The Year for Drafting CB

https://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker/participants/

Good year to take a CB it seems either in the 1st or the second round.. looks like OT and edge are decent pickups also.

MLB not so much. Feels like there's a glaring weakness there.

 

I am fine with LT at 17 if he's a steal. But knowing a CB will be at 32. S at 49. WR at 80

If not, then I want CB at 17. With DT at 32. S at 49. WR at 80.

And hopefully we sign Bud back.

.... i know a lot want BPA. But there's honestly holes we need to fix with stand out rookies. Now if the stand out rookie isn't there for the position of need, then go with BPA.

 

With 4 picks in the first 80 there is a good chance of getting 4 of your 5 Christmas presents while still pretty much taking BPA at those positions at least for the first 3

 

I get the idea of stand out rookie, but the reality is the plug and play potential decreases dramatically not only lower the the rounds, but even in the first. There are outliers as some positions are easier to fill than others, and in some years a teams strikes gold in several rounds and ends up with quality starters mid draft or later. The only position at this point where starter is almost mandatory is CB. If your guy is not there, then the boards BPA in the many positions you listed can definitely come into play. I just hope there was a lesson learned from Artie Burns, the pick you make is a minimum 5 year potential, if he does not start day one, he can/will be your starting replacement in 2024, so choose build with that expectation.

 

If Joey Porter Jr is there, I think it's between him or a LT for 1st pick.

 

I think so also, but it should be Cam Smith. Joey looks better, Cam plays better. Joey has a name, and We also don't usually look at much SEC except, Florida, Georgia, and Bama for some reason. They need to hire Me for scouting that area. LoL

 

I’ve heard a valid point about selecting Peezey Jr. Much of what goes into picking players in the draft that fit the mold and desired demeanor with character qualities is as important as athletic ability. Especially 1st round picks. Missing in character is a big blunder. One additional reason they picked KFP. Not just because they knew who he was but also what he’s not. They didn’t have to chance on a character assessment swing and miss because there was a minimal guess or chance.

Same with JPJr. They’ve known him since he was an infant right in the house. Through his player dad and supposedly a very strong willed high character mother.

Unless one of the other two projected top 3 CB’s are there with Jr. and they happen to like the other guys abilities a whole lot more and willing to guess a little more on character they are gonna pick Peezey’s kid. Hometown, home grown, legacy player of need with the right size, skill set (mostly) and tape to go along with the familiarity of the man himself.

If he’s there at 17 they are gonna think hard about this one. The other pick will have to be a much higher rated player in a position of need. OT, DT or CB. I can’t see any other position getting picked before that. If a player like Troy was in the draft then I think they might consider SS. But that player is not in this draft class. Correct???

 

What creates the biggest impact though? CB or OT… just a thought

 

Steelers are long overdue for a pro bowl caliber CB. Lake and Woodson were an eternity ago.

And hopefully Steelers won't reach for a CB like they did with Burns.

 

Yes - just don't reach. 1st, 2nd or 3rd pick, should find good value there. LT most pressing, IMO, then DE / DT.

 

I don't think they'll have to trade up to get him imo...

 

LOL

 

Don't get Me wrong....I like Porter Jr....I just think Gonzalez, and Cam Smith are the best two CBs out of the bunch. Admittedly.....I've only watch, and broken down tape for 7 CBs.
JMO....but I think it's like this...
1. Cam Smith
2. Gonzalez
3. Witherspoon
4. Porter Jr.

I think they all are good, but that's how I see them. Of course there are others....that in the right system will be good.

 

Porter in Rd 1 would be a reach.....which is what we have done far too often, in may years....

 

I have no idea, I don’t watch college ball anymore. I’m just going by reports. Other than the eye test I couldn’t say I’m terribly confident in diagnosing detailed skills and traits that will translate well Fromm college to the pros. I’m sure a lot of guys might look like the best or one of the best players on the field during a college game and flame out in the pros without some nuanced skills that aren’t as easy to detect against lesser competition or schemes that aren’t transferable.

I’m seriously torn between a franchise stud LT or and old timey lock down CB with ball hawk ability. In the first round that is.

Neither come around that often and we haven’t picked this low that often.

This is one puzzling draft.

 

Corner is insane this year in terms of both talent and depth. Even if not accounting for the Big Three in Witherspoon, Gonzalez and Porter Jr, there are still other high end Corners to be had in the draft. That said, if such a player is within striking distance, I would not mind trading up for him; bringing me to the point @bigbenhotness made about importance.


Historically speaking, Left Tackles have been the superior choice considering that this position called the EDGE Rusher is heavily responsible for dismantling Offensive Gameplans. However, within the past 10 years... the rules have changed. Teams now rotate and cycle their best pass rushers to the least fortified positions among the Offensive Line. While the Left Tackle will never lose value as the blindside is still a QBs greatest situational weakness, Left Tackle, while still being premium, is not as dominant a position it once was.


Corner on the other hand has seen a major surge due to multiple factors. The first is teams going all in on the Rookie QB Contract to win. This accelerates the need for that young QB to have a legit number one receiver in addition to other weapons. A defense can stymie other weapons but a number one Receiver requires a Shut Down Corner to oppose. The second is how Number One WRs are being used. Yes, they are still used predominantly on the outside but more and more have shifted inside towards more favorable match-ups. A true Number One Corner needs to be able to play both inside and outside to account for multiple match-ups against their opposition.



The third is one of historical significance. Ever since the days of Dick Lane, Willie Wood and Mel Blount, teams have always coveted a player who can further unlock and maximize their coverage capabilities. The better the Corner, the more coverages and/or efficient of coverages a team can run. The most recent example is Darius Slay. While the Eagles had a deadly pass rush, they also had the services of one of the best Corners in the game in Slay. Having him further maximized the effectiveness of the pass rush by crippling the amount of time opposing QBs had to get them the Football. While QBs nowadays have multiple weapons, having the guy that can bail an Offense out of a bad situation is often required to go far in the playoffs.




In short?! I too am advocating for drafting a Corner. However, should an Offensive Tackle like Broderick Jones Jr or even Paris Johnson Jr fall far enough to trade up for, I am going with the Blindside Protector there. Pittsburgh already saw the inhuman level of punishment that Big Ben endured during those early years. I doubt they will want to see an encore performance with Kenny Pickett.

 

A good shutdown corner is an asset. The Steelers have a good veteran shutdown guy that would help a rookie out a lot.
Solid LT's are gold though.
I was pretty solid on LT then CB but maybe the 3 I consider best will be gone by 17.

 

Is P2 still a “shut down” corner though???

My brother is a die hard Minnesota Viqueens fan as much as I am a Steelers fan. All he’s been saying the last 2 years is about how bad their defense is/was and especially the defensive backfield; and that included Peterson.

I’m skeptical he’s going to be able to help our weak and thin unit other than being a teacher of sorts. According to my disgruntled brother he wasn’t a help and didn’t care that he left.

Not a ringing endorsement.

 

He(P.P) is definitely not what He was, but He could ....if He wants to....really help a rookie come along. Also if He hasn't really fallen off from last year ....He can help us a bit too. Time will tell.

 

I won't be upset if We take Porter Jr, but I will be if We take Him, and Smith, and Gonzalez are still on the board.
Of course I will root for whoever they take.

 

PP isn't a shutdown CB anymore, he had 5 ints last season though, and with the way the Steelers rush the QB that should help him too.

 

Prepare to be upset then I'm not sure the Steelers sent any scouts to see Smith, or Gonzalez at their pro days .

 

I know they didn't. Doesn't mean those aren't the best 2 CBs though.
I believe the Ravens took Cam Smith CB to dinner if I heard correctly.