2016 DRAFT

[SteelerFanInStl]

Looking at the Broncos comments that most of their offensive calls were keyed on where Shazier lined up (remind anyone here of anyone else that recently wore a Steelers uni?) and it instantly springs to mind that adding another player in that mold - could make this defense really hard to gamelan.

Also it would seem to fit with the Steelers recent trend in the draft. Identify and obtain players with high end physical traits and figure out where and how they fit on the football field later.

However, if this kid is half the athlete everyone says he is, no way he stays with a second round grade all the way through the pre-draft process.

Yep. As soon as he hits the Combine, he'll shoot up the list.

[teegre]

Looking at the Broncos comments that most of their offensive calls were keyed on where Shazier lined up (remind anyone here of anyone else that recently wore a Steelers uni?) and it instantly springs to mind that adding another player in that mold - could make this defense really hard to gamelan.

Also it would seem to fit with the Steelers recent trend in the draft. Identify and obtain players with high end physical traits and figure out where and how they fit on the football field later.

However, if this kid is half the athlete everyone says he is, no way he stays with a second round grade all the way through the pre-draft process.

He reminds me of Ed Reed in the sense that he always just seems to be around interceptions and fumbles. Some of them are lucky, but a lot of it is the law of averages: if one is around the ball enough, one is bound to get more interceptions (than another player who is twenty yards away from the play).. and, Cravens is always around the ball.

He also reminds me of Troy, in that he can basically line up anywhere. There really isn't a position for him. Speaking of which, going back 20 years, Derrick Thomas never really had a position; Cowher played 10-man defense and let Thomas do whatever the hell he wanted. Ten years later, Cowher did the same thing with Troy (10-man defense plus Troy being Troy).

Imagine playing 9-man defense, with Shazier and Cravens doing whatever the hell they want.

STOCK:
I think that his playing OLB dropped his stock. But, I'm sure that once the actual process starts, he will rise up draft boards and go somewhere around 25-35.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Melding this topic (OLB) with another topic from another thread...

Someone mentioned that maybe the Steelers should be trying to "win now", and get an impact defensive player. There is a guy who would be a "steal" at 25, but could also be a complete bust: Noah Spence.

Spence has top 5 talent, but major baggage (drug addiction, run-ins with the law). These types of guys can usually hold it together for one season... but, long-term, they almost always implode. It would essentially be "rent a player" type of thing, with almost no hope for him to be there in the future.

Mind you, I'm not advocating this; I am merely bringing up an interesting "would you...???" scenario, in order to foster a discussion.

2016 Senior Bowl Practices

And the player who had arguably the best day overall was Spence (6-3, 254). None of the offensive tackles had an answer for his edge quickness. He was sudden off the snap with the get-off speed to breeze past blockers, winning the corner and flattening to the pocket. Even Le'Raven Clark, who boasts massive arms (36 1/4 inches) and wingspan (86) and has done a nice job this week, couldn't hang with Spence's quickness around the edge. The former Ohio State and Eastern Kentucky pass rusher entered the week as the top prospect overall on my top-50 draft board and he has lived up to that high-billing.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...esday-practice

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...draft-board-10

[teegre]

2016 Senior Bowl Practices

And the player who had arguably the best day overall was Spence (6-3, 254). None of the offensive tackles had an answer for his edge quickness. He was sudden off the snap with the get-off speed to breeze past blockers, winning the corner and flattening to the pocket. Even Le'Raven Clark, who boasts massive arms (36 1/4 inches) and wingspan (86) and has done a nice job this week, couldn't hang with Spence's quickness around the edge. The former Ohio State and Eastern Kentucky pass rusher entered the week as the top prospect overall on my top-50 draft board and he has lived up to that high-billing.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...esday-practice

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...draft-board-10

Yep.
His talent is undeniable.

What is interesting is that the top three OLBs in this draft come with huge question marks.

Myles Jack: knee
Jaylon Smith: knee
Noah Spence: drug addiction

[Mojouw]

Yep.
His talent is undeniable.

What is interesting is that the top three OLBs in this draft come with huge question marks.

Myles Jack: knee
Jaylon Smith: knee
Noah Spence: drug addiction

It should be pointed out that the Steelers used to have a serious trend of drafting guys in the first round who plummeted due to injuries. Not saying that will repeat itself, but it used to be Colbert's "thing".

[teegre]

It should be pointed out that the Steelers used to have a serious trend of drafting guys in the first round who plummeted due to injuries. Not saying that will repeat itself, but it used to be Colbert's "thing".

True.

Myles Jack is the "safest" in that his injury occurred early enough (September) that he'll be ready for opening day.

Jaylon Smith probably will have to have a red-shirt year (his injury occurred at his bowl game).

Noah Spence isn't injured; and, he has look phenomenal at the Senior Bowl, but he could go south with one bender. Addiction is such a beast.

[Mojouw]

True.

Myles Jack is the "safest" in that his injury occurred early enough (September) that he'll be ready for opening day.

Jaylon Smith probably will have to have a red-shirt year (his injury occurred at his bowl game).

Noah Spence isn't injured; and, he has look phenomenal at the Senior Bowl, but he could go south with one bender. Addiction is such a beast.

Is it just pot or is he keen on something a bit more serious?

[teegre]

Is it just pot or is he keen on something a bit more serious?

Ecstacy


After that, once he was clean, he had several incidents with being drunk in public. Simply, the kid has an addictive personality. He's tried and tried, and to his credit, he is currently clean. But, I'm afraid that eventually drugs (or even alcohol) will be his downfall.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Yea, throw millions of dollars at someone with a drug addiction. I'll have to say "no thanks" to that one. I don't see it ending well.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Yea, throw millions of dollars at someone with a drug addiction. I'll have to say "no thanks" to that one. I don't see it ending well.

the Chiefs Justin Houston failed a drug test at the Combine and I would say he's doing pretty well...

[SteelerFanInStl]

the Chiefs Justin Houston failed a drug test at the Combine and I would say he's doing pretty well...

There's a big difference between just failing a drug test and someone who's a known addict.

[Mojouw]

Ecstacy


After that, once he was clean, he had several incidents with being drunk in public. Simply, the kid has an addictive personality. He's tried and tried, and to his credit, he is currently clean. But, I'm afraid that eventually drugs (or even alcohol) will be his downfall.

I don't know anything about the player or his off-field incidents. Certainly they are reason for caution. But how many college kids have tried ecstasy? How many have gotten cited for drunk in public? Again, not excusing the individual, just pointing out that the overwhelming majority of the college age population (his peer group for comparison sake) has done either or both of these "transgressions".

I think you hit the nail on the head, it is not that any single incident is bad - it is a problem when a pattern of behavior exists.

[teegre]

I don't know anything about the player or his off-field incidents. Certainly they are reason for caution. But how many college kids have tried ecstasy? How many have gotten cited for drunk in public? Again, not excusing the individual, just pointing out that the overwhelming majority of the college age population (his peer group for comparison sake) has done either or both of these "transgressions".

I think you hit the nail on the head, it is not that any single incident is bad - it is a problem when a pattern of behavior exists.

Drug use and college students go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Alas, the last part describes Spence's situation.

[Mojouw]

Drug use and college students go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Alas, the last part describes Spence's situation.

Unfortunate. He sounds like a monster though on the field.

[Texasteel]

Yes, YES, YES!!!

As you know, the guy that I wanted in the 2014 draft was Bucannon. Now you have me pumped up!!!


You know, as far as trading down goes, I just checked a few mock drafts, and many of them have Cravens going around 50ish. Either I'm way off (very possible) in thinking he's a good value at 25, or everyone else is waaaay off. I've always thought that he'd be perfect at about 31 ( )... but, 50??? No way.

I still say that he goes 25-35, but if they are indeed correct that his value is around 50... what if...

25: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
58: Su'a Cravens, SS, USC

I believe in my heart that on draft day Cravens will fall in the first round. Cravens at 25, I think, would be a good pick. I've been mentioning this kids name for months now. If he falls further than that, and we can get him cheaper, good, I still want him.

25. Cravens
58. Sheldon Rankins
90. Artie Burns or Deiondre Hall ( another Northern Iowa kid. )

[Texasteel]

I don't know anything about the player or his off-field incidents. Certainly they are reason for caution. But how many college kids have tried ecstasy? How many have gotten cited for drunk in public? Again, not excusing the individual, just pointing out that the overwhelming majority of the college age population (his peer group for comparison sake) has done either or both of these "transgressions".

I think you hit the nail on the head, it is not that any single incident is bad - it is a problem when a pattern of behavior exists.

He didn't just try Ecstasy, he was addicted to it, and went through treatment for it. From all I hear he is now clean of it. How ever, his drinking tells me he may not be clean of the addiction, but looking for a substitute for it. That can be a disastrous formula. I thought he was one of the most talented players in collage. Clean, we wouldn't even be talking about him lower that 10.

[SteelersProfessor]

If Spence slips down the board? If he makes it to us in round 2 someone better pull a hamstring running the podium with our draft card.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Unfortunate. He sounds like a monster though on the field.

Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky: The value of the quarterback position pushes Wentz atop this list but Spence was the most dynamic player competing this week at the Senior Bowl. Whether lining up as a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end or out of the two-point stance, the 6-foot-3, 254 pound Spence was unstoppable, at times, exploding upfield and around tackles to harass the South Team's quarterbacks. The former five-star recruit and Ohio State standout comes with a checkered past and must continue the positive momentum he's created this year all the way to April 28. If he does so, it is hard to imagine too many club's passing on the draft's most explosive pass rusher.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/n...ek-of-practice

[hawaiiansteeler]

Scouts pick Miller, Wentz as Senior Bowl standouts

Posted by Zac Jackson on January 29, 2016



Former Ohio State star Braxton Miller is trying to complete a transformation from quarterback to wide receiver and be an impact player in the NFL.

He probably made some money this week.

A panel of NFL scouts and Senior Bowl personnel voted the dynamic Miller as the top practice performer. Hundreds of NFL coaches, scouts and personnel execs watched three days of NFL-type practices this week in Mobile, Ala.

Also voted as top performers at their respective positions were Carson Wentz of North Dakota State, top quarterback; Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech, top running back; Sterling Shepard of Oklahoma, top wide receiver; Jason Spriggs of Indiana, top offensive lineman; Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky, top defensive lineman; Reggie Ragland of Alabama, top linebacker; Harlan Miller of Southeast Louisiana, top defensive back; and Jeff Overbaugh of San Diego State, top specialist.

Former Browns general manager Phil Savage, the Senior Bowl’s CEO, has worked to make the event more scout-friendly and to boost the game’s overall profile, and these awards are a part of that. Savage said earlier in the week he believes Wentz could be drafted in the top 10. Miller was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year as a running quarterback before playing receiver in his fifth year last fall.

ESPNU televised two days of practice sessions live, and NFL Network will air the Senior Bowl game live Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The North team is coached by the Cowboys staff. The Jaguars, who have the rather dubious distinction of coaching in the Senior Bowl for a third consecutive year, are coaching the South.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...owl-standouts/

[teegre]

Unfortunate. He sounds like a monster though on the field.

Ultimately, what I fear is a Stanley Wilson situation.

16 sacks in the regular season, 4 in the playoffs, he's looking like the next generation of LT... aaannnddd... we find him dancing around his hotel room, high on Molly, the night before the SuperBowl.

[teegre]

I believe in my heart that on draft day Cravens will fall in the first round. Cravens at 25, I think, would be a good pick. I've been mentioning this kids name for months now. If he falls further than that, and we can get him cheaper, good, I still want him.

25. Cravens
58. Sheldon Rankins
90. Artie Burns or Deiondre Hall ( another Northern Iowa kid. )

ROUND 1:
I was 100% on the Cravens bandwagon, until the Denver game... where McClendon and Cam Thomas allowed the Broncos to drive right down the field. After that, a DL became my #1 priority (specifically Kenny Clark).

That said... a DL in R2 would be an upgrade over those two. So, Cravens it is.

ROUND 2:
I haven't really seen much of Sheldon Rankins. Before I had kids, I would have. Now... I know more about Raffi than I do Rankins.

Rankins... Adolphus Washington... Vernon Butler... Bigguy Whatshisface...

ROUND 3:
Artie Burns is a great story. Whether he's drafted by the Steelers or not, I'll be rooting for him to succeed.

[BigNastyDefense]

I wouldn't mind a corner in the first at all, someone who can play on the outside and be at least close to a #1 corner for the next 8-12 years.

If Ohio State's Von Bell slips to the middle of the second round, I'd love to see the Steelers trade up to nab him.

Golson will probably be our nickel corner next season. Gay and maybe Fuller on the outside, and let Bell fight in camp for the SS spot against Golden and maybe Doran Grant (I've read a few times that they're thinking about moving him to S, and he could play either S or CB in certain situations).

[hawaiiansteeler]

I haven't really seen much of Sheldon Rankins.

Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville, 6-2, 304, 4.93, Senior: Rankins lacks ideal bulk. But there isn't a defensive tackle in this class with a better combination of agility and active hands, which is why some scouts have compared him to Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald. That may be a bit hyperbole, but the value of interior pass rushers is nearing an all-time high given today's quick-hitting passing attacks. Rankins could enjoy a steady rise up boards as the draft approaches the same way that Donald did two years ago.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/s...nior-bowl-week

[Mojouw]

ROUND 1:
I was 100% on the Cravens bandwagon, until the Denver game... where McClendon and Cam Thomas allowed the Broncos to drive right down the field. After that, a DL became my #1 priority (specifically Kenny Clark).

That said... a DL in R2 would be an upgrade over those two. So, Cravens it is.

ROUND 2:
I haven't really seen much of Sheldon Rankins. Before I had kids, I would have. Now... I know more about Raffi than I do Rankins.

Rankins... Adolphus Washington... Vernon Butler... Bigguy Whatshisface...

ROUND 3:
Artie Burns is a great story. Whether he's drafted by the Steelers or not, I'll be rooting for him to succeed.

Yeah, I noticed the DL crumbled on that drive as well. Here is the thing though, it was in Denver - at altitude late in the game. I don't think that it is necessary to get "Starter" quality guys across the Dline to fix the problem. They just need to get better back-ups/rotational guys. If the 2-3 main guys hadn't already played so many snaps during the season and that game in particular, I think they are fresher and honestly do believe that final drive doesn't happen - or at least not in the manner it did.

What am I trying to say? I am all for improving the quality of players in the Dline position group. Just not certain that it requires a 1st round pick/talent to correct the obvious problems. Certainly more than a drat throw in the 7th round or at UDFA, but maybe not the first draft pick.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Yeah, I noticed the DL crumbled on that drive as well. Here is the thing though, it was in Denver - at altitude late in the game. I don't think that it is necessary to get "Starter" quality guys across the Dline to fix the problem. They just need to get better back-ups/rotational guys. If the 2-3 main guys hadn't already played so many snaps during the season and that game in particular, I think they are fresher and honestly do believe that final drive doesn't happen - or at least not in the manner it did.

What am I trying to say? I am all for improving the quality of players in the Dline position group. Just not certain that it requires a 1st round pick/talent to correct the obvious problems. Certainly more than a drat throw in the 7th round or at UDFA, but maybe not the first draft pick.

what do you think about the possibility of signing an UDFA like Haloti Ngata? I realize he's getting up there in age and is no longer the dominant player he once was, but he would still be an upgrade as a rotational player...

[Shoes]

what do you think about the possibility of signing an UDFA like Haloti Ngata? I realize he's getting up there in age and is no longer the dominant player he once was, but he would still be an upgrade as a rotational player...

What would his cost be? I still think I'd like to pick up a DT in the draft as there seems to be some good ones.

[Mojouw]

what do you think about the possibility of signing an UDFA like Haloti Ngata? I realize he's getting up there in age and is no longer the dominant player he once was, but he would still be an upgrade as a rotational player...

Hey, if the price is right - why not? I agree with Shoes and others, might as well draft one as well. Couldn't hurt to have the group look like this:

DE's - Heyward,Tuitt, Geathers, and McClendon
DT's - Ngata, McCullers, McClendon, Draft pick

[Shoes]

Ngata cap hit is 8.5 mil

[hawaiiansteeler]

What would his cost be? I still think I'd like to pick up a DT in the draft as there seems to be some good ones.

not sure what his asking price would be.

and I agree with you, I'm all for drafting a DT/DE also as this year's class of defensive linemen is the best and deepest it has been in many years.

I just think Ngata could serve as a good short-term stopgap until our newly drafted DL has time to develop...

[Shoes]

not sure what his asking price would be.

and I agree with you, I'm all for drafting a DT/DE also as this year's class of defensive linemen is the best and deepest it has been in many years.

I just think Ngata could serve as a good short-term stopgap until our newly drafted DL has time to develop...

I surely agree with that, who knows he may make the money right to get revenge on the rats.