2009 NFL Mock Drafts Round Up: Draft Week Edition

by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Apr 22, 2009 6:09 AM EDT

More draft goodness for those draft gurus who can't get enough mock drafts we are doing our third look at what other mocks around the internet are looking like with the draft less than a week away. Here was the 1st Round Up; and the 2nd. -DYM-

1) NFL Draft Coutdown- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

In fact, based on pure talent Davis might be one of the Top 10 players in this entire draft but concerns about his character and intangibles will likely cause him to slip on Draft Day. Davis may not fall quite this far but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility and if he did former defensive back Mike Tomlin and the Steelers could be ready to pounce.

Previous picks from NFL Draft Countdown- Max Unger, OL, Oregon; Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

2) Sports Illustrated's Don Banks- Alex Mack, C, Cal

We had him going to the Steelers a couple mocks ago, and nothing has happened to change our minds. His presence would address Pittsburgh's need for help in the interior offensive line.

Previous pick from SI's Don Banks- D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

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3) NBC Sports-- Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Pittsburgh hasn't given up on Tony Hills yet, but might be planning to draft the best offensive tackle available after sticking to its value board in 2008. Britton, who played left tackle in college, projects better on the right side as a pro. If the underclassman develops quickly, he could allow current Steelers RT Willie Colon, who's only 6-foot-3, to kick to guard.

Previous pick from NBC Sports- Eben Britton, OT, Arizona, Vontae Davis, CB, Illinios

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4) Draft Tek- William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

Previous pick from Draft Tek-Eben Britton, OT, Arizon, D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

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5) Sports Agents Blog- Alex Mack, C, Cal

I like OT William Beatty to develop into something special, but he just doesn’t fit the kind of player Pittsburgh covets on the line. Britton doesn’t have a finesse bone in his body and brings nice versatility where it is needed most. This pick fills a huge need and has decent value as well.

Previous picks from Sports Agents Blog- Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma; Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

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6) NFL Draft Source- Alphonso Smith CB, Wake Forest

The Steelers will find themselves a steal if the ACC career leader in interceptions falls to them here. He is only 5’9", but plays bigger and will replace Bryant McFadden.

Previous pick from NFL Draft Source- Max Unger, OL, Oregon, Jarron Gilbert DE/DT, San Jose State

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7) Football's Future-Jarron Gilbert DE/DT, San Jose State

Gilbert has had a meteoric rise up the draft board in recent months. His potential as a 3-4 end will make him attractive to a lot of teams, and he might even come off the board higher to one of the teams trying to transition to that scheme. The offensive line and corner could be spots that are address here as well, but Gilbert plays the toughest spot to find for their early needs.

Previous pick from Football's Future- Alex Mack, C, Cal

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8) Mock Draft Guru's- Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

Ben Roethlisberger is probably going to push the direction for linemen. He was sacked 46 times this year, 47 last year and 46 times in 2006. The O-Line is clearly the weakest link and getting some help is essential if Big Ben wants to stay off his derriere next year.

Previous pick from Mock Draft Guru's- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma

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9) Mocking the Draft- Alex Mack, C, Cal

The Steelers need help on the interior of their offensive line and Mack is a perfect fit. He's a rugged in-line blocker who can hold up against the large AFC North defensive tackles. Plug him in 12 years and watch him become a star.

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10) Walter Football- Alex Mack, C, Cal

Sean Smith is an option here - I've had him going at this spot in the past few updates - but I really have trouble seeing Pittsburgh pass up on Alex Mack if he falls to them. The Steelers need upgrades all over their offensive line, including the center position. Justin Hartwig surrendered more sacks (6.5) than any other center in the NFL in 2008.

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11) NFL Draft Dog- Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

Robiskie has a decent speed (4.51) and size (6' 3" 209 lbs) combination. Very quick in and out of his cuts. A blue collar athlete that is one of the safest picks in the 2009 NFL Draft.

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12) War Room Report's Rob Triblett- Jarron Gilbert DE/DT, San Jose State

The Steelers could also target an interior linemen, perhaps Max Unger, who has the ability to play a variety of positions on the line. San Jose State's Jarron Gilbert is a physical specimen and had a huge year with 22 tackles for a loss. All of the starters on the Steelers D-line are on the wrong side of 30, and drafting Gilbert here would go a long way to securing a vital position on the Steelers defense.

Previous pick from WRR's Rob Tribett- Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma, William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

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There ya go Steeler fans, a multitude of options for Pittsburgh to consider this Saturday. The Steelers definelty need help at all the positions mentioned in these mock drafts but the front office will surely be careful to take the best player available since we have so few needs. It should be a great couple of days to get us enegerized and excited for the 2009 season!

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"Draft Expert's" Seven Round Mock

I’m going to preface this with two things. First I’m leary of most “draft experts”, thus the quotes. In my opinion, if they were so good, they’d be in some organization somewhere. Second, a seven round mock is a joke. Attempting to predict the first round is difficult, the second round even harder, but seven! But hey, they get paid to do it so… mock on.

ESPN’s Todd McShay released a seven round mock yesterday, just though I’d share his point of view with everyone here, get some consensus. With out further ado…
1. C Max Unger, Oregon
2. CB D.J Moore, Vanderbilt
3. WR Mike Thomas, Arizona
4. T Xavier Fulton, Illinois
5. DT Demonte’ Boldin, Tennessee
5. FS Glover Quinn, New Mexico
6. CB Ellis Lankster, West Virginia
7. QB John Parker Wilson, Alabama
7. HB Javarris Williams, Tennessee State

Couple of names we all know, a couple I don’t. That last one, Javarris Williams I looked up. Very interesting player, a real sleeper. Here’s a link to the full article, you may have to be an insider to view it though:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/insider/columns/story?id=4085612

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 22, 2009 8:55 AM EDT reply actions

Good summary

By the way. It shows us what we all thought, the three most likely positions to take in the first are OL, DL, and CB. But where we pick you never know. I still think we’ll package picks and move around a bit, one way or another. Substance over quantity should be our approach.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 22, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

Quoth the Tomlin

How much are you willing to be seduced by talent? One of the things we’ve talked about, quite frankly, is that we’re not going to allow that to happen. Those are the things you can’t measure, the character, the toughness, the smarts. We’re more inclined to be seduced by those things.

Just saying, vontae davis not looking like the #1 choice at 1.32. Even without reading into specific players though, this is the quote of the week.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 22, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

I read that and though percy harvin is probably out of the question even if he’s there too. I think it just makes sense to trade down and get a second and a extra 3th/4th pick then use that pick and combine it to move up somewhere. I just think we can get the same talent in the mid-high 2nd round and if someone wants to jump from there to 1.32 to get someone they want by all means let them. I’d much rather have two picks in round 2, two picks in round 3, and maybe two picks in round 4. Plus that would help with cap too.

by tannofsteel84 on Apr 22, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

2 picks in round 2, 2 in round 3, and 1 in the 4th round, and that’s it, and I’d be happy.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 22, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I like that idea

But we’re stuck with a fifth as well. Can’t trade comp picks… even if you get shafted on said comp pick.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 22, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, and a 7th.

Dropping out of the first should give us a 2nd and 3rd/4th, and we should be able to get another 3rd out of 5,6,7. Just saying, I’d be happier with 5/6 picks in the “quality” “bangForBuck” part of the draft this year. OL/CB in 2nd, DL/WR in 3rd, OL/DL in 4th. Could care less about the rest.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 22, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Good Idea

I’d love to see that happen

by PaulMorel on Apr 22, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Fingers Crossed for O-Line

One thing that we should all be aware of – Ben Roethlisberger IS the franchise right now. For proof, look at this statistic that took me all day to find:

Super Bowl Wins Since the 70s BEFORE Big Ben: 0
Super Bowl Wins Since the 70s WITH Big Ben: 2

That pretty much sums up my feelings on the Steelers right now (with all due respect to the defense). So you can imagine how I feel about the draft.

We need to protect our franchise QB. He’s entering his 6th year in the NFL. This should be the peak of his career, but if he gets sacked 46 times per season, he’s going to spend more time on the bench than on the field.

Anyway, I am getting nervous. To calm down, I need one of our top two picks to go to the offensive line.

by PaulMorel on Apr 22, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you, but your proof is lacking.

Super Bowl Wins Since the 70s BEFORE Heath Miller: 0
Super Bowl Wins Since the 70s WITH Heath Miller: 2

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 22, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we can all agree that the real reason in Jeff Reed.

by Chicago Steeler on Apr 22, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

We should be drafting a holder in the 1st or 2nd this year.

by Chicago Steeler on Apr 22, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Vontae Davis

If Vontae Davis falls to us at pick 1.32 he would be a huge steal his character issues might raise question but when you are selected by a team like the steelers i dont think it matters as much. Hines and James Harrison could keep him in line plus he would be with a former teammate in Mendenhall. If he falls to us he has to much talent to pass up.

by steelers56 on Apr 22, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

The Fun of the NFL Draft

I think that many people can be too hard on the Draft Industry

It has created alot of Jobs for people who love football just as much as we do at BTSC

All these Mock Drafts are supposed to be Fun, plus it is a way to show our Peers how smart we are, when picking players is just as much as a crap shoot as any NFL GM and coach doing the same thing

I can remember in High School that we did not have the NFL Draft on TV at all. We used to take off school just to hear the announced picks on the Radio.

We can thank ESPN for creating this Multi-million Dollar Industry

by Steeler Y360 Nation on Apr 23, 2009 4:06 AM EDT reply actions

this is true

And I agree with lots of what you’re saying and your attitude.

However, what irks me a bit is just how serious they take themselves, be it on print, radio or TV media outlets. But I guess it’s a competition for eyeballs.

by Michael Bean on Apr 23, 2009 5:11 AM EDT up reply actions