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| Courtesy of NFL.COM |
The NFL finally released the full 2014 schedule on
Wednesday, April 23rd 2014, which now means we’re only two weeks away
from the NFL Draft. With the draft right around the corner, we’re finally
getting a realistic overview of prospects that maybe available for the Steelers
at pick 15. For the last three months, NFL Fans have been inconveniently misled to believe their favorite team draft picks through multiple unrealistic mock drafts from
various publicists of the mass sports media. Today, we take a look at the
options the Steelers may have with their nine picks of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Note
that this Mock Draft doesn't take into account the various moves that may
happen on draft day (various trades, current player switches, and offered draft picks, etc.), but are all
current draft positions of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have a number of pressing needs that include,
Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Defensive End, Nose Tackle, Outside Linebacker
(depth), Tight End (depth), Offensive
Line (depth), and a worthy 3rd Running Back. Luckily, this year's
draft class is deep at those positions, allowing the Steelers to fill many voids with the additions of players available on May 8th through the 10th.
The team needs are wide-ranging, which means the Steelers has
the option of going in many directions with each selection. Needs, as always,
will be balanced by the selection of the best players available, followed by
the most needed position with the end goal being simply to improve.
The Steelers unfortunately finished their last two seasons with 8-8
records (.500 winning percentage) and failed to reach the postseason in back-to-back years. This offseason, Kevin Colbert has done a great job in upgrading the Roster with young and talented players through Free Agency, but now this draft will require smart decision making
to help return this team to their former dominance of the AFC North, and making
it back to the Super Bowl.
So, who are these players within this draft that can help
the Steelers return to dominance? Here’s a complete seven-round mock draft for the Steelers to help turn this team back into a playoff contender. I do
understand, that some fans may not agree with some (if not all) of the picks in
this mock draft; so, I’ll explain every pick in detail with scenarios of other
teams that may influenced our selection.
If I were forced to bet on who the Steelers' pick would be,
it’ll probably be one of last season’s college
football Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Justin Gilbert or Darqueze Dennard. I’ll expect both to be high on Kevin Colbert’s
draft board, but what are the odds either one of them will still be available come
May 8th? The odds are high with the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee
Titans selecting ahead of the Steelers. Both Teams are in desperate need of help in the their
secondary, and it’s only right to choose the best Cornerbacks in this years draft
class.
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| Courtesy of FANSIDED.COM |
I also believe that Steelers will exhaust all efforts to
trade down for additional 2nd or 3rd Round picks, if one of those Cornerbacks are taken before the 15th Overall pick. The Steelers will also use the vast majority of the time they're given in order to rule out the
possibility a trade is possible. For the meantime, here’s the selection the
Pittsburgh Steelers may take with the 15th overall pick in the First
Round of the 2014 NFL Draft………
With the possibilities of Justin Gilbert falling to the
Lions at #10, and Darqueze Dennard going to the Titans at #11, this leaves the
Steelers with the best available option on the board at #15. While many Steeler
Fans would contend that the team could get by with Vince Williams starting
opposite Lawrence Timmons for another season, I look at Mosley as a better
option, and a great impact player that can influence the other 10 starting
players around him. CJ Mosley fits the Steelers mold of traditional Pittsburgh
Steelers linebackers, and could also contribute as a back-up outside linebacker
as well, bringing pure flexibility to the position in his first season.
CJ Mosley becomes the Steelers long-term replacement from
the void left by now-retired inside linebacker- James Farrior. No disrespect to
Vince Williams, whom did a good job filling in as a Rookie starter at the
position last season; but his poor coverage skills may doom him to a rotational
role.
Steelers select in the 2nd Round, with the 46th overall pick.......
The Steelers reportedly have told quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
they will draft the tall receiver he's been wanting for years, per Gerry Dulac
of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, "tall" is relative when your
three current presumed starters, Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Lance Moore,
all stand less than 6 feet tall.
At 6'1", Davante Adams isn't the tallest
receiver in this year's draft class, but he would add some height to
Pittsburgh's receiving corps.
Next Mock Draft Selection......Round 3, Pick 33 (97) (Compensatory selection):
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| KMandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports |
Since the departure of Nose Tackle, Casey Hampton, the Steelers have been in need of a true natural player for the position. Daniel McCullers rare size of 6’6, 352 pounds with vines for arms, has an enormous
wingspan and exceptional mass to occupy space and hold up multiple blockers (just like Hampton)--
has clear two-gap potential. Looks every bit the part with a relatively lean
build for a 350-pounder -- carries his weight well with some muscle definition
and good overall body thickness. Can overpower zone blockers with sheer size.
Very durable and has not missed any games to injury throughout his career.
Steelers 4th Round, 118th overall Mock Draft selection is...............
Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida St., Height: 5’8, Weight:
206
The Steelers had their one-cut feature back in 2013, through second-round draft pick Le'Veon Bell. They have their bruising short-yardage
back in veteran LeGarrette Blount. But outside of those two, the Steelers don't
have much at running back, and they certainly don't have a speedy, change-of-pace
back to complement their two workhorses.
Devonta Freeman here in the 4th Round is a reach, but with so much talent in this draft class it's easy to believe the 7th rank Running back in this draft could fall to the Steelers. Freeman has very good eyes and lateral agility in
the hole, he has the ability to shimmies through small spaces and can create yardage where there is
none. He squares his shoulders to the line and runs efficiently. Good
lower-body strength, surprising power and superb balance. Tough and runs hard. He
catches outside his frame and can make the difficult catch (just what the
Steelers look for in 3rd down RB’s). Freeman is strong and nifty
after the catch, reliable in pass protection, terrific competitor, and
extremely durable (never missed a game in College). Works at his craft and is a
student of the game, great insurance guy of the future for LeVeon Bell.
Freeman would serve as a change-of-pace, speed-heavy rusher
for the Steelers behind Bell and Blount, and could make an impact in his rookie
year.
Cornerbacks late in the Draft:
In the 5th Round, the Steelers will finally address their most needed position Cornerback with both selections. The Steelers are thin at cornerback, with just six on the
roster after the signing of free agent Brice McCain early this month. Only three have
had starting experience in Pittsburgh, with the oldest, Ike Taylor, heading
into what is likely his final season with the team.
Round 5, Pick 17 (157): Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty, Height:
6’1, Weight: 205
Walt has outstanding size, comparable to Ike Taylor at 6’1,
and 205 pounds. He’s has good press strength, and good athletic ability. Walt Aikens can keep stride with receivers down the field and ride the hip pocket
in man coverage. Aggressive tackler (though often shoots low) -- led the
Liberty in tackles as a senior and is unafraid to mix it up. He takes on blocks
with physicality and attacks the run; adequate production on the ball, press
corner and can contribute on special teams.
Round 5, Pick 33 (173): Ross Cockrell, CB, Duke, Height:
6’0, Weight: 191
Ross Cockrell also has good size, with ballhawking zone capabilities. He's a corner who plays fast
and could bring immediate value as a nickel back and contribute on special
teams. Maybe a long term replacement for Steelers William Gay? Cockrell comes at good value for the Steelers late 5th Round.
In the last two rounds of this Mock Draft, I have the Steelers selecting:
Round
6, Pick 16 (192): Taylor Hart, DT/DE, Oregon, Height: 6’6, Weight: 284
Another position the Steelers are thin at heading into the
draft is defensive end. Brett Keisel is gone and won't likely be re-signed, and
the team needs at least depth to boost the ranks of the ends or, in the
best-case scenario, a starter-ready rookie to join Cameron Heyward.
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| Photo Courtesy of Bruce Ely/The Oregonian |
Because of the Steelers' many positional needs, defensive
end could move up in priority. But if they wait until the sixth round, this Brett Keisel built-like Oregon Defensive End could be their target.
Round 6, Pick 39 (215) (Compensatory selection):
The Steelers have four tight ends on their roster—do-it-all
veteran fixture Heath Miller, blocking specialist Matt Spaeth, 2012 draft pick
David Paulson and the recently re-signed Michael Palmer. However, they don't
have a replacement for the all-important Miller, who turns 32 years old in the
fall. Therefore, they could try to find him in this year's draft.
An interesting later-round possibility is Fresno State's
Marcel Jensen. He possesses a lot of potential but had limited playing time in
college that could push him into the fifth round. He had 26 receptions for 353
yards and three scores last season and has a career total of 48 catches. He is not a deep-threat wide receiver-type of pass-catching
tight end like Jimmy Graham. He's a good blocker in the run game and has enough
quickness to handle a pass rush.
Jensen needs more development as a receiver, simply because
he didn't do much of it in college. But he's good at blocking as well as at
special teams, which means he can learn on the job in his rookie season. If the
Steelers are looking for a Miller-type player to eventually take over for the
veteran, Jensen could be a steal in Round 6.
Final Selection in the Steelers 2014 Mock Draft is...........................................
Round 7, Pick 15 (230):
Justin Britt, OT, Missouri, Height:
6-6, Weight: 325
With so many needs this year, the Steelers may have to push
a common one, offensive line, into the last round of the Draft. They have established
starters at all positions, so it's just about keeping them all healthy. Depth
is the biggest concern, and Justin Britt would provide that depth for the Steelers.
He is a better run-blocker than pass-protector, but the
latter is not a liability. The Steelers need to find more versatile linemen who
can step in at a moment's notice, and Britt has proved he can do just that
over the course of his collegiate career.
