Category Archives: Steelers Draft

steelers draft

Steelers Host CB Ross Cockrell For Pre Draft Visit Today

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The Steelers had former Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell in for a pre-draft visit today.

The Steelers seem to be leaving no stone unturned in their defensive back search this year. The team has had at least 10 DB prospects in for visits/workouts this offseason. Sunday is the last day NFL teams can hold pre-draft visits. The are allowed a total of 30 non-local visits.

Cockrell is 6’0″, 191 lbs and ran a 4.56 official 40 at the combine. He made 3 of his 12 career interceptions last year, along with 12 pass breakups. During his time at Duke, he broke the school’s pass defended and passes broken up record. Unsurprisingly, he led the ACC with passes defended last season. He is a mid-round prospect. Here are a couple of his games from last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c635PwcFKIA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp1RxKdTP7E

steelers draft

Steelers Draft Visits: CB Kyle Fuller Scheduled For This Week

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According to NFL draft analyst Gil Brandt, Kyle Fuller has a visit scheduled with the Steelers later this week.

Fuller is a legitimate first round pick at cornerback, who’s name is not Gilbert or Dennard. The Virginia Tech senior totaled 24 tackles, 2 interceptions, and had 10 passes broken up in 2013. These stats are from only 7 games though, as he battled with injuries, and missed the rest of the season after having surgery in November to repair a core muscle tear.

The 5’11”, 190 lb CB ran a 4.49 at the combine. He has excellent ball awareness, and plays aggressively. Sometimes, he’s a little too aggressive though, as he can be fooled at times by receivers with a good double move. Here’s a great example of Fuller making an aggressive play on the ball.

Kyle Fuller Steelers

 

Fuller played a lot of zone at Virginia Tech, but also played a good amount of man coverage as well. I’ve referenced Greg Peshek’s CB metrics articles before, and while the metrics are not ideal due to Fuller’s injury, there are a couple intriguing stats to look at. During his playing time last year, Fuller had his hand on the ball more frequently than both Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert. His burn rate was also lower than both of theirs.

Tri

TriCBs

Fuller will almost certainly make an immediate contribution his rookie year. He’s a solid special teams contributor who likes get physical, and he’ll no doubt see his playing time increase as the season progresses.

Kyle Fuller Special Teams

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Beau Allen Steelers

Steelers Draft Visits: NT Beau Allen And LB Anthony Barr Visit Today

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The Steelers have more draft prospects at the south side today. Wisconsin NT Beau Allen and UCLA LB Anthony Barr are both visiting the team today.

Barr is 6’5, 255 lbs. Barr is a very athletic pass rusher who will very likely be selected before the Steelers pick in the first round. Barr’s defensive stats dipped somewhat in 2013, but he was still an impactful edge rusher. Last year, he finished his senior season at UCLA with 10 sacks, 66 tackles (20 for a loss) and 6 forced fumbles. In 2012, 13.5 sacks, 83 tackles (21.5 for a loss) and 4 forced fumbles. Interestingly enough, 2012 was Barr’s first year on defense. Prior to that, he played running back and TE/WR. Barr displays an excellent spin move that stymies offensive linemen at times. He does however lack violence at the point of attack, especially on running plays, which will be a concern for defensive coordinators. Some have projected that Barr would transition to ILB in the Steelers scheme, but personally I think he would struggle in that role. Here are a couple of his games if you’re not familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESvEftlYmco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GauOGG01fX8

Beau Allen is a 6’2, 329 lb defensive lineman out of Wisconsin. He played every game during his four years with the Badgers, which set a school record. He was a 4-3 DT for his first 3 years, but switched to NG last year when the team transitioned to 3-4. In 2013, he totaled 20 tackles (2 for a loss) and 1.5 sacks. He also blocked a field goal against Penn State. He wasn’t invited to the combine, but performed well at his Pro Day. Allen is likely a very late round pick or may possibly be an undrafted free agent after the draft. Here a couple of his games from last year. Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5NLcVTh20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihABPW-AZ50

steelers draft

Report: Steelers Had Private Workout With LB Glen Stanley

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According to NFL DraftDiamonds, the Steelers had a private workout with Albany State linebacker Glen Stanley today. Albany State is a small Division II school in Albany, Georgia.

ASU cancelled their pro day at the last minute, so Stanley did not have a chance to work out for NFL scouts. He says he has already met with the Saints and Ravens. He would be an outside linebacker in the Steelers scheme. He will likely go undrafted. Here is his highlight video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi-uKfGe7l0

steelers draft

Steelers To Have Private Workouts With S Williams, G/FB Martin

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According to Bob Marchionte of College2Pro.com, the Steelers have private workouts scheduled with North Alabama SS/FS Nick Williams, and South Florida G/FB Lawrence Martin.

Nick Williams is a 6’2″, 215 lb safety who had 62 tackles and 2 interceptions last year with North Alabama. He missed the entire 2012 season due to a torn left ACL that he suffered during the first 2012 preseason game. I’m not a fan of highlight reels, but being that he’s from a smaller school, it’s difficult to find full games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7hSdXMMqGc

Lawrence Martin is an interesting prospect. He started last year at right guard, but due to injuries, he moved to full back, and even TE at times. He’s 6’3″, 316 lbs and is pretty nimble for his size. Here are some highlights made available by USF.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”LawrenceMartinSteelers”]

steelers draft

Demarcus Lawrence Has Pre Draft Visit Scheduled With Steelers

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According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the Steelers will host Boise State DE (OLB) Demarcus Smith for a pre-draft visit.

Lawrence measured in at just under 6′ 3″, 251 lbs at the combine. Projected by analysts to be selected in the 2nd or 3rd round, the former Broncos defensive end would be an outside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 defense. Lawrence lined up mostly at 5 tech and 3 tech last year, and finished the season with 10.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

Here he is against BYU and Oregon State. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing on the interwebs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E76PoVRY9_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZH4Thv2_MQ

Report: Steelers Showing Interest In RB Andre Williams

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The Steelers are reportedly one of four teams who are showing the most interest in former Boston College running back Andre Williams, according to the National Football Post.

Williams is an extremely productive runner, who hits the hole hard. You won’t see him leaving yards on the field. The Eagles senior was a rotational back his first 3 years at BC, but was basically the team’s entire offense last year. He had more rushing yards than any back in college football in 2013, finishing with 2,177.  Plays like the one below demonstrate how he manages to find extra yards.

Andre-Willams-Steelers

He was almost never targeted in the passing game at Boston College, but he’s an effective blocker. He shouldn’t need as much work in that regard as most backs do coming into the NFL.

The Heisman trophy finalist weighed in at 5’11”, 231 lbs at the combine. You’re probably saying, “…but, the Steelers signed Blount. They’re not going to draft a running back!” You don’t really think that…do you? If the right back falls, you can bank on them taking him.

Here are a couple of his games from last year. Thanks for stopping by and sharing on the interwebs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBLPvUDJkKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATTpEi_mOeQ

steelers draft

Steelers Draft Visits Today: DE Hageman, CB Gaines, And TE Blanchflower

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The Steelers draft visits continue today as they host three more prospects. Minnesota DE Ra’Shede Hageman, Rice CB Phillip Gaines, and UMass TE Rob Blanchflower are all visiting the south side today.

The prospect who receives top billing out of that group is obviously Ra’Shede Hageman. Many Steelers fans will salivate over the visit, considering the depth at defensive line. Some analysts have suggested that Hageman could go as high as the middle of the first round, but that would be a reach in my opinion. As I’ve said before, I don’t see any 3-4 defensive end prospect in this class that would warrant the #15 pick.

Hageman is 6’6, 310 lbs and has some of the longer arms out of this year’s defensive line class. When I watched Hageman’s film, I saw flashes where he was a difference maker, but much more film of him looking average. When he’s cranked up, he can be a beast to block. He has an inconsistent motor though, which I would imagine would be a concern for scouts. He uses his long arms very well though, and had 8 pass broken up/batted down last year. He also blocked two kicks. Here he is against Wisconsin and Penn St.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHAXRtGJYU8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Z-W_uxSHE

Former Rice CB Phillip Gaines is 6’0″, 193 lbs. He ran a 4.38 official 40 at the combine. In the 4 Rice games I watched, Gaines lined up almost exclusively in man to man near the line of scrimmage. He has really good ball awareness, which led to 9 passes broken up and 4 interceptions last year. He was targeted 40 times last season and allowed 13 receptions. He would be a great mid-round addition. Here are a couple of his games from 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_RCHLwMqns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q24dEr-UTFc

Rob Branchflower is 6’4, 256 lbs. Blanchflower had 313 yards on 27 receptions last year at UMass. The red shirt senior missed much of last year due to a bilateral sports hernia. The injury also kept him from participating in combine drills. Branchflower is considered a tough, hard worker on the field. Watching his film, you’ll see that he usually lines up with his hand in the dirt, and is an aggressive run/pass blocker. He could be a great late round/UDFA pick up. Here are a couple of his games. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, thanks for sharing on the interwebs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X0iewQ3cK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFp6Wg1Sto

steelers draft

Report: Steelers Hosted Safety Brock Vereen Last Week

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The Steelers had former Minnesota Gopher safety Brock Vereen in for a visit last week according to ESPN radio. The 5’11”, 199 lb SS put on a good display at the combine, running a 4.42 40 yard dash (4.47 official). Vereen had 59 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception last year.

The defensive back was named to the All Big-Ten First team by coaches in 2013, and is the younger brother of New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen. Brock is considered a high character prospect, and has a high football IQ. He’s played both safety positions, and played cornerback until 2012. Here is his combine video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkVMH7iBPy0

Here are a couple of his games. Take note of where he lines up most of the time. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opk8yJZ2MnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp2uU_KWZ6g

220px-Jack_Lambert_in_December_1975

DVR Alert: Steelers 1974 Draft Special On NFL Network Tonight

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The NFL Network will be airing a special on the Steelers 1974 draft class tonight titled “Caught in the Draft – 1974: The Future is Now”. The program airs from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm est, and replays at 1:00 am. The show is described as a behind the scenes story of how Pittsburgh drafted four future Hall of Famers in one draft.

The 1974 Steelers draft was not only the best draft class the Steelers ever saw, it was the best by any team ever. With the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th picks the team landed future hall of fame inductees Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster.

In between Stallworth and Webster, UCLA DB Jimmy Allen was selected with the 100th pick and went on to have a very productive career with the Steelers, and later the Lions through 1981. He had 31 career interceptions.

Also noteworthy- Donnie Shell was signed as an UDFA after the draft, and went on to be a finalist for the hall of fame nomination. Playing for the Steelers through 1987, he totaled 51 career interceptions. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.