Originally Posted by
TMC
I am all for drafting a left tackle in the first round, if it is the best player available. Last draft, to me, there were 2 LTs that I would have taken in the first and they were Robinson and Matthews. Robinson is now starting at left guard for the Rams (they have Jake Long at LT). Matthews has started every game at LT for the Falcons. The thing is, while some liked Lewan, and maybe he turns out to be worth where he was drafted, I was not settled on him. I guess my point is, if we take a LT in the first, he better be a guy they believe can be a franchise LT, not a maybe or an if, but a guy they are sold on. I do not want a LT just to draft a LT.
And, if there is a NT worthy, I am all for that as well. If it is a corner or a pass rusher or a tight end. I won't rule any out if the right player is there. I also won't advocate against drafting a guy because we have already spent so and so on that position. If the players we spent picks/cash on are failing, we still have a need.
The upside to potentially drafting a true blue chip LT is I think Beachum would be much better if he played guard. So, if you get a true LT, you kick Beachum to LG (as Foster is in his final season under contract), then you have potentially solidified two spot with one pick. You have your center and right guard and just paid for a right tackle (we should all hope he continues to improve). Then, you may be looking at the type of team the Steelers had when they sent out Smith, Faneca, Hartings, traffic cone, and Starks. In essence, you have a line again.
Let me also state this, if they spend a first round pick on a NT, he better be a powerful dude that can move, like Ngata was when he was young or Dontari Poe is now. We really do not need a pure run plugger because the league has changed. To me, if you are going to invest that much in a NT, go for a guy that can clog the middle and get after the passer.
Where I wish the Steelers would get back to making hay, I wish they would use their 4th round and later picks to look at height/weight/speed prospects instead of nabbing statistical outliers. I had no problem with them taking a guy like Blanchflower. Sure, it failed, but he had the height, weight, speed, and physical characteristics of a guy that could make it. Too many times do they draft players at positions where they lack the needed speed or size. Those later picks already have a mountain of odds against them contributing, when you draft guys lacking the physical attributes, you really reduced the odds that they make it.
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And, one guy I would love to see them get all over in the offseason, is Michael Roos. I realize he is having knee surgery, but I think that knocks his price down. When you factor in his age, he could be a bargain. Then, you have a true LT, can still kick Beachum down, and save your draft picks to look at other positions. Granted, you will still need a LT in the future, but I think he has several good years left.