Safety or Nose Tackle... THAT is the question.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the 17th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.  And with that pick they could fill a number of needs, but its the degree of each need that is the issue.  Safety and Nose Tackle look to be at the top of that list.  At Safety we have Clark who has 1 more year left on his deal.  The same for Troy.  Troy also has been injured more than hes played over the past 3 years.  Who do we have behind them?  Eh, not much.  Will Allen did ok this year for Troy, but hes barely average.  Cromartie-Smith has had 3 years to bump Mundy (that shoulda been easy), and hasnt.  Mundy sucks.  Robert Golden might be that gem UDFA we tend to find once a year, but he played more Nickel than any time at Safety.  Hes flexible, thats a plus.  The game didnt look to big for him either.  Also a plus.  But thats the list at safety folks.  2 are old, 1 is old and often injured, and the rest are either questions at best, or suck.  Hi Mundy.

So, at Nose Tackle- We have Yum Yum for maybe another year (he may see greener grass on the other side, but at 36 I think its crab grass), but he restructured the end of his 3 year deal this year.  And is coming an injury.  McLendon has built up in size and power, but only had a handful of snaps.  Why?  LeBeau is old and narrow-minded?  Thats my opinion anyhow.  After them we have Ta "The Drunk" Amu and newly acquired pure NT Fangupo.  Im betting Fangupo was brought on to challenge The Drunk's final year of his rookie deal.  Sometimes theres not much difference between a 4th rounder and a UDFA.  Sometimes the 4th rounder was OVERVALUED at draft time and the UDFA was missed by the scouts.  And if Hampton is a cap casualty (a very good possibility), then we have 2 UDFAs and The Drunk at NT.

So which is it folks?  S or NT?  If you look at the draft you will see that safety is deeper than NT.  As usual.  However, what is even more rare than a stud NT is a safety that can play close to the level of Troy.  Not a Troy clone per say, but certainly a 1A status.  There are 2 of those, 1 of which is coming off an injury and isnt nearly as position flexible as the other.  The other plays like Troy, and tackles better.

Ok, so its getting late, heres the final breakdown- Jesse Williams NT Alabama or Matt Elam S(DB) Florida.  Ill tell you why I like JW over John Jenkins another time, as well as why I love (yup, love) Elam over Reid then too.  But dems da choice kids.  We can get another stud NT in the 2nd round in Slyvester Williams (no relation... I think) from UNC.  Hes almost as flexible as Jesse, though Ive never seen him line up at the 5 tech, nor at FB.  Haha  And there are a few other above average safeties in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but I strongly feel we would be settling for them.

Long story short- as I see it now, on January 8th 2013, with the 17th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select...

17 Matt Elam, S Florida (we picked Troy 16th BTW.  Im just sayin.  He can also play either safety as well as corner.  Not just Nickel, but outside when/if needed)

47 Sylvester Williams, NT UNC (biggie that takes up space.  Can play 1 tech in 43 as well)

79 Stepfan Taylor, RB Stanford (heres our starting RB of the future.  Doesnt have that final gear speed-wise, but thats what Rainey's for)

111 Gerald Hodges, LB PSU (92 staying or going?  Any real starter behind him?  Can Spence move forward after destroying his knee?  How about a kid that can play both outside AND/OR inside?? Heres one.)

143 Michael Williams, TE Alabama (I told my co-author MW is a bigger, "darker", Heath.  Hahaha  Just gotta convince Haley of that.  I bet Kirby is 100% behind this pick.  I hope Todd doesnt think Mike is too big.  Didja watch the NCAA Champ game???)

175 Sanders Commings, DB Georgia (the kid can play anywhere in the 2ndary.  And has hands too.  Or stickum)

207 TJ Moe, WR Mizzou (fast slot WR, see Welker or Edelman)

227 Ryan Turnley, OL Pitt (a bigger more position flexible OL than Legursky.  Can play anywhere in the front 5)