Over the next few weeks, the NFL Draft will become a hot topic of conversation in town. More so than in any recent year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be truly “on the clock” – continuing the reformation of their roster with a bounty of young players. The importance of the draft is never lost on this franchise, but 2013 may end up being a draft that lays the backbone of the next great Steelers teams.
The Steelers always utilize the Draft as their main source of talent, shrugging off high-priced free agents. Both Super Bowl-winning squads that the team has fielded in recent years were product of the shrewd draft strategy employed by General Manager Kevin Colbert and the talent evaluation team. The Super Bowl XL (2005) team had just three starters acquired via free agency (not including non-drafted free agents) – C Jeff Hartings, DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, and ILB James Farrior. In 2008, the Super Bowl XLIII team trumped that number with only two key players not drafted by the black and gold – C Justin Hartwig and Farrior. While other franchises continue to pour resources into free agents without seeing results, the Steelers keep adding hardware to the ever-growing team trophy case with home-grown players.
Since a quick Google search will show that you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a recent article prophesizing the Steelers first round possibilities, we will focus on the later rounds. The team will deploy no less than six draft picks between rounds three and seven this year. Once the big names come off the board in rounds one and two, teams begin looking for project players and potential steals. The Steelers will need to go beyond that level of thinking however, as they are in need of an influx of talent who can begin contributing in 2013.
Areas of concern litter the current roster on both sides of the ball – running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, outside linebacker, cornerback – and the team will also need to begin looking for heir apparent candidates for both safety positions. While it is borderline impossible to address all of these problems in one draft, the chipping-away process needs to begin now. Let’s take a look at a few players who could be outfitting their wardrobe with black and gold in a few short weeks.
Running Backs
With just one running back being projected as a worthy first-round pick (RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama), this isn’t the draft to be looking for a new feature back. The Steelers will probably be in position to select Lacy – a 231-pound monster with the ability to mash his way through opposing defenses – as he is being projected to go no higher than the late-first round. While many Steelers fans would welcome a return to the big-back feature for the team, there are bigger concerns to deal with at 17th overall. Despite a lack of top-tier options in this draft, there is an abundance of middle round talent – and that is where the Steelers could make their move.
RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin – Another in a long line of Badgers’ running backs with an NFL skill set. Ball took home the 2012 Doak Walker Award with a 1,850 yard/22 TD campaign for a team that sorely missed QB Russell Wilson last season. Even with defenses keying in on him, Ball slashed his way to those numbers. At 5-foot, 10-inches, 214 pounds there is a debate over whether or not his frame would hold up to NFL abuse, keeping him from being graded higher. Ball is a third-round possibility for the Steelers.
RB Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State – Keeping with a Big Ten theme, here is another bruising running back that would look good at Heinz Field. His upside could be huge – a pile-pushing runner who possesses enough speed and agility to be a great combination back. His downside is that he lacks any great ability as a pass catcher or blocker, two key attributes for any running back in the Todd Haley offense. If Bell is available in the forth round, he could be a nice addition to the Steelers depth chart along with Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Baron Batch.
RB Andre Ellington, Clemson – If the Steelers want to explore drafting Ellington, it will probably need to happen in the second round. However, if he is available in the third round – which could happen after a lackluster speed display at the Combine – Ellington would be a nice pick for the Steelers. He is a smaller back (199 pounds) who has sneaky speed in pads, great vision and is an asset to the passing game. In space, he is dangerous and can change the game on one play. The downside to Ellington is that his running style – holding the ball high and with a narrow base – doesn’t allow him to utilize his power correctly. The loss of Chris Rainey opens a role for a third-down back, so Ellington is a possibility.
Wide Receiver
WR Ryan Swope, Texas A&M – Looking for a speed receiver to help plug the hole left behind by Mike Wallace? Swope has the tools to help fill that void. While he isn’t your prototypical starting wide receiver, Swope was a very solid player for the Aggies, catching passes from Ryan Tannehill and Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel. His 4.34 40-time at the Combine opened some eyes, combined with his impressive game tapes against the likes of Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. Swope will end up as a slot receiver – and a good one. At 6-foot, 1-inch and 206 points, he has the size to take punishment over the middle, and he can also run a great bubble screen (always a favorite of Steelers fans). He could be available as late as the forth or even fifth round.
WR Brandon Kauffman, Eastern Washington – A small-school player who you will hear a lot about over the next few weeks. Kauffman is tall (6-foot, 5-inches), and he dominated in 2012 with 93 catches for 1,850 yards and 16 touchdowns. The main downside for him will be his lack of playing against top competition. EWU plays in the Big Sky Conference of the FCS, a level where they won a National Championship in 2010 with the help of their lofty wide receiver. An NFL team will find Kauffman very late in this draft – sixth or seventh round – but he WILL be drafted. The sheer size he brings to the field is something Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has coveted, and he would make a great red zone target. Kauffman could just as easily be a bust as he could be a Pro Bowler, but his skill set and athletic ability make the gamble worth it.
WR Denard Robinson, Michigan – Think Antwaan Randle-El with more explosiveness. Robinson dazzled fans as a QB for Michigan, but smartly has committed to wide receiver in order to carve out a professional career. Yes, he will take time to learn and adjust – but his athletic ability will make that process manageable. At 5-foot, 10-inches and 200 pounds, he also is not a shrimp. Drafting Robinson will take some courage, as the transition from college QB to NFL WR is very difficult, but the tantalizing potential of his speed and agility will take him off the board sometime on Day two or three. The Steelers could target him in the forth round or even later should more receivers be drafted earlier than expected and the laws of supply and demand dictate it.
Offensive Linemen
It seems as though the Steelers are always looking for offensive line help, and this year is no exception. The team hit a home run, talent-wise, with the selection of C Maurkice Pouncey in 2010. The issue with Pouncey has been his ability to stay on the field. After decades of durable centers such as Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings, fans became accustomed to having a reliable All-Pro snapping the ball. Pouncey has proven his worth, and hopefully he gets past the injury issues and takes his rightful place as an all-time Steelers great. The team spent a first round pick last April on OG David DeCastro, considered by many to be the best pure guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. DeCastro also ran into injuries, missing a good portion of his rookie season and never truly being able to gain a foothold. It is only a matter of time before DeCastro ends up playing in Pro Bowls. The team re-signed OG Ramon Foster to a new three-year deal worth roughly $3 million per season in March, ensuring he will be entering camp as the starting left guard. OT Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams are both young players who should lock down their starting spots in Latrobe. That gives the team their best young starting line in many years, with potential across the board. OT Kelvin Beachum gained valuable experience last season as well, giving the Steelers a solid backup at the right tackle slot.
Should the Steelers look to draft a lineman this year, it should be a depth pick. A flexible player who can play both guard and center, or another Willie Colon-type who can play both tackle and guard, That limits the possibilities, of which here are a few to consider.
OT/G Justin Pugh, Syracuse – Pugh displays great range and mobility, with solid balance and footwork. His natural position would be in a zone-blocking scheme as a guard, but he played mostly tackle at Syracuse. He has nice experience, starting over 30 games in Big East play. He has nice size (6-foot, 4-inches, 307 pounds) as well. Probably fits in as a third to forth round selection.
OT Xavier Nixon, Florida – the Steelers love their Florida offensive linemen (Max Starks, Marcus Gilbert, Pouncey). This is another big kid (321 pounds, 6-foot, 6-inches) in the Starks mold. His main issue is consistency – mental lapses and conditioning, both problems that will be corrected in the NFL. This is the left tackle that started 10 games as a true freshman providing protection for Tim Tebow on the Gators 13-1 team. He has a long, athletic build with long arms that provide a cushion against more athletic defensive linemen. While starting on and off during his college career, he matched up well against numerous former-SEC defensive ends that are now playing on Sundays. Nixon will have his best showing as a run blocker, which should please the Steelers. He did not work out at the Combine due to an injury sustained at the Senior Bowl. In particular, his game tape against South Carolina and Jadeveon Clowney shows the level of potential Nixon possesses. The Steelers could take a look at Nixon no earlier than the forth round, and he could be available as late as round six depending on the draft board. Again, the Steelers have always looked to Florida as a viable pipeline for linemen, so do not be surprised to see Xavier Nixon have his name called by the black and gold on day three.
OT/G Brian Winters, Kent State – Probably a fifth or sixth round pick due to a horrendous Combine showing, Winters is much better than he showed scouts in Indianapolis. This should keep the versatile MAC Conference star from being taken higher, leaving him for a team like the Steelers who value grit and fire in their players. A natural athlete who in addition to his outstanding football career in high school also compiled an impressive wrestling resumes. Winters started at both tackle spots during his college career, but projects as a potential starter at a guard spot in the NFL. He is a finisher, and his game tape shows a lineman who uses his entire body to latch onto his man. He will dominate smaller ends but struggle if left one-on-one with a stronger opponent in space. The amazing season compiled by KSU RB Dri Archer in 2012 had a lot to do with the run blocking on Winters. The Steelers could target this Ohio product on day three.
Defensive Linemen/Outside Linebackers
Due to the Steelers 3-4 scheme, we will combine defensive ends and OLB for this preview. The team loves their hybrid pass rushers, and this draft is chock full of exactly the type of player the Steelers and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau covets.
DE Joe Kruger, Utah – The youngest brother of now-former Baltimore Ravens star LB Paul Kruger, Joe is finishing a stellar three-year career for the Utah Utes. He is a very balanced player, handling the running game as well as occasionally finding his way to the QB. In the mold of an Aaron Smith in that respect, but with more pass rushing skills. His six sacks in 2012 are representative of that skill set. He forces fumbles and tackles running backs behind the line of scrimmage. To top off a firm junior season, he added an interception and a blocked kick. Size-wise, he is a freak – 6-foot, 6-inches, 269 pounds and super athletic. His best ability may be his penchant for redirecting the flow of traffic in the running game, a skill which very few 3-4 DE possess out of college. Recent mock drafts have Kruger being selected within the first 100 picks, which means the Steelers would need to jump on him in the third round – not a bad selection at that point. With both Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward ready to step into starting roles, and Brett Keisel finishing up his career as the last piece of the old guard, Kruger could step in and become the next great LeBeau project on the defensive line. If he is available at No. 79 overall, Pittsburgh should take a hard look at the youngest Kruger.
DE/DT Damion Square, Alabama – This is a very unique player. First off, any player who could not only start but contribute to the dominating Crimson Tide defense will probably have the ability to come in right away and contribute. Square has played in a ton of huge college games, including two National Championship teams. He played as the apprentice to NFL stars Terrance Cody and Marcell Darius before morphing into a senior leader in 2012. His versatility would be key to a team that is moving forward without longtime NT Casey Hampton. Square can play both DE and DT, but will need to add weight to play exclusively inside in the Steelers defense. His frame (6-foot, 2-inches, 293 pounds) is adequate for a backup in the Steelers system, which is where he would begin his career. Again, his Alabama pedigree looms large and he started 32 games over his career. Square will be available in the late rounds, possibly even the sixth or even seventh round.
The smart money has the Steelers chasing Georgia star Jarvis Jones in round one, but that doesn’t mean they would not reach for another OLB in the late rounds. For instance:
OLB Sio Moore, Connecticut – A Combine star, Moore showed a dynamic combination of speed and power in Indianapolis. His pass-rushing skills are fantastic and he plays well against the run, coupled with a knack for covering receivers and tight ends over the middle. He is not a big linebacker (6-foot, 1-inch, 245 pounds) but he makes up for the lack of size with a non-stop motor. Where he would fit into the Steelers scheme is a question mark, but he would seem to have the ability to move inside if needed. Moore lifted his stock up greatly and will probably be chosen in the third or fourth round.
Cornerback
Another position that always seems to be an issue for the Steelers, and once again the team heads into the season looking for that long-term solution that has eluded them. Keenan Lewis flashed potential to be the guy, but he took his free agent money and headed down to New Orleans. This draft is loaded with mid-range prospects that should be available in rounds four through seven. The current roster includes CB Cortez Allen – who has the inside track at the starting position opposite Ike Taylor. Also CB Curtis Brown and the re-signed William Gay are available to compete for jobs in camp. Even still, the Steelers could use a pick on a project player to look at in the future.
CB/S Tyrann Mathieu, formerly LSU – probably the most controversial player in this draft, the “Honey Badger” spent 2012 out of football after being booted from the LSU team for substance abuse. He has seemingly cleaned up his act, and is being pegged as a late second day or early third day selection. This [puts him well within the grasp of the Steelers, should they feel that he is on the straight and narrow and ready to move forward with a professional football career. Talent has never been an issue for Mathieu, who would have easily been a top-ten pick if he had no experienced the issues he did. In 2011, he was one of the most celebrated players in the game – even being selected as a Heisman trophy finalist (not an easy accomplishment for a primarily defensive player). His football acumen is off the charts and it remains to be seen how much of an effect the year off will have on the now 20-year-old defensive back. Athletically, Mathieu is not an overwhelming player (5-foot, 9-inches, 186 pounds) but he possesses immense speed and football instincts. He is a turnover machine, and could end up as a safety in the NFL – a spot where the Steelers are set for 2013 but will need to begin prepping a young player to step in thereafter. If the Steelers can nab “Honey Badger” in the forth round or later, he is worth taking a flyer on.
CB Terry Hawthorne, Illinois – a physical corner with the ability to match up with an opponents top receiver, Hawthorne was overshadowed by more big-name players for Illinois during his career. A big cornerback (6-foot, 195 pounds) who has the frame to add even more size, Hawthorne has the chance to be one of the most gifted players taken on day two of the draft. He is good against the run, and possesses great vertical leaping ability. A big hitter, he is also able to force turnovers – something the Steelers could definitely use more of after back-to-back lackluster seasons in that category. The downside for Hawthorne is his tendency to take chances in coverage, leaving him open to giving up big plays. His injury history will keep him from being selected too early, and the Steelers could nab Hawthorne in round four or five if they desire.
CB B.J. Webb, William & Mary – a small college player who hails from the same school that produced Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Webb is a sleeper pick who could go as high as round three. A tenacious cover corner with athleticism that absolutely opens eyes on tape, Webb was easily the best corner in his conference. His size is average, but that has not stopped the Steelers from drafting corners in the past. His top quality is an ability to make adjustments on the fly and cover bigger receivers with his closing speed and burst. Since he hails from William & Mary, you can be sure that Mike Tomlin is aware of Webb and will be looking to see if he is still available late in the draft, possibly even in the seventh and final round.
Summary
We will continue to be inundated with Steelers draft articles this week as we close in on Thursdays round one start. The players detailed in this article could all help this team right away, at the very least on special teams and in certain defensive packages that the Steelers utilize on a weekly basis. Enjoy the draft!
Photo Credits: USA Today
