Jack's Second Annual Mock Draft -- no mocking please

Well, here we go. After being a draftnik for many years I finally decided to do a mock draft for the first time last year. The result? I got exactly ZERO, ZILCH, NADA picks correct but, hey, it was fun. So here I am again with the comfort of knowing I can't do any worse than last year. Here goes.

1st Round: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia -- I just don't think we pass this guy up if he falls to us. He's a playmaker, plain and simple. He sacks QBs and he tackles RBs behind the LOS. That's what we want from our LBs. Kiper had this guy as the number one player on his board at one point and then the questions about his health resurfaced and he ran a slow 40. Big deal! He's still the same player that dominated at GA.

2nd Round: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford -- I'm concerned about Heath's injury but I think even if Heath were healthy I'd take Ertz at this spot. Like Jones, Ertz isn't a great underwear Olympian and didn't necessarily wow 'em at the Combine, but he's a player. Two playmaking TEs is a great asset for any team to have, just ask the Patriots. If we draft Ertz, will anybody be able to stop us in the red zone when you team him with Heath and Plax? I think not!

3rd Round: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee -- Okay, I know BFT and steel1031 are going to blast me here, but I think this would be a GREAT pick for the Steelers. Some analysts are saying that if Bray had waited until next year to come out, he may have been the number ONE OVERALL PICK in the 2014 draft. If we can get our next franchise QB without spending a franchise (high first round) draft pick for him, I say we jump on it. He's got some maturity issues but let him sit behind Ben for a few years and gain some maturity and he'll be fine. This guy obviously has a big arm and is extremely accurate and once he's got some seasoning under his belt, he'll be ready to take the reins from Ben without missing a beat.

4th Round: D.J. Swearinger, FS, South Carolina -- Very aggressive and likes to intimidate. This guy is a big hitter and will give us some much needed depth at safety. Could develop into a solid starter and spending some time behind Troy and Clark will do nothing but benefit him.

5th Round: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina -- Best case scenario, we sign Ahmad Bradshaw and allow Lattimore to essentially sit the first year with maybe some playing time in the second half of the season. Lattimore is a load and a very special talent who has been challenged by significant injuries in his college career. IF he can regain his health, he will be an elite RB at the NFL level and a great value here. If we don't sign Bradshaw, Barner could be the choice here.

6th Round: Rontez Miles, FS, California (PA) -- For the second time in three rounds, we go after a safety. How can we not draft a guy with a Steelers' tattoo, right? Besides that, this kid seems to have a skill set that will transfer nicely to the next level. He did play against inferior D-2 competition, but would inject some more young blood to an aging position for the Steelers.

6th Round (comp pick): Denard Robinson, WR, Michigan -- Extremely athletic and FAST. QB in college which could be an advantage as he transitions to WR in the NFL. Gives the Steelers some versatility on offense much like they had when Antwaan Randle El was here. Many exciting possibilities with this guy.

7th Round: Garret Gilkey, OG, Chadron State -- Hey, you've gotta pick somebody in the last round, don't ya? Actually, Gilkey represented himself pretty well at the Senior Bowl against high level competition. Has a bit of a nasty streak which is a good attribute for an offensive lineman to have. Beachum worked out well as a late round OL last year. Maybe we can make it two in a row.

There you have it. I wanted to draft a WR earlier and considered Keenan Allen in the first round, but I just couldn't pass up Jones. I still believe the Steelers could trade down and draft Keenan Allen and I'd be happy with that if they did. Allen is the top WR on my board but 17 May be a little high to take him.

Opinions appreciated.

 

Interesting. Even though it could happen...i would not be shocked it Lattimore went as early as the late second round (or 3rd). The only WR you select is a QB converting to WR? While I think they can be OK with the WRs on the team...I dont think they wait that long to take one this year. Other than those and QB being an awful high pick...not bad...the rest are OK for the most part. Not the worst ive seen, haha

 

I knew I'd take some criticism for not taking a WR other than Robinson, but it just didn't shake out that way. I think if we're able to retain Sanders and we add Ertz to the mix, we've improved ourselves pretty well. I started to take Allen in the first but just couldn't pass on Jones and in the rest of my mock I just thought there were other players besides a WR that would help more. As I said above, though, I could see the Steelers trading down in the first and taking Allen. I'd actually prefer him over Patterson. I think he has some Boldin qualities.

 

i will try to keep it civil.lol if you are gonna take bray you cant take him in the third. 4th maybe but better in the 5th. if someone takes him that high they will be wasting a pick. we have many bigger needs that a 3rd rounder can fill. for the record there is no way he would be the 1st overall next yr if he had come back. he wouldnt even be the best qb in his conference with mccarron and murray. oh yeah and then there is johnny football. if i look at bray objectively, i still see poor mechanics and decision making. he is not worthy of the 3rd pick.

 

Its good. I don't like the QB in the 3rd. In fact I'm thinking we may have a shot at TE Vance McDonald in the 3rd which would allow a different pick in rd two like safety reid but since you're going with safety swearinger in the 4th maybe Teo' in rd 2.

Cajun-

 

No. try again.

 

That's the best I've got, mac. There will be no 2.0.

 

Ok. We'll try not to mock you openly.

 

i'm just messin with ya jack. just not my choice of positions or players. no ILB or is that where you think jones would play? i see the need for alot more firepower on offense for next year.

 

No, I definitely see Jones as an OLB. I just think with Timmons and Foote ILB was not an absolute necessity this year. And remember, we also just re-signed the great Stevenson Sylvester. Or is it Sylvester Stevenson? I have trouble with that.

And I agree that we need more firepower on offense and I'm still hopeful that we can sign Bradshaw to a one year deal and draft Lattimore, who is the best RB in this class IF he's healthy. I think if we were to draft Ertz he'd be a great fit with what Haley is trying to do on offense. If we retain Sanders I think we'll be okay at WR. I look for AB to have a bounce back year.