Tomlin needs front row at the NFL Combine 40 yrd dash

When looking at our roster it feels like Tomlin either doesn't have a close enough view of the NFL Combine 40 yard dash or doesn't understand the value of having true speed on offense. Some of the Steelers best seasons were on the backs of speeders like; Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace, Rashaad Mendenhall, (fast) Willie Parker types. But lately, in our draft we're ignoring the speed facet when drafting players and some of the fastest and best players in the first couple rounds have come out in recent years.

2022 Steelers Draft: Kenny Pickett
Could have had: Christian Watson (4.33, 40yrd dash)

2023 Steelers Draft: Broderick Jones
Could have had: Zay Flowers

2024 Steelers Draft: Troy Fautanu
Could have had: Xavier Worthy (4.21)
Brian Thomas: (4.33)
Quinyon Mitchell (4.33)

In the early rounds the Steelers need to really take a hard look at some of these fast game changing offensive players. We're seeing players like Tyreek Hill, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Xavier Worthy types change a teams offense instantly no matter who's on their offensive lines.

 

Damn linemen are too SLOW!

 

I want to see them draft FOOTBALL players, not workout warriors or 40 yard dash monsters.

Too many "projects oozing with upside" over the past 10+ years. Get players that already were dominating college ball, not ones that have all the tools to dominate, but will need "some developement".

High character, high motor, hungy players, even if less upside than twiddly dee or twiddly dumb.

NO MORE immature, selfish quitters.

 

yea, not the al davis way of drafting. pick the fastest guy there. that didn't work out well.

 

I went to the NFL combine a few years ago thinking it would be really neat to watch. Boy was I disappointed. Quite possibly the most boring event I’ve ever witnessed. Outside the event was somewhat entertaining. Inside was a snooze fest.

 

Most 1st round draft picks have "dominated college ball".
But the question is how does anyone know who oozes with upside, is high character, has a high motor and is hungry vs who is immature and selfish?

Is Micah Parsons high motor or immature?
Does Trey Lance "ooze with upside" or is he "twiddly dee"?
Didn't Mac Jones "dominate in college" or did he "need some development"?

You see, no one knows these answers on draft day. We find the answers out after the fact.

However; one thing that remains the same and you can't teach it; is RAW SPEED. I'd rather take my chance on a rare, one of one, Jahmyr Gibbs type player and help develop him. Rather than draft a MAN OF THE YEAR candidate who's a great father, humanitarian, awesome public speaker but is also on our offensive line getting the QB killed every other play.

It's time for a change. When looking at drafting players sometimes the Steelers need to ask themselves: (for example)
A.) Will drafting a dominant player like Quinnen Williams and adding a WR like Dionte Johnson later in the draft help score more points than Josh Allen?
Or
B.) Will drafting speedster like Jameson Williams and finding a Nick Herbig in the 4th round help beat Josh Allen?

In today's NFL I want the fast offensive player who scores points.

 

I was anticipating this

I would think to some degree the draft is as well but I believe @DJ18Baller has gone

 

not sure i want the al davis draft strategy.

 

didnt we have a different QB during those days?

 

I go to the draft every year with my father and Uncles. We have a great time drawing up our whiteboard and going to the events although there is a lot of down time to …….drink!

 

Saquon ran a 4.4 40 and Derrick Henry ran a 4.54 Bettis ran a 4.7. I'll take the slowest guy over the other guys!

 

Couple this drafting of 'projects' with a consistent overestimation by the HC in their abilities to coach up said players. So, instead of drafting guys that already 'get it', they are having to wait 3 or 4 seasons while the coaches do their work. And some of these coaches haven't been up to the task (Klemm, Sarrett, and soon Meyer).

 

Then I am your man

 

I BET

 

I want a player that is 6'4"-260LBs, runs in the 4.3s, has a 40 inch vertical, can throw a ball accurately 85 yards, and never fumbles. I don't know why we keep skipping these guys in the draft. If we had 7-10 of these players we would be unstoppable.


And they are all best friends.

 

How sad is it that I instantly know this movie?

 

The draft seems like it could get kind of rowdy. When we went inside the combine they were very strict on no talking. I was bored to tears. We left after a half hour.

 

Aww so cute. I bet you can't wait to have a school dance to attend.
Then when you're older spring break trips (NO FAMILY)

 

Just don't fumble!

 

Spring Break! Girls Gone Wild

 

IFC channel had a marathon last weekend of the Police Academy movies. I admit I watched some of it.

 

MOST, but not all, always a handful of upside projects that fail miserably (BUST) about 80% of the time. HARD pass if they run a 4.3 forty, but did almost nothing on tape in college.

Jamyr was a STUD in college. Mis-used (underutilized) at GT due to a dumb, idiot coach (sounds familiar, Geoff Collins and Mike Tomlin are very similar, all cheerleader, no real tactical abilities). Stud at Bama under Saban. Didn't get 30 carries a game, but studly with somewhat limited touches.

If the MAN OF THE YEAR was drafted after ultra-successful college career, he isn't likely getting the QB killed every other play. You rarely are a stud in college and a complete bust in pros. The only way that happens is if they get the money and had low character, they just kind of stop practicing or caring, they made it...the very type I don't want. Now, if you were a flashy bust in college, you're going to get the QB killed in the pros, no matter how many bench reps records you set. If you have no skills or lack motivation and are lazy, you'll remain that way in the pros. If your a WR that runs a 4.3 40 but limted production in college, you either had, A - a horrible QB, forgiveable for sure, B - hands of freaking stone, C - Ran routes like a drunken billy goat or D - took every other play off (attitude, desire both lacking).

Take A, pass on B, C and D.

There are players that run a blazing 40, strong as an Ox, or agile as a predator kitty kat AND are other-worldly in college production, but those types go in top 5 or top 10 of drafts. Where we draft, the blazing 40 guy is more likely than not going to be a waste-of-space BUST.

Get production and desire, skip the flashy speed/strength guys that couldn't seem to win one-on-one battles with any consistency in college games.

 

Cherish the time you have with them as long as you can

I wish I still could