The Steelers should trade up in the draft

It's time to be bold and aggressive get CB Justin Gilbert he's a poor man's Rod Woodson, he has prototypical size and speed for the position. The Steelers haven't had a playmaking CB since Woodson left, in college Gilbert had 8 career TDs from int returns and kickoff returns. I would try and move up 5-6 spots to get him, maybe give up a 4th or 5th this year and a 3rd next year along with #15 this year. I mean so what if you have to give up some picks Colbert has been missing on these later round picks anyway. I agree with Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network former NFL scout, he said Gilbert is head and shoulders above the rest of the CB class.

 

We are so short on quality depth that we can't afford to give up picks. Let the cards fall were they will and see how things shake out.

 

We don't have the luxury nor the riches to trade up. If JG and DD are both gone, maybe we can get lucky and have Kyle Fuller fall into our laps with a trade down or a slip into the second round. Mayock has Fuller as his 2nd rated CB anyway.

 

Gilbert isn't the guy one would trade up for, IMO. I don't see anything on film that screams "dominant". I see Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a solid player but nothing special. Gilbert is an athlete and has a knack for the big play and would be a nice pickup at #15, but I don't think he makes an impact like a Polamalu, Kuechly, Watt, etc. Besides, if we do select him I have a feeling he's a one-contract guy for us, just a vibe I get from him and good CB's can get expensive.

I'd trade up for Matthews or Clowney and that's about it. Those guys, to me, are as close to guarantees to be special as we can get AND likely to be happy in PIT for multiple contracts.

 

I don't see that one player in this draft that I would move up for. definitely not gilbert.

 

This post was made just in time for Mayock to drop Gilbert to his #3 ranked corner lol I know the "expert" opinion isn't always (or often) right, but Gilbert isn't "head and shoulders" above any of the top 5 or 6 corners. I like his overall athleticism and the fact that he is a good kick returner, but I don't see the separation in play or talent from the likes of Dennard, Fuller, Roby, Verrett etc. to warrant a trade up of that magnitude to get him. If he is there at 15 (which he very well could be), I'd love to have him. If not, there are plenty of other options at CB which are just as good IMO.

 

Only two I would trade up for us clowny or Evans...I would take two corners in rounds 2 through 4.

Hack

 

Look, I like Gilbert but he isn't a "sure thing". He at least isn't any more "sure thing" than Dennard, Roby, Verret, or Fuller. It wouldn't make any sense to give up picks in a deep draft to select a guy that you could get a similarly talented player at our pick at 15 or even at a later pick if we trade down. This move sounds "desperate" to me, and it wouldn't be worth it in terms of value

 

The only thing that differentiates Gilbert over Dennard is his speed. Dennard is much more physical and is head and shoulders better in run support which the Steelers demand from their CBs.

 

Gilbert would probably be sad playing here, giving a cushion and no chance for Int's, ha ha!

 

One of the things this defense has been lacking the last few seasons is speed in the secondary, evidenced by all the big plays they have been giving up. Gilbert along with Mitchell in the secondary would help a lot, also Gilbert has better ball skills than Dennard he had 6 int last season 2 returned for TD. They gave up a 3rd to get Shamarko Thomas, I wouldn't think twice about giving up a few picks, out of the nine 9 draft picks they have they will be lucky if 6 make the team.

 

Jake Matthews is the only player I'd wanna move up for and that would be way too expensive.