The 2014 Draft

[LLT]

interesting ....

I think we first have to decide who we are and who we want to become .... this to me is the first consideration ...

as it stands we have a Line coach who was brought in to transform this unit into a ZBS scheme team and that failed miserably and we did not see improved play until we navigated away from it for the most part ( we still used some outside zone but not nearly as much as originally intended )

are we still inclined to move to a ZBS ?

are we rethinking it and leaning towards the Man Blocking scheme ?

whatever that answer is should determine whom you line up where and who you draft ......

if ZBS is your thing Beachum may be your man at LT , he is mobile and can get the job done ...

if man blocking is the route we proceed I see him as an asset at LG where he can pull to the right side because he has the mobility and agility to do that and I think he could be an all pro LG in doing so and LT becomes a priority ( this is how I envision this team ) not that the staff see's it that way ....

I would then Draft a big strong mountain of a man to play LT like Tiny Richardson . LG Beachum , C Velasco RG Decastro RT Adams ... I trade Pouncey because he is going to cost to much at the end of next season and i do not want to rent players for a year and see them walk for a comp pick the following year for far less value than I can get on my own in a trade

I love the idea of a Pouncy Trade and move Beechum inside. I'm not real sure if the Steelers would be willing to do that but in the long run in makes a ton of sense.

There is also a chance that Beechum stays at LT..and we go with Decastro/Velasco/Pouncey/Gilbert.

In that scenario I can see the Steelers drafting a defensive back with the first pick. Two years in a row a player has "fell" to us and I think that if CB Darqueze Dennard fell to #15 we would have to pull the trigger on him. Also a chance of a trade down and FS Hasean Clinton-Dix being our choice in the back part of the 1st round.

[Dwinsgames]

I love the idea of a Pouncy Trade and move Beechum inside. I'm not real sure if the Steelers would be willing to do that but in the long run in makes a ton of sense.

There is also a chance that Beechum stays at LT..and we go with Decastro/Velasco/Pouncey/Gilbert.

In that scenario I can see the Steelers drafting a defensive back with the first pick. Two years in a row a player has "fell" to us and I think that if CB Darqueze Dennard fell to #15 we would have to pull the trigger on him. Also a chance of a trade down and FS Hasean Clinton-Dix being our choice in the back part of the 1st round.

I forgot to mention if we went Richardson in that scenario it would also involve a trade back to around 20 picking up another selection along the way ....

I like Dennard but believe he is over valued because of the lack of quality CBs in this draft , I think he is a late first round CB value wise in a normal draft pushed up boards via lack of talent at the pos this year ....

as a side note this CB class to me seems a bit on the slow side , not many guys with elite or even very good speed to be found with any real cover ability ( its a zone def CB draft more so than a man cover draft )

[LLT]

I forgot to mention if we went Richardson in that scenario it would also involve a trade back to around 20 picking up another selection along the way ....

I like Dennard but believe he is over valued because of the lack of quality CBs in this draft , I think he is a late first round CB value wise in a normal draft pushed up boards via lack of talent at the pos this year ....

as a side note this CB class to me seems a bit on the slow side , not many guys with elite or even very good speed to be found with any real cover ability ( its a zone def CB draft more so than a man cover draft )

I like Dennard...but not as a top 10 pick like most boards show. At 15-20 I think he is good value. If we traded down to the back of the first and he was still there, it would be a Christmas gift. I think he is faster than some scouts speculate. I would guess him to be a 4.45 to 4.48 guy.

[Dwinsgames]

I like Dennard...but not as a top 10 pick like most boards show. At 15-20 I think he is good value. If we traded down to the back of the first and he was still there, it would be a Christmas gift. I think he is faster than some scouts speculate. I would guess him to be a 4.45 to 4.48 guy.

fair enough , and you may be right on his speed . at 20 I would call it fair value but doubt he is there at that point because he is top of the heap in terms to talent at CB in this draft so someone in need will roll the proverbial dice earlier on him ..if he is there and he is your guy at 15 its probably a now or never proposition

[LLT]

fair enough , and you may be right on his speed . at 20 I would call it fair value but doubt he is there at that point because he is top of the heap in terms to talent at CB in this draft so someone in need will roll the proverbial dice earlier on him ..if he is there and he is your guy at 15 its probably a now or never proposition

Teams like the Broncos and Bengals are getting long in the tooth at CB...so you are probably correct about the position having elevated value. I wouldnt be upset if we waited until round two for a player like Justin Gilbert, but I think Dennard is the real deal and an eventual replacement for Taylor.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Also a chance of a trade down and FS Hasean Clinton-Dix being our choice in the back part of the 1st round.

no way he lasts that long. not as of this moment anyways.

[LLT]

no way he lasts that long. not as of this moment anyways.

Cant say that I disagree....but the same was said about Decastro and Jarvis Jones also.

[Dwinsgames]

Cant say that I disagree....but the same was said about Decastro and Jarvis Jones also.

besides the fact that S is not normally considered a high value selection ( much like guard in that respect ) yes some do get drafted early but that is more the exception than the rule for the most part ...

last years draft tells the story pretty well IMO ...

Vaccaro , Reid , Elam . all where first round talents and not everyone was on the same page of who the top guy actually was and was the best S class ( prospect wise ) I have seen in 20 years yet Elam barely got in the first round ( pick 32 ) when some had him as the top S in the draft and others thought sure top 20 pick regardless of how you rank them .....

Lots of years we see 1 Guard 1 S in the entire first round , a premium is just not placed on the pos but I think we will gradually see that change since this league is now all about the passing game ...

just my thoughts on the matter

[LLT]

besides the fact that S is not normally considered a high value selection ( much like guard in that respect ) yes some do get drafted early but that is more the exception than the rule for the most part ...

last years draft tells the story pretty well IMO ...

Vaccaro , Reid , Elam . all where first round talents and not everyone was on the same page of who the top guy actually was and was the best S class ( prospect wise ) I have seen in 20 years yet Elam barely got in the first round ( pick 32 ) when some had him as the top S in the draft and others thought sure top 20 pick regardless of how you rank them .....

Lots of years we see 1 Guard 1 S in the entire first round , a premium is just not placed on the pos but I think we will gradually see that change since this league is now all about the passing game ...

just my thoughts on the matter

Legitimate.

I think FS Hasean Clinton-Dix is going to be attractive due to his being able to play up on the line, handle himself in space, and can cover a lot of ground. But mainly due to the exact points you just made I have him as a late first rounder.

But there is some truth to the fact that based on talent alone, he may catch the eye of someone drafting in the mid to late teens.

[Dwinsgames]

Legitimate.

I think FS Hasean Clinton-Dix is going to be attractive due to his being able to play up on the line, handle himself in space, and can cover a lot of ground. But mainly due to the exact points you just made I have him as a late first rounder.

But there is some truth to the fact that based on talent alone, he may catch the eye of someone drafting in the mid to late teens.

pretty much in a nutshell . anywhere from 12 down he could go just takes 1 team to fall in love ... he will go in round 1 but where is anyone's guess

[Aussie_steeler]

lol what did i just read

Sorry guys

Just a funny take on the Rams recent draft history from a fan on another forum.
I think it is priceless how the one trade continues to path the way with gold.

New coach to be chosen for the rams and with multiple picks and likely even more now that Les Snead has announced they are looking to trade out of the #2 pick.

This means for us that the #1 FS will be snagged by the rams before the steelers get to the draft podium.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Mark Barron was selected 7th overall folks, and he was projected to be drafted a lot later. I worry the same will happen to Clinton-Dix, who I think will be a much better player

This means for us that the #1 FS will be snagged by the rams before the steelers get to the draft podium.

and naturally, we will sit content at our spot at draft a decent player, but not nearly as dynamic as Clinton-Dix

[Dwinsgames]

and naturally, we will sit content at our spot at draft a decent player, but not nearly as dynamic as Clinton-Dix

fine by me if it happens that way , I am not a proponent in moving up in the draft ....

no unproven talent is worthy of my over all chances at improving esp when I have a team packed full of need

I will be plenty happy nabbing a guy like Baptiste or Boston in the late 3rd or 4th and still having my other picks to fill other needs

[SteelerFanInStl]

Sorry guys

Just a funny take on the Rams recent draft history from a fan on another forum.
I think it is priceless how the one trade continues to path the way with gold.

New coach to be chosen for the rams and with multiple picks and likely even more now that Les Snead has announced they are looking to trade out of the #2 pick.

This means for us that the #1 FS will be snagged by the rams before the steelers get to the draft podium.

Fisher isn't going anywhere so I'm not sure where you're getting that the Rams are going to have a new coach.

It's also not a guarantee that the Rams will take a Safety with their 2nd pick. It's a big need position for them but so is OT with Saffold probably leaving and Long coming off of a knee injury and not getting any younger. Their CBs were terrible this year, outside of Jenkins, and they really need an OLBer to put on the other side of Ogletree. There are many directions for them to go.

[Dwinsgames]

Fisher isn't going anywhere so I'm not sure where you're getting that the Rams are going to have a new coach.

It's also not a guarantee that the Rams will take a Safety with their 2nd pick. It's a big need position for them but so is OT with Saffold probably leaving and Long coming off of a knee injury and not getting any younger. Their CBs were terrible this year, outside of Jenkins, and they really need an OLBer to put on the other side of Ogletree. There are many directions for them to go.

I agree they trade back secure a 1 in next years draft and a first this year and nab a Tackle , later with their other 1st they may take a S or a LB or potentially even Dennard at CB to pair up with Jenkins ( would be a formatable young duo )

[Texasteel]

- - - Updated - -

tell us more about the other 2 safeties. im having a hard time evaluating any safety in this draft better than Clinton but im intrigued

I'm going to concentrate on Bucannon, since I think Bailey will stay an SS in the pros, and I think we are looking for a FS, and I believe he can play FS in the pros. Bucannon in much like Clinton-Dix. About the same size and speed, with much the same skills. Bucannon has a nose for the ball, and can support the run well. Hits a ton, very physical, might even tackle a little better than Clinton-Dix. He has had a very productive 3 years, As a Fr. He had 84 tackles, and one Int., as a Soph. 80 tackles, and 2 Ints., as a Jr. a 106 tackles, with 5 Ints. So he is a very active player. Is he better than Dix? I can't say that, but IMO he is very close. Will he be a better pro? Anyone that can answer that should be working for one of the teams, but I think he has a chance of being an outstanding pro player.

If we end up with Clinton-Dix, I will be happy, but if we miss on him, or decide to go in a different direction Bucannon could be a pretty good option. I also think that switching Jean-Baptiste from CB would make him a much better player than he is now. He has all the still, even if they are not polished yet, and just has the look of a FS to me. He's been under the radar so far, but I think may be getting some notice soon.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I'm going to concentrate on Bucannon, since I think Bailey will stay an SS in the pros, and I think we are looking for a FS, and I believe he can play FS in the pros. Bucannon in much like Clinton-Dix. About the same size and speed, with much the same skills. Bucannon has a nose for the ball, and can support the run well. Hits a ton, very physical, might even tackle a little better than Clinton-Dix. He has had a very productive 3 years, As a Fr. He had 84 tackles, and one Int., as a Soph. 80 tackles, and 2 Ints., as a Jr. a 106 tackles, with 5 Ints. So he is a very active player. Is he better than Dix? I can't say that, but IMO he is very close. Will he be a better pro? Anyone that can answer that should be working for one of the teams, but I think he has a chance of being an outstanding pro player.

If we end up with Clinton-Dix, I will be happy, but if we miss on him, or decide to go in a different direction Bucannon could be a pretty good option. I also think that switching Jean-Baptiste from CB would make him a much better player than he is now. He has all the still, even if they are not polished yet, and just has the look of a FS to me. He's been under the radar so far, but I think may be getting some notice soon.

projections on those guys? going to my homework on them as well

[Dwinsgames]

here is Baptiste ( mind you playing at CB )

[Aussie_steeler]

Fisher isn't going anywhere so I'm not sure where you're getting that the Rams are going to have a new coach.

It's also not a guarantee that the Rams will take a Safety with their 2nd pick. It's a big need position for them but so is OT with Saffold probably leaving and Long coming off of a knee injury and not getting any younger. Their CBs were terrible this year, outside of Jenkins, and they really need an OLBer to put on the other side of Ogletree. There are many directions for them to go.

Sorry Brain fart. Schwartz ( Lions coach) got canned this morning.

Been reading a lot this morning and got my wires crossed.

Les Snead will be looking to maximise the value he has accumulated from the original RG3 trade. I think Rams could end up with a combo like Sammy Watkins / Dix and a future #1 for the overall #2 pick.

They could be a force in a couple of years under JEFF FISHER.

[Texasteel]

projections on those guys? going to my homework on them as well

Bucannon is hard to project, because he has be moving up lately. Most likely a early 2nd, late 1st. I think we could get Jean-Baptiste with a 3rd round comp.

[Aussie_steeler]

Teams like the Broncos and Bengals are getting long in the tooth at CB...so you are probably correct about the position having elevated value. I wouldnt be upset if we waited until round two for a player like Justin Gilbert, but I think Dennard is the real deal and an eventual replacement for Taylor.

I like Gilbert a lot, however he is going to go in that 24 to 32 range.

I have dialled in Kyle Fuller of Virginia Tech as a legitimate pick in the 2nd for the steelers. He is also a "Beamer Ball" specialist who is very good as a punt blocker coming from the edge.

Terrance Brooks of Florida State is a CB converted to play FS. He would be equally as good at nickel back as free safety. At 3rd round value he could be gone by 3rd round comp pick time.

[Psycho Ward 86]

speaking of compensation picks, looks like we wont get much out of losing wallace after he had such a shitastic year

[Dwinsgames]

speaking of compensation picks, looks like we wont get much out of losing wallace after he had such a shitastic year

we should get a 3rd round pick for him ....

he was a starter all season , he signed a HUGE contract ( primary thing they look at ) he had over 900 yards in receptions ( as bad as that sounds per $ spent its above league averages )

we should get another 3rd rounder for Lewis .....

Mendy should bring at the very min a 5th .....

[Psycho Ward 86]

we should get a 3rd round pick for him ....

he was a starter all season , he signed a HUGE contract ( primary thing they look at ) he had over 900 yards in receptions ( as bad as that sounds per $ spent its above league averages )

we should get another 3rd rounder for Lewis .....

Mendy should bring at the very min a 5th .....

wow looks like we might have a lot of mid round picks. but if the contract is the primary thing that is looked at, i worry about what we get for lewis. much smaller contract, but undoubtedly immense production. im going to miss lewis a lot until our pass defense rounds back into form

[Dwinsgames]

wow looks like we might have a lot of mid round picks. but if the contract is the primary thing that is looked at, i worry about what we get for lewis. much smaller contract, but undoubtedly immense production. im going to miss lewis a lot until our pass defense rounds back into form

remember we are down our original 3rd round pick to the browns to go get Shamarko Thomas in the last draft

[Psycho Ward 86]

here is Baptiste ( mind you playing at CB )

interesting prospect. id take a flyer on him about the same time as you guys suggested. his tackling looks a bit suspect here though, and he seems to have a slight allergy for contact

[Dwinsgames]

interesting prospect. id take a flyer on him about the same time as you guys suggested. his tackling looks a bit suspect here though, and he seems to have a slight allergy for contact

yea well he is a star CB for them , S is a frame of mind that is acquired , it wont be an immediate transition but give him a few months to hang around the linebackers should help , with his size he should toughen up and learn to like hitting ...( lets hope ) he could be a hell of a S if he can transition

[Psycho Ward 86]

remember we are down our original 3rd round pick to the browns to go get Shamarko Thomas in the last draft

damn . of course we are. any predictions on what we'll get for keenan lewis?

[Dwinsgames]

damn . of course we are. any predictions on what we'll get for keenan lewis?

we should get a pair of 3rds and a 5th in comp picks , provided Goodell does not dock us one of them for sideline gate

[touchdownward]

Irrelevant to this years draft but I'm watching two great RBs in the Gator bowl right now. Georgia's Todd Gurly (sophomore) and Ameer Abdullah (Junior) for the Huskers. Gurly has played with a bad ankle most of the season so he is little slowed today, but has great hands, lots of yards receiving this season. Abdullah is a 190 lb beast (I know, funny to say a 190 pounder a beast). Dude is hard to bring down and a workhorse. Might be worth a look in 2015.