Another Look at Steelers 2013 Draft- UPDATED 8/5

The safe pick would be to estimate the Steelers picking in the mid 20s.  The primary needs would be at FS/SS, OLB, RB, and TE (not necessarily in that order).  If Haley sticks around the TE pick is almost already a lock.

1 (25)  Montee Ball, Wisconsin RB- Tomlin drafted Mendenhall in his 2nd year as our head coach.  He had a few bright moments, but far too many poor ones.  MT takes another shot at a stud RB, and this time strikes gold.  Ball doesnt waste his time (and losing the ball) with irrationally spinning.  His juke/cut back/ jump cuts are done in such a way youll be glad you have a DVR so you can rewind and see it again.  He has soft hands, great balance, and an eye for the hole... wherever it may be.  He doesnt have the speed of a guy like Rainey, but he does have enough gears to get plenty of separation after the catch, and especially after clearing the 2nd level.

2 (57)  Matt Elam, Florida SS/FS/DB- It shouldnt surprise anyone how much Tomlin loves the SEC and the Big 10.  And SEC's Florida Gators are at the top of his list.  Elam is a stud DB, filling in anywhere and wherever Meyers wanted him, mostly at safety.  He isnt the 6'0+ that MT usually goes for, but his speed, his deep coverage and his run stopping tackling gives him the nudge.  And being a Gator doesnt hurt either.

3 (89)  Stansly Maponga, TCU DE/OLB- Here's a redhshirt sophomore OLB that has been a freak for the Horned Frogs.  He has Woodley's size, and will fight Worilds, Carter and Robinson for Harrison's spot at ROLB.

4 (121)  Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn TE- Haley makes this pick, just like Rainey.  Here's another TE very much likeTony Moeaki, TE out of Iowa.  Lutz is a stud in line blocker, but has the hands and separation speed to be a serious threat down field.  Lutz will be Heath's eventual replacement.  I think Wes Saunders fits best as the #2 TE.  If our TE corps come 2015-2016ish could be Lutz, Wes and Paulson Id be satisfied with that... provided Paulson can learn to block in the next 3 years.

5 (153)  Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech- Vincent Fuller's younger brother is usually enough to get Tomlin's attention.  But this kid has my attention for more than that.  While Trufant is the 1st name that caught my eye, his lack of position flexibility and what looks to be a lack of run support had me scratch him.  Fuller on the other hand has played in a very complex Va Tech 2ndary, starting at 2 spots.  Their defense, at least the back 4, play alot like LeBeau's.  While starting at CB he led the team with tackles for loss.  MORE THAN THE F'IN DLINE!!!  He could use a few more pounds of muscle, but with Pitt making the move to the ACC in 2013, you bet Im watching this guy as often as possible this year.

6 (185)  Devin Street, WR Pitt- Could Tomlin go local kids at WR in back to back drafts?  With the educated guess that we'll lose Wallace after 2012, we need more depth.  Should I target this sooner?  Maybe.  Ill take another look after we figure out the Wallace nonsense.  Until then, Devin will have the chance to be in a very potent offense, under an incredible coaching staff.  Finally.  He has the size, speed, and jumps to make it in the NFL.  Is he another Clemons?  Hmm.  We also need to see Sanders take a step up and remain healthy.  Theres a lot going into this pick, but for now Ill keep him here.


7 (217)  Zach Boren, Ohio State FB- The FB battle in 2012 is Johnson v Johnson.  Neither is a pure FB and Haley knows it.  Boren is.  He's also the best FB in the draft (as of June, LOL)  But the key here is the fact that Boren will be coached by Meyer in 2012, and Meyer has already said he will expand Boren's use in the offense.


7 (230)  Comp W.Gay  Jon Bostic, LB Florida- for those of you paying attention, Tomlin has never drafted 2 players from the same school in the same year.  I bet 2 Gator's could maybe have him reconsider.  Sylvester's time is running out.  In 2012 he was moved back to the OLB spot in the off season just to see how he looked for depth.  We signed another Gator FA in 2012, Brandon Hicks.  But his weight and injuries are working against him.  He also doesnt really have the flexibility that Bostic does.  At 6'1 245 Bostic's essentially another Chris Carter.  But CC played DE/OLB at Cal, while Bostic played ILB in Florida, but has the size and speed to maybe backup outside at OLB as well.  Tomlin generally likes to draft in multiples, usually at OL, LB, or WR.  I discussed the WR issue above, but I can easily rule out OL.  That leaves LB.  Hell, I havent even mentioned the issue of Foote getting older as well.  Could our 2013 LB corp be:
ILB- Timmons, Spence, Sylvester, Bostic
LOLB- Woodley, Robinson
ROLB- Maponga, Carter

In case youre unaware, Sly is the slowest of all of the LBs.  There's a mess of speed and power in this group.