FordFairLane first mock of the year

[FordFairLane]

Imagine a world with two JPJ on one team. Power-Johnson just has Pittsburgh written all over him. He’s nasty, powerful, and has quick feet. Instant upgrade at center.
Keeping with the theme of winning at the line of scrimmage we draft a mountain of a man to plug the middle. Sweet had always been a stout run defender but this year he proved he can also rush the passer with 26 QB hurries.
I understand the last Michigan ILB we drafted did not pan out. But Colson has not just speed but size. He is more of a 3 down LB.
Jarrian Jones would immediately be an upgrade at the nickel cb. I feel Trice has a decent shot to play opposite of Porter and we likely sign a vet to compete there. But Jones really flourished at the nickel spot last season and would be a day one contributor.
Foster isn’t a huge RT but his feet are impressive and his nasty demeanor makes him a perfect RT for us. He is a sleeper imo at tackle.
Any draft that you get Frank Gore Jr this late is awesome. I know we have Najee and Warren but getting a guy to keep pushing them and perhaps gives the team an option come extension time makes this a perfect fit.
Kedon Slovis had a phenomenal freshman season. Then he lost favor at USC and bounced around. But he still has a great arm, quick release and good athleticism. I feel a right QB coach could fix his mechanics and improve his accuracy. I feel the Steelers will sign a veteran to compete and if Kenny loses that battle he probably isn’t on the team after 2024. This gives us a young quarterback to develop and perhaps compete in 2025 with a higher draft pick.

[Dwinsgames]

new mock draft sim, did some moving around filled some major needs with quality people l Really like Cedric Gray and Newton at 35 is a major steel.Rattler is a wild card for sure but there is no denying his arm talent ..Bishop is a player and Coker at196 should open a lot of eyes

[FordFairLane]

Newton would be out of position in the 3-4 defensive scheme. Square peg in a round hole. He’s a 3-technique and we use 4-technique for DE’s and 0-tech NT. Newton would be Ziggy Hood and just not fit any functional position.

[Born2Steel]

20: Jackson Powers-Johnson Center Oregon
52: Kalen King CB PSU
84: Maason Smith DL LSU
120: Zak Zinter OG Michigan
121: James Williams Safety/NB Miami
198: De'Corian Clark WR UTSA
238: Demonte Capehart NT Clemson

[pczach]

Decided to do a quick one:


20: R1 P20 OT Troy Fautanu - Washington
51: R2 P19 C Zach Frazier - WVU
84: R3 P20 LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - Clemson
119: R4 P19 DL Justin Eboigbe - Alabama
120: R4 P20 CB Cam Hart - Notre Dame
194: R6 P19 WR Luke McCaffrey - Rice
239: R7 P20 S Jaylon Carlies - Missouri

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Imagine a world with two JPJ on one team. Power-Johnson just has Pittsburgh written all over him. He’s nasty, powerful, and has quick feet. Instant upgrade at center.
Keeping with the theme of winning at the line of scrimmage we draft a mountain of a man to plug the middle. Sweet had always been a stout run defender but this year he proved he can also rush the passer with 26 QB hurries.
I understand the last Michigan ILB we drafted did not pan out. But Colson has not just speed but size. He is more of a 3 down LB.
Jarrian Jones would immediately be an upgrade at the nickel cb. I feel Trice has a decent shot to play opposite of Porter and we likely sign a vet to compete there. But Jones really flourished at the nickel spot last season and would be a day one contributor.
Foster isn’t a huge RT but his feet are impressive and his nasty demeanor makes him a perfect RT for us. He is a sleeper imo at tackle.
Any draft that you get Frank Gore Jr this late is awesome. I know we have Najee and Warren but getting a guy to keep pushing them and perhaps gives the team an option come extension time makes this a perfect fit.
Kedon Slovis had a phenomenal freshman season. Then he lost favor at USC and bounced around. But he still has a great arm, quick release and good athleticism. I feel a right QB coach could fix his mechanics and improve his accuracy. I feel the Steelers will sign a veteran to compete and if Kenny loses that battle he probably isn’t on the team after 2024. This gives us a young quarterback to develop and perhaps compete in 2025 with a higher draft pick.

I'm in on JPJ in the first round, but Sweat is 6'4" 360LB NT, so unless Benton can move to DE in the 3-4, I dont see a need for Sweat. His only move at the Senior Bowl looked to be a bull rush, so I dont see much value of him being on the field in passing situations. IMO he is kind of a poor mans Casey Hampton.

Colson is a solid ILB prospect as well. Still not a finished product and will need some coaching up, but athletic and big. I think he probably does a better job in zone coverage as change of direction doesnt seem impressive and at 245lbs that makes sense, but he shows a closing speed and ability to flow to the ball on the edges that a big man like that rarely can.

Foster I think is more of an LT, so if the talk is that Jones needs to goto LT, then maybe draft a guy that is more of a RT and I like Christian Jones from Texas in that slot, but Foster is a good pass protector and athletic OT, but I just see more nasty and heavy hands from Jones. In the end this would be a good draft other than Sweat.

[Dwinsgames]

Newton would be out of position in the 3-4 defensive scheme. Square peg in a round hole. He’s a 3-technique and we use 4-technique for DE’s and 0-tech NT. Newton would be Ziggy Hood and just not fit any functional position.

actually we use a 5 tech DE and while Newton hasnt played it he has the thickness to hold up and I believe he is athletic enough to pull it off but that is another debate as well as the fact that we are in base only about 40% of the time

[Mojouw]

actually we use a 5 tech DE and while Newton hasnt played it he has the thickness to hold up and I believe he is athletic enough to pull it off but that is another debate as well as the fact that we are in base only about 40% of the time

I guess if we want to get super technical about it all...the Steelers ask their DE's to play 3, 4i, 4, and 5 tech depending on whether they are playing with 2 or 3 down linemen. I don't know what it was like last year...but it many previous years, they played tons of 2 DL groupings with their DE's basically playing somewhere between the Center and outside shoulder of the Guard. With the DE's rarely getting out to the 5 technique spot. That was kinda in the heyday of Heyward and Tuitt and I know they have struggled to get back to that.

But I think it is really hard to identify and project Steelers DE prospects each year because they ask their DE's to do a ton of difficult stuff.

[FordFairLane]

I'm in on JPJ in the first round, but Sweat is 6'4" 360LB NT, so unless Benton can move to DE in the 3-4, I dont see a need for Sweat. His only move at the Senior Bowl looked to be a bull rush, so I dont see much value of him being on the field in passing situations. IMO he is kind of a poor mans Casey Hampton.

Colson is a solid ILB prospect as well. Still not a finished product and will need some coaching up, but athletic and big. I think he probably does a better job in zone coverage as change of direction doesnt seem impressive and at 245lbs that makes sense, but he shows a closing speed and ability to flow to the ball on the edges that a big man like that rarely can.

Foster I think is more of an LT, so if the talk is that Jones needs to goto LT, then maybe draft a guy that is more of a RT and I like Christian Jones from Texas in that slot, but Foster is a good pass protector and athletic OT, but I just see more nasty and heavy hands from Jones. In the end this would be a good draft other than Sweat.

Benton can play the 0-technique but is better suited for the 4-technique. Sweat isn’t anything like 6-1 314lb Casey Hampton. If I were to compare him to a former Texas DT I would say Shaun Rodgers comes to mind. Sweat is more of a run stuffer and block eater than pass rusher but he doesn’t just have a bull rush. I mean watch any film and you’d see one of the better swim moves coming out of this draft. He’s not going to get double digit sacks but he’ll get pressure in the face of the quarterback and collapse the pocket. In the run game he’ll split double teams and hold the point allowing our ILBs to remain clean and shoot gaps.

Colson is a bit of a project but he has all the physical attributes and already is a very good run stuffer. Most college ILBs don’t play a lot of man so he’ll have to develop there but he likely sits behind Roberts and Holcomb at least one year.

Foster has an outside chance at LT in the NFL. I wouldn’t hand Moore, Jones or draft pick the LT position. I would let them fight it out but at the end of the day Jones is the best athlete and option at LT. Moore imo would be best at LG. Foster doesn’t have the kick slide for LT and is a little light for RT but he plays nasty, has a good anchor, and has good hand placement and punch. I think he can add 10-15lbs and get 320-325lbs without loosing much foot speed. But he doesn’t look quick enough to play LT in the NFL and is best suited to go RT or kick inside. I just feel he could transition to RT pretty seamlessly.

[FordFairLane]

actually we use a 5 tech DE and while Newton hasnt played it he has the thickness to hold up and I believe he is athletic enough to pull it off but that is another debate as well as the fact that we are in base only about 40% of the time

Watt and Highsmith play outside the tackles and play the 6. Heyward and Ogunjobi play 4 and line up on the tackle. Benton plays 0. Newton is a 3-technique. He isn’t big enough at 295lbs to play 0 so he’d have to gain weight. And he is more of a penetrator and we’d change his game or we’d use him only on passing downs or change the defense to a 4-3.

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I guess if we want to get super technical about it all...the Steelers ask their DE's to play 3, 4i, 4, and 5 tech depending on whether they are playing with 2 or 3 down linemen. I don't know what it was like last year...but it many previous years, they played tons of 2 DL groupings with their DE's basically playing somewhere between the Center and outside shoulder of the Guard. With the DE's rarely getting out to the 5 technique spot. That was kinda in the heyday of Heyward and Tuitt and I know they have struggled to get back to that.

But I think it is really hard to identify and project Steelers DE prospects each year because they ask their DE's to do a ton of difficult stuff.

They do. But if you look percentages what we ask of our base personnel OLB=6, DE=5, DT=0. It all changes during sub packages. I figure Sweat would play 2/3 the downs. Newton 1/3.

[Mojouw]

Watt and Highsmith play outside the tackles and play the 6. Heyward and Ogunjobi play 4 and line up on the tackle. Benton plays 0. Newton is a 3-technique. He isn’t big enough at 295lbs to play 0 so he’d have to gain weight. And he is more of a penetrator and we’d change his game or we’d use him only on passing downs or change the defense to a 4-3.

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They do. But if you look percentages what we ask of our base personnel OLB=6, DE=5, DT=0. It all changes during sub packages. I figure Sweat would play 2/3 the downs. Newton 1/3.

Be interested to see where the percentages of each package were at last few years. Are they in base 3-4 a majority or minority? There have been years where they just lived in nickel and other sub groups with only 2 DL on the field.

I THINK the move to accumulating long rangy man coverage capable CB types and versatile ILB, at least to me, indicates that they want to get back to just lining up in base and not having to mix and match with the offense. But it is hard to say.

Long story short....they need a specific type at DL and it is harder and harder to find.

[FordFairLane]

I think of Hargrave. Hargrave could play the 0 tech just not as well as the 3 tech. He played like half the defensive snaps. So Newton would either have to gain weight to play the 0 or just play during those sub packages. Sweat would fit best at the 0 but can and does already play 0-1-2 and even 3. Making him more versatile and probably plays closer to what Hargrave was at the end of his time with is which was 63% his final season. But if you look at where Hargrave has had most of his professional success it’s been playing in the 4-3 as a 3-tech defender. That’s where Newton should go.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Benton can play the 0-technique but is better suited for the 4-technique. Sweat isn’t anything like 6-1 314lb Casey Hampton. If I were to compare him to a former Texas DT I would say Shaun Rodgers comes to mind. Sweat is more of a run stuffer and block eater than pass rusher but he doesn’t just have a bull rush. I mean watch any film and you’d see one of the better swim moves coming out of this draft. He’s not going to get double digit sacks but he’ll get pressure in the face of the quarterback and collapse the pocket. In the run game he’ll split double teams and hold the point allowing our ILBs to remain clean and shoot gaps.

Colson is a bit of a project but he has all the physical attributes and already is a very good run stuffer. Most college ILBs don’t play a lot of man so he’ll have to develop there but he likely sits behind Roberts and Holcomb at least one year.

Foster has an outside chance at LT in the NFL. I wouldn’t hand Moore, Jones or draft pick the LT position. I would let them fight it out but at the end of the day Jones is the best athlete and option at LT. Moore imo would be best at LG. Foster doesn’t have the kick slide for LT and is a little light for RT but he plays nasty, has a good anchor, and has good hand placement and punch. I think he can add 10-15lbs and get 320-325lbs without loosing much foot speed. But he doesn’t look quick enough to play LT in the NFL and is best suited to go RT or kick inside. I just feel he could transition to RT pretty seamlessly.

Yeah, Sweat looks like a 2 down run stuffer and I dont know if that is something that the Steelers covet like they used to. I have watched some film and Sweat is a waist bender, not a knee bender, so he leans on a guy that he outmatches and gets his upper body extended over himself when he swims. That works against college competition, but shouldnt against NFL O linemen. He wont be asked to rush the passer much, but just collapse the pocket.

In some of these reps he just leaned on guys and got momentum rolling, while others he stalled. Possibly because he was getting gassed. He declined to get weighed at the Senior Bowl, which may be that he knew he was too heavy for the scouts to like and wasnt in shape to sustain the workload. At the end of the below video there is some skelly and against wide zone runs he gets cut off pretty easily by the Olineman and just ends up lateral to the LOS. Again, maybe he was out of shape, but I dont see him being quick across the A gaps like Benton on wide zone runs in film. His hilights are best when he is holding the point of attack vs man schemes.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

But I think it is really hard to identify and project Steelers DE prospects each year because they ask their DE's to do a ton of difficult stuff.

They look for a guy that is around 6'5" or taller who can match up with the OT's from a height and length perspective and somebody around 290lbs to 310lbs who can compete physically with the OG's in the run game as well.

Darius Robinson- Mizzouri, Justin Eboigbe- Alabama and Gabe Hall- Baylor are a few fits from a DE standpoint of what the Steelers look for, IMO. Kris Jenkins from Michigan might be in the conversation, but is reportedly 6'3" and may fall in the Ziggy Hood type frame, but you never know.

[Mojouw]

They look for a guy that is around 6'5" or taller who can match up with the OT's from a height and length perspective and somebody around 290lbs to 310lbs who can compete physically with the OG's in the run game as well.

Darius Robinson- Mizzouri, Justin Eboigbe- Alabama and Gabe Hall- Baylor are a few fits from a DE standpoint of what the Steelers look for, IMO. Kris Jenkins from Michigan might be in the conversation, but is reportedly 6'3" and may fall in the Ziggy Hood type frame, but you never know.

I get that you can read the measurements and find some guys that fit the bill from that perspective....but it is not easy to find a ton of guys in college that are being asked to do what the Steelers expect from their DEs once they make the roster. That part is a bit of a guessing game.

Loudermilk is basically the physical mold....but seems to be struggling to meet the play style benchmarks they want.

I am coming to understand why the drafted Heyward and Tuitt so high.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I get that you can read the measurements and find some guys that fit the bill from that perspective....but it is not easy to find a ton of guys in college that are being asked to do what the Steelers expect from their DEs once they make the roster. That part is a bit of a guessing game.

Loudermilk is basically the physical mold....but seems to be struggling to meet the play style benchmarks they want.

I am coming to understand why the drafted Heyward and Tuitt so high.

There are probably around 15 NFL teams that run a 3-4 and need similar type DE's as the Steelers do. The Steelers are not some unique team from a D line standpoint.

Heyward and Tuitt were drafted that high because they were just better players due to their physical skillset and attitude, which lead to their production in college. Loudermilk was more of a project that they believed could develop. If he was really good he would have been drafted higher and you likely know a lot of him from his college days. I dont see Justin Eboigbe being as skilled as Heyward or Tuitt, but he may end up being a solid DE like Ogonjobi is.

[FordFairLane]

Yeah, Sweat looks like a 2 down run stuffer and I dont know if that is something that the Steelers covet like they used to. I have watched some film and Sweat is a waist bender, not a knee bender, so he leans on a guy that he outmatches and gets his upper body extended over himself when he swims. That works against college competition, but shouldnt against NFL O linemen. He wont be asked to rush the passer much, but just collapse the pocket.

In some of these reps he just leaned on guys and got momentum rolling, while others he stalled. Possibly because he was getting gassed. He declined to get weighed at the Senior Bowl, which may be that he knew he was too heavy for the scouts to like and wasnt in shape to sustain the workload. At the end of the below video there is some skelly and against wide zone runs he gets cut off pretty easily by the Olineman and just ends up lateral to the LOS. Again, maybe he was out of shape, but I dont see him being quick across the A gaps like Benton on wide zone runs in film. His hilights are best when he is holding the point of attack vs man schemes.

Sweat is not a waist bender. Not when he’s fresh. Like a lot of big men he tends to wear down and when he does his technique goes to ��. But when he’s fresh he gets low and wins with leverage, power and surprisingly quickness. Sweat imo is every bit the prospect Jordan Davis was. Now Sweat played a bit more than Davis but his pass rush win rate is phenomenally better. I didn’t think Davis was a top 15 pick and so far I’m right. And I wouldn’t take Sweat that high either. But for a mid second or early third you are at the very least getting a 450-500 snap run stopper. And I agree since LeBeau left we got away from a traditional NT. But I honestly don’t think Tomlin has the pull he once did. I think Rooney is finally realizing he’s not a cerebral coach like some others are. He’s a cheerleader. A players coach. But not a great football mind. And Art wants two things. 1. Run the ball. 2. Stop the run. JPJ helps Harris/Warren. Sweat helps stuff the run.

I’m not certain what you are watching in that tape.
Rep 1. Bull rush, arms extended, legs bent, good drive and footwork. Sweat wins.
Rep 2. Bull rush, OL anchors well, but Sweat still penetrates. I would call this a neutral play at worst.
Rep 3. Fakes bull rush, good hand placement, swim move, a win for Sweat.
Rep 4. OL gets good punch then anchor. Win for OL.
Rep 5. Pure speed rush. Takes OL off guard and easy win by Sweat.
Rep 6. Double teamed. Tries to split the middle. Line holds him pretty well, Sweat does not do a good job getting low but he does still get penetration and QB scrambled.
Rep 7. This is what I want from him as a rookie. Playing 0-technique. Gets low, good hand placement and push. That’s all we need as a rookie is that. 300-350 of those snaps.
Rep 8. Another bull rush win from the 0 technique. Wish they’d double him with a guard just to see how he handles that.
Rep 9. #55 wins. Great anchor on that. Beaux Limmer is a sleeper imo.
Rep 10. OL slips whistled dead.
Rep 11. Limmer again but they doubled him too. He got moved which is a loss for him.
Rep 12 Limmer again with the win.
Rep 13. Easy win for Sweat. Bull rush, good leverage and leg drive.
Rep 14. This is probably the biggest weakness Sweat will have. Chasing runs to the outside. He needs to get on his guy and drive to keep LBs clean. Not try to chase the RB from behind.

He probably is overweight. I would guess they list him at 345lb but he probably played at 365-370. He should be playing at 330lbs. Guess we’ll see what he weighs in at during the combine.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Sweat is not a waist bender. Not when he’s fresh. Like a lot of big men he tends to wear down and when he does his technique goes to ��. But when he’s fresh he gets low and wins with leverage, power and surprisingly quickness. Sweat imo is every bit the prospect Jordan Davis was. Now Sweat played a bit more than Davis but his pass rush win rate is phenomenally better. I didn’t think Davis was a top 15 pick and so far I’m right. And I wouldn’t take Sweat that high either. But for a mid second or early third you are at the very least getting a 450-500 snap run stopper. And I agree since LeBeau left we got away from a traditional NT. But I honestly don’t think Tomlin has the pull he once did. I think Rooney is finally realizing he’s not a cerebral coach like some others are. He’s a cheerleader. A players coach. But not a great football mind. And Art wants two things. 1. Run the ball. 2. Stop the run. JPJ helps Harris/Warren. Sweat helps stuff the run.

I’m not certain what you are watching in that tape.
Rep 1. Bull rush, arms extended, legs bent, good drive and footwork. Sweat wins.
Rep 2. Bull rush, OL anchors well, but Sweat still penetrates. I would call this a neutral play at worst.
Rep 3. Fakes bull rush, good hand placement, swim move, a win for Sweat.
Rep 4. OL gets good punch then anchor. Win for OL.
Rep 5. Pure speed rush. Takes OL off guard and easy win by Sweat.
Rep 6. Double teamed. Tries to split the middle. Line holds him pretty well, Sweat does not do a good job getting low but he does still get penetration and QB scrambled.
Rep 7. This is what I want from him as a rookie. Playing 0-technique. Gets low, good hand placement and push. That’s all we need as a rookie is that. 300-350 of those snaps.
Rep 8. Another bull rush win from the 0 technique. Wish they’d double him with a guard just to see how he handles that.
Rep 9. #55 wins. Great anchor on that. Beaux Limmer is a sleeper imo.
Rep 10. OL slips whistled dead.
Rep 11. Limmer again but they doubled him too. He got moved which is a loss for him.
Rep 12 Limmer again with the win.
Rep 13. Easy win for Sweat. Bull rush, good leverage and leg drive.
Rep 14. This is probably the biggest weakness Sweat will have. Chasing runs to the outside. He needs to get on his guy and drive to keep LBs clean. Not try to chase the RB from behind.

He probably is overweight. I would guess they list him at 345lb but he probably played at 365-370. He should be playing at 330lbs. Guess we’ll see what he weighs in at during the combine.

If Sweat ends up a Steeler, I hope he drops 30-40 lbs and plays around 330lbs. I watched the first half of the Senior Bowl game and Kansas OG Dominic Puni seemed to handle him fine solo in the run and pass game during the 2nd quarter. There was an RPO play where Puni washed Sweat across from the right side A gap to the left side of the line. Another where he got doubled and put on skates as Sam Hartman kepd the ball on a 3rd down run.

Sweat just looked like an overweight guy that got tired if he had to work a couple plays in a row. Personally, I would question a guy that shows up to the Senior Bowl too heavy that he declined to step on the scales. Hopefully he puts in some work and gets some Jenny Craig before the combine.

[FordFairLane]

Sweat should lose some weight. And if he’s above 350 at the combine I think he drops in the draft like Dawand Jones did. Doesn’t mean Jones was a bad player just the risk became to great. I personally would have drafted Jones over Washington.
I didn’t watch the senior bowl. Would love to see the play you are referencing. Seems like something like that would have been on social media or something.