Steelers To Pick 17th In 2013 NFL Draft

18 would actually be St. Louis or Dallas. Washington doesn’t have a first round pick.

On a side note, look at the players above that we drafted at pick 17 plus or minus 2: Pouncy, Timmons, Polamalu & Hampton. This gets me excited for draft day.

Or ask the Texans what it’s like to pick first every year.

I’d be shocked if they invested another first rounder in the O-line. There’s really no need. You’d have an interior of 1st rounders. Maybe somebody in the 3rd if they are worried about Colon and somehow lose Foster and Legs. As for NT, I think they’d have to like a guy a whole lot. Considering how well McClendon handled himself and that they traded up for Ta’amu, I don’t see them going so high on NT either. Is NT really worth a 1st rounder anymore?

If there’s a CB there, you take him. Never enough good corners. Beyond that, pass rush is obviously the issue with the D. No matter DE or OLB, I think you take the best pass rusher available. I know it would hurt to have three 1st rounders invested in our ends, but I don’t think Hood has shown himself worthy. And is Worlids really more than a good backup?

As bad as the offense performed, I think you have to invest in the D high. It’s what the team is built on, and where the age is. You don’t need a first round WR, or RB. The line has plenty of top picks lined up. Maybe a TE if someone like Heath or the new prototype is there. Heath is a question mark with such an injury at his age, and you have no one besides Paulson lined up for the future.

With the 17th pick, the Steelers could revitalize the team. Colbert has done well especially with late round selections. But I believe they’ll get better quality in the 1st four rounds plus the higher picks allow more flexibility to move up or down. I’m hoping for a monster draft.

Obviously they always go ‘ best player available’ but I would hope OLB, Safety or TE in the first, maybe RB in the 2nd and if they dont re-sign K.Lewis (which would be insane after grooming him for a few yrs) they might grab a CB somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd Rds

Thats also because Cleveland and Oakland not only have poor front offices, but they have very poor player development within their systems

The season has ended and as fans of a team that is not very active in free agency we know the next big on the agenda is the nfl draft. The Steelers were ravaged by injury this year and I personally believe we are one of the better teams picking before 20. Picking at 17 overall places Kevin Colbert in a position he must capitalize on. As far as needs go we will know alot more after the start of free agency but for now they appear to be:

CB- If Keenan Lewis leaves cornerback could be addressed

S- The Steelers are very strong at safety when healthy but with two injury-prone starters backups at this position are important.

OG- Willie Colon’s play was above the line at his new position this season before being injured. The problem is this was his 3rd consecutive season ending on IR, but in a year where everyone seemed to end up on the IR, isn’t it worth one more shot? I don’t think it is. Colon has been a valuable member of the Oline since early in his career but I read in one of Dave Bryan’s earlier post that the team can save 5.5mil by cutting him. The play that he injured his knee on was not an abnormal NFL play so I really do believe at this point Willie is injury-prone. Aside from the money I think the Steelers may want to upgrade the position anyway. Todd Haley was brought in and told to run the ball. Todd Haley definitely tried but again the Oline was not up for the task and we finished 26th in rush offense. Steelers fans should not be upset if they see the Steelers spend a first round selection on a Guard.

RB- Running backs come a dime a dozen but the Steelers can’t seem to find one. Rashard Mendenhall appears to be out the door, giving Dwyer a contract scares me because of how many times hes shown up to camp out of shape, and Redman still needs to show improvement. Running back is the most injury prone position and there seems to be so many of them taking one high is not something I’m fond of, but the Steelers could take a back this year as early as Joseph Randle in the 2nd.

WR- If Mike Wallace is not retained then the Steelers will have a hole at WR. I am very interested to see what happens with this position. Do the Steelers intend on using Cotchery as a full time 3rd? If they draft a replacement to play then he’d probably be picked in the first 3 rounds, but throwing game snaps at a rookie is not the Steelers style.

MLB- This position can be upgraded in a few ways. Larry Foote needs to be replaced and the depth needs to be upgraded.

TE- Competition for David Paulson could be obtained. A lesser need.

As of now there are not an over whelming amount of options at #17 for the Steelers but it is very early and the draft is a 7 round process. So, here are a few prospects Steelers fans should be familiar with that maybe available after the 1st round:

CB

Darius Slay-Miss State

Teammate of the highly heralded Jonathan Banks, Slay is a big physical corner who makes few mistakes in coverage. Both Jonathan Banks and Darius Slay are good scheme fits for our off-man coverage.

S

Tony Jefferson-Oklahoma

Tony Jefferson maybe the best safety prospect in this class. He is very instinctive and naturally gifted. His ability to stop running backs at the line of scrimmage from his safety position is very impressive. He consistently covers his assignment and is the member of his secondary who regularly comes up with interceptions.

Philip Thomas-Fresno State

Philip Thomas is a crafty player who plays an important role in Fresno State’s run defense. Philip Thomas fills gaps, takes on blockers, and makes plays off the edge in the run game. He also has a nation leading 8 interceptions.

G

Larry Warford-Kentucky

A pure road grader, Larry Warford had his way with some off the best talent in the nation this season. Sheldon Richardon and Sharrif Floyd were both thrown around by Warford this season.

Travis Frederick-Wisconsin

It was my opinion that Travis Federick was the better than Kevin Zeitler last year. Frederick moved to center this season and Mike Tomlin values position flexibility.

RB

Theo Riddick-Notre Dame

Riddick plays behind Cierre Wood but anyone who watches Notre Dame will tell you Mr. Riddick is nothing to sneeze at. Riddick is physical, lightning fast and is polished in the slot. He is a converted WR.

WR

Stedman Bailey-West Virginia

Stedman Bailey(5-10 195) fits the profile of the type of receiver the Steelers have had success in drafting in recent years. Stedman Bailey should get credit for running a very polished route tree for West Virginia, as his teammate Tavon Austin handled the more gimmicky aspects of their spread offense.

MLB

Sio Moore-Connecticut

Right now Manti Teo is the only legitimate 1st round prospect the Steelers would consider for the Buck position but I encourage Steeler fans to give Sio Moore a good look. In everything I’ve seen hes shown strength at the point of attack, instincts to get to the ball carrier, great blitzing and rushing ability, and good feet in coverage. Keep a look out for Sio Moore.

TE

Philip Lutzenkirchen-Auburn

He has had a somewhat injury riddled career but he has been one of Auburn’s best players over the past 4 years. Lutzenkirchen is a strong in-line and lead blocker as well as a very capable receiver.

I agree the pass rush needs an overhaul, but Given The money they have invested in Woodley and the fact that Worilds has been serviceable in spot play I don’t see OLB in the first 2 rounds. The Beard will be back next year, but I hope Heyward takes over as the starter by mid season if not earlier. I don’t think they have given up on their 2 1st rnd DEs so that is out. You don’t seem to understand the importance of a NT as it pertains to the pass rush. Think about when Hampton was younger and was always double and sometimes triple teamed. That left TEs and RBs to stop the outside rush instead of Ts on both sides. As it is with McLendon and Hampton they rarely get double teamed so they can at times apply the pressure themselves, but it is better to have speed off the edge. This season the OLBs had Ts on them or they were double teamed. Trust me a NT will do more than improve the run defense he is the linchpin of the pass rush as well. Joel Steed and Hampton, when they were healthy and young, it didn’t matter which OLBs the Steelers threw out there.