LLT
06-10-2016, 06:31 AM
Steelers: Why Pittsburgh drafted Javon Hargrave
By Perry Biggerstaff
www.stillcurtain.com
06/10/2016
There were many fans and draft pundits who thought that the Pittsburgh Steelers might take a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. After all, isnt the old adage “the best pass defense is a solid pass rush”?
The loss of defensive tackles Steve McLendon and Cam Thomas left the Steelers with little depth at the position and with no proven nose tackle. Yet the Steelers waited until the 89th pick in the third round to bolster the defensive front line when they drafted Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State University.
This raised two questions. Why wait so long to address such an obvious need and why target a small school prospect?
The most obvious answer to the first question is that Pittsburgh had a greater need in the defensive secondary. Too many years of ignoring the cornerback and safety positions finally caught up with the team as they continually ranked in the bottom of the league in pass defense.
“The best pass defense is a solid pass rush” only works if you have players in the backfield that can cover receivers long enough for the pass rush to apply pressure and unfortunately the Steelers haven’t had that corps of defensive backs in several years.
Simply put, Pittsburgh addressed the secondary before they addressed the defensive line, because they had to.
But why Javon Hargrave?
read more @ http://stillcurtain.com/2016/06/10/steelers-why-pittsburgh-drafted-javon-hargrave/
By Perry Biggerstaff
www.stillcurtain.com
06/10/2016
There were many fans and draft pundits who thought that the Pittsburgh Steelers might take a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. After all, isnt the old adage “the best pass defense is a solid pass rush”?
The loss of defensive tackles Steve McLendon and Cam Thomas left the Steelers with little depth at the position and with no proven nose tackle. Yet the Steelers waited until the 89th pick in the third round to bolster the defensive front line when they drafted Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State University.
This raised two questions. Why wait so long to address such an obvious need and why target a small school prospect?
The most obvious answer to the first question is that Pittsburgh had a greater need in the defensive secondary. Too many years of ignoring the cornerback and safety positions finally caught up with the team as they continually ranked in the bottom of the league in pass defense.
“The best pass defense is a solid pass rush” only works if you have players in the backfield that can cover receivers long enough for the pass rush to apply pressure and unfortunately the Steelers haven’t had that corps of defensive backs in several years.
Simply put, Pittsburgh addressed the secondary before they addressed the defensive line, because they had to.
But why Javon Hargrave?
read more @ http://stillcurtain.com/2016/06/10/steelers-why-pittsburgh-drafted-javon-hargrave/