a few observations

I am loving this draft. I think we got some players who will help immediately and be here for a long while.
I would like to start with mcculllers. I have met the kid watched him play in games and practice. I have seen him at childrens hospital. all I can say is we are getting a raw talent with a great personality and desire. he needs work but I am shocked he fell that far. great pick and I think will compete for a starting job in a year or two. he will see the field this year

everyone is concerned about the cornerback situation but lebeau seems more than comfortable with it. I am sure he knows more than I do.

ben got his big wr. I think if we would have got Bryant in the 3rd everyone would have been happy so I am sure in the 4th nobody can complain about that.

speed is now all over this team. our linebacking corps could be the fastest in the league. we have speed to burn on offense now and I cant wait to see archer returning kicks

the tuitt pick could be the best value pick in the entire draft. I never thought we could get him in the second.

last but not least I want to talk about Wesley Johnson. this kid is a leader. he is great in the community and I really would be shocked if he doesn't get consideration for a starting position. he needs to get stronger but is sound in every aspect. have seen him since high school. couldn't ask for a better teammate or a harder worker.

I just think this has the potential to be an outstanding draft. I really feel nobody done much better than we did. I certainly don't like anyone in our divisions draft better. only teams with more picks could be considered to be better imo

 

Agree totally on the abbrederis pick, he would be a solid one. Totally admire his game, definitely a Hines type.

 

In listening to Tomlin and Colbert talk at the press conference for Shazier you can start to see some patterns already forming. Tomlin talked the era of sub-packages in football today so we may see alot of these guys making the 53 and all being used in some form or another beyond starting roles or base packages. Can anyone say "Linebackers Gone Wild"

 

I like the first two picks a lot, and if they are all that pans out then this is a successful draft.

Bryant, Jhonson, and Shaquille are promising picks.

I feel the Archer, Zumwalt, and McCullers picks perplex me a bit. Archer...too high for this type of player. Zumwalt...crowded at lb for him to get a spot, probably not athletic enough for special teams. McCullers ... Only spot for him is Cam Thomas', but how likely is it he takes his spot.

I was hoping for a mid to late safety and a punter as well. I hope UDFA covers this.

 

Considering that TTF had to walk quite a few members back form the edge of the bridge when they took Shazier in the first I think had they drafted a punter again there would have been mass suicides.

 

Im talkin 7th rounder, not any higher like Sepulveda.

I am a Vince Williams fan, but Shazier makes perfect sense to me? It immediately solves the issue of Troy having to play ILB, which wasn't ideal. Plus this is a high pressure defense, why take a CB when they are not valued in our defense historically as high draft picks?

Im just sick of our punter issues and the scrub veterans we bring in.

 

Even if Shazier isn't big enough to play ILB (which I don't believe) he could well be a bigger,faster Troy. Great choice and one I admit to overlooking completely.

 

Honestly very happy with this draft top to bottom...yes I would have gone a few different ways...but really can't complain about any of the guys......

Shazier was on my list as a possible first round pick...and one of my Buckeyes....very excited to see him play...

I knew we would be going DE but to get Tuitt where we did is fantastic..

I have both Archer and McCullers in my mock....which makes the first time I ever got two players right....and I normally get none.

I wanted either Evans or Benjamin..but Bryant was pretty much the best of what was left.....so I am good with the potential.

Richardson has me intrigued...I was not a big fan of his, but the one thing that always jumped out on tape to me was his closing speed....so the idea of him lined up 10 yards deep and shooting in to get to the ball is not a horrible thought.

Johnson I will defer to Munchak....its his new versatile toy...I think we already had on the roster...would of preferred a true T that needs coached up.

Zumwalt....I am just not sure about...didn't seem a need.....unless you plan to move him outside....I do like his demeanor on the field...but I feel like he is just another Vince Williams

Blanchflower....Won't take much to grab that 3rd TE spot from Paulson.....but most likely a PS guy

HACK

 

mixed feelings and need more info. that's how I feel about this one, but much better overall than last years. a few guys I will comment on.

TBH I think McCullers is a long shot. big jump for a slow guy. huge yes, but so was that kid balt. drafted. PS, weight loss will help. at 330 this kid could have a shot. 350+ too slow right now.

we didn't help ourselves much in the way of a better receiving TE, but he's a better blocker than Paulson. seems we are giving up some receiving ability to grab some blocking ability. if it helps the tackles so be it. that was going to mostly be paulsons job anyway for the next few years, we got another spaeth type TE. which isn't bad with our newly revamped run game. this part of our offense should be outstanding this year. you heard it here first. I'm saying outstanding run game.

Wesley Johnson is a legit LT if needed. he will learn all 3 spots but I'm not expecting pro bowler at any of them. as solid a pick as we have ever made on the O-line in sometime mid round. he can help on gameday. he's also that backup LT we have needed. the kid can block. he could help in the run game and make us better, gives us that 3rd option at center, is LT capable, could be effective in the zone blocking scheme. I hope people don't expect the sky while he's learning all 3 positions. he's got the skill, but that's a tough task. one of my favorite picks this year.

zummwalt has some skills, but is lacking a couple too. he'll need some time. he has to get his reactions quicker and take better angles to the ball to make it. he does a lot of things well though. I think he needs to play more physical than he does at times. this may sound bad and it's not meant to be, but he plays ILB like a FS. he's pretty good in coverage. our coaches have a lot to work with but we have a lot of players that need work too. they will have there hands full and might have been a sign when we added a LB coach this offseason.


shaq Richardson has some speed and coverage skills but not shutdown type player if that's what people think. he'll need a little time with carnell, but I think he was highly overlooked. due to whatever circumstances. may not have looked that good at zona, but with better players around him and less to worry about he will be a solid player.

martavis. well I was saying I had a feeling. the kid has talent at what he does well. he was not really brought here to be the starter across from AB right away. I think he will allow us to use several different wr's in different situations depending on where we are and what we are doing on the field. I don't care, he and DHB can stretch the field and give us a better chance on those long balls. are you going to cover them deep with a safety? ok gohead. AB and moore or moye or wheaton medium range. are you going to single them up with corners? again gohead.

which brings me to our next pick sitting in the backfield when we go 4 wide. you gonna put a LB on him? you gonna wait for him to run it? you gonna rush extra guys from the middle? outside? gohead. can you say mismatches and single coverage on the skill we will have at the 4 wr spots. oh and a franchise guy that will know where to put it. all this after the defense has had to deal with bell and blount running them over, or having to chase bell out of the backfield all game.

tuitt, son you have all the ability in the world, step up the training and dedication to every play and you could be one of the best. without it, you will be average. your choice.

shazier. welcome to the best place in the world to be a LB. go play son. stay humble. get better every year. your now a Pittsburgh steeler LB, I hope you know what that means. it's not a place for the timid. did I mention he's fast? seek and destroy, don't play read and react. these guys are fast too.

OK Colbert you did alright this offseason. maybe.

 

I not only like this draft I like what they did this off season period. Homerun for the sum total of it's parts for me. But as for the draft:

Shazier, wow, that speed for pass D in the middle and the jets to get to the ball. High character kid and although time will tell we may have just drafted a great one here. He ferocious.

Tuitt, lucky he was even there that early in the 2nd, he's that good. Health and work ethic will be the deciding factor but we got him and if he can get it together, look out!

Archer, add a small speed guy to this years stacked power house in the back field, yes. Good move and keep them coming until you hit.

Martavis Bryant, on my mock as well and one I feel is a worthy gamble. This guy wasn't too shabby himself as a #2 man. Solid pick

One other thing, it may be the ironies of ironies that Chitown grabbed our pick, at least I think so, and passed Shazier onto us who could be the next Urlacher.

 

I think he will be better than urlacher. more splash plays.

if tuitt gives his all, every play, he could be very good too.

I think Bryant is going to surprise some people as will "The DA". we already had the law firm with LSH and a lack of defense. it's time to prosecute and put some teams away.

 

I think the more this gets stated the more people believe it. Farrior was a pro bowl ILB at 225-230 .. Shazier is going to be fine

Bman

 

Well, I certainly hope so but as we know it's all just a high stakes gamble until the the dirt settles. Thing is, are they worthy gambles for the price? For me they meet that qualification, now the rest is up to them.

Martavis is a worthy gamble and one we hope pays off for us big time but I like Moye and would like to see more of him too.

 

c'mon guys, nobody got my little "see what I did there"? the DA dri archer. "lack of defense last year" "larrod stephans-howling" the law firm. prosecute and "PUT TEAMS AWAY" I thought I did such a stellar job for you're pleasure. ohhh the humility. LOL

 

Are we looking at Wesley Johnson playing Guard?