Grade the Steelers 2017 draft

I give them a C-, in a draft that was deep at safety they come away with none . They also didn't draft a ILB, I was expecting one that could replace Vince on passing downs or a big safety to play that role. Colbert needs to stop being so conservative, it's okay to trade up once in awhile. We saw Awuzie and Obi, and Josh Jones get drafted right in front of us in the second round, but hey at least we will go to camp with 20 WRs . It seemed like they went with a feel good story taking Conner in the 3rd, he was projected to be a 4-5 rd prospect. There were plenty of other RBs in this draft they could've taken in the 4th or 5th.

 

I say solid B, they may not have drafted many superstars, but they didn't need to, they drafted some key role player guys, who I think will stick around.

It was more about the Deshae Townsends' and Veron Haynes' than the Troy P's and Jerome Bettis'

 

C+....not based on the guys they got...they all might turn into 10 year players....but I see very little help in 2017. I like Watt, Conner, and I actually love Allen. He reminded me of Sherman who I was pimping hard that year. I don't think he is as polished, his footwork not as good,...and I don't think his hands are either....but he showed flashes of Sherman like qualities....just needs consistency.

Sutton and Juju look to be fine players

Dobbs has a good chance of beating out Jones...but will still be #3 QB and #2 alopecia player.

A LS....Camp battle I guess....but at this point I would be surprised if he beat out Warren.

Adams will most likely be the next Steeler LB that everyone will say "He will never make it to our practice squad" but he will.

HACK

 

I will give them a C.

 

A+

Clearly the subtle intracacies of Colbert's genius is falling on dead ears.




But being serious. I don't like to rate drafts. I'll say this.

T.J. Watt - love the pick.

JuJu Smith-Schuster - Genuine high second round talent receiver, 6th total off the board (all rounds) ,where 18 dbs went before our pick in the 2nd round alone. Could have traded up. I only believe in trading up for sure things, and for fair prices.

Trades require two consenting teams. Ever consider a scenario where a team says "no thank you, we dont want to trade back out of this spot"

Cam Sutton- Not exciting, but apparently underated. Super solid, safe pick. great pick if we're trying to play more man coverage.

James Conner- I believe Colbert when he says he sees Conner as a triple whammy for his running ability, his special teams ability, and the content of his character.

Rounds 4-7

Consider it a crap shoot past this point. Sure Tom Bradys and Antonio Browns came from the 6th round. Thats two players. At least they drafted a guy they figured would get the job.

We need to remember I think that we already have players prior to the draft. We have a young secondary. Perhaps Tomlin and company have more faith in our ILB and Safety than we do. Usually I find out that the draft picks each year make more sense to me a few months after the draft.

We have a premium red zone defense. We made it to the AFCCG. We lost to the Patriots. We need to beat them. But anybody thinking that we don't have the team to beat them already, because we're missing that one rookie, is in denial about the fact that The Pats handed a very elite roster (compared to the reat of the NFL) their ass. The people who are gonna change that we're here before the draft. With possibly the exception of Watt.


It actually is an A+ draft if we tried to do a mock draft of "Highest Intangibles." This strategy may prove more effective than anyone expects.

 

1. Watt - A-
2. Smith-Schuster - B+
3a. Sutton - B+
3b. Conner - B
4. Dobbs - C
5. Allen - C-
6. Holba - D
7. Adams - B

First four picks i give a B+. Second four picks I give a C-. Based on a weighted scale with higher picks having more value, I give the Steelers a B.

 

B+

 

Allen and Dobbs got a huge upside.

Allen was a WR 1st, only played CB 2yrs. 2016 was his best year. Made huge improvements since his 1st year as a CB in 2015.

Dobbs can play, but will sit and learn behind has a,lot of upside, won games, extremely smart, good arm, mobile asf and can shrug off big hits to gain yards with his RB like mobility.

I seen him bounce off 2 big hits from Keanu Neal and Jarrad Davis on the same play for a nice run.

 

Solid B for me too. H3ll Watts alone, almost makes it a slam dunk for me. I would've loked Foster but too many red flags.

 

A- for me.


Only thing this keeps it from being a solid A was the fact that a hybrid safety/linebacker was the final piece for Tomlin and Butlet to complete their version of Dick LeBeau's scheme. Time will tell if this was the missing piece for certain.



I liked all the picks personally. Furthermore, us not pushing hard to complete Tomlin's ideal defense must mean that they believe Ben does have a couple years left. Who knows what could happen until then?



I can say for this for certain. When the time comes that Ben cannot play anymore, Dobbs will more than likely have a top flight defense and a good rushing attack to lean on just like Ben did early in his career.

 

I agree totally with your analogy....i was doing cartwheels after TJ Watt selection...then came JuJu Beans and i sharted....

If we go;
Round 1 Watt
Round 2 CB
Round 3 pick 1 Safety
Round 3 pick 2 best available
Round 4 best available
Round 5 best available
Round 6 best available
Round 7 Chad Kelly instead of a LS we could have signed as free agent...

C- the C is only because of TJ Watt

 

This is why we have trouble scoring against Ravens, they know how to draft...

1 16 Marlon Humphrey** CB Alabama 6' 1" 195
2 47 Tyus Bowser OLB Houston 6' 2" 240
3 74 Chris Wormley DT Michigan 6' 5" 303
3 78 Tim Williams OLB Alabama 6' 4" 237
4 122 Nico Siragusa OG San Diego State 6' 3" 335
5 159 Jermaine Eluemunor OG Texas A&M 6' 3" 330
6 186 Chuck Clark CB Virginia Tech 6' 0" 205

 

Bolded does raise an intriguing point and one I have noticed since 2010.


Alabama players, for better or worse, are NFL ready when they enter thanks in part to Nick Saban. The issue is, in order for them to be NFL ready, their athletic and phsycial parameters have to be either reaching or at maximum capability. Yes there are exceptions but there are not rules.


This is not a secret and not just to Alabama players either. Many big time college programs like Ohio State, Oklahoma and Kansas State deconstruct their prospects and reinstitue them into an "NFL level" mode of readiness. The issue for Alabama is when I say deconstruct, they, unlike most colleges, deconstruct everything regarding their prospects from a football perspective.



From how they read offenses or defenes to just even breaking huddles, training and camaraderie, Alabama has effectively created an institution where teams generally do not have to worry about selecting an Alabama player due to their rigorous levels of "NFL Level Preparation"



Here in lies the problem yet again; wear and tear. These young men are either maxed out or nearing it, hurt, or both. Keep in mind everyone Reuben Foster had shoulder issues along with Johnathan Allen. Marlon Humphrey and O.J. Howard are exceptions but Marlon has issues of his own and Lane Kiffin really undervalued O.J. more than people are giving him credit for. As such, only exceptions are what the Steelers value.



For my end point, it leads me to the end of Tomlin's rainbow consisting of three qualities:


1.) Age


2.) Athleticism


3.) Versatility



For evidence? Ryan Shazier. He is the pinnacle of the ideal propsect that fits what the Steelers look for to the "T".


Reuben has the versatility and athleticism but not the age. TJ is just 22 compared to Reuben's 23. I am certain that, if this were another draft, Reuben would have been the pick; diluted sample or otherwise. However, TJ amassing all three of those qualities in addition to the value and need supercede even a reputed top 10 pick in spite of the skill proficiency.


In the end, as I stated before, an "A-" for me. Should Brian Allen be something more than a boundary corner than this grade gets raised. Otherwise it stays the same.

 

You can't really grade a draft before any of these guys plays a single down in the NFL... I think we addressed most of our needs. I was a little surprised that we didn't take an ILB. We need to sign someone to help our depth IMO. We are a Shazier injury away from disaster at that position. Otherwise, I liked the positions taken.

Watt - like the pick. He should see time in rotation with Harrison and hopefully earns more snaps as he improves over the course of the year. Can't hate this one.

JuJu - probably my favorite pick. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he's starting Day 1. The Steelers were starving for a WR with this type of game. Ben's going to love throwing him the rock on 3rd down and in the RZ.

Sutton - athletic, man-capable corner with the ability to play inside or in the slot. Pretty good player at a position of need

Conner - big runner with some power and nimble enough feet. Maybe they ask him to lose weight? Or do they want him to be a bruiser? Needed a guy we can count on behind Bell.

Dobbs - one of the few QB's I was okay with taking this year. Seems to have some tools. Will be a bit of a project, but hopefully Ben sticks around long enough for him to develop a bit.

Allen - tall, long, man capable corner that seems like a decent enough investment.

Hobla - one pick I couldn't find a justification for. Nothing against Hobla, but we drafted AB in he 6th... we can't be taking a long snapper here

Adams - pass rusher project.

 

They also have been selecting in the top 20 since 2014 if I recall in addition to John Harbaughs record flipping since his Super Bowl run.

 

I hope Allen and Dobbs outplay their draft selections, and I appreciate your positive viewpoint. Did the Steelers do enough to beat the Patriots with the help from this draft? we can hope. I like their top 4 picks and I hope their bottom 4, out perform their draft slots, but I believe the Steelers are still missing something on the defensive side of the ball. so that is why I give them a B.

 

This was deepest D draft in years...many starters drafted in round 2 and 3, ...Tim Williams is beast, thats the crows 4th pick!....just 3 rounds before our long snapper

 

Indeed. Anyones grade is meaningless really. I do believe grades based off of simply face value is more suitable. Final grades can be given soon after.


It is like Colbert stated;

"The only way you know if you got the right guys is if they win you championships".

 

Current Skill I give this draft a B-, Potential I give the Steelers an A+, every pick they made has an amazingly high ceiling, will they all work out? Of course not, that's what a high ceiling player is, they have the assets necessary to become a Pro Bowl caliber player, but have a possibility of being worthless, and the Steelers picked up 3 that could be Hall of Fame caliber if they develop properly and others that could be pro bowlers. Great draft for the Steelers as far as potential goes. I consider potential drafting the most effective way to cultivate a superbowl caliber team, plateau drafting is for developmental-rebuilding teams, the Steelers want to be superbowl contenders for years to come, not just be a 9-7 playoff team.

 

Lets see how it plays out 2-3 years? Although Art II is on record
that he wants to see more production early. I am slightly disappointed
right now with our team management on wanting to make things happen.
But who knows, maybe they have a plan? Did we address our glaring weakness's
I think not. Are we any closer to beating the Patriots after this draft?
Ben is just about done.

 

We didn't address our glaring weaknesses? 2 olb 2cb, wr,rb.
They might not of drafted the players you wanted, but they addressed the team's needs. An argument could be made against the ls, but that's about it. Overall it was a solid draft. If one or two of the late round guys develop it will be a slam dunk.