Jeff Snedden —
The Steelers have many needs heading into this draft. In the other Face Off article here today, you will hear one of our writers talk about why Michigan State DB Darqueze Dennard should be the Steelers top selection next weekend. It makes sense, the Steelers will be in need of a new starting CB in 2015 after Ike Taylor – more than likely – calls it quits. While I like Dennard, I also consider at least five more prospects in this draft pool to be just as talented and NFL-ready as Dennard. Some of these players will go in the second and even third round, and the Steelers will have plenty of chances to take one later on. Dennard simply is not good enough to be considered with the #15 overall pick, despite fitting the mold of a prototypical Steelers cornerback.
In my opinion, the Steelers need to use a combination of thinking here. First off, Kevin Colbert must look at not only the current starters for 2014, but at what his lineup on both sides of the ball might look like in 2015. Yes, the Steelers could use a wide receiver, but this draft is loaded with solid WR prospects the entire way through. The defense could use a new traditional 3-4 nose tackle, but with only a handful of these type of players available, none are good enough to deserve being chosen at No. 15 overall. Maybe the Steelers can find a young NT later in the draft that can be molded over the next year or two. Lots of Steelers fans are screaming for Pittsburgh to take Pitt DT Aaron Donald. Donald is not a player who fits into the “five technique” ran by the Steelers. He doesn’t have the size to play any of the three defensive line spots for Dick LeBeau.
Some Steelers fans want the team to shore up the offensive tackle position, and there will be at least two first-round grade OT on the board when the Steelers pick. However, the team seems to be invested in their current line, a line that player very well during the second half of 2013 – even without All-Pro Center Maurkice Pouncey. The idea has been floated out there of the Steelers jumping on North Carolina TE Eric Ebron if he drops to No. 15, with the thinking that he could team up with Heath Miller to form a double-TE duo like the scheme that a few other NFL teams have employed with success lately. Miller is getting up there in age, but he doesn’t strike me as a guy who is going to be retiring anytime soon.
That leaves the safety position. The Steelers signed FS Mike Mitchell to a long-term contract to be their replacement for Ryan Clark. Mitchell is young, and should immediately bring a much better game to the table than Clark did the past two years. On the strong safety side, future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu is nearing the end of his incredible run. Over the past five years, Polamalu has played in all 16 games just twice (2011, 2013) and with his contract coming up after next season, Polamalu could choose to retire if his game is not at the level it used to be. The Steelers could also feel that Polamalu is no longer a starting-caliber NFL safety and decide to not resign him.
With that said, my choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick in 2014 is Louisville S Calvin Pryor. Pryor is the most explosive hitter in this draft, and a player who brings a swagger and impressive physical presence to the team. He is the top safety prospect of the past few years, a player who could probably step right in and start this season if an injury were to occur. He is a run-stopping machine in addition to having the range and instincts to become the best ball-hawking player in the Steelers defensive secondary.
Gar Bercury —
With the Steelers soon to be “on the clock” in the upcoming NFL draft next Thursday, there are a lot of intriguing possibilities available to the Steelers in the first round. What direction will the Steelers go? Will they look for help on the offensive or defensive side of the ball?
Based on what the Steelers value both in terms of need, along with what players may unexpectedly fall in the first round, invariably will help determine what direction the Steelers go with the 15th pick. There are a lot of quality options at positions the Steelers could be looking to upgrade. These could include offensive and defensive tackle, linebacker, wide receiver, tight end and safety.
Ultimately, if I am the one making the decision on that first selection, I am not only looking to improve a position of need, I’m drafting a position that the Steelers have only used a first round pick on twice in the last 25 years, and that’s cornerback. With Ike Taylor’s play in gradual decline and William Gay and Cortez Allen as your only proven options at the position, the Steelers desperately need to upgrade at corner.
Though several CB’s names have been thrown out in various mock drafts including Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert and Ohio State’s Bradley Roby, the player that has been at the top of my “big board” for months for the Steelers is Michigan State’s Darquez Dennard.
If Dennard is available with the Steelers first pick, he is easily the guy I choose. Awarded the 2013 Thorpe Award as the nations top defensive back, along with being named first team All-American, the 5’11, 197 pound corner has all the tools to be an outstanding NFL cornerback.
Strong and physical, Dennard has the ability to play in press coverage and blanket receivers down field. Though his 40 time (4.5 range) did not blow people away, he displays outstanding “football speed” that often gets overlooked and undervalued with so much hype over how fast somebody runs in shorts. When the pads are on, and its time to play football, Dennard had few, if any peers that outperformed him.
Along with Dennard’s ability to cover man to man, there is reason to believe he has the skill set to adapt to the Steelers zone blitz schemes. This flexibility makes him unique in comparison to many of his counterparts. Dennard has also shown a willingness to be aggressive as a tackler in the run game, something that many consider a question mark with Gilbert and Roby in particular.
Dennard comes from a top flight program at Michigan State, was well-coached by their staff, and it showed with his productivity on the field. I have no question that Dennard is not only the best cornerback in this draft, he’s one of the safest picks any team can make in the first round. I’ve loved this kid from the get-go, and if the Steelers have the chance to pick him, the Steelers should run to the podium to take a player who will dramatically improve the Steelers secondary from day one.
