Steelers find necessary depth at outside linebacker in the second round and hope they caught lightning from a run-and-shoot bottle in the third.

The rest of the story...
http://pit.scout.com/2/965114.html

The LB selection in the 2nd Round was a reach, I don't care who you are. You traded away a primetime WR, and Randle El is not going to replace that. So why not Tate?

Woulda liked to have seen CB, ILB eariler but you know what.....they steelers brass have built more winning NFL teams than I have so i guess as fans we need to trust their judgment.

THAD GIBSON! Woohoo!

What the hell?

Heretic wrote:

Non wrote: Draft grade, so far:

1-Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida = B
2-Jason Worilds, OLB, Virginia Tech = D
3-Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU = C

Overall grade = C

I look at this as a bit harsh.

1. Pouncey: a player who seems projected to be a can't miss high-level player, but isn't at a "sexy" position that's considered to be picked as early as he was. A-

2. Worilds: good player and all, but where's he going to fit in the near future with Harrison and Woodley at OLB? Then again, Harrison isn't young, as he was a late bloomer. Maybe they're worried that his performance will decline in the near future. C

3. Sanders: if they liked him enough to reach a bit for him, I'm cool with that. I look at WR as possibly the position where the likelihood of a high-round pick bombing and a low-round pick amazing is the closest. It all comes down to a combination of mental fortitude and fitting into the team's system. I'm giving this a "B" now, operating under the assumption this is a dude who will fit into their system.

I gave Sanders a C because it was a reach where they got him. They could've traded down and still got him in the fourth round. I think he still could be pretty good but the draft value is why I graded that pick low.

Non wrote: What the hell?

Just heard on the radio that they're not sure if they'll be able to resign Woodley when his contract is up.

Who woulda thunk that it would take to the third round for the 1th OSU player to be taken.

Are they that happy with the CB's? Maybe they saw what the fans didnt last year.

They must be satisfied with Burnett and Lewis to give them a longer look this season.

I actually think they're comparable to any of the CBs they would've gotten from their second round pick on.

But I don't understand all of the outside linebackers. They'll break the bank to sign Woodley. He's been awesome and is a guy they have build around on defense.

I also think Eric Norwood will be better than the two OLBs the Steelers drafted.

I drafted Thaddeus Gibson on my Madden Steelers franchise. Ha.

Al Capone wrote:

Non wrote: What the hell?

Just heard on the radio that they're not sure if they'll be able to resign Woodley when his contract is up.

Which station and who's the broadcaster saying this? I ask because some, not all, of these clowns on the radio don't have a clue.

No one knows how the CBA will be structured and I would like to think that the Steeler front office can get a deal done with Woodley before he even reaches FA.

Non wrote: They must be satisfied with Burnett and Lewis to give them a longer look this season.

I actually think they're comparable to any of the CBs they would've gotten from their second round pick on.

But I don't understand all of the outside linebackers. They'll break the bank to sign Woodley. He's been awesome and is a guy they have build around on defense.

and the ones the got last year are a year older...more experienced.

MT hasnt leaned on young guys a whole lote in the draft to come in and produce right away. part of it is the talent on roster already.

Pittsburgh acquired Corner Brian McFadden.

Bryant McFadden ^^

Arizona must not have been impressed but I think he's a good guy for the Steelers to get back.

Probably better than any of the picks they've made since the first round.

WTF........another OLB in the fifth round. I'm not getting this at all.

Steelers add three players in the 5th round

Chris Scott, G/T, Tennessee
Crezdon Butler, CB, Clemson
Stevenson Sylvester, OLB, Utah

also re-acquired CB Bryant McFadden

Butler is 6'0 185 and has run in the 4.3 to 4.4 range. Good ball skills and capable of intercepting passes. Steelers definitely need that.

Sylvester is listed as an OLB but he's only 6'2 230 and just watching him run around he looks more like an inside linebacker in the 3-4, more like a Timmons or a Kendrell Bell.

Getting McFadden back is a notable upgrade at CB. He did good for them two years ago. At the very least, it's reuniting the old band in the defensive backfield that played in the Super Bowl.

Planning on playing a 2-8-1 defense this fall or what?

linebackers

James Harrison
LaMarr Woodley
James Farrior
Lawrence Timmons
Larry Foote
Keyaron Fox
Jason Worilds
Thaddeus Gibson
Stevenson Sylvester

Steelers add two players in the 6th round:

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan

Brown is another smallish receiver with the quickness to play in the slot and return kicks

Dwyer is a big running back. Played at 240 in college. Put up big numbers in the option attack but may not be able to break the long runs in the NFL.

Steelers draft Doug Worthington with their final pick. Planning on using him at DE?

Yeah. Worthington has a good frame, 6'5 290, but is more athletic than he really needs to be as a 3-4 defensive end.

He's closer to Brett Keisel than Aaron Smith.

Not a bad pick as a seventh rounder but you never know which guys can fit as a true 3-4 defensive end until they actually do it.

I think Slyvester is going to be good player. If you watch his videos, he does a great job reading and keying on the run and then making the tackle. He's an inside linebacker for the Steelers. You can see instantly what they saw when you watch footage. Timmons, Kendrell Bell, etc.

Draft Grades

1-Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida = B+
...Safe but solid pick. He'll have a good shot to get on the field next year at right guard and then figures to be the center of the future.

2-Jason Worilds, OLB, Virginia Tech = D
...Reach. I don't have a problem with the player but I don't think any teams were targeting him that high and they should've considered trading down and adding another pick. They do need that No. 3 outside linebacker and someone who can keep Harrison and Woodley fresh. I'm taking into account both the player and the draft value. Unless this guy was a wrecking machine I don't think this was the right position for that spot.

3-Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU = B-
...The Steelers specifically targeted Sanders over some other receivers. Even at 5'11 he has good leaping ability and quick-twitch athleticism. He may not be Santonio Holmes in terms of polish, coming from a non-major program, but he does have a similar build and style. I also think this was a reach, though, and they could've traded down and still got him.

4-Thaddeus Gibson, OLB, Ohio State = C
...Regardless of what I think of Gibson this was overkill. They have two Pro Bowl outside linebackers and already drafted the same position two rounds earlier.

5-Chris Scott, G/T, Tennessee = D+
...This guy doesn't sound too promising. He has versatility as a guard and tackle but doesn't have a lot of athleticism. Only ran a 5.52. Good position to address, but I'd be surprised if he ends up being a factor.

5-Crezdon Butler, CB, Clemson = B-
...He'll be a project. One of those players the Steelers will redshirt as a rookie. But he has good size at 6'0 and has run in the 4.3 range. Nice prospect to add to the secondary.

5-Stevenson Sylvester, LB, Utah = B
...I'll play it safe because you never know about durability but I like what I see. He does a great job keying on the run and closing to make tackles. He'll compete for inside in the 3-4. A possible long-term replacement for James Farrior.

6-Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech = B
...He was projected in the first three rounds for quite awhile. It was good the Steelers still had a big running back option available in the sixth round. I'm really not sure how his style will transition to the NFL. He played in a unique offensive system at Georgia Tech, which may have inflated his ability and production. But the Steelers are wise to give him a shot to be that No. 2 running back.

6-Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan = B-
...Another smallish receiver but he has good speed and makes great cuts with the ball in his hands. Clearly, someone who can compete for a spot as a slot receiver and return specialist.

7-Doug Worthington, DE, Ohio State = B-
...They probably should've addressed the d-line earlier but given that they didn't and had to try and make up for it with one last pick, they may luck out with Worthington. He has a good frame (tall and big) and can still add a good 10 pounds to be more sturdy as a 3-4 end.

Overall grade: B-

Clumsy draft. Poor strategy. But they had enough picks to fool around and still end up with a lot of new players.

Defensive overview

Cornerbacks

Ike Taylor
Bryant McFadden
William Gay
Joe Burnett
Keenan Lewis
Crezdon Butler
Anthony Madison

Good move getting McFadden back. The Steelers only gave up a fifth round pick for a 6th round pick and McFadden. Regardless of what happened in Arizona, he played very well for the Steelers and is much better as a starter than William Gay. Gay played well as a nickel cornerback before failing as a starter last season so there is a chance he can move back to No. 3 and be productive again. They have Burnett, Lewis and Butler, three young players, that can still emerge.

Safeties

Troy Polamalu (SS)
Ryan Clark (FS)
Will Allen
Ryan Mundy

The only problem here is they don't have a true backup at strong safety. The other three players are better suited at free safety.


Linebackers

James Harrison
LaMarr Woodley
James Farrior
Lawrence Timmons
Larry Foote
Keyaron Fox
Jason Worilds
Thaddeus Gibson
Stevenson Sylvester

If they can't find four linebackers something is wrong. It will be interesting to see if anyone from this list gets cut or do they keep nine?


Defensive tackles
Casey Hampton (NT)
Chris Hoke (NT)
Sunny Harris
Scott Paxson

Aging tandem of Hampton and Hoke. Harris may get more of a look at nose tackle.


Defensive ends
Aaron Smith
Brett Keisel
Ziggy Hood
Nick Eason
Doug Worthington

This group looks a lot better if Aaron Smith remains healthy and in the starting lineup.