1)Running Back-Former 1st round pick Rashard Mendenhall fumbled his was to Arizona. Chris Rainey got kicked off of the team. That leaves Issac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and Baron Batch, hardly the types of running backs that instill fear into the hearts of defenses. They didn't have much luck when they drafted Mendy in the 1st round. Dare they spend the #17 overall pick on a running back? Running backs that have been tied to the Steelers are Eddie Lacy of Alabama, South Carlolina's Marcus Lattimore and Montee Ball from Wisconsin. They all seem a bit of a stretch in the 1st round. Especially Lattimore who is coming off of major knee surgery.
2)Wide Receiver-Even with Emmanuel Sanders on the field for another year, there is still a lack of depth and speed with this unit. Sanders and Antonio Brown, the starters, have both missed time during their careers due to injuries. Backups Plaxico Burress and Jerricho Cotchery are both gray beards in today's NFL. The Steelers matched the Patriot's tender and signed Sanders for another year. Face it, the only way the Steelers can get back to the same level as New England is by stockpiling and maximizing draft picks. They fumbled that opportunity by hanging onto the injury-prone Sanders for another year. Wide receiver is supposed to be one of the deeper positions this year and they've had a knack for finding diamonds-in-the-rough in the later rounds. Players mentioned as potential picks include Tavon Austin of WVU, Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson and Keenan Allen from California. Without any deep threats on the roster, can they afford to hold off until the later rounds this year?
3)Linebacker-Both the inside and outside linebacker corps are depleted. Especially, with the release of former Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison. Harrison's replacement, Jason Worilds, doesn't really set the world on fire. He has spent more time in the trainer's room than on the field. LaMarr Woodley has been accused of being out of shape to the point of injury, too. There's really no depth on the inside or outside. Larry Foote played well for a guy that is on the wrong side of 30. Can they get another year out of him? Lawrence Timmons broke out last year. We'll see if he can string together a run of several years there. In the past, the Steelers would draft undersized defensive ends and transform them into 3-4 outside linebackers. The problem is, there are ALOT more 3-4 teams in the league and they'll all be looking for the same type of player. Possible draft picks for this position include Jarvis Jones of Georgia. Will the Steelers move up to get him? There is also Dion Jordon from Oregon. Will he be gone at #17? Ezekiel Ansah of BYU is mentioned as a project. Then there is Manti Te'o out of Notre Dame who may fall to the Steelers at #17. Linebacker is not considered a deep position in this year's draft. The Steelers may want to snatch one with their first pick if they don't trade out of the 1st round to get some more picks.
4)Defensive Line-Are former 1st round picks Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward busts? Have we seen the last of Casey Hampton? Can they count on another strong year out of Brett Keisel? The Steelers blinked and signed RFA NT Steve McLendon to a 3 year deal, after Green Bay showed interest. That never used to be the Steeler's way. It used to be a player left, another stepped up to take his place. Possible picks mentioned for the Steelers are Barkevious Mingo out of LSU, Bjoern Werner from Florida State and Ohio State's John Simon.
5)Secondary-Better get replacements lined up for Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. They're not getting any younger and they're only getting more brittle. With the losses of Will Allen and Ryan Mundy (no big loss) to free agency, where's the depth? Cortez Allen stepped up at corner but Ike Taylor isn't getting any younger, either. Backups? Anyone? Names tossed in the Steelers direction are safties Matt Elam from Florida, Eric Reid out of LSU and Texas' Kenny Vaccaro (possible #1?). CB Tryann Mathieu from LSU is also being mentioned.
6)Tight End-Will Heath Miller be lost for the entire season? The Steelers may feel that way. That would explain the re-signings of David Johnson (also a part-time fullback) and Matt Spaeth. They also have second year man David Paulson returning. I like Paulson and would like to see him become the next Heath Miller but, again, you need some depth. Some of the players linked to the Steelers are Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame (will he be there at #17?), Rice's Vance McDonald, and Travis Kelce out of Cincinnati.
7)Quarterback-Time to start grooming a replacement for Ben Rothlisberger? Bruce Gradkowski is the only backup on the roster. It's not a strong quarterback class, either. Still, the Steelers may want to make this a need sooner, rather than later.
All in all, I think it would be a horrible move for the Steelers to move up in the draft. They should stick to the game plan of drafting the best player available, not drafting for a need. The good thing about this draft is the Steelers have so many needs, hopefully the best player available will fill one of their many needs. The best bet to me is try to find a willing trading partner and trade down from #17 overall to amass more picks. Try and get some high character, high football IQ guys who can make an impact sooner rather than later. With this draft, there isn't much room for error. Choose wisely.
Go Steelers!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment