OLB prospects

steelersrule6 · Apr 11, 2014

What round should the Steelers address the OLB position? I could see them drafting one in the 3rd, a couple of players to keep a eye on Jeremiah Attaochu of Georgia Tech and Marcus Smith of Louisville a converted DE. I also like Kyle Van Noy of BYU but I doubt these guys will be there at the end of the 3rd compensatory pick.

Wardismvp · Apr 12, 2014

I believe the Steelers will be targeting this position.And right were you are projecting it.

Steel_Elvis · Apr 12, 2014

I think you're right about none of those guys being available at pick #97. Pass rushers generally go early. I would be perfectly fine with any of those 3 guys at pick #46, and would personally not be disappointed with Attaochu at #15. I feel strongly that he's going to be a really good pro - likely even more productive than he was in college. He just turned 21 in January, and he's already Georgia Tech's all time sack leader. He's known to be a good guy and hard worker, and you can see it in his game tape. He never stops until the whistle blows.

I'll make a prediction here that contradicts the online "experts." Attaochu will be selected in the 1st round. I think NFL teams are going to see what I see, even if the draftniks don't.

Chainmover1 · Apr 12, 2014

Steel_Elvis said: ↑

I think you're right about none of those guys being available at pick #97. Pass rushers generally go early. I would be perfectly fine with any of those 3 guys at pick #46, and would personally not be disappointed with Attaochu at #15. I feel strongly that he's going to be a really good pro - likely even more productive than he was in college. He just turned 21 in January, and he's already Georgia Tech's all time sack leader. He's known to be a good guy and hard worker, and you can see it in his game tape. He never stops until the whistle blows.

I'll make a prediction here that contradicts the online "experts." Attaochu will be selected in the 1st round. I think NFL teams are going to see what I see, even if the draftniks don't.
Click to expand...

This is the kind of thinking that builds champions. I have not watched clips on this one since I do not think the Steelers will take any LB before the 4th rd, well maybe that comp pick at 97 since several players are slotted about there. Jeremiah Attaochu is currently ranked 52 by nfldraftscout with an arrow pointing up. Apparently they agree with you. He is ranked 58 by Scott Wright of Draftcountdown.com and 55 by the Great Blue North Report[gbn.com]

So since it is not likely that TS[the Steelers] are going to go OLB early, he, as are several others ranked higher than him are probably not on the menu.

Since TS have not had a whole lot of success in acquiring OLB's the past several years, what do you think of taking a couple of DE's who might be adaptable to TS system?

You know, when you think about it the best OLB's have had the past 20 years have been mostly windfalls. Gregg Lloyd a late [6th rd pick?] Harrison undrafted, Greene a FA, however, Porter and Haggans were drafted as OLB's I think. A couple years ago I searched hard to try and find out if Porter also did some DE stuff, but I could not find out. Anyway some of those DE/OLB types might be worth looking at.

Steel_Elvis · Apr 12, 2014

Chainmover1 said: ↑

This is the kind of thinking that builds champions. I have not watched clips on this one since I do not think the Steelers will take any LB before the 4th rd, well maybe that comp pick at 97 since several players are slotted about there. Jeremiah Attaochu is currently ranked 52 by nfldraftscout with an arrow pointing up. Apparently they agree with you. He is ranked 58 by Scott Wright of Draftcountdown.com and 55 by the Great Blue North Report[gbn.com]

So since it is not likely that TS[the Steelers] are going to go OLB early, he, as are several others ranked higher than him are probably not on the menu.

Since TS have not had a whole lot of success in acquiring OLB's the past several years, what do you think of taking a couple of DE's who might be adaptable to TS system?

You know, when you think about it the best OLB's have had the past 20 years have been mostly windfalls. Gregg Lloyd a late [6th rd pick?] Harrison undrafted, Greene a FA, however, Porter and Haggans were drafted as OLB's I think. A couple years ago I searched hard to try and find out if Porter also did some DE stuff, but I could not find out. Anyway some of those DE/OLB types might be worth looking at.
Click to expand...

Of the 3 discussed in this thread, both Attaochu and Smith played DE in 2013. Woodley and Worilds were DEs. I'm pretty sure Porter and Haggans were 4-3 DEs in college, but we're taxing my memory cells. With so many more teams adopting 3-4 base defenses, the days of getting bargains by converting undersized DEs to OLBs are generally over. Everyone is doing it now, and it's pushing those guys higher in the draft. A few years ago guys like that were referred to as "tweeners." Now they're just called 3-4 OLB prospects, and graded much higher.

Chainmover1 · Apr 12, 2014

Steel_Elvis said: ↑

Of the 3 discussed in this thread, both Attaochu and Smith played DE in 2013. Woodley and Worilds were DEs. I'm pretty sure Porter and Haggans were 4-3 DEs in college, but we're taxing my memory cells. With so many more teams adopting 3-4 base defenses, the days of getting bargains by converting undersized DEs to OLBs are generally over. Everyone is doing it now, and it's pushing those guys higher in the draft. A few years ago guys like that were referred to as "tweeners." Now they're just called 3-4 OLB prospects, and graded much higher.
Click to expand...

Joey Porters profile on nfldraftscout does list DE as his 2nd position. But when I tried to find some videos on him they would show him already in the backfield or making a tackle and then abruptly stopping. I really wonder why so many of those guys that make those videos do that. They show plays seconds after they start and then they cut them off after contact. Baffling. Some do not. Those I like to watch. It is nice to see how the player is lined up and how he gets off the blocks etc. Then when the play ends knowing for sure who the player is helps too. Oh well, they're free so who's complaining.

There are a lot of Defensive players being brought in lately. Good! Maybe some of these top D players are still on the table for the early rounds. I now am not counting out C J Mosely, an earlier consideration, since that grouping is not deep. I wonder if he will be brought in for a visit. Because I recall reading somewhere that almost always the 1st round player picked is in house for a visit.

SteelCity_NB · Apr 12, 2014

I do like Attaochu's tape, but I was really disappointed with how ordinary he looked at the Senior Bowl.

Elvis, I like your bold prediction, but I would just be stunned if he went in Round 1. Stranger things have happened though. I think he is a mid-late 2nd round pick. Him and Van Noy are in the same area, but I would have to give Van Noy an edge.

steelersrule6 · Apr 12, 2014

I was on NFL.com and they had both Attaochu and Smith in their top 10 under the radar players in the draft. Of the two Smith would be more likely to be there in the 3rd.

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OLB prospects

steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

Wardismvp Well-Known Member

Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

Chainmover1 Well-Known Member

Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

Chainmover1 Well-Known Member

SteelCity_NB Staff Member Mod Team

steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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