I do also want to take a moment to mention that OLB is NOT, I repeat IS NOT our most important need. Weve drafted a 2nd rounder and a 5th rounder that now have the chance to prove their worth. However, that doesnt mean we shouldnt bring in more competition. In addition, weve lost both of our backup safeties, while our starters are well over 30, and 1 averages playing in barely 12 games a year. And our RBs were called out by Colbert to "not be as good as we expected or thought". While everyone wants Lacy at 17, its far too soon, and hes looking like he might be a bit of a risk. Moving on...
I had been working on a trade with the Vikings. Theyre not hiding the fact that with either their 23rd or 25th pick, theyre targeting Teo. The problem is, the Giants look to want him also and pick ahead of the Vikes. They could trade with us to jump ahead of the Giants, nabbing Teo. However, the Falcons recently made it known that they WANT to move up. Rumors have it its either for a CB or for the WVU WR Austin. So I built the following mock trading our 17th pick for the Falcons 30th, as well as their 92nd, 163rd and 236th.
This mock had Brandon Williams, the NT from Missouri Southern State until the recent extension given to McLendon. While I prefer Williams to either Steve or Ta'Amu, I am trying to be realistic. Ok, maybe not realistic, but at the very least having my decisions here be as close to happening as possible. So Ive redone this mock, still keeping with Tomlin and Colberts history.
17 (30 ATL) Matt Elam, Safety Florida- Ive written about Elam as the perfect fit for our defense as well as our 1st pick many many times. Ed Bouchette had an article today that further backed my belief. Ed wrote that unlike most other teams, they dont do a full NFL mock. The do a Steelers mock, at every pick, allowing them and Mr. Rooney to omit players that either do not fit our team or that have off field issues that Dan doesnt wanna have. Ok, except for Rainey. And Ta'Amu. And Adams. Ugh. Either way, this shows that while other teams may have Vacarro as the best safety in the draft, MT and Colbert very well could have Elam at that spot. And Im betting they do. Add to that Mike Mayock released his top 100 with Elam 25 overall.
48 LeVeon Bell, RB Michigan State- Tomlin loves juniors. He feels younger players are more open to being coached. Bell has soared up the draft boards, and had dinner with MT and Colbert. In my opinion Bell looks and plays a lot like Steven Jackson. While he doesnt have scary 4.4 speed, he does have the patience to find the best hole, and then deliver a brutal stiff arm to give himself separation. He has experience in the inside and outside zone blocking scheme, and while the stretch play might be more difficult for him to pull off in the NFL, a counter or misdirection could give him plenty of room to break away. And thats not to mention his threat in the passing game.
79 Barrett Jones, OL Alabama- Theres a chance Winters could be still on the board and almost has as much position flexibility as Jones, but Jones has proven what he can do on the biggest stage. Not once, but twice, and has earned the Rimington and the Outland Trophies. The kid has started EVERYWHERE on the Bama oline. Thats the definition of position flexibility. And while we generally dress 7 or 8 OL on game day, Jones mixed with Foster and Bechums flexibility would allow us to dress 7 and maybe even add a veteran LT at some point. No, not Starks.
(92 ATL) John Simon, DE/OLB Ohio State- I think Tomlin has been waiting for this moment since he was hired. Finding a DE/OLB "Tweener" that was a Buckeye. Its obvious that his favorite Conferences are the SEC and the Big 10, but you could also narrow it down to Florida and Ohio State. While I wasnt a fan of the tape of Simon's Senor Bowl practice of him attempting to drop into coverage, I have read that hes improved. As usual he will have a year to spell Worilds while learning the defense, and coming in on obvious blitzing calls. He has speed and power, and unlike other Tweeners in this draft, he has multiple moves. He doesnt solely bull rush.
115 B.W. Webb, CB William and Mary- Ahhh the Alma Mater. Weve invited a few mid round CBs all with 2 things in common- speed and hands. Webb grabbed the attention of scouts and coaches with his play at the Senior Bowl. While he doesnt have the height Id prefer at CB, he does happen to be the same size as a certain former MT draftee... Ugh, William Gay. Webb usually plays the LCB spot, but has also played nickel as well as returned punts. And what makes his 5'10 height ok?- a 40 inch vertical. Go ahead, put it up. This kid will give everything he has to go get it, or at least knock it down. He can give Brown some competition at the dime spot, while actually getting playing time on special teams as a punt returner.
150 Josh Boyce, WR TCU- didja think I forgot about drafting a WR? I didnt. The 3 WRs weve brought in so far were mid to late rounders. Why? Antonio Brown, thats why. The selection of Wallace and Sanders have obviously failed as we couldnt retain one, and the other was looking for greener pastures as soon as he could, only to be brought back for his, yes, final year. Boyce runs very crisp routes, and has lived on YAC. Did I mention his 4.3 40? Yes, hes very much like another Antonio but is far more familiar with the route tree.
(163 ATL) Mychal Rivera, TE Tennessee- Here is the pick that Im pissed I didnt figure out weeks ago... even months ago. Steelers OC Haley drafted Tony Moeaki, a TE from Iowa in the 3rd round 3 years ago. Rivera is a spitting image. Like, almost a F'in CLONE. Theyre similar height, weight, used as a TE inline, slot and in the backfield Google their pics. Its almost scary. This is the blocking/ pass cathcing flex TE that Haley loves!!! A year behind a healed Miller, as well as competition with Paulson will do him good. And you thought we went to the TN pro day to look at Bray or the WRs. Nope.
186 Kwame Geathers, DL Georgia- Typcial Tomlin, drafting a NT late. Geathers was John Jenkins backup last year, moving from the 5 tech to the 0 tech, and was expected to be the Bulldogs starter this year. Well, he entered the draft. Ta'Amu is a drunk, and isnt a 0 tech. Hes a 3 tech in a 43 defense. So MT and Colbert get some added competition for the drunkard, but this one has hands on experience at playing at both the DE and the NT spots with SEC competition. Bye Ta'Amu. Welcome to the club Kwame.
206 Ryan Griffin, QB Tulane- Ive written about him before. He is known for his accuracy, though against iffy competition.
(236 ATL) Justin Brown, WR Oklahoma- Ive been a fan of this kid for a long time now. He was a PSU transfer that played opposite Kenny Stills. He has played outside as well as the slot. He has great separation speed in crisp routes, not so much the 9 route though, but is also built on YAC. By the way, hey Ben- this kid is 6'3. Yer welcome.
Thats all for now. Ill be posting a mock soon that does not have us trading back. The essence of it is within this draft with only a few differences. I also took the 8 round mock and tweaked it if we had a certain OG fall in our lap again, as well as one to please all those bastards that are hell bent on us drafting Jarvis Jones. Even though that would be nothing more than MT and Colbert saying "oops, not only did we totally fuck up the entire 2008 draft we also botched drafting Jason Worilds and Chris Carter."
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