Taylor Lewan

I have this thought in the back of my mind......as I have watched football over the years the cliche' of "it all starts in the trenches" holds true. I have watched dominate teams fade away because of injuries or loss or players to offensive line. It would be great to see our Steelers with a Pro Bowler LT. Running game and Ben's blind side taken care of with what we already have and adding a great LT. Thoughts on Lewan?

 

Good football player, but I think we have too much invested in our current OL to grab one that early. I have seen mocks that have us taking him though.

 

Lewan has always been my sleeper pick, just because, as people have pointed out in previous years (but not this one for some reason) dominant left tackles are rare, and even rarer in the range that the Steelers usually pick. Do I think he'll be there at 15? Nope. But if we go BPA, he'd have to be close if he's there.

 

Yeah, I'm in agreement with this. Lewan was my target starting last offseason before he declared he was returning to school, but with the way things are going I really think we pass on OL early this year and stock up our defense. If we go offense with our first I think it'll be WR or Ebron. One thing is for certain, the theory that our FO purposely alternates between offense and defense every year with our first round pick will be put to the test this draft!

 

really am surprised by all the praise. I thought he had a bad year and in big games against quality competition the past two years he seemed to struggle. I want no part of him because I think he is just like mike adams. he may be a decent right tackle but in the nfl I am not convinced he can play left tackle. go back and watch the tape from 2012 when Michigan played Alabama. he look like a matador.

I know that was 2 years ago and he was an all American but that game was against nfl caliber players unlike Indiana, Minnesota, west mich and purdue. not bashing its just facts. he even struggled against mich st and ohio st

 

I'd never go against getting a top O-lineman ever. it makes the rest of the offense be the best that they can be. I keep going back to watch tape and for my money, one of the better players might be martin. nobody wants to commit to his game as a tackle, and no he doesn't really look the part, but the guy can play. I would take him over lewan personally. I also think lewans linemate on the other side will be the better player. schofield has some game to him. I've read that scouts are saying don't just think of him as a right tackle only player.

 

Thanks for insight guys as I just do not know much about O-Line play other than it is critical to a teams success. I only brought his name up because the occasional mock has us taking him. I also like the way Michigan lineman have had success in the pros. Would love to get a Steve Hutchinson II!!!

 

No to Lewan, even if he is there for me. I think he is pretty overrated. He struggled this past year, especially against anyone with good speed. There are only two guys I like at LT in the first this year and they will definitely both be gone (Robinson, Matthews).

 

FWIW Gerry Dulac said the Steelers shouldn't draft O-line before the 5th rd, I don't think I agree with that if Matthews slipped to #15 take him.

 

yes but he will not drop that far

 

only way I would take a tackle that early is if he is gonna be a ton better than beachum.

 

I would agree with not taking OL before round 5.

 

I too have him pegged by the Giants.

 

I wouldn't take Lewan at #15 Michigan had a lot of problems protecting their QB last season.

 

I think Lewan or Mike Evans could very surprisingly drop to the Steelers.

 

munch is a good coach but most are expecting way too much from him. a coach isn't going to turn 5th rounder into 1st round talent if that's what you are thinking. I have no problem what so ever in shoring up the O-line so he can do something with them. the more talent on the O-line, the better they will make every other spot on offense. we would be foolish to bring munchak in and give him little to work with. it's all about the talent. I could easily see them going OL early. I guess I don't see near the holes for this year at some other spots.