Georgia LB Nolan Smith

I was listening to a podcast and they mentioned maybe he could play ILB, he probably wouldn't fit with the Steelers as an OLB, he's 238lbs and ran a 4.39 at the combine.

 

I just figured forsure He was going to be drafted as a LB, or taken, and played as one.

 

He played OLB in college, I mean can he play ILB instead.

 

I know until He tore His pec.....I didn't know You meant ILB .
Somehow My eyes skipped that.

 

Who knows. He's relatively similar in size and speed to Shazier. It would be all about whether or not his instincts for the position match up. If you remember though it took Shazier a season before he morphed into an absolute force at the position (and he was probably the best in the business at the time of his injury). So maybe we are willing to give it a go? If we're taking a guy at 17 though I'd probably pick someone we are a bit more sure about at the position we are picking them for.

 

I wouldn't take Smith at #17, but I would consider it in the second round.

 

I wouldn't take Smith unless there's plans to trade Highsmith. I just don't like the idea of a plug n play player chilling on the bench for no reason when there's a plethora of other holes on this roster. What good is passing on a Cam Smith or Bresee that could've plugged those holes for this guy?

 

timmons worked out well with the switch to the inside. smith could easily do the same.

 

That took a while. Timmons barely played as a rookie and he got much of his playing time as a reserve outside linebacker and edge rusher on passing downs his second year, when he was stuck behind Harrison and Woodley.

Also, that would still make him a projection, which adds another element of risk that I would rather avoid with the 17th overall selection.

 

I actually see both sides of this. I have misgivings, but I also thought about Him at ILB/MLB. So....
Also while learning.....He could be a backup for Highsmith, and Watt. Almost like Timmons was.

 

But what good does having him be a backup when there's needs that need filled that could be filled? I want the 17th overall pick on the field by week 3 or 4. That 2007 defense didn't have nearly the holes this defense does and they could've afforded to let Timmons learn. We don't have that luxury today.

 

No I agree....I'm just saying I can see both sides of this.
Hell I will be pissed if We don't take Cam Smith , Gonzalez, or Porter at 17.
I need a new CB.

 

Unfortunately I think we need to trade up to get one of them. We're stuck at an interesting position of too low for the T1 CBs/OTs and too high for the T2 guys. Trading up or down seems to be really at play here or someone like Bresee is probably the most likely if we don't trade.

 

I actually think one will be there. I was trying to do a draft on paper the other day, and I think more than one will be left at our pick at 17.....of course.....I could be totally off.

 

Agreed. Most mocks I've seen have them getting one of the top four corners or one of the top three offensive tackles. If all seven of those guys are gone, I really hope they trade back.

 

All draft picks are projects . None are a guarantee. We had a good deal of talent ahead of timmons back then and we seem to get rookies on the field a little quicker now. Smith is pretty talented.

 

Nobody is saying draft him at #17, the point of the thread is maybe he can play ILB, he wouldn't be a backup at OLB.

 

Prepare to be pissed because they probably won't take a CB #17 .

 

There are degrees of preparation, just as we saw in the discussions last year of Kenny Pickett. You are already trying to project what a guy will do in the pros based on what he did in college and things like the combine and pro days. It becomes even more difficult if you are projecting them to a different position. That makes the projection even less likely to work out. Also, it means the player is likely to take longer to contribute because they have to adapt to the pros and a new position.

If you don't think projecting to a new position, or one they haven't played as much, is an issue, look no further than the guard they drafted to play center in 2021.

 

What makes you say that? Unless one of the top tackles slides to them, if Porter is there, I'm certain they will take him.

 

smith could fill different roles. he could be taught the ILB spot as well as be depth to the OLB spot. as far as green goes, he was just a bad pick that seats under the none of these picks are guaranteed. he has shown incapable at center as well as his main position as a guard. he faired no better there. much depends on what they plan for at the position of ILB. if jack stays and they add a decent free agent to the mix for a year we will see what could become of smith on the inside and as i said if nothing worse we have depth on the outside. robinson will be groomed for the inside role as well. he was a RB that switched position and looks to be making some strides doing it. we can always find players that did make switches with success and ones that didn't.

 

You are missing the point, that it is more difficult for the team to evaluate the player if they are looking at them transitioning to another position. That is part of what led to the mistake with Green.

 

Lalalalalala. I can't hear You..LoL

 

i can see that. sometimes it's even the evaluation of a player from a different type of scheme from college. we had trouble with that during dick LeBeau days with zone corners when we needed some that could play man and zone. we seemed to always pick zone guys and convert them. sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if one of the tackles is on the board at #17, you guys are assuming the Steelers want Porter that bad, what if one of the other top CBs drop to #17?