Steelers Mock Draft Round Up

by cgolden on Mar 13, 2008 8:27 AM EDT in News Comment 20 comments

Here's a spin around the web to see who various draft gurus think the Steelers will select in the first round of April's draft. Feel free to add the mock of a site that you visit regularly if they have a different opinion.

New Era Scouting
Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh

The loss of guard Alan Faneca is clearly going to take a toll, but the Steelers are in a great position to improve their offensive line with this pick. Getting Otah, the third rated offensive tackle, this late in the first round is the definition of value.
Last Week's Pick (3/3): Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida

NFL Draft Countdown
Branden Albert OG Virginia

The Steelers have always been able to hang their hat on a dominant offensive line but they could be preparing to undergo a significant changing of the guard up front. Free agent All-Pro guard Alan Faneca is gone while their left tackle Marvel Smith has battled some injuries in recent years and has just one more year left on his contract so Pittsburgh will probably be in the market for the best offensive lineman available here. Branden Albert, who came out after his junior season, is a guy the casual fan might not know a lot about but he has the ability to play either guard or tackle and should fit somewhere in the late 1st or early 2nd round when Draft Day rolls around.

NFL Draft Scout (Rob Rang)
Branden Albert OG Virginia

The one guard worthy of top 50 consideration, Albert is a rare combination of size, strength and agility. For a team looking to the draft for potential replacements for guard Alan Faneca and Max Starks, Albert makes perfect sense.

NFL Draft Scout (Chad Reuter)
Branden Albert OG Virginia

Huge but nimble guard prospect that could replace the likely-departing Alan Faneca. He's a bit raw with his technique, sometimes relying on his reach instead of his feet but his showing of athleticism fit him squarely in the first round. Corner is a concern for them as well, so they'll be watching for DRC to fall.

NFL.com (Vic Carucci)
Branden Albert OG Virginia

Not a whole lot to analyze here. Alan Faneca is gone, so the Steelers replace him with another player who fits their big, physical prototype for an offensive lineman.

Pro Football Weekly
Branden Albert OG Virginia

Versatility was a big theme of the Steelers' upon Mike Tomlin's arrival, and Albert's ability to play guard or tackle, with Alan Faneca possibly departing and the edges not being secured last season, will be attractive.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.($)
Branden Albert

Umm ok, I wish there was some insightful thing I could say here but all I can think is, "I guess I can sleep through the first round." I can't remember when I saw such a consensus pick for the Steelers, especially picking so late in the first round. All I can think is maybe they're throwing up the biggest smoke screen ever and they'll surprise us all but I think it's painfully obvious where the biggest weakness on this team is. Is there any dark horse candidate that anyone is hoping falls or the Steelers take instead? Has anyone seen Albert play first hand this year?

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Thank you for this

I can remember the year we drafted Heath Miller it was the same thing. Everybody had us taking Miller late in the first round. He was the best tight end available. That is not a highly-sensitive position. It was a huge need for us and he fell right into our lap, according to plan.

Tomlin might not be as predictable and he might take a Kentwan Balmer, they will never tip their hand.

I am holding out hope that one of the really good tackles (Otah, Williams) will fall to us, but I am not a judge of talent so I can't say whether either of those, or a Sam Baker would be a better pick that Albert.

Frankly at this point, I am kind of hoping we trade down for a really good deal and get three or four excellent line players (both O and D) plus the receiver/kick returner.

That would make for great competition in camp and bring out the best in everyone. We could then make decisions on guys like Kemo and Stapleton. We'll have to hang onto Simmons and Mahan because we're paying them so much, but one more year as backups then relasing them won't cost as much a year from now.

by maryrose on Mar 13, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

man...

I'd far prefer a true tackle to a guard. As sad as I am to see Alan go, I feel like we've got lot's of guys competing for those guards spots especially if Colon moves inside because of a quality right tackle (or max starks again).

Anyone see anything about the center from the Panthers that got released? Hardwick or something like that? Sounds like he was pretty quality, but he'd be on his third contract which is a bit old for the Rooneys.

At least they've stopped talking up corners for us for the most part.

by Chicago Steeler on Mar 13, 2008 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Albert

The thing about Albert is that he was considered a 2-3rd round guard until people realized he was althletic enough to play LT, which coincided with Mike Mayock's love fest about him. He's not as dominant at guard as, say, Ben Grubbs was, but he has the potential to be a dominant left tackle, and that's why he could go in the top 15. I think there is a very good chance that he goes way before our pick, but the mockers don't have the guts to put him up that high. Props to lifer's mock guy who had him going to Denver at 12.

Having him in the mix, though, is increasing the chance that we could get a very good OT prospect.

by BadMaafala on Mar 13, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hmm

agreed Tomlin might love Albert's versatility, I heard as far as pure guards go, that Chilo Rachal was the best guard in the draft. Albert might be a better overall player because he can play both guard and tackle solid but if we want a guard-only I think it'll be Rachal. He's a mauler and has the speed to pass protect. What happens with Starks will tell us alot. Only one person mentioned cornerback, so only one of the mock drafters is still on drugs. If we take a corner in the first round I'll be stunned, and disagree with the decision completely, probably for the first time ever. We don't make first round mistakes often, I don't see us starting that trend this year.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Mar 13, 2008 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chilo Rachal

Was on no one's early radar until Mel Kiper talked him up, then the others boosted him a bit, then Mel dropped him a bit.

Albert was not high on the early radar either. That concerns me. It makes me want to trade down before we pick either guy, Then maybe we can get both or one and another guy.

Unless Albert is really that good. I don't necessarily want to pay the price of a higher pick because of versatility. I want quality at either spot.

Maybe Albert is that good, but why did it take so long before he showed up on the high radar? He was a projected second-third rounder guy since the last time he played a game?! What up with that?

by maryrose on Mar 13, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

trading down

Trading down is starting to look more and more attractive to me. If they can find someone who wants to move up, I wouldn't mind getting an early second and a an early third for the #23. That shouldn't be too much to ask, considering that Cleveland gave up thier second and this year's first to trade up and get Quinn. The problem is finding a partner to trade with. No one will probably move up to get a RB (b/c there are so many this year) or a QB (several projected as 2nd rounders) but they might be able to get a team that desperately wants a WR or CB.

I'd love to see them be able to trade down and still end up with Cherilus or Nicks than get Chilo with their second. That would leave two third rounders, a fourth, fifth and sixth to grab a couple DL, a LB and a WR (not necessarily in that order). That would be a really solid draft in my mind.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Mar 13, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am right with you Charles

Is there anyone who has two picks in the second round? Otherwise we need a team that picks really high and we get their two and three. I'll make that deal right now, though I realize that never happens. They wait until some guy falls and some team drools over who is sitting there 23 that they can't get a few picks later.

That could happen. A few years ago the Browns traded something to move up one spot to get Winslow. We would love that scenario.

by maryrose on Mar 13, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

two teams with multiple 2nd rounders

Dolphins with the 1st and 27th picks of the second round.

Falcons have the 6th and 17th picks of the second round.

I doubt the Dolphins would trade b/c they need so much help and Parcells has a history of trading down instead of up. The Falcons need a WR so they might reach.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Mar 13, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

we could get Rachal in the 2nd round I'm sure. wouldn't be surprised if we trade down.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Mar 13, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to disagree

I think we have a great draft position, and if I were in their shoes, the only way I'd trade down is if someone honed in on a player and offered us a bundle for them. Albert isn't just versitile; he's a pure LT who might play guard as a rookie. We don't really need a guard that badly anyway; we need a center and tackle depth. Also, if one of the top CB's fell to us, we'd be pretty stupid not to take them, unless an OL we liked was still around or someone gave us a great offer to trade. We really should look to take the BPA, unless it's really close and one fills a bigger need. We need to draft an OL and DL at some point, but it's not like we couldn't use a top corner who can catch.

by BadMaafala on Mar 13, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Multiple Choices

Based on previous comments I did a search through some of the draft sites listed in Copernic. I was able to glean the following info on several (not direct competitor) teams with low round multiple draft choices:

Atlanta - two 2nd round at #6 & #17
Buffalo - two 3rd round at #8 & #9
Carolina - two 3rd round at #4 & #11
Chicago - two 3rd round at #12 & #27
Green Bay - two 2nd round at #25 & #29
Miami - two 2nd round at #1 & #26
Minnesota - two 3rd round at #10 & #19

Hope this helps.

by manchesterheights on Mar 13, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good stuff -- welcome to BTSC

It's good to see so many teams with multiple picks. I wouldn't be surprised to see Chicago or Minnesota try to reach up to get either a WR or a QB, or even Buffalo.

"You know who I want? William Wallace. That's who I'm looking for" - Bengals defensive line coach when asked who he was looking for in the draft

by cgolden on Mar 13, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the research

Atlanta's two second-round picks look really for our #23. We'd have three second round picks . Just an option...

by maryrose on Mar 13, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Falcons

I see some talk of the Falcons trading up with us, possibly to get a WR. Based on what I've heard of the new GM and coach, I'd be surprised if they go 1st WR again. They took Michael Jenkins (seems to be a bust) and Roddy White (stepped up last year, first Falcon with 1000 yards receiving in years) both in the first round. They took Laurent Robinson in a later round last year, and he looks at least as good, if not better than Jenkins. Now, they have a GM from the Pats* organization, and their coach is from Jax, and looks to follow Del Rio's smashmouth philosophy. I would expect them to be looking for receiving TE to replace Alge Crumpler, but mainly to focus on the lines. They also should have Brian Finneran back from injury (assuming he stays healthy; he's been hurt for 2 years). They had Joe Horn as well. Not sure if he is still on the roster.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Mar 13, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

trading down

The price for a team trading up is huge, especially if it involves moving up from the second round to the first round. The NFL trade value chart outlines the point system that generally dictates the value of draft picks. For example, for Chicago to move up to Pittsburgh's spot at No. 23 from the 44th spot in the second round, it will cost them a second-rounder, a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder. For the Giants to move up just eight spots from No. 31 to No. 23 (perhaps for a CB like Aqib Talib if he is available), it will cost them the first-rounder, a late third-rounder and a late fourth-rounder.

Rebuilding teams are not going to give up multiple picks for a late first-rounder, unless they have a bunch of extra picks. KC has 10 picks, but their extra three are in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. The Bears (eight picks) have a chance to be competitive again fairly quickly with a QB and a couple of impact players on offense. If Brian Brohm is available at No. 23, they might be tempted to move up. He's a better prospect and more ready to play than Woodson, Flacco and Henne. Minnesota is close to being a dangerous team and have three extra picks (3rd, 6th, 7th rounds) They will have to target a DE with an early pick and might also be interested in Brohm if he slides to the late part of the first round.

Our greatest needs are OL (OT and C) and DL. We'll probably use 3 of the 6 picks on trench guys, and most likely fairly high because of the need factor. If the team wants someone to beat out Kiesel or at least share the workload, there's no point in waiting until the fourth round to pick that guy. He probably won't be ready to play for a year. Likewise with OT. The athleticism required of top LOTs means you have to target one in an early round. Center is often a conversion position, but do you pick a guard or tackle later in the draft with that in mind, knowing it will take the kid 2 years to learn the position, or do you reach for a center just to slot someone in there and hope he turns out.

If we don't trade down, I don't think there is any way we can avoid using at least two and probably three of the first four picks on OL and DL. The other draftees have to be able to contribute to special teams or be so good (LB or possibly WR, given that Wilson might be cut) that they simply can't be bypassed. The FA interest in safeties seems to indicate that position is a bigger need than CB. If D. Rodgers-Cromartie slipped to 23 for some strange reason, he would be tough to bypass but he would also garner trade interest, and I would drop to get the extra picks. Otherwise, we should pick the best lineman on either offense or defense at 23.

by steeler lifer on Mar 13, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mock draft without trades

Dolphins    Jake Long, OT Michigan
Rams     Vernon Gholston LB/DE Ohio St.
Falcons     Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
Raiders     Chris Long Sr. DE Virginia
Chiefs     Sedrick Ellis DT Southern Cal
Jets     Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
Patriots Keith Rivers LB USC
Ravens    Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
Bengals     Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
Saints     Ryan Clady OT Boise St.
Bills      Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Broncos      Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
Panthers      Phillip Merling DE Clemson
Lions     Derrick Harvey DE Florida
Bears    Brandon Albert OG/OT Virginia
Cardinals    Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Vikings      Kentwan Balmer DL UNC
Texans    Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB
Eagles    Devin Thomas WR Michigan St
Buccaneers     Aquib Talib CB Kansas
Redskins     Kenny Phillips, S Miami (Jr.)
Dallas      James Hardey WR Indiana
Steelers      Calais Campbell DE Miami
Titans    Quentin Groves, LB Auburn
Seahawks     Jeff Otah OT Pitt (will be RT)
Jaguars     Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
Chargers      Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Cowboys    Mike Jenkins, CB S. Florida
San Fran (Colts) DeSean Jackson, WR California
Packers     Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Giants      Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee

Dolphins    Brian Brohm, QB Louisville
Rams     Gosder Cheilus OT Boston College
Raiders     Limas Sweed WR Texas
Chiefs     Chad Henne QB Michigan
Jets      Andre Caldwell WR Florida
Falcons     Trevor Laws DL Notre Dame
Ravens      Joe Flacco QB Delaware
49ers     Sam Baker OT USC
Saints      Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
Bills      Fred Davis TE USC
Broncos      Early Doucet WR LSU
Panthers      Reggie Smith, CB/S Oklahoma
Bears    Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Lions     Carl Nicks OT Nebraska
Bengals    DaJuan Morgan S
Vikings      Antoine Cason Arizona
Falcons    Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
Eagles    Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech
Cardinals    Jamaal Charles RB Texas
Redskins     Harry Douglas WR Louisville
Buccaneers     Owen Cousins OG UTEP
Steelers     Mike Pollack C Arizona St.
Titans    Jonathan Stewart*, RB Oregon (Needs surgery on toe injury)
Seahawks     Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Detroit Felix Jones , RB Arkansas
Miami     Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
Jaguars    Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma
Colts      Dre Moore DT Maryland
Packers      Dustin Keller TE Purdue
Cowboys    Ray Rice Rutgers
Patriots      Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Giants      Lavelle Hawkins WR Cal

Steelers Quintin Demps FS
Steelers Heath Benedict, OT/G, Newberry
Steelers Frank Okam, NT, Texas
Steelers Owen Schmitt FB West Virginia

Dennis

by belvalle55 on Mar 13, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

#5

Okam's a beast, especially for the 5th round. Seeen him for four years. He's no Hampton, but he'd be just great for us.

by Blitzburgh on Mar 13, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Draft

Isn't this time of year great! Why do we like this so much? I can't figure out why I love the mock drafts, guessing who we'll get, possible trades etc. I like this stuff as much as the actual season. However, it always seems disappointing to me when come training camp we end up cutting roughly half of our draft class...I guess with all the media attention guys end up getting over-hyped...but i still love it.

As Coach T. has said...we need to get younger and bigger on both lines...this is no smoke screen...I would be shocked if our top 2 and possibly 3 picks are not OL and DL. I think trading down(especially with Atlanta) is interesting and certainly fun to speculate but I feel if B.Albert is available at 23 we grab him...my feeling is anytime your drafting late first round and you can get the #1 rated player that fills a need, you do it.

What would you guys think of this starting O-line:
LT-Smith LG-Kemo C-Simmons RG-Albert LT-Starks

Tackle backups: Capazio, Essex, Albert, draft pick
Center backup: Stapleton, Mahan
Guard backup: Mahan, Stapleton, Simmons

Gotta love this time of year...

by SteelerMike on Mar 14, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Where is Willie Colon?

Freudian slip or some other plans for him? How about this one?

Marvel, Albert, Pollack, Colon, Starks

Is it bad to have two rookies beside each other?

Stapleton is the wildcard here. We don't know what he can bring, if anything.

by maryrose on Mar 14, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

draft

yeah...forgot about Colon

I would have no problem starting two rookies or young players if they earn it...you know how that goes, when a position like OL has rookies on it...for the first year all the commentators talk how young and inexperienced the group is and the very next year they talk about how that year really helped them grow and mature...

you know looking at OL especially, since i forgot Willie, if our other young players like Kemo, Stapleton, Capezio, and some solid draft picks continue to develop it has the potential to come together quickly...lots of versatility...Starks being able to play RT and LT, Colon playing RT or RG, Simmons C/G, Stapleton C/G...I won't include Mahan after watching him getting physically beat up and pushed around all season...who knows maybe I'm just being overly optimistic...any thoughts...

by SteelerMike on Mar 14, 2008 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs