Steelers covet receiver in NFL draft; free-agent signings to help

[stillers4me]

The Steelers knew they would lose Emmanuel Sanders in free agency because they almost lost him last year when he signed an offer sheet with the New England Patriots.

But they didn't anticipate losing him and Jerricho Cotchery, who might have been the best valued receiver in the NFL in 2013.

Even with Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown, who is coming off a record-breaking season, that's a big chunk of their passing offense that will be missing in 2014.

Sanders and Cotchery combined for 113 catches, 1,342 yards and 16 touchdowns last season -- hefty numbers for a tandem that doesn't include Brown or tight end Heath Miller.

But the Steelers are hoping they can be more productive this year with the development of Markus Wheaton, the signing of free-agent Lance Moore from the New Orleans Saints and the very real possibility they will take a tall wide receiver in the first or second round of the draft.

They would like to draft Mike Evans of Texas A&M, a 6-foot-5, 231-pound receiver whose stock soared even more when he ran a sub-4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. But Evans might not be available when the Steelers pick at No. 15 overall...............


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...#ixzz2y7cwwY3b

[86WARD]

If they "knew," it makes them even more idiotic for not letting him walk last year for a third round pick...lol.

[steelreserve]

Please don't take a WR with the 15th overall pick. So many other positions we need that are harder to find.

Brown, Moore, Heyward-Bey, Wheaton ... if those are our top 4 WRs going into the season, that's fine. If we draft a guy in the 4th round who happens to go crazy and beat one of them out, then even better. It would be such a waste to use our top pick trying to make the receiver corps absolutely perfect down to the last detail, when we have neither a starter nor a backup at NT, and have about one season before we're down to either 1 starter or 0 starters at CB.

[fansince'76]

Please don't take a WR with the 15th overall pick. So many other positions we need that are harder to find.

This. I'm going to be pissed if they go WR at 15 with the mess the defense is in.

[Steelerette]

Smokescreens. Or anti-smokescreens. Counter-smokescreens. Smokescreens for their smokescreens.

From now until the last pick is in, don't believe anything like this.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Please don't take a WR with the 15th overall pick. So many other positions we need that are harder to find.

Brown, Moore, Heyward-Bey, Wheaton ... if those are our top 4 WRs going into the season, that's fine. If we draft a guy in the 4th round who happens to go crazy and beat one of them out, then even better. It would be such a waste to use our top pick trying to make the receiver corps absolutely perfect down to the last detail, when we have neither a starter nor a backup at NT, and have about one season before we're down to either 1 starter or 0 starters at CB.

i feel like were going to end up taking dennard or fuller with our 1st pick but why not take a receiver if his name is mike evans? The 1st tier or CB is projected to all go in the 1st round, and that next tier of cornerbacks is thick in the 3rd round. For receivers its the 1st and 2nd round and i think we can find too many really good ones later on to pass on mike evans if he's there at 15.

phillip gaines, EJ gaines, stanley jean-baptiste, antone exum, pierre desir come to mind

[Hindes204]

If Evans is there at 15, they need to take him

[steelreserve]

I'd rather have a first-tier CB for once, instead of hanging out drafting non-need positions all day and hoping we get lucky later on. Try that with receivers; we're better off at that position. With cornerbacks, that strategy hasn't worked out for us. After 10 years, time to change things up.

I don't really care who's available in the first round; serviceable receivers are a dime a dozen, which is why we don't need to be spending a top-15 pick on a #2 or #3 guy.

[st33lersguy]

Look at any tape from Ike this past year, we need a cornerback more

[salamander]

Yeah, I would much rather them take a CB over a WR as their first pick.

[Psycho Ward 86]

man, i really wish we had been able to sign alterraun verner so we wouldnt even have to have this discussion. still cant believe the bucs got him for so cheap. Verner, Cortez (if he plays to his potential), and Gay/Ike would have been outstanding stuff

[Steelerette]

I'm starting to think that, if we get Gilbert or Dennard in Round one, but then Baptiste is there in round 3, I would be quite okay with double dipping. As long as the second rounder was, say, Tuitt or Moncrief.

[TMC]

This draft has exceptional depth at wide receiver. It may be the deepest WR draft I have ever seen. It is loaded with big WRs. It is loaded with guys under 6'. I see a lot of love for guys like Watkins and Evans, but the reality is, there are several comparable players to each that can be had in the later rounds.

When you look at Evans, you can find guys similar in Martavis Bryant, Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, Donte Moncrief, Jordan Matthews, Cody Lattimer, Jeff Janis, Brandon Coleman, and Cody Hoffman. A lot of 6'2" or better WRs in this draft and Bryant, Adams, Moncrief, Robinson, and Benjamin all have the same edge potential you see in Evans.

With Watkins, I actually think that Brandin Cooks may be a better overall pro player. Lee is decent (drops a few too many for my liking). I like Bruce Ellington as he is still developing. Jared Abbrederis is a good looking all around player. Jarvis Landry, Josh Huff, Mike Davis, TJ Jones, and several other guys have strong potential. I really like the guys with slot potential like Cooks, Ellington, Abbrederis, and Heron in this draft. They could all be potential game changers in the slot. Good, all-around wide receiver prospects.

When you think that Evans route tree was very limited, edge only guy that did most of his work outside the numbers and rarely turns inside and Watkins caught an extreme amount of screen passes, both have some questions as to how they will translate that to the next level. Those other receivers have questions too, so I think the Steelers would be wiser to take a guy a little later (trade down in the first if WR is the choice or pick one in the second) and then double down with another WR later.

Grab a big edge guy and then take one of those all-around players that could excel in the slot. It sets you up for the next 4-5 years at the spot if they work out.

For me, I am hoping a left tackle slides in the first, then they can bounce the 2nd round pick down a little and nab a WR and a defensive player. Then, if I get me one more WR in the draft and they went defense the rest of the way, I could live with that.....

[one side only]

I thought I just read a Mike Evans / Jeff Janis comparison . . . nah; couldn't be. If Evans and Darqueze Dennard are gone, they will pick Odell Beckham.

[Dwinsgames]

still trying to figure out why this is in this section of the forum when we have a draft forum /boggle

[one side only]

still trying to figure out why this is in this section of the forum when we have a draft forum /boggle

This is where all the action is. There used to be a draft forum at DraftSteel and DBI before that. Remember the good ol' days?

[Dwinsgames]

This is where all the action is. There used to be a draft forum at DraftSteel and DBI before that. Remember the good ol' days?

yea , was quite a core group there back in the day , times change , things change and we adjust or fall into the abyss

[LLT]

If Evans is there at 15, they need to take him

They would...but I still think that the Rams might take him ahead of us even with their recent signings. I also think that there is a better than aveage chance that Gilbert and Dennard are wont make it past the Lions and Titans.

[TMC]

If the draft fell where they landed non-WRs in the first two rounds, I would be really happy if they could land Jared Abbrederis and Cody Latimer in the 3rd/4th rounds. I think Abbrederis is very under-rated. He does not look fast on film, but he is a very good route runner, finds ways to get open, very quick out of his breaks, great hands, and just clicks off yards. Steady and consistent.

Latimer is bigger. At just over 6'2"-215 pounds, he threw the bar up 23 times at the combine and he is not afraid to throw that size and power around. He can be a nasty blocker. Sticky hands. He did not run at the combine, but at his pro day his times were 4.39-4.44 depending on the watch. Good route runner. Nice, polished guy. He will make the catch with DBs all over him. He can run after the catch. Just a nice looking all around WR. Size. Speed. Hands.

Just a lot of talent to be mined at the WR position in this draft. I see some potential at CB later, but not like WR. I do not think there is much depth on the OL this draft. Could be some value at safety and maybe LB.

It would be nice to see Colbert get back to finding elite players in the first round. He has been missing there some as of late.

[LLT]

Im guessing that we take a reciever in the 2nd or 3rd. BUT if the top two CB's are gone and Evans is still on the board at #15...thats wehere we will go.

[TMC]

Im guessing that we take a reciever in the 2nd or 3rd. BUT if the top two CB's are gone and Evans is still on the board at #15...thats wehere we will go.

Dunno, would depend who is still on the board. If there is any kind of run on QBs early, and there might be, then it is possible for a better player to slide, similar to what DeCastro did.

I know they have had full contingents at the Pro Days of the top OTs. I would imagine that Barr/Mack have to be on the radar. Tomlin worked out as the center against Louis Nix at his pro day. Hageman could be a guy they desire since they have little or no depth/talent at DE.

I would hate to see them spend the 15th pick overall on a guy with 1 trick.

[Steelerette]

I would hate to see them spend the 15th pick overall on a guy with 1 trick.

Unless it's a really good trick. I'd still be quite okay with getting Nix.

[LLT]

Dunno, would depend who is still on the board. If there is any kind of run on QBs early, and there might be, then it is possible for a better player to slide, similar to what DeCastro did.

I know they have had full contingents at the Pro Days of the top OTs. I would imagine that Barr/Mack have to be on the radar. Tomlin worked out as the center against Louis Nix at his pro day. Hageman could be a guy they desire since they have little or no depth/talent at DE.

I would hate to see them spend the 15th pick overall on a guy with 1 trick.

In a perfect world...Dennard would be there at 15...Tuitt in the second...and go WR in the third. But in every scenerio that I work out...Gilbert...Dennard...and Evans are gone. Id love to trade down...but so would every other team in the NFL this year

[Shoes]

In a perfect world...Dennard would be there at 15...Tuitt in the second...and go WR in the third. But in every scenerio that I work out...Gilbert...Dennard...and Evans are gone. Id love to trade down...but so would every other team in the NFL this year

I think these guys will be gone also, if thats the case and there are no top 10'ers on D that slipped to 15, I think the Steelers will draft Ebron.

[MrPgh]

I'd rather have a first-tier CB for once, instead of hanging out drafting non-need positions all day and hoping we get lucky later on. Try that with receivers; we're better off at that position. With cornerbacks, that strategy hasn't worked out for us. After 10 years, time to change things up.

I don't really care who's available in the first round; serviceable receivers are a dime a dozen, which is why we don't need to be spending a top-15 pick on a #2 or #3 guy.

If they pick Mike Evans, he could easily be the new #1 WR and make Brown the #2. Also, Heyward-Bey is not at all a lock to be on this roster after the preseason. Like it or not, the Steelers are likely going to take a WR in the first two rounds. I don't know if that angers some fans because they think putting a football in the air is an act against God or because they feel it will cripple the rebuild on defense. That defense is going to take a few drafts to rebuild. Taking an offensive player in one of the first two rounds isn't going to make the defense any worse.

[steelreserve]

If they pick Mike Evans, he could easily be the new #1 WR and make Brown the #2. Also, Heyward-Bey is not at all a lock to be on this roster after the preseason. Like it or not, the Steelers are likely going to take a WR in the first two rounds. I don't know if that angers some fans because they think putting a football in the air is an act against God or because they feel it will cripple the rebuild on defense. That defense is going to take a few drafts to rebuild. Taking an offensive player in one of the first two rounds isn't going to make the defense any worse.

That one.

The offense will take 0 drafts to rebuild. If there's a good defensive player we can use, they damn well better take him unless something too good to be true falls into our lap.

With our set of needs, #2 and #3 receivers are a luxury. Taking a #1 receiver so Brown can be the #2 receiver is a luxury.

Yes, it may take more than one year to strengthen the defense, and yes, it may take rookies a while to learn the defense, which is all the more reason to get started now. Not throw up your hands and say oh well, it's such a big problem and I have a headache.

[Psycho Ward 86]

That one.

The offense will take 0 drafts to rebuild. If there's a good defensive player we can use, they damn well better take him unless something too good to be true falls into our lap.

With our set of needs, #2 and #3 receivers are a luxury. Taking a #1 receiver so Brown can be the #2 receiver is a luxury.

Yes, it may take more than one year to strengthen the defense, and yes, it may take rookies a while to learn the defense, which is all the more reason to get started now. Not throw up your hands and say oh well, it's such a big problem and I have a headache.

overloading a reasonably fortified part of the team is another way to win games you know. Ben has never really had an offense with "weapons on weapons." if we took one more masterstroke it could take this offense up many many levels. im not against us waiting on receiver, i just want evans is he's there.

i wonder if some of the lack of interest in taking a top tier receiver early has to do with some people's concerns about evans. concerns which i find minimal

[steelreserve]

Eh, maybe. I'm just less excited about turbocharging the offense than worried that we can't neglect the defense any longer, which is what we've been doing for most of a decade. At some point you gotta stop.

I'm even less excited about improving the offense by using a high pick on a WR. That's a position where it's NOT DIFFICULT to get someone who can come in and do an acceptable job at the #2 or #3 spot. You can have a guy who's just OK there and still be fine. Cornerback, on the other hand, is a position where if you have someone who's just OK at either one of the positions, you're dead. Next year we'll have that at both positions. Not even a close comparison in my mind, unless all the good CBs are gone.

[TMC]

While I like Dennard well enough and I think Gilbert may be the motherload athletically as a corner, I think one guy that should/could be in the mix is Kyle Fuller. If you are looking for plug and play in the Steelers system, Fuller may be the best option. He played just about every style of defense at VaTech. He can play off zone, press zone, off man, press man, and any combination of the group. Smart. Solid tackler. Good speed. Good COD. Just has that great blend of talent. I really think that most draftniks are overlooking him when they slot him in the later part of the first. I would not be surprised if he challenged the other two corner for a top slot or went shortly after them. He is just solid and steady.

Verrett also has the potential to be a very good corner. He gets dinged because he is not 6', but there are plenty of 5'10" CBs playing in the NFL. I also like Phillip Gaines in the middle rounds. If he had went somewhere other than Rice, he would be much higher. Big, athletic, physical. Did not play a lot of zone coverages, but he is a pretty well developed man coverage guy.

Not opposed to a WR in the first. Not upset with a corner. Hoping a blue-chip LT falls, but that is because I think this draft is pretty good at the top and I wonder how bad this season would spiral away if Beachum gets hurt. In fact, I would be happy with a lot of positions as long as they get a guy that has great talent.

[TMC]

Unless it's a really good trick. I'd still be quite okay with getting Nix.

Not really. Mike Wallace was a one-trick pony. Speed down the field. He did a lot of stuff there, but once defenses started compensating, coordinators started looking for him to develop his route tree, he became pretty normal. Yet, a smaller WR like Antonio Brown that does several things well has exploded. Brown lacks height. He had average speed. No real physical attribute to make him stand out, but he has good hands, is quick, runs excellent routes, and just grinds. I'll take that over a 1-trick guy any day.

In watching Evans, everything is outside the numbers. He is a guy that runs down the field and makes big plays. His shorter routes are stops and comebacks where he sells the deeper stuff. Seldom crosses. Seldom inside. Seldom runs outs. No hard breaking stuff because he does not come out of breaks well.

Evans is not Andre Johnson, who will burn you with any route you want him to run and does it with size and speed. He is not Megatron, who is bigger and faster than Evans. He plays a similar game, but while Evans has good speed, Megatron is a freak. Bigger, longer arms, more physical. That might be his best comparison, but will Evans be able to dominate like Megatron does? Dunno. Megatron can take the best CBs in the league and make them look like a donkey. Evans did not do that consistently in college. He struggled when he faced better corners.

Everyone wants a big WR. I just want one (or two) that can get open and make the catch.