2009 Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper Sucks Thread

Looking at some receivers-Emory Blake from Auburn. Decent size and has played with some crap QBs lately. Hands catcher, something these guys could use. I still like Conner Vernon from Duke.

I'm in agreement with BB on getting a back later. Guys like Zac Stacey, Montel Harris and Christine Michael.

We have not discussed second rounders much, any thoughts.

Lacy, Warford  seem to be popular for me.  Either a massive OG, or a premier back.  A WR might slip back, Woods out of USC or Hunter out of TN.  As much as S or LB are popular with us, it was the Offense that crapped out end of the year.  Diva WR, dancing Bears at RB, injured OL, Ben was gimpy and rusty, etc.., etc..,

Glad Wreh-Wilson had a better practice, kid is a good CB, cannot wait to see him in live action on Saturday.  I think he would fit in with what Carnell Lake is looking for, IMHO.

I think they go defensive back in the 2nd because that seems to be where all the talent is. If there is a run on secondary than my guess would be offense.

If Foster is re-signed I doubt we see OG at all in the first three rounds but if he is not they can draft a Warford and then possibley cut Colon.

Tight End could be a sleeper. If Eiffert or Ertz is on the board there I would guess they look hard there.

For me I see Matt Elam (#43 overall according to draftscout), Eric Reid, Lacy, Terrance Williams, or Aaron Dobson in the second round. It does depend on what happens in the first of course.

ANother guy that I could live with in round two, Jordan Poyer. Depends on what happens with Keenan Lewis. Tought to do a mock, but here are some targerts I like by round.  This is my Homer UConn version.

1. Keenan Allen, Kenny Vaccaro, Chance Warmack, Cordarelle Patterson, Alex Okafor
2. Jordan Poyer, Matt Elam, Eddie Lacy, Larry Warford,Tyler Eiffert
3. Tony Jefferson, Monte Ball, Johnathon Franklin, Brandon Jennkins, Quinton Patton, Blidi Wreh-Wilson
4. Travis Kelce, Tavares King, Kenjon Barner, Brian Winters, Corey Lemonier, Nico Johnson, Sio Moore
5. Christine Michael, BW Webb, Zac Dysert, Dwayne Gratz, Devin Taylor, Devonte Holloman
6.  Garret Gilkey, Earl Wolff, Marquess Wilson,
7.  Brad Sorenson, Kerwin Williams, Greg Blair, Kyle Juszyzk,
U.  George Winn, Spencer Nealy, TJ Moe, Ryan Griffen,

1. Keenan Allen, Kenny Vaccaro, Chance Warmack, Cordarelle Patterson, Alex Okafor

Allen - dont like, doesnt look fast.
Vaccarro - love 'em, reminds me of Ed Reed in a way, my favorite on the list.
Warmack - ok
Petterson - like 'em, like his speed and aggressive running style.
Okafor - like 'em, would rate him 2nd of ur 1st round list 

2. Jordan Poyer, Matt Elam, Eddie Lacy, Larry Warford,Tyler Eiffer

Poyer and Elam - love 'em both, are we sure these guys dont go in the 1st round or early in 2nd? seems like there is good talent with the DBs in this draft so the chance of Lewis gone may be higher.

Lacy - Like but I would go with Poyer or Elam before Lacy even if they got Vaccaro in 1st.
 
Warford - like for a 2nd round pick, looks like he played RG with UK can he pkay LG? Or is LT or RT a better spot for him in the pros?

Eiffert - like but I would grab Kelce in 3rd or 4th round.
 

I'll do one too while we are at it, hopefully this name isn't whacked tomorrow

1. Cordalle Patteron
2. Eddie Lacey
3. Duke Williams
4. Travis Kelci
5. Zach Dysert
6. Michael Mauti
7. Elvis Fisher

Alternative

1. Alex Okafor
2. Matt Elam
3. Zach Ertz
4. Kenjon Barner
5. Marquess Wilson
6. Brad Sorenson
7. Roy Roundtree

Nyb, I noticed the only two QBs you included were the two that I've been preaching about on here . Love Dysert, I'll be on him this year like was on Austin Davis last year (ended up being Bradford's backup in STL). Sorenson is also a sleeper, watched his highlights and really liked what I saw.


Also, I know many (bb included) will not like the idea, but do not be surprised to see them drafting a punter later. Butler was very up and down and some competition will likely be brought in. Whoever is doing punters may actually need to rank them well

So much depends on Keenan Lewis. If he gets re-signed (my money says he does) then they may not even draft a corner. If he walks that becomes a day 2 need likely.

Otten's teammate guard/center David Quessenberry has impressed as well. Scouts were saying entering the Senior Bowl that he was a fourth- or fifth-rounder, but his strong week against good competition has elevated him into the the third to fourth-round range. Quessenberry got better each practice and was very impressive in the one-on-ones on Wednesday. The 2013 draft class is weak on the inside of the offensive line, so Quessenberry could easily continue to rise. He has the ability to play guard and center. Teams love that flexibility. Quessenberry has starting potential and has really helped himself in Mobile.
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Got that off Walter's site - David Q is one player I'll be watching Saturday...

enjoy,

bb

• UCLA DE [Datone Jones] is expected to be either a base end or five technique in the NFL but I was surprised by how well he performed in the linebacker drills. Now Jones wasn’t the best of the group but he was far from the worst and did a solid job overall, especially for a guy who is 280 pounds. I doubt Jones will ever be a full-time linebacker at the next level but it may not be as absurd of an idea as once thought.
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Found this on DaTone Jones..   want to see if he doesn't disappear on Saturday..

enjoy,

bb

• William & Mary CB [B.W. Webb] had a great day and was blanketing coverage in the 7 on 7s in the red zone. His WR was targeted but never caught a pass in those drills. Batted down multiple passes and had a few physical plays that gained approval from his teammates. Only pass given up was an excellent fade route catch by Cobi Hamilton on him. You could sense the improvement throughout the week
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More intell on Webb from Thursday....  and remember  Coach T went to W&M....

enjoy,

bb

Lastly, Mayock discussed Notre Dame center Braxston Cave, a potential mid-round pick.

"I thought he had a really good senior year," Mayock said. "There was some continuity with that offensive line. I look at them and Braxston specifically, and he lost some weight over the last couple of years. He's gotten in better shape. I think he's increased his movement skills. He's smart, he's tough and he loves the game. He's a natural center in the NFL."
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Here's somebody I disagree with Mayock on...  Braxston Cave has been caving in all week and gettin beat like a rented mull...


enjoy,

bb

Couple of things to consider guys when we evaluate "needs" ...

If Marcus Gilbert is good at anything it's pass protection. In 2011 he gave up the 2nd least amount of QB hurries among starters and in 2012 he gave up zero sacks (about 1/4 season / 246 snaps). I've been critical of him in the running game and I'd like to see him keep a lower base at times so he doesn't get walked back to the QB but considering what he was thrown into last year we have to remember the kid has talent. It's even been reported he has a little bit of a mean streak. We could very well have our two tackles for the next 7-8 years.

Robert Golden is very highly thought of by the coaching staff. Tomlin even calls him Little Dawk because he reminds him of a younger version of Brian Dawkins. That's pretty high praise and he has a long way to go to even come close to living up to that but keep in mind Ryan Clark was an undrafted free agent also. There are tons of reasons why some of these guys don't get drafted and Golden has CB-like cover skills. Can he tackle? Only time will tell.

Beach, where do the Steelers see Golden, at FS or SS? That would matter because Mundy and Allen are both FAs and they are the backup FS and SS, respectively. I don't see either player as a lock to be released or re-signed, but if the coaches are that high on Golden we could see one draft pick at safety at most this year.

If Tomlin compares him to Brian Dawkins I wouldn't concern myself over his physicality.

Beach, where do the Steelers see Golden, at FS or SS? That would matter because Mundy and Allen are both FAs and they are the backup FS and SS, respectively. I don't see either player as a lock to be released or re-signed, but if the coaches are that high on Golden we could see one draft pick at safety at most this year.

Free Safety - no question. His strength is range and coverage. He's definitely not afraid of contact but the knock on him coming out of Arizona was he too often missed trying to make the big hit. Needs to be more fundamentally sound.

If they don't get Will Allen signed I'll be shocked. The market for him is probably pretty soft and he can qualify for one of the cap-friendly veteran deals if paid the minimum salary and doesn't receive a signing bonus over $65,000. That's probably the only way they bring him back but I think that's probably all he's worth to anyone else.

Plus he's a good special teams player.

Hey guys, just got done watching the NFLPA bowl and there was one guy I liked in particular: TE - Luke Willson - Rice the kid was very impressive, not a burner by any means but has great hands runs great routes, and blocks really well seals the edge with ease it seems Actually reminds me of Heath Miller.

Also liked Miles White - WR - Louisianna Tech in a Losing effort had 6 - 48 ran good routes, got separation pretty good, really good hands. It seems like the WR's from Louisiana Tech have some late round sleepers this year.

I finished the practices for the Senior Bowl.

The Ravens should look at that kid Schwenke for OC, he will be a plug and play Center and replace Matt Birk.

Love the toughness of Armstead the OT, broken collar bone, played the whole season. Gets off a plane from the Shrine game, puts on pads and competes in the Senior Bowl and they put him on an Island at LT. Love the small school kids Mills and Gilkey.

Quinton Patton was the best WR on either side, he caught 21 balls in one game against Texas A&M.

Backs: I like the kids we liked already Franklin and Taylor.  Both did well in the blocking drills vs. safeties and LB


SOmeone else to watch at FS, kid out of South Georgia, JJ Wilcox.,  needs to cut back on the hand checking in the NFL, but he is going to be a good FS that can blanket the TE.