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Bye Week Boredom: Steeler 2012 mock

Before I do the mock, here are some offseason moves I think/would like the Steelers to make. First, resign Max Starks. Quite simply, he's earned it. We're obviously going to extend Mike Wallace's contract, but we should also try to extend Rashard Mendenhall's. Also, resign Jericho Cotchery, especially if Hines retires. We also need to resign Byron Leftwich and either Dennis Dixon or bring in a cheap veteran for the #3 job. Maybe David Garrard or Chad Henne? I think either William Gay or Bryant McFadden will be cut, as will Larry Foote. Also, goodbye Trai Essex.

Star-divide

2012 Steelers Mock:

1. Alameda Ta'amu NT, Washington

Apart from maybe Matt Kalil or Manti Te'o, Ta'amu should be our top priority going into the draft. I wouldn't even mind trading up for him. I don't buy into this idea that a 2 down player isn't worth a first round pick. The reason our defenses in 2008 and 2010 were so successful was because absolutely no one could run on us, making those 3rd down situations so much easier. Ta'amu would be the last piece to a young, dominant defensive line for the next 10 years.

2. Barrett Jones OG, Alabama

After NT, offensive Guard is a close second in terms of need. We haven't had a good RG in years, and Chris Kemoeatu's penalties aren't worth his paycheck. Jones could start right away on the offensive line, taking over for Ramon Foster, or we could cut Kemo and save a lot more money if we prefer. Jones is a proven run blocker having paved the way for Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson at Alabama.

3. Nico Johnson ILB, Alabama

If James Farrior retires, we can keep Larry Foote who is more than serviceable for the near future. However, I expect him to play out the rest of his contract (through 2012) which means we can cut Foote and draft Johnson to compete with Stevenson Sylvester as Farrior's replacement in 2013. The loser should still be a good backup. Johnson doesn't get as much attention as Dont'a Hightower but he's just as effective and has just as much experience in a 3-4.

4. Trumaine Johnson CB/S, Montana

Trumaine Johnson could take Willie Gay's spot. He will hopefully make the transition to Safety and be Ryan Clark's replacement but also has a chance to be a starting CB. I've also noticed we've been using 3 safeties at the same time a lot more recently (usually 2 deep with Troy near the line of scrimmage) so since Johnson is kind of a hybrid he could line up in those sets.

5. Derek Dimke K, Illinois

I'm hoping those here at BTSC who thought we could get Alex Henery in the 6th round last year have learned their lesson. Obviously the Eagles taking him in the 4th was excessive, but there's no way we'll get a top place kicker like Dimke any later than the 5th, especially if we're at the bottom of the round. Anyone who trusts Shuan Suisham in the clutch is kidding themselves. Plus, Dimke can actually kick some touchbacks consistently.

6. Laron Byrd WR, Miami

While I had to double check that his wasn't basketball star Larry Byrd, Laron does have the size at receiver that the Steelers have been lacking. At 6'4", 211 lbs, he could be a good redzone threat for Ben and in reading his scouting report he looks like a guy who can work the middle of the field and find soft spots in the zone while Wallace and Brown stretch the field. The only reason he drops to the 6th round is that he is pretty raw in his route running and lacks explosive speed.

7. Ethan Johnson DE, Notre Dame

You could go pretty much anywhere with a 7th round pick, but I went with this DE out of Notre Dame because I felt like we need more "Johnson"s on the team. No, but really I think he has a good chance to make the roster with Aaron Smith not coming back and very few options on the practice squad from what I can tell. He'll hopefully develop into a solid backup behind Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward.

 

This draft would be absolutely great for the Steelers in my opinion. They fill their top 3 needs with their top 3 picks, in order. Also, all 7 rookies have a realistic chance to make the roster. Let me know what you think.

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I think the game has past the concept of 2 down NTs honestly

and where are the OLBs? we need depth and an heir for deebo

by hasay on Nov 23, 2011 1:51 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

im sorry i just dont see the logic in that.

stopping the run is what leads to turnovers. its much easier to pick off an errant throw than to strip a RB who’s trained his whole life not to get stripped. once you stop the run, the offense has to force throws when they would rather run the ball. thats why our defense last year was so successful. stopping the run makes it easier to rush the passer which makes it easier to force a bad throw.

as for the OLBs, i couldnt address everything.. all 4 of our current guys are under contract next year and only one of them is getting old, so it fell below most other needs. I’ll give Worilds and Carter more time to show something before i cast them out.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Nov 23, 2011 2:44 AM EST up reply actions  

OLBs?

The Steelers are set at OLB with Worilds and Carter as the backups to Harrison and Woodley. They will not draft a OLB this season. There is no need to.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Dec 8, 2011 1:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Yep

This draft will do for me
pretty impressive really filling up all the major holes that we can expect in thew next few seasons
NT, OG, ILB, S, K
Yep I really like it

by Sch Lotan on Nov 23, 2011 4:11 AM EST reply actions  

I would sign a FA guard..

then draft a DT, in the first, who like Ngata STAYS on the field on 3rd downs..Is there one in the draft? If so, GET him!

A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
" I don't care if he has two horns and a tail, as long as he is anti-communist"..General Douglas MacArthur..
"The way to end our dependence on foreign oil is to keep our tires properly inflated"....B. Hussein Obama
"Government is not the solution to our problems, it is the cause of them" Ronald Wilson Reagan..40th President of the United States

by nycsteelerfan on Nov 23, 2011 7:34 AM EST reply actions  

Yeah, there will definitely be someone exactly like Ngata available late in the first.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 23, 2011 10:12 AM EST up reply actions  

yea we should get the next Joe Thomas while we’re at it.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Nov 23, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Well then we might as well pick up Patrick Willis 2.0.

by Riddlah. on Nov 23, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I mean, trade up if need be!

A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
" I don't care if he has two horns and a tail, as long as he is anti-communist"..General Douglas MacArthur..
"The way to end our dependence on foreign oil is to keep our tires properly inflated"....B. Hussein Obama
"Government is not the solution to our problems, it is the cause of them" Ronald Wilson Reagan..40th President of the United States

by nycsteelerfan on Nov 23, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Like this idea.

The NFL has changed so much in recent years, I too don’t think the traditional NT works as well now as it once did. Sure we can load up and stop the run, but this isn’t a running league anymore. I’d rather have a guy who can be in there on 3rd down.

" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"

" In America" Charlie Daniels Band

by idiscgolftexas on Nov 23, 2011 8:21 AM EST reply actions  

how do you expect to beat teams like the texans and ravens?

just because its a passing league doesnt mean there arent still run first teams which we will have to beat just the same as pass first teams. right now you’re seeing our defense defend the pass first, then defend the run. its a conservative approach that is making it impossible to force turnovers. people are acting like a two down NT isnt important anymore… there wont be a third down to get to if we dont stop them on 1st and 2nd first.

by steel.curtain.number2 on Nov 23, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Wouldn't

sign any of the QBs listed, too much injury history including DD who is also not very good. I think they go with a mid round pick (I know it is controversial) or try out UDFAs to fill the third QB with Batch manning the 2nd string.

Also think they go OG in first, NT later and I don’t see any WR.

Would love a kicker, and think safety is definitley a need.

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Nov 23, 2011 9:01 AM EST reply actions  

I'll be surprised if Barrett Jones is still available at pick 64... ;)

No, but seriously, unless we drop like every game on the way out, I don’t see him being there.

by JDSpartan on Nov 23, 2011 9:57 AM EST reply actions  

a little generous on my part, yes

but there are plenty other guys who will be around, the draft is still 6 months away none of these names really matter haha its more about the positions

by steel.curtain.number2 on Nov 23, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions  

like your thought process

But regarding our free agent activity, we’re going to start the offseason approximately $20 million in the red, so it’s going to be tricky to getearly Wallace back. Placing a tag on him would also be really pricey (my guess is approx a $10-12 million cap hit for ‘12), so there’s going to be a lot of shuffling going on. Your mock would be great imo, but Barret Jones will probably be a mid-late first rounder if he declares. He moved to tackle for Bama this year and has reportedly been dominant. So much so that he’s now considered a tackle at the next level as of now, and that flexibility is hard to come by.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Nov 25, 2011 12:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

A different mock:

1 – G/T Barrett Jones, Alabama
2 – NT Josh Chapman, Alabama
3 – FS Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
4 – ILB Audie Cole, N.C. State
5 – CB Asa Jackson, Cal Poly
6 – DE/DT Matt Conroth, UVa.
6 – DE/OLB Jacquies Smith, Missouri
7 – K Philip Welch, Wisconsin

by datruth4life2.0 on Dec 7, 2011 9:51 AM EST reply actions  


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