Walts 1-25-12 - A day early this time
1st - 24th - Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
(Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia; Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis; Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State; Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama; Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State - were still available)
2nd - 56th - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
(Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin was still available here)
3rd - 87th - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
(Audie Cole, ILB, N.C. State; Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State; Senio Kelemete, G, Washington - all still available here...I know ILB was picked in the first, but they could easily have changed it to another position)
4th - 119th - Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah
"We're a team. There's no offense. There's no defense. There's no special teams. We're one. We're a band of brothers." – Ben Roethlisberger
DT's that I like for our system:
Jerel Worthy, Michigan State.... 6'3 310....mid 1st round pick...great motor and strength...vocal team leader...hard worker...probably scooped up early by a 4-3 team.
Dontari Poe, Memphis....6'5 350....should be there at #24....stats are only credible but decieving...demanded double teams, allowing teammates to get to ballcarrier.
Brandon Thompson, Clemson....6'2 311....scary strong prospect...great burst off the ball...Not worth the #24 spot but wont last past mid 2nd.
Josh Chapman, Alabama...6'1 310....Might be in demand for 4-3 team. Great strength...demands the double team...tough as nails..I would take him at #24.
Alameda Ta'amu, Washington...6'3 341...Some boards have him as a 3rd rounder due to nagging injuries...my favorite 2nd round NT prospect...strong...explosive of the snap.
Hebron Fangupo, Brigham Young...6'1 331...If we go with O-line in first two rounds.. might be our 3rd round pick...gets upright, but coachable...strong...could be a steal.
Akiem Hicks, Regina...6'5 324...DT/DE tweener....impressed at east/west shrine game....character concerns...not explosive...seems rather stiff and slow to me.
Nicolas Jean-Baptiste...Baylor...6'2 335...Developmental prospect... worth a look in the late rounds...needs coached up on hand placement and keeping his pads lower.
Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, Kent State...6'3 334...UDFA sleeper....had an injured elbow his senior year...not on most draft boards yet...but could rise based on post season workouts.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play"
-- Jack Lambert --
Nice breakdown LLT, got to say I am liking what I see from Osemele at the Sr Bowl this week. Think he is a solid guard prospect, but could play RT if Colon does not recover well from injury.
Sanders is up and down. Not sure I would spend a pick on a RT at #24 in him. I think overrated.
Ta'amu looks sluggish, like he is carrying more weight than he needs to. I think he may slip to the top of the 3rd round.
I'd be happy if we got Poe, Osemele, Tank Carder with our first 3 picks.
Good stuff LLT....thanks! Looks like Casey is getting ACL surgery after all.
El....do you think we'll keep Colon?
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Almadela Ta'amu, NT, Washington
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: D'Anton Lynn, CB, Penn State
125. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrance Ganaway, RB/FB, Baylor
155. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trenton Robinson, FS, Michigan State
187. Pittsburgh Steelers: Al Netter, OT, Northwestern
217. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Burkett, C, Northwestern
I think so. Colon signed a new contract last year and should be able to come back from his tricep injury. I think they will look to give Gilbert the shot at LT unless somebody drops there in the Draft. Osemele has the flexibility to play G or RT that I think would be useful. I am one of the biggest O line proponents here, but honestly think NT is the biggest need for the team unless they find a Free Agent.
Pouncey, Gilbert, Colon, Osemele, Foster could be a good unit, with Scott, Chris Scott, Legursky and another rookie as backups.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Cordy Glenn - OG - 6'5"/348 lbs.
Need to improve that offense. Glenn will help the offensive line that's slowing it down.
A standout wherever the Georgia Bulldogs needed him, Cordy Glenn enters his senior campaign having started 36 games at left guard, right guard and left tackle. Scouts aren't only impressed with his versatility, they're left in awe at the athleticism demonstrated by the 6-5, 338 pound mountain of a man.
Glenn was a highly touted prep prospect who stepped into the starting lineup early after redshirting in 2007. While appearing in 13 games, he started ten times; seven games at left guard and three games on the right side. Glenn's ability to play multiple positions was tested even more in 2009 as injuries to teammates forced the Bulldogs to move Glenn from right guard in the season-opener against Oklahoma State to left tackle for four games and back to left guard for the final eight contests. Glenn enjoyed his finest season to date as a junior, starting all 13 games at left guard. Glenn explored his NFL options following the 2010 season, but elected to return for his senior campaign with the hope of seeing time at left tackle and recognizing that the 2011 crop of offensive linemen was a solid group.
Glenn has practiced at left tackle in the spring and is expected to remain at the position throughout his senior campaign. At his size, he may struggle with the speed rushers of the SEC and, as such, may project better as a right tackle or back at guard in the NFL. The value placed on left tackles certainly makes his movement there a gamble worth watching. Should he struggle there, however, scouts have already seen what kind of a difference-maker he can be on the inside.
Pass blocking: Eases out of his stance and waits for the defender to come to him. Possesses long arms and is very powerful, often easily controlling his opponent. Naturally balanced with good lateral agility to mirror the defender. Wide-bodied so opponents can rarely get past him and has an excellent anchor so bull rushes are futile. Nitpicking, but can be a bit inconsistent with his recognition on combination blocks. Typically gets an initial punch in on the defensive tackle before switching off to take on the blitzing linebacker, but can be fooled and miss his assignment (Florida). Can get a bit lazy with his hand placement, making him vulnerable to swim moves.
Run blocking: Excellent size and strength as a drive blocker. Can get fundamentally lazy, at times, playing too high and/or being a beat late off the snap. As such, he can miss with his initial punch and fail to push back his target. More often, he shows good hand placement and the leg drive to clear a hole. Powerful. Can knock defenders off the ball, providing impressive pancake blocks against even talented opponents. Good recognition in combination blocks in the running game. Good, powerful initial shove to the defensive tackle and gets to the second level with good quickness. Shows the ability to adjust his path to locate and attack his target. Rare body control for a man of his size when blocking at the second level.
Pulling/trapping: Shows surprising quickness and fluidity when pulling from left guard to lead on the toss and counter. Light on his feet and can adjust to hit the moving target at the second level.
Initial Quickness: A bit inconsistent with his initial get-off, though this may be simply a concentration issue with the snap-count. Demonstrates good initial quickness off the snap (especially for a man of his size) when pulling, but can be a beat late off the snap on other plays. Rarely is he actually beaten when late off the snap, however, due to his girth and long, powerful arms to catch and contain his assignment.
Downfield: Perhaps his most impressive trait, which is saying something. Gets to the second level quickly and consistently erases linebackers from the play. Doesn't waste his energy with pancake blocks, but instead seals off the defender completely, assuring that his assignment isn't in position to impact the ball-carrier.
Intangibles: Has four starts at left tackle over his career (all in 2009) entering the 2011 season. Turned in his paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Committee following last season but elected to return based partially on the plan to see more time at left tackle in 2011
Dontari Poe
Galax, I like Glenn, but #24 is way too early for him IMO. I could be wrong, but as much as he is a large man, he doesnt have great feet to play on the outside from what I see. Some hype might drive his stock up, but I think he is more 2nd-3rd round grade.
Is that Don Banks mock draft? Banks always kills me. There are probably 4-5 posters in this forum that can construct better mocks than him. Now, Poe is a pick at #24 that is Worthy.
Kelechi Osemele, Offensive Guard/Tackle, Iowa State
From a purely physical standpoint, no player at the 2012 Senior Bowl was more impressive than Kelechi Osemele of Iowa State.
The big man lined up at both guard and tackle, showing the strength and agility to be a factor anywhere along the offensive line. He projects best to left guard, which is where the Pittsburgh Steelers have a major need.
The trio of Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster and Chris Kemoeatu are among the worst guards in the NFL. The Steelers could use as many as two new offensive guards through free agency and the draft.
Walts 2-1-12
1st - 24th - Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
( Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin; Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis; Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State; Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama; Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State; Brandon Washington, G/OT, Miami - were still available)
2nd - 56th - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
(Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama; Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin was still available here)
3rd - 87th - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
(Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin; Nate Potter, OT/G, Boise State; Audie Cole, ILB, N.C. State; Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State; Senio Kelemete, G, Washington - all still available here...I know ILB was picked in the first, but they could easily have changed it to another position)
4th - 119th - Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
(Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin; James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada - still available)
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Only one change to the Steelers picks...the 4th round...which is usually the only one he changes anymore.
Charlie 2-2-12
1st - 24th - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
(Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis; Vontaze Burfict, MLB, Arizona State; Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia; Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama; Kelechi Osemele, G/T, Iowa State; Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin - were still available)
2nd - 56th - David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
(Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State; Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State; Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss; Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama; Tank Carder, ILB, TCU; Brandon Washington, G, Miami; Nate Potter, OT, Boise State; Audie Cole, ILB, N.C. State were still available here)
3rd - 87th - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
(Lucas Nix, G/T, Pittsburgh; James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada; Emmanuel Acho, ILB/OLB, Texas - all still available here)
4th - 119th - Will Blackwell, G, LSU
(Ryan Miller, G, Colorado - still available)
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One of Charlie's better mocks...however NO to the 2nd rounder...ILB needs to be there somewhere. At least he didnt have another OLB/DE in there too like he usually does, hahaha.
Walts 2-8-12
1st - 24th - Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
(Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin; Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis; Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State; Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin; Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State - were still available)
2nd - 56th - Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State
(Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington; Brandon Washington, G/OT, Miami; Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama; Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin was still available here)
3rd - 87th - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
(Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama; Nate Potter, OT/G, Boise State; Audie Cole, ILB, N.C. State; Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State; Senio Kelemete, G, Washington - still available)
4th - 119th - Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
(Nate Potter, OT/G, Boise State - still available)
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Again switch the 3rd rd pick with a NT (Chapman) and I'd be fine with this!
I'm not sure about the 4th round pick either. You know I have been a big Datko fan, but the fact that he is continuing to fall make me think that someone knows more about his injury. If he comes back 100% from the injury, we have an early 2nd rounder that might be able to hold down the LT spot for the next dozen years, and we got him in the 4th round. Still, Nate Potter could be a safer pick.
AML
I like how Walt always leaves out one of the three big needs (OG, NT, ILB) to make room for a RB (which is not needed)
I see Datko as a tony hills situation. Very talented but with huge injury concerns
really don't mind taking a talented guy like that in the 4th, so long as we already have a guard from rounds 1-3
"We're a team. There's no offense. There's no defense. There's no special teams. We're one. We're a band of brothers." – Ben Roethlisberger
Charlie 2-9-12
1st - 24th - Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
2nd - 56th - David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
3rd - 87th - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington
4th - 119th - Ryan Miller, G, Colorado
Walts 2-15-12
1st - 24th - Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
2nd - 56th - Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State
3rd - 87th - Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
4th - 119th - Akiem Hicks, NT, Canada
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Never seen/heard of this 4th round pick. And he's just from Canada? No school or what?