Would You Draft Manti Te’o In The Second Round? Sound Off Time

Sunday, February 24th, 2013 at 10:13 am by Dave Bryan

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o now has his media session at the NFL combine behind him. Te'o seemed to handle it all well and he didn't flinch at any question that was asked off him.

Sure, Te'o, like all of the other draft hopefuls, rehearsed leading up to their interviews with the media and teams, but that's what these players do leading up to the biggest job interview of their life.

Now that most of story about Te'o is out there, all he has left to do is get through his drills.

Now that you have had a chance to take in the whole process from the National Championship up until his Saturday interview with the media, would you, or would you not, draft him if he was there in the second round?

Chime in below in the comments and tell us why, or why not. Spare me the, "he won't fall that far" response. This is merely a hypothetical question designed to spark some good discussion.

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Tagged with: Manti Te'o • NFL Combine • NFL Draft

Filed under: 2013 Draft • 2013 NFL Combine • Article • News

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Kevin Gobleck

I would take him in an instant in the second round, If no one is there in the first at 17 I would even consider him there.
Phil Heidenreich

No. Notre Dame hype won’t transfer to NFL play.
zyzak

He wont get past the first he would be a great replacement for Farrior
zyzak

Really? he’s made over 300 tackles last 3 years. The unquestioned leader of an undefeated team.
http://www.facebook.com/Eltro Bill Eltringham

Yes I would have the card in faster than they did with DeCastro.
Superdriller316

With the holes we have, I’m taking him in the first. With the exception of Minter, your not goin to find a smart, physical ILB that can go now or even next year. We don’t have a backup at the Buck worth a damn. Foote can’t play forever and more than likely ’13 will be his last year, so who ever they draft has to play next year. Everyone says we need to go OLB in the first or second. I’m thinking in the 3rd. There are pass rushers all through the draft. Just remember James Harrison wasn’t drafted at all and was cut 4 times. Te’o is a hard worker and I don’t believe in a ND hype. That’s like saying the the Super Bowl has a predetermined winner, sometimes I think they are though.
Bob Francis

I’m surprised but encouraged to see folks in support of him. I have no question about his character, but I worry about his ability to be physical enough after getting blown up in the Championship Game. Pick 17 seems a little high for him, but no way he’s around in Round 2. I’m interested to see him run. Ogletree might be off their board, but is he a mack or a buck? What other bucks might be worth a pick in the top 3 rounds? (Although didn’t someone on Steelers’ staff say those roles are becoming interchangeable?)
HarryBackside

That should be a no brainer. Yup!
mokhkw

2nd Round = sprint to podium. I think he’s a low 1st or 2nd Rd player. I’m guessing the Ravens take him at 32.
http://twitter.com/softdrums Shea Fahr

I would rather the Steelers use their first couple of picks on offense so we can start scoring more than 20 points on average per game. Troy did not start his first year after he was drafted so why would we use those picks on guys who will likely only play on special teams this year? If they are going to draft defense at 17, I would rather they address the Safety position if they have one rated that high. Otherwise, get some picks to help this offense right away.
Garrett Hunt

undefeated?
http://www.facebook.com/jonathon.schade Jonathon Bert Schade

Only if he was an “extra” pick due to some trade down scenario.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000024547202 Robert D Henderson

I’d move back and draft him in the first. Yes I’d take him in the second
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000024547202 Robert D Henderson

Agreed 100%. I’d take him rd 1but being the Steelers move back get an extra 3rd & 5th then see if he’s there.
Kusko_Ken

I don’t know? I guess maybe in the second. what if olgetree is there in the second too? is he worth the risk at that point, sorta like mike adams lastyear? From what i’ve seen of Te’o he cannot get off blocks. The steelers will need to cover him, more than they do for their current ilb, for him to make plays. Everyone wants to through out his performance in the national championship game, thats fine i understand he had some issues going on but there is no excuse for his performance against pitt. pitts guards were getting on him and staying on him the entire game. granted nix was out for that game but still..if he can’t get off their blocks he sure as hell isn’t going to do it on sundays.
westernsteel

I agree. The offense needs some play makers to help score some points. Any defensive player drafted in any round will not play on the defense anytime soon. Its an offensively driven league, and the Steelers offense is way behind. I hope for a WR first and a RB in the second.
zyzak

Ogletree is a goof he will drop to the third
markthom

thats exactly the truth D players will sit for 2-3 yrs before they can play. Player @ 10 is equal to someone @ 22 to me the draft is deep we should trade back to later in 1st and draft a FS Reid. If he is gone grab ILB’s TEO or OGLETREE late 1st and grab FS P. Thomas in 2nd we need picks this draft is deep with talent.
markthom

SEAN PORTER PLEASE!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Stephenson/100000728688473 Shannon Stephenson

I prefer Minter but would take Te’o but like many other’s in the 1st besides him. 2nd wouldnt even be a question…snap him up in a heart beat
Phil Heidenreich

I think you missed that last game. Don’t worry, so did Te’o.
Jack

Amazing some people would take him at #17. I wouldn’t even consider it. Maybe in the 2nd depending on who else is around. Let someone else make the mistake or take him as a MLB. The kid can’t disengage at all. The people saying he needs better people around him, never watched ND. His DL was one of the best in the country and built to funnel the ball to him. He was the king of the 6 yard gain and assisted tackle. He was a good (not great) college player, who looked his worst against pro style teams that ran right at him.

The best thing that could happen to the Steelers would be the Ravens paying Joe Flacco $18M+ a year and using their 1st rounder on Manti Te’o.
Mike

I think we know what zyzak means even with his mistake. Teo would be a nice pickup in the second round.
Kusko_Ken

jack, right on the money. I agree 100%. i don’t know if its the fact he played for notre dame or what but i wouldn’t put te’o in the top three ilb. average college guards made this guy disappear in all the tape i’ve seen. le’veon bell ran his ass over a couple of times in the Michigan state game. i don’t see it?
http://www.facebook.com/steve.duncan.77 Steve Duncan

Yep, without hesitation.
AndyMatts

Nope. A third? yes.

It’s not that the one game against Alabama defined him as much as exposed him. Remember, any Notre Dame team that ends the season at 7-5 gets hyped as a top three team for the following season. Any player who isn’t mediocre and invisible gets hyped as a top 5 pick.

I suspected he was more a product of the usual Irish hype, and the game against Alabama confirmed it. Everyone is a good linebacker when their D-line gives them clean runs to the ball. The great ones know how to take on and/or defeat blockers. He clearly doesn’t.
SteelerFanInMD

I would do what the Steelers do and take the best value. If Te’o is the best value when time to pick, I would take him.
JohnnyV1

Yes, most def!
TheBlitz

Why gamble on him being there in the second round !?
If the Steelers organisation feels really good about this kid then snatch him in the first @ 17 because he won’t last past Baltimore
steeltown

Exactly.. no way I take this guy 17th overall, but trade back into the late 20′s and grab him along with an extra pick(s).. yes
steeltown

Ha!
rick dworchak

Finally another voice of reason, I am all for the Steelers going offense. If they go WR they could trade back a few spots , pick up a good receiver, and add extra picks.