I’ll write a post about this over the weekend or next week when I get through finals, but Dennis Dixon is a player I’m thrilled to see in black and gold.

One, the more I think of it, the less I believe that he will be a Slash. Randle El was so effective on trick plays because he was also part of the regular package. When Seneca Wallace comes in for the Seahawks, everyone gets alert to the trick play (although I’ve never seen them use one with him yet).

Second, though, it sounds like he could very well develop into a solid QB who would be worth a 2nd round pick to trade 2-4 years down the road. The Falcons got a 2nd rounder from Matt Shaub, and Dixon seems very capable of becoming that. That’s not a bad investment for a 5th round pick, which, I’m pretty sure I heard that 5th rounders succeed around 35% of the time in the NFL.

I was pretty torn when I heard Dixon’s name called. I enjoyed watching him at Oregon but I’m right there with you, I don’t understand their thought process.

If he was drafted to be a ‘slash’ player, I’d understand it and might even be excited about it. But everything (and I mean everything) we’ve heard from him and the coaching staff points to the fact that he was drafted to be a second string QB. I don’t understand drafting a guy who you hope never touches the field. I understand that it’s important to have a good backup and that Batch is getting old, but we didn’t draft Batch right? Will there never be another veteran QB willing to go finish his career as a backup with a successful franchise? He’s an electric player to watch but does anyone really hope Ben gets hurt so this kid can play? I’d much rather have drafted a player who at least has the potential to become a starter. I’d have rather drafted every single player you listed, especially Schmitt (who I wasn’t as high on as some) or Goff (who I really liked).

If you’re in favor of this pick, please try and talk me into it. Is the master plan to develop this kid and then trade him for picks down the road? We can’t play two QBs unless the NFL goes through some drastic change so it’s either that or you’re holding out hope that Dixon will be satisfied with being a backup QB for the next 10 years

Dixon could have been drafted elsewhere and be tough to play against in a few years.

It is also “only” a 5th, and I pointed out before, the Steelers have wasted all their 5th rounders in recent drafts and still seem to be doing decently. They have taken linemen late before and those guys are no longer on the team. I think Dixon could be one of the top qbs from this draft 10 years down the road.

To put it in perspective, the Patriots drafted a QB, Kevin O’Connell in the 3rd round, 94th overall. We would all be flipping out if we had made that selection. In comparison, Dixon two rounds later looks like a steal.

I figured this would be the controversial post. I’d be interested to hear what PB has to say. I know that our other picks in the later rounds haven’t amounted to much, but I don’t think Dixon is a significantly better prospect than Rubin and we have a huge need for young guys on the line. Sure, there’s a chance we could get a 2nd or 3rd a few years down the line, but our team needs more depth, which comes from solid late day picks. I just feel that Dixon is a high risk guy, and even if he shows flashes, he’s not going to get on the field with the skill position depth we have in front of him. I’d be higher on the pick if we hadn’t selected Sweed.
I’d also be higher on the pick if I didn’t feel that most of the best backup QB’s are older, experienced guys that have been around the league but just can’t quite make it as a starter anymore like Batch, Warner, Griese, Brad Johnson, Boller (is he still starting?), Volek, Pennington, etc. You draft QB’s when you’re not completely happy with yours, because sometimes late round guys can turn into great pros. You sign experienced QB’s when you just want a solid backup and a proven (albeit mediocre) commodity.

Or even Davis, who might be really good. The problem isn’t who they drafted. The problem is who they DIDN’T draft, which is any defensive linemen and only one offensive lineman. If you7 want to forego need in rounds one and two because the BPA is too much to resist, that’s fine, but then you better focus on need.

What happened to Tomlin’s most urgent assessment of the team immediately following the season? “We need to get younger and faster on both lines.” Now all the sudden we hane a different mantra.

Dixon might be great. And there might be a time when Ben is hurt and Dixon wins a few ballgames for us. I’ll remember my words following this draft. But right now I’d rather have Dre Moore or Red Bryant, and i would have traded up a bit to get them.

I think this pick reflects above all that we stuck to our draft board no matter what position it was. That shows a lot of faith in our scouts, and I love the philosophy based on our first 4 rounds this year. Remember… the Steelers don’t draft for the current year, yet they draft for the next year. Examples: Polamalu, Big Ben, Santonio, Timmons/Woodley, Menhenhall, Sweed, etc.

I would think the Steelers would need to start grooming an eventual backup to Big Ben, considering he is very injury prone.

If we wanted a back up QB why not a 6-5, strong arm, uninjured Andre Woodson?