin had 1 (one!) bad overall draft. Most of the stuff I look at when it comes to rating drafts accounts for a good draft hitting on about 3 players. In all but one class, Tomlin hit on 3 or more players that stayed in the league 5 years or more. And, as for significant contributions in two or more seasons to the Steelers, 3 or 4 in from the first draft, 1 from the second, 2 from the first, and 3 from the third.

I know we have high standards, but that's better than the majority of the NFL. So no, Tomlin didn't suck in the draft. He blew 1 draft class and was average on the following class, but the two real contributors decided to leave town for more money.

EDIT - I confused Sylvester with Spence . . . again. Still, that class had Pouncey, Brown, and Sanders.

[hawaiiansteeler]

:hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo:: hippo:

Dominique Easley, 2014 First-Round Draft Pick, Released By Patriots**

by Doug Kyed on Wed, Apr 13, 2016

http://nesn.com/2016/04/report-dominique-easley-2014-first-round-pick-released-by-patriots/

[Psycho Ward 86]

why is everyone sleeping on Mike Adams?

[steelreserve]

Um, no, not really.

2007 draft ...


Look, we obviously disagree on what constitutes "success" in certain aspects of the draft. For example, a guy like Urbik counts as a ZERO in my book if he did not produce anything on the field for us. Not a kind-of success, not a yeah-but, not a conditional success - just a big fat F. So what if he goes on to be a decent player somewhere else? I don't really care about the why; I care about results. The bottom line is we got nothing out of the pick, so it's a 0%.

Similarly, a guy like Lewis who did nothing for us until having one half a good season in his final year is about a D-minus-minus. Sanders, who was OK or pretty-good for us and left after a short time, would be about a C. I mean, good for them for being sucessful elsewhere, but their evaluation as a draft pick for us ends when we stop getting anything out of that pick. So those are not the knock-it-out-of-the-park successes that some would say; in fact, I would say they were not even neutral, but mostly a failure. While we're at it, if you were counting what players did for other teams after they left us as part of your evaluation, Wallace is now a laughingstock, so you can't have it both ways. Personally, I'd rate that pick higher than Sanders based on what he did strictly for us, but that was the only success out of that year and it came to an end quickly.

In other words, we got about the bare minimum possible out of 2008 and 2009: Two players who produced through the end of their rookie contracts and then immediately left the team. That's fucking up. I'm glad we came out of it and got our legs under us, because if we kept that up we would be

:cheer2: F-U-C, :cheer2:

:cheer2: K-E-D! :cheer2:

:cheer2: FUCKED! :cheer2:

:cheer2: FUCKED! :cheer2:

:cheer2: YAAAAAY, FUCKED! :cheer2:

[teegre]

Point #1:
Chad Brown was not a bad pick... despite leaving in free agency.

Point #2:
Mike Wallace was a great pick. 32 TDs in fours seasons is outstanding. Look it up... it's up there with some of the greats. Sure, he sucked after that, but if you tell me that Sammie Coats has 32 TDs in the next three seasons, I'd do freakin' backflips.

[fansince'76]

:hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo::hippo:: hippo:

Dominique Easley, 2014 First-Round Draft Pick, Released By Patriots**

by Doug Kyed on Wed, Apr 13, 2016

http://nesn.com/2016/04/report-dominique-easley-2014-first-round-pick-released-by-patriots/

Like I said in the Easley thread in the NFL subforum: the second he clears waivers, pounce and let those dickheads deal with the $3.6 million cap hit. Perfect payback for tampering with Blount.

Supposedly, the Patriots and he had "philosophical differences" about injury protocol. Yeah, Belichick probably wanted him to practice (illegally) while he was on IR and he probably refused to do so. :coffee:

[Born2Steel]

The Browns absolutely own this category! :sofunny: Just consider they blew a first round pick on Johnny Manziel and he's not even worthy of consideration as their worst pick! Not when they've used the 3rd overall pick on Trent Richardson and 6th overall pick on Barkevious Mingo! Throw in other first round flops Justin Gilbert and Brandon Weedon, and they just set the bar to a place no other team can approach! :lol:
The Browns may want to trade out of the 1st round completely simply to avoid another 1st round embarrassment. They can get all the mid round picks they want for #2 overall.

[fansince'76]

The Browns may want to trade out of the 1st round completely simply to avoid another 1st round embarrassment. They can get all the mid round picks they want for #2 overall.

They're so frigging clueless watch Hoodie fleece them for their 1st rounder to make up for the one he lost. Thankfully, his old draft day patsy Al Davis isn't around anymore. Watching him take advantage of Davis' geriatric dementia with a totally lopsided trade in his favor trade got to be an annual occurrence.

[86WARD]

Mendenhall wasn't a good pick. 2008 was a clusterfuck from beginning to end.

[fansince'76]

2008 was a clusterfuck from beginning to end.

In hindsight. The Mendenhall and Sweed picks were both widely considered to be steals at the time.

[Born2Steel]

My son started calling him 'Retard' Mendenhall. I know, not PC, but damn funny the 1st time I heard it.

[fansince'76]

My son started calling him 'Retard' Mendenhall. I know, not PC, but damn funny the 1st time I heard it.

"SpinandFall."

[86WARD]

In hindsight. The Mendenhall and Sweed picks were both widely considered to be steals at the time.

Im on record as hating the Mendenhall and Bruce Davis picks from the get go. I LOVED the Limas Sweed pick though LOVED IT...almost exactly how I loved the Martavis Bryant pick.

[steelerdude15]

I'd have to pick Cortez Allen. He was the 4th round pick in the 2011 draft. Cortez can't cover anyone to save his life. I mean, how many times have we seen him beat by a receiver. Then to top it off, the front office gave him the contract extension that didn't make any sense.

I think some other honorable mentions would go Dri, Jarvis, Curtis Brown, and Alameda Ta'amu.

[steelreserve]

Point #1:
Chad Brown was not a bad pick... despite leaving in free agency.

Point #2:
Mike Wallace was a great pick. 32 TDs in fours seasons is outstanding. Look it up... it's up there with some of the greats. Sure, he sucked after that, but if you tell me that Sammie Coats has 32 TDs in the next three seasons, I'd do freakin' backflips.

OK, Coates is going to have 32 TDs. Let's see those backflips, asshole.

[teegre]

OK, Coates is going to have 32 TDs. Let's see those backflips, asshole.

I have three years to master that feat...

[steelreserve]

I have three years to master that feat...


What, you mean I was supposed to tell you AFTER he scores the touchdowns? What's the point? You'd already know.

In that case: Wallace scored 32 touchdowns. There, I told you - I've got all my bases covered. Make with the backflips.

[teegre]

What, you mean I was supposed to tell you AFTER he scores the touchdowns? What's the point? You'd already know.

In that case: Wallace scored 32 touchdowns. There, I told you - I've got all my bases covered. Make with the backflips.

How about some backwards somersaults???

[Craic]

Look, we obviously disagree on what constitutes "success" in certain aspects of the draft. For example, a guy like Urbik counts as a ZERO in my book if he did not produce anything on the field for us. Not a kind-of success, not a yeah-but, not a conditional success - just a big fat F. So what if he goes on to be a decent player somewhere else? I don't really care about the why; I care about results. The bottom line is we got nothing out of the pick, so it's a 0%.

Similarly, a guy like Lewis who did nothing for us until having one half a good season in his final year is about a D-minus-minus. Sanders, who was OK or pretty-good for us and left after a short time, would be about a C. I mean, good for them for being sucessful elsewhere, but their evaluation as a draft pick for us ends when we stop getting anything out of that pick. So those are not the knock-it-out-of-the-park successes that some would say; in fact, I would say they were not even neutral, but mostly a failure. While we're at it, if you were counting what players did for other teams after they left us as part of your evaluation, Wallace is now a laughingstock, so you can't have it both ways. Personally, I'd rate that pick higher than Sanders based on what he did strictly for us, but that was the only success out of that year and it came to an end quickly.

In other words, we got about the bare minimum possible out of 2008 and 2009: Two players who produced through the end of their rookie contracts and then immediately left the team. That's fucking up. I'm glad we came out of it and got our legs under us, because if we kept that up we would be

Except that you said specifically "at the draft."

The draft is about three things only.

1. Does this guy have talent to play at the NFL level.

2. Does this guy have the right skillset to play in the Steelers organization

3. Is there enough character in this guy that he won't waste his career doing stupid crap or destroying the lockerroom.

Everything else you mentioned about how long they stayed around and how they performed here vs. somewhere else is meaningless when it comes to assessing whether Tomlin and Co. blew it in the draft. That's more about how they train up the young players or how the contracts are handled. AND . . . on that note, young Tomlin was not a good coach when it came to handling certain players. I still think he ruined Sweed's career by destroying his confidence by yanking him after each drop.

But for the draft itself, I think you're incorporating way too much into the assessment.