Browsing through The Bill Nunn Draft Room history...

If you continue to do this, make sure that any of my posts that you resurrect are the ones that make me look smart (like the thread where I raised a red flag on drafting Jarvis Jones), and not the ones that make me look dopey (like saying that Justin Gilbert was the best corner prospect in his draft class). Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely
The Management

 

I always love going back to do it.

I just wish the old original steelers message board had archives.

I have personal notes going all the way back to '05 when I started to become a draft hound. Some good, some bad, some disasters.

Was not a fan of Heath Miller pre draft in '05.

Preferred to Sinorice Moss to Santonio Holmes in '06 (although to my credit, I wanted Nick Mangold that year.)

Correctly called Jamarcus Russell a bust in '07. Called Joe Thomas one of the greatest OT prospects I've ever seen. Would have given a kidney to get Adam Carriker in a Steelers uniform. Loved Timmons but probably would have taken Leon Hall.

In '08 correctly labeled Vernon Gholston and Jeff Otah busts. Wanted Mendenhall. Oops.

In '09 loved guys like Mack, Oher, and Hakeem Nicks. Hated Hood. Knew he wouldn't work in a 3-4. Unfortunately anyone was good by the time we selected. Wanted either Laurinaitis or Malalauga at that point.

Was cool with Pouncey in 2010 but would have selected Kyle Wilson or Sean Weatherspoon. I was not very high on Earl Thomas.

In 2011, outside of Newton i didnt think there were any 1st round QBs. Had a great laugh when Locker, Gabbert and Ponder all went top 12. Once again, would have given up a kidney to get JJ Watt. Was very high on Mike Pouncey, thought he was better than Maurkice. Liked Heyward but at that point I was all in on Ras-I Dowling.

In 2012, I thought Luke Keuchly was overrated. Really loved Dre Kirkpatrick. Wanted Hightower the whole way but when Decastro slipped, it was a no brainer.

Was all in on Jarvis Jones in 2013 but wasn't sure he would fall to us. Thought his production and tape showed a can't miss prospect. Ignored age and measurables. I was also really high on his college teammate Alec Ogletree. Fell in love with that Georgia defense as a whole that year.

Pounded the table all year for Shazier in 2014. Was so happy when we took him. Loved Moseley in that spot too. Was also really high on Justin Gilbert and Bradley Roby too.

Loved Marcus Peters in 2015 despite him being kicked off the team. Went earlier than us. Was not big on Bud Dupree.

Last year was probably the least I was involved in doing research along with 2015. Definitely fell in with the William Jackson III and Billings crowd that was on the board here. Definitely was thrown for a loop with the Burns pick as he was not on my radar at all.

 

He may not be dominant but he is starting to look like the special playmaking LB we thought he was when we drafted him. At #15, what are you trying to draft. A pro bowl potenting prospect.

He does it all. Tackles. Tackles for loss. Sacks. Force fumbles. Interceptions.

Still is having trouble staying healthy for 16 games a year which is certainly a concern.

Still, I don't think there's too many people feeling remorse for selecting Shazier.

 

Nope, not feeling remorse at all. I was crestfallen when Fuller was taken at Pick #14. Once Fuller was gone, my guy was Jeremiah Attaouchu, who I thought was going to be essentially the same player as Terrell Suggs. Not one of my finest draft evaluation moments.

I don't think there was any indication that health would be an issue for Shazier, and that's really his only significant flaw. He's not a perfect tackler and will whiff upon occasion, but his range allows him to make tackles that most LBs can't even get close to making, so that's a wash IMO. If he were a steady 16 game starter he'd be a perennial Pro Bowler IMO.

 

I think I had Shazier rated as my 11th or 12 prospect on my big board. Not quite a dirty secret, but something inside of me wanted to draft him from the time he was a freshman.

My analytical mind thought Hilbert and Moseley were safer and potentially better selections. I was dumbfounded when the Browns traded up and took Gilbert. Definitely thought he was coming to us at #15.

I had the higher ceing on Shazier but a much higher floor on CJ Moseley. In retrospect, doesn't look like either choice would have been wrong. Moseley may have the slight edge as Shazier's health has held him back, but even after the fact I like Shazier more.