As we move into the final day of the 2014 NFL Draft, let’s take a look at who’s off the board, and who the Steelers may target with their remaining 6 picks.

I fully expect a run on CB’s early today, and I have to think the Steelers 4th round target is going to be a CB or LB. Here are the corners I see as a good value for the Steelers earlier on today, in no particular order. Here are the prospects who have been selected in the first 3 teams. I’ll update this post throughout the day.

Jaylen Watkins
Terrence Mitchell
Pierre Desir
Bashaud Breeland
Keith McGill
Walt Aiken
Ross Cockrell
Marqueston Huff
Marcus Roberson

Linebackers:

Carl Bradford
Adrian Hubbard

Offensive Linemen:

David Yankey
Antonio Richardson (will need a red shirt year)
Wesley Johnson
Cyril Richardson
Dakota Dozier

Wide Receivers:

Martavis Bryant
Bruce Ellington
Brandon Coleman
Jared Abbrederis

 

Round 1

[table]

Pick, Team, Player, Position, School
1., HOU, Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2., STL, Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
3., JAC, Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
4., BUF, Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
5., OAK, Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
6., ATL, Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
7., TB, Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
8., CLE, Justin Gilbert , CB, Oklahoma State
9., MIN, Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
10., DET, Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
11., TEN, Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
12., NYG, Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
13., STL, Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
14., CHI, Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
15., PIT, Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
16., DAL, Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame
17., BAL, C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
18., NYJ, Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
19., MIA, Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
20., NO, Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
21., GB, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
22., CLE, Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
23., KC, Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
24., CIN, Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
25., SD, Jason Varrett, CB, TCU
26., PHI, Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville
27., ARI, Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
28., CAR, Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
29., NE, Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
30., SF, Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
31., DEN, Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
32., MIN, Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

[/table]

Round 2

[table]

Pick, Team, Player, Position, School
33., HOU, Xavier Sua’Filo, G, UCLA
34., DAL, DeMarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise State
35., CLE, Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada
36., OAK, Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
37., ATL, Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
38., TB, Austin Seferian-Jenkins , TE, Washington
39., JAC, Marqise Lee, WR, USC
40., DET, Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
41., STL, Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
42., PHI, Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
43., NYG, Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
44., BUF, Cyrus Kouanjio, OT, Alabama
45., SEA, Paul Richardson  , WR, Colorado
46., PIT, Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
47., WAS, Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford
48., BAL, Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
49., NYJ, Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
50., SD, Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
51., CHI, Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU
52., ARZ, Troy Niklas  , TE, Notre Dame
53., GB , Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
54., TEN, Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
55., CIN, Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
56., DEN, Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
57., SF, Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
58., NO, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
59., IND, Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State
60., CAR, Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
61., JAX, Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
62., NE, Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
63., MIA, Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
64., SEA, Justin Britt, OT, Missouri

[/table]

Round 3

[table]

Pick, Team, Player, Position, School
65., HOU, C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
66., WAS, Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
67., MIA, Billy Turner, OL, North Dakota St.
68., ATL, Dezmen Southward, S, Wisconsin
69., TB , Charles Sims, RB,West Virgina
70., SF, Marcus Martin, C, USC
71., CLE, Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa
72., MIN , Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
73., BUF, Preston Brown, LB, Louisville
74., NYG, Jay Bromley, DT, Syracuse
75., STL, Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
76., DET, Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas
77., SF , Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
78., WAS, Spencer Long, G, Nebraska
79., BAL , Terrence Brooks , S, Florida State
80., NYJ , Dexter McDougle, CB, Maryland
81., OAK, Gabe Jackson, OL, Mississippi St.
82., CHI, Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
83., HOU, Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
84., ARZ , Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina
85., GB , Khyri Thornton, DT, Southern Miss
86., PHI, Josh Huff  , WR, Oregon
87., KC , Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
88., CIN , Will Clark, DE, West Virginia
89., SD, Chris Watt, G, Notre Dame
90., IND, Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
91., ARZ, John Brown, WR, Pittsburg State
92., CAR , Trai Turner, G, LSU
93., JAX, Brandon Linder, G, Miami
94., CLE, Terrence West, RB, Towson
95., DEN , Michael Schofield, OL, Michigan
96., MIN, Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern
97., PIT , Dri Archer, RB, Kent State
98., GB, Richard Rodgers , TE, California
99., BAL , Crockett Gillmore, TE, CSU
100., SF, Brandon Thomas, G, Clemson

[/table]

While I’m not a fan of the pre-draft gossip that gets churned out, I have to pass it along to you. Buzz around the Steelers selecting North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron is building this evening. Draft analyst Tony Pauline and Ian Rapoport are indicating that the Steelers are expressing interest in the tight end.
https://twitter.com/TonyPauline/status/464513605984321536
https://twitter.com/TonyPauline/status/464519740153942016
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/statuses/464528737309294593

While I wouldn’t put too much stock in this, it is interesting. Mike Mayock suggested the plausibility of the Ebron/Steelers match last week. Personally, I don’t think it’s very likely. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Steelers organization is doing a little fishing through the media, in hopes that if he is available, a team who is desperate for him will be an eager trade partner.

Either way, we’ll know shortly.

The 2014 Steelers draft discussion thread is underway. The 1st round of the draft airs live at 8:00 pm on ESPN and the NFL network tonight. It will also be live streamed on NFL.com and ESPN.com. Each team has 10 minutes to make their selection this year, so the Steelers will likely be picking somewhere around 9:30.

Keep up with all the Steelers draft coverage here, and follow along in the discussion thread.

Just in the nick of time on draft day, here is my 7 round Steelers mock draft. There are two here actually. The first one involves a trade with the Miami Dolphins. These might not be fan candy type mocks, but I think they are very plausible. Feel free to disect them. This is posted in the forum as well: http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/showthread.php?9184-TTF-s-Cloudy-Crystal-Ball-Mock(s)

1 (19) CB Bradley Roby

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN
Ohio State, 4JR, 5112, 194, “4.35 (1.52)”, “31 1/2”, “10 1/4”, “75 1/2”

[/table]

Roby is not my favorite CB in this class, but I think the team covets him. He’s an aggressive, willing tackler, has perhaps the most experience in zone coverage, and fits their scheme perfectly. I don’t think his recent legal snafu is enough to hurt his stock much in the team’s eyes.

2 LB Scott Crichton

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Oregon State, 4JR, 6027, 273, 4.85 (1.68), 32 3/4, 10 1/8, 79 1/8

[/table]

The Steelers need depth at OLB, and Crichton is the answer. He’ll need to lose a little weight, which shouldn’t be hard for him to do. He totaled 51.0 tackles for a loss and 22.5 sacks over his career at Oregon State. It’s possible the team could ask him to bulk up and have him play 5 tech, but I think he’ll be much more effective as a pass rusher.

3 (from Dolphins) OG Joel Bitonio

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Nevada, 5SR, 6042, 302, 4.96 (1.78), 33 7/8, 09 5/8, 81

[/table]

Bitonio is a nimble footed blocker who plays with a mean streak. He finishes his blocks to the end, and plays best in a phone booth. Another good character prospect, Bitonio is known as a leader in the locker room. He played tackle in college, but he’ll have to move inside in the NFL. He’d be a great developmental prospect for Munchak to mold.

3c CB Walt Aikens

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Liberty, 5SR, 6005, 203, 4.49 (1.59), 32 1/4, 09 3/8, 79 1/2

[/table]

Aikens is a physical CB who could develop into a productive DB here. He’s played a variety of coverage schemes, he’s good in run support, and is an effective special teamer. He’s got experience at safety, so he could transition there potentially if necessary. He has a character flag that effected his college career, but I don’t see it as an issue and think he could develop into a solid contributor.

4 LB Jordan Zumwalt

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

UCLA, 4SR, 6040, 235, 4.68 (1.63), 31 1/4, 08 3/4, 75 1/8

[/table]

Zumwalt is a high motor, energetic, violent hitting inside linebacker. He’ll blitz or drop into coverage. He’d need to add weight and work his way onto the roster via special teams, but his versatility is a plus in that regard.

5 DE Brent Urban

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Virginia, 5SR, 6065, 295, – ,34 1/4, 09 3/4, 80 3/4

[/table]

Urban is one of my favorite DE prospects in this class. It’s very possible that he goes earlier, but I think his ankle surgery effects his stock enough to make him last until the 5th. I really think Urban would fit perfectly here. He’d need to develop, but he’s a hard worker who will quietly have an excellent game that few will notice. He really fits the mold of Aaron Smith in my opinion.

5c RB Jerick Mckinnon

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Georgia Southern, 4SR, 5087, 209, 4.38 (1.55), 30 1/4, 08 5/8, 72 5/8

[/table]

I could see the team taking a more “feature” back if he falls, but the roster is missing a potentially explosive back. He ran 4.38 40 at the combine, and could be dynamite when he finds a lane in a stretch scheme. He played QB for much of his college career, and isn’t a traditional running back. Georgia Southern ran the Triple Option most of the time and he rarely lined up as a HB in the I. His hands are a question mark as he was a passing target only 10 times throughout his college career.

6 WR John Brown

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Pittsburg State, 5SR, 5110, 179, 4.37 (1.56), 30 1/2, 08 1/2, 72 5/8

[/table]

Brown is small, but he’s dynamic. Smart, good vision, runs good routes and is dangerous in space. Great character guy who was a 3 time team captain. His biggest asset perhaps is his return capabilities. He has 5 career returns for a touchdown (3P,2K)

6c NT Beau Allen

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Wisconsin, 4SR, 6024, 333, -, 32 1/4, 09 3/4, 79 5/8

[/table]

He only switched to nose last year, but he’s very durable (played every game in his career). He wasn’t invited to the combine, but impressed at his Pro Day. Allen could develop into a solid contributor.

7 WR Quincy Enunwa

[table]

SCHOOL, YEAR, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, 40-YD (10-YD), ARMS, HANDS, WINGSPAN

Nebraska, 4SR, 6020, 225, 4.46 (1.57), 32 5/8, 09 1/2, 78

[/table]

To save myself time here, I’m just going to c/p what I wrote about him last month.

The 6’2″, 225 lb wide out ran a 4.45 40 yard dash at the combine. The former captain tied for the most touchdowns scored by a WR in the Big Ten last year with 12. He is a good blocker, a good route runner, and uses his hands well to go after the ball.

Enunwa’s 78″ wingspan helps him extend and bring in the tougher grabs, though, his ball control after the catch can be a little suspect at times. Some analysts have said that he has focus issues and gets easily frustrated when plays don’t go his way. Durability may also be a concern, as he’s had recent hand and hamstring injuries.

Here is my other mock that doesn’t involve a trade scenario.

1 CB Kyle Fuller
2 WR Kelvin Benjamin
3c WR Bruce Ellington
4 LB Jordan Zumwalt
5 C/G/T Wesley Johnson
5c RB Jerick McKinnon
6 DE Jackson Jeffcoat
6c TE Rob Blanchflower
7 LB Shaquil Barrett

Enjoy, and by all means, feel free to pick it apart.