Top considerations for Steelers first round draft picks:
· OT, Luke Joekel – he’ll never fall to 17th, but if he does, an outstanding pass blocking left tackle – Tackle is a real possibility with new OC and with Colon getting too much money for being injured constantly.
· OT, Taylor Lewan – “…can drive defenders off the line of scrimmage” –Sbnation.com
· G, Chance Warmack – SEC-tested interior blocker that would give Steelers three key big men to run behind.
· G, Jonathan Cooper – 3-year starter at NC, 6’ 3”, 310, a force.
If we feel the need to replace some older Defensive players:
· ILB, Manti Te’o – Foote will be 33 this year, and Timmons is showing signs of possibly moving to outside? If he falls to here, we take him. But he won’t fall this far.
· OLB, Jarvis Jones – needs to be medically cleared; has had some issues. But, SBNation calls him the “most natural 3-4 linebacker in this class.” May not fall to 17th either.
· FS, Eric Reid – LSU, SEC-tested.
· SS, Kenny Vaccaro – Texas, both SS’s for Steelers are over 30, Troy and Clark, plus Will Allen is 9 year vet, too.
Second round – we need a running back. We’re going to lose Mendenhall to free agency, and we should cut him free. We have two backs better than him now. Unfortunately this is not a deep draft for running backs, and there is no Jerome Bettis or Franco out there. The picks are obvious, and there are enough second-class backs to get a good one in round two. I like the Michigan State back Le’Veon Bell. I think he fits the typical Steeler pound the ground game best at 242 pounds and 6’ 2”. He took a pounding in the Big Ten this year, and will survive our division. Next I like the Oklahoma State back Joseph Randle at 6’ 1” and 200 pounds; he also has speed, a 4.5 in the 40, and may be someone we can put some muscle on. Giovanni Bernard from North Carolina is great, but a little undersized for the AFC North. Ditto with Stepfan Taylor from Stanford and Eddie Lacy from Alabama.