Discussing Jarvis Jones to Pgh

Jarvis Jones is a really popular pick to end up in Pittsburgh in the first round. I'm curious what everyone elses thoughts are on this. I wouldn't mind the pick despite Jones' pedestrian numbers at his pro day (Terrell Suggs had very similar numbers).

Walterfootball.com wrote this week: "Pittsburgh usually doesn't like taking scheme conversion guys in the first round, but I've been told by a reliable source that Jones and Dion Jordan are the two exceptions."



I've had a gut feeling all along that we could end up passing on Jones even if he's there at #17, for several reasons...

• Jones would be the oldest player we've drafted since Casey Hampton. The Steelers under Colbert have historically liked younger guys. Probably because typically our rookies sit for at least a year. He'd be the oldest 1st rounder that Tomlin has taken.

• As Walter mentioned, we never take OLB's in round 1. Making the move from DE to OLB is not easy, and there's been plenty of guys that failed at it which is why it's a risk taking those guys early. It also takes some time (other than Porter and Woodley most of our recent OLB's have taken about 3 years to really make the transition).

• Add up the two bullets above... Will Jones be 27 by the time he's even ready to take over? Or is he talented enough to step in quickly?

• Comments from Lebeau about needing a safety (and the fact that we've lost both backups) make me think Vacarro makes a lot of sense.

• Jason Worilds - Tomlin mentioned something about him chomping at the bit. This will (hopefully) be his first full offseason with no lockout on injuries. As I mentioned earlier, this position is one that can take time to learn... Here's how many season (in our system) before some of our OLB's were able to take over a starting gig at OLB: Harrison(3), Porter(2), Haggans(4), Gildon(3), Woodley(2).

• We desperately need to get Ben some weapons. If we don't find a WR in this draft that can produce quickly (or TE), we could be in trouble.





Interested on thoughts on if we go with Jones... if he's even there at 17.

 

I'm praying they pass on jones.

 

What about Okafor instead? I saw him last night on Game Changers and he looks like a beast. I don't know if he is a DE or OLB but I would love to have him.

 

in rd 2 maybe

 

If Jones is there, I think the Steelers grab him. As I said in my mock, all he does is sack the QB and tackle RBs behind the LOS. Forget the 40 time and trust the doctors on his health.

 

Jones played OLB in college so he's not making a switch from DE.

 

If we grab Jones in the first, the only way we'd get to pick up Eifert is by trading up in the second and I really don't think Eifert will make it out of the first. We may be able to grab Ertz in the second, as I predict in my mock. What would you think about Jones and Ertz in the first two rounds.

 

I don't think Jones's skill set exactly matches what the Steelers look for at right OLB (Peezy, Lloyd, Harrison).

I'm not saying Jones is bad, I just feel Jones' skill set and game is a little different than what Steelers historically have had at ROLB. (again..he doesn't remind me of Peezy, Lloyd, or Harrison)

 

Tyler Bray in the 3rd. (that's where he is in my mock and I'm sure Colbert and Tomlin will check my mock out before the draft and try to follow it contingent upon the availability of the players I selected - )

I actually took Swearinger in tht 4th but I like Shamarko.

 

Steel >>> :shots:

 

A little change of topic, and this is a little out there, but there is little talk of ILB in this years draft. Maybe some of ILB in this draft are just not getting the hype, or maybe there are no good ILB in this draft?

If that is the case, what are the chances of Steelers converting someone like say, Jarvis Jones to ILB. I mean it has been done before with James Farrior. What qualities in an OLB would make them a good fit inside?

Only reason I say this is because I think Jones is a decent all around LB, but he doesn't seem to me like the speed edge rusher we typically look for. Steelers OLB's are glorified 4-3 DE's. They rush and defend the run. Our OLB's drop back in coverage, but it not priority number 1.

I think that is why Steelers are said to be in love with Ansah. Ansah has the speed and can be really physcal at times.