2004 Draft Wrap:
A week or so ago, in Draft Prognostication, we saw how Kevin Colbert revealed the Steelers� regard for CB Ricardo Colclough. That same pre-draft press conference foreshadowed the FO�s Day Two MO:
Question: You have nine draft picks, would you like to have more or are there a set number of rookies that you would like to add to your roster?
Kevin Colbert: With the nine picks, that is the most that we have ever had. The thing that is interesting with those nine picks in fact we were just talking about this before we came in, the league has increased the practice rosters to eight which gives us three additional players so as we get into the later rounds even though we may not look at some of these guys who might be able to come in and be backups and contribute right away. We could be drafting some kids that may be a year or two down the road who might be able to make your team as a backup because we would have to cut them and put them on the practice squad. We are real happy that we have the extra three spots because every year you kind of struggle with having some kids that you would like to keep around and like to work with, but you have some limitations. Now the number is up to eight and I think that will help us especially in the later rounds.
There you go; on Day Two the Steelers generally targeted players who figure to spend a year, or two, of their three-year deals somewhere south of the game day inactive list. Adibi, Bo Lacy and, maybe, Eric Taylor have some chance for active duty but Kranchick and Drew Caylor seem practice squad bound. As for the players selected, here are a couple excerpts from those reviews at nfl.com.
5.145: Nathaniel Adibi DE Virginia Tech
From the Overview at Nfl.com: An outstanding defensive end who has experience at both defensive end positions � Won the President's Award for outstanding leadership at the conclusion of 2002 spring practice and shared the award with center Jake Grove in 2003 � A hard worker in the weight room and on the practice field who has shown steady progress during his time at Tech � He combines size with excellent strength and speed and is both intelligent and physical � In 48 games, he started 44 contests, recording 186 tackles (107 solos) with 20� sacks for minus-143 yards, 33 stops for losses of 171 yards, 55 quarterback pressures, a pair of fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections and two blocked kicks.
There was a run on LB through R3 and R4 to this point. Somehow, Adibi was overlooked; evidently, this prospect has ability, leadership and want-to (as noted above). Coming from V-Tech, we can expect that he will work effectively on ST in his rookie season, as his predecessors here (Haggans and Zo) did not. I like this pick; IMO the Steelers were fortunate that this player was available at the spot.
6a: Bo Lacy, OT:
Positives at NFL.com: Has a big frame with good linear speed, long arms and thick legs � Shows the foot speed to defeat defenders working the edge coming off the snap � Shows above-average knee bend, awareness and lateral agility on traps and pulls � Developed a strong hand punch to rock back the defenders, using his long arms effectively to keep his opponents out of his chest � Stays on his feet and maintains a wide leg base in his pass set, showing good kick slide and hand action to sustain and steer out the pass rusher � Has the frame to add more bulk with no loss of quickness � Ambidextrous athlete.
Negatives: Needs to develop better lower body power in order to maintain balance � Shows explosion to cave the defensive line, but still learning how to locate targets moving in the second level.
I like this pick too. From all reports, Lacy has size and movement ability; plus, he�s aggressive, smart and crazy mean. It would be tough to fault this selection, especially after this, from our 2004 O-Side Overview:
�The Steelers� deficiency in space players (FS, CB, DE per 2004 D-side Overview or, say, RB and QB on this side of the ball), traces directly to their upfront obsession, and to a very dubious set of picks commencing in the waning Days of Donahoe and continuing now in the Time of Cowbert. IMO, nothing would benefit their overall roster more than if the FO were able to locate and lock up some high try, aggressive, smart brawlers capable of contributing ASAP. Whether those players are 2nd day draft picks or mid-tier FA is inconsequential; either route is far better, on that overall roster basis, than lavishing yet another prime pick on this unit.�
Lacy may not contribute ASAP but before too long, he just might. He fits the profile for value at this spot. In contrast:
6b: Matt Kranchick TE:
Gil Brandt's Analysis: This is a huge, tall player (about 6-7). He has not played a lot of football even though he's been at Penn State for five years. Maybe someone can mold him into a tight end.
From the negatives under player profiles at Nfl.com: Despite his acceleration and quickness, he needs to show better foot agility, as he tends to trip over himself when trying to get into deep routes � Needs to show more aggression and utilize his size better blocking in the second level, as he does not always search out and neutralize the linebackers (better blocking in a stationary position than on the move, as he keeps his leg base too narrow, negating his anchor ability) � His size prevents him from settling in and sinking his hips properly on underneath routes.
Maybe he can be molded as Brandt suggests, maybe not, but it�s unlikely he�ll contribute now. His speed is touted but in fact 4.88 (outdoors) is not a great 40. This prospect was a scrub on a 3-9 team; that is, he contributed little to a squad needing help everywhere. IMO, he is a player with very limited upside whom, at best, may one day rise to the (inconsequential) level of, say, a Jerame Tuman. Was there better value at the spot? IMO yes, as will be demonstrated in sections following.
6c: Drew Caylor, C:
Gil Brandt's Analysis: We were under the impression that Caylor was a 6-6 defensive end.
From the negatives: As far as we're concerned, Caylor could have been picked for his deep snapping. Will pay immediate dividends as a long snapper, but still learning techniques needed to perform as an offensive lineman � Showed steady improvement over the course of his senior year, but still needs foot work refinement, as he must learn how to adjust and mirror defenders in order to gain position � Protects the inside well, but is not a big hands puncher, relying more on placement in attempts to redirect (when he does this vs. the larger defensive linemen, he tends to lean into his opponent, causing him to slip off some blocks) � Body is still developing and he must add at least another 20 pounds to his frame � Has the mental toughness needed, but is still missing repetitions (with patient coaching, he could develop into another Tom Nalen).
Evidently, few outside the league knew this player. Brandt thought he was a DE; he doesn�t appear on any position list found at GBN. Still, I like this prospect, for the same reasons I like the Lacy selection, but I don�t like the pick. You�ve got to believe this prospect would have been available as a UFDA; it may be ridiculous to talk value at 6c but IMO the Steelers got less than may have been had here.
7: Eric Taylor DT Memphis
Gil Brandt's Analysis: Drew a lot of interest this spring. He's an anchor defensive tackle -- that's a term we use for big guys on the line.
From the negatives: Due to his lack of ideal size and short arms, he is best suited for tackle rather than end � Needs to be more consistent with his hand usage, as he gets bumped out and washed down the line in run defense (keeps his arms close to his chest) � Needs to show better awareness to prevent the double-team blockers from sustaining their blocks and riding him away from the plays � Bites on misdirection and can be pulled offside by a hard count � Not always quick to read and react quickly as the play is developing � Best working inside the box, as he does not have the sustained speed to make plays working in space � Has a quick burst, but will sometimes overrun the plays due to marginal stop-and-go action (gets a little sloppy with his feet).
As predicted here, there was some kind of value cluster at NT. This prospect fits the mode; evidently more so than DeMarco McNeil and Brandon Kennedy, two players that were not drafted. Kudos though to Haven, who had this player rated R4 on his Value Board. Speaking of which:
Just as an exercise, consider this draft haul which uses Haven�s comprehensive Value Board as a basis, along with some judgments made here in the last month over that series of articles assessing value clusters, possible BPA and the like.
Stillers� braintrust draft 2004, or, what ya don�t know can kill ya:
|
|
Player |
Haven�s Value Board |
Value cluster predicted here |
Other Players considered |
|
x |
Drew Henson, QB |
NA |
NA |
NA. Henson could have been had for a 2003 R5 or 2005 R3. |
|
1.11 |
Will Smith, OLB/DE |
R1 |
DE |
Tommy Harris, DE |
|
2.45 |
Justin Smiley, IOL |
R1 |
IOL, FS |
Randy Starks, D-line Sean Jones, FS Jake Grove, IOL Greg Jones, RB |
|
3.76 |
Matt Ware, CB/FS |
R2 |
CB, WR |
Derrick Strait, CB Derrick Hamilton, WR Max Starks, RT |
|
4.107 |
Matthias Askew, D-line |
R2 |
DT, RT |
Nate Dorsey, RT Tim Euhus, TE Cedric Cobb, RB Stacy Andrews, LT Troy Darilek, IOL Jacob Bell, IOL |
|
5.145 |
Kelly Butler, RT |
R2 |
RT, ILB |
PK Sam, WR Michael Turner, RB Chris Thompson, CB Thomas Tapeh, FB |
|
6a |
Cody Spencer, ILB |
R4 |
ILB, NT, FB, RB, RT |
Troy Fleming, RB |
|
6b |
Jason Peters, TE |
R4 |
As above. |
|
|
6c |
Adim Echemandu, RB |
R4 |
As above. |
Clarence Moore, WR. Raheem Orr, DE/OLB Eric Taylor, NT |
|
7 |
Marcel Allmond, CB |
R4 |
As above |
Isaac Hilton, DE/OLB Cody Pickett, QB Brian Rimpf, G/T Tony Pape, G/T Arnold Parker, DB |
Disclaimer: while this section is billed as some site-wide �braintrust�, no collaboration actually occurred. Therefore, any errors are my own to bear. And this: while players like Peters and Allmond carried solid marks on various boards, the fact of the matter is they didn�t get drafted. Whether that arose out of background or medical checks (or some other) is far beyond the ken of any set of unconnected fan scribblers. With those caveats, these acquisitions:
Drew Henson, QB:
We�ve been over the various means by which this player may have been acquired. While one might debate the merit of Henson vs. Roethlisberger, it is highly likely that the equation put a few days ago (in 2004 Draft, Day One) would resolve as: Henson plus Will Smith will have (more impact) than Roethlisberger plus any R3 2005 pick, and certainly more than Roethlisberger plus Brian St. Pierre (R5, 2003).
1.11: Will Smith, DE/OLB, 6-3, 267#:
Just this, from NFL.com: �Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told SportsLine.com that several teams called him before and during their time on the clock for their first-round pick. They decided to stay put because DE Will Smith, who they drafted at No. 18, was rated inside the top 10 on their value board.�
2.45: Justin Smiley, IOL, 6-3, 301#:
Coming into this draft, this player was a deep R1 value on every board but, while regarded as the best IOL in the class, feel to #3 at the spot. Still, on a BPA basis, he�s the guy especially as some teams were looking at him as a player who, conceivably, could move outboard to OT. This from ESPN: Technically sound in just about everything he does. Moves really well and can get downfield on screens and block at the second level. Plays with a nice base, rarely off his feet, and shows good recovery skills. Will demonstrate a nasty streak.
3.76: Matt Ware, DB, 6-2, 209#:
We�ve been over it with this player. Regarded as a R3 value at CB but as high as R1 as a FS or hybrid CB/FS. Philadelphia, a team that knows something about DB, drafted him in R3, presumably (since they drafted a FS in R4) as a replacement for Bobby Taylor.
4.107: Matthias Askew, D-line, 6-5, 308#:
As predicted here, a high upside DT prospect did fall to the Steelers spot in R4. From NFL.com: �Talented athlete who has that rare combination of size, speed and power to be equally effective at any position on the defensive line � Developing talent who is very physical on the field � "Matthias is a big guy that can run," Spartans defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. "He made great strides as a pass rusher last season. The best thing about Matthias is that he's a big body that can defend the middle and take on double-team blocks, plus, he has the ability to pressure the quarterback." � Started 19 of 35 games during his career, recording 144 tackles (99 solos) with seven sacks for minus-45 yards, 18� stops for losses of 73 yards, 24 quarterback pressures, an interception and eight pass deflections.�
5.145: Kelly Butler, RT, 6-7, 334#:
Can carry Marvel�s stash while accompanying Haggans to AA meetings; otherwise this, from Nfl.com:
�Positives: Has a thick upper body and chest, with big arms, wide hips and butt and thick thighs and calves � Shows adequate quickness in his feet and hands (good overall quick twitch movements) � Has good pop and explosion off the line and on contact with the defender � Effective drive blocker with the ability to drive, steer and pin block thanks to his above-average knee bend � Will set, extend and punch with his hands to gain inside position in pass protection � Takes well to hard coaching and understands what it takes to make himself better in the weight room � Has very good foot agility to kick step and slide laterally � Can pick up stunts with ease if the offensive guard does not get in his way.
Negatives: Massive drive blocker athlete, but could use better muscle definition � Better working at the point of attack, as he does not have the long speed to pull and accelerate into the second level � Gets marginal production when trying to finish his trap blocks or turn upfield � Not considered to be left tackle material (played right side throughout college career), as he struggles to adjust in space and get in position to cut off or wall off the linebackers on the edge � Has good lateral movement and ability, but sometimes will overextend, preventing him from sliding or recovering when trying to change direction.�
6a: Cody Spencer, ILB, 6-2, 242#:
High try player and per NFL.com has some attributes as a 2-down ILB in the Earl Holmes mode
Positives: Has a solidly-developed upper body, with broad shoulders, developed thighs and calves and room to add additional muscle mass throughout his frame � Quick to read and react to the ball � Has the strength and burst to quickly fill the gaps and control action at the line of scrimmage � Has effective rip-and-swim moves to slip through blocks � Uses his hands well to defeat the cut block and generates a strong hand punch to re-route linebackers � Keeps leverage and balance working through trash to make tackles � Takes proper angles to the ball with no wasted motion and a concerted effort to close � Not a punishing tackler, but stays low in his pads to wrap, secure and square up vs. running backs � Gets depth in his pass drops, showing adequate route awareness when reading the quarterback � Has natural hands for the interception (also showed good hands when working as a fullback) � Has a strong desire to get the quarterback sack when asked to blitz, attacking the gaps suddenly to gain separation.
Negatives: Marginal in man coverage, as he appears stiff in his hips in attempts to turn and run, and gathers in his breaks � Needs to keep plays in front of him as he shows marginal acceleration to break on the ball (also reacts slowly when in the deep zone).
AGILITY TESTS
4.65 in the 40-yard dash � 470-pound bench press � Bench presses 225 pounds 27 times � 565-pound squat � 358-pound power clean � 4.11 20-yard shuttle � 6.96 three-cone drill � 37�-inch vertical jump � 9-foot-8 broad jump.
6b: Jason Peters, TE, 6-4, 324#:
Considering league evaluations, skipped.
6c: Adim Echemandu, RB, 5-10, 226#:
Injury issues suggest he could be the next Fu, or Verron Haynes; however, this prospect does have considerably more upside, as NFL.com elucidates:
�Rising star with incredible athletic ability � Returned to the gridiron with a flourish in 2003 after spending the previous two years on the sidelines partially due to a knee injury � Saw his banner final campaign end on a sour note after it was discovered that he fractured his fibula late in the year � A two-sport star, he also excelled in track for the Golden Bears � Versatile athlete who was recruited as a tailback, but moved to wide receiver midway through his freshman season when injuries depleted that unit � Shifted back to tailback the following year � He sat out the 2002 season to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee � Finished his career with 306 carries for 1,434 yards (4.7 avg.) and 16 touchdowns, 33 receptions for 264 yards (8.0 avg.) and a pair of scores, 22 kickoff returns for 516 yards (23.5 avg.) and two punt returns for 5 yards (2.5 avg.) while starting 19 of 33 games.
Positives: Big, raw-boned athlete who is naturally built and strong with a frame that can easily add another 10 pounds with no loss of quickness � Has a quick initial step, showing above-average acceleration and burst to get to top-end speed immediately � Sees the seams and hits the holes hard, showing a good feel for the defenders and the power to make the initial tackler miss � Has the strength to break arm tackles � Quick and sudden enough to get past defenders in the open field � Runs with the ball properly secured � Very effective on halfback routes (arrows, flares) and shows quickness when lined up in the slot � Looks natural catching with hands extended � Competes well in pressure situations � Runs at a very low pad level, showing tremendous shake and wiggle to elude � Can also return kicks.
Negatives: Has limited football experience, as he did not grow up playing the sport (from Nigeria) � Leg injury in 2003 needs further evaluation, as he continues to rehabilitate, but not work out prior to the draft (doctors say he will be fully recovered by training camp) � Willing blocker, but does not look comfortable or confident.�
7: Marcel Allmond, CB, 5-11, 198#:
Considering league evaluations, skipped
Summary:
In Henson, the Steelers would have a franchise prospect at the QB position. In Will Smith, they would have a legit replacement for Jason Gildon, the player that will be their prime deletion. Something similar may be said of Ware, with respect to Alexander. Certainly, it was reasonable to project that the sum of Ware + Allmond might exceed the impact of a Ricardo Colclough. Similarly, the sum of Smiley + Butler is highly likely to exceed that of Starks + Lacy. Spencer is an ILB prospect exceeding Larry Foote IMO and, considering the contract situation at that spot, the Steelers may have even greater need there. Finally, Peters and Echemandu do (or, did) figure as talented O-skill developmental prospects.
Better or worse than what actually occurred? Well, you decide; for sure though, the FO came into the draft with a far different hand to play. With Henson in Dallas, QB was in play. That pushed CB and OT down the board but did not reduce the urgency to improve those spots. For CB, the Steelers gave up value at two spots to (possibly) get value at one. For OT, well, considering that Max Starks may be the most NFL ready of the big RT available (once Carey and Andrews went off), he is a defensible pick. While there are many other possibilities (say, DB back to back in R2 and R3, with RT later) and while it would be no act of hindsight to project those here, for this exercise, we�ll hold the Steelers� top two O-line picks constant, if only towards critiquing the Colclough trade-up.
Fair and balanced, or, playing the hand dealt (kinda):
|
|
Player |
Haven�s Value board |
Remarks |
|
1.11 |
Ben Roethlisberger, QB |
R1 |
Value at the spot |
|
2.45 |
Sean Jones, FS |
R1 |
Presumes Colclough would have been snatched up between 38 and 45 |
|
3.76 |
Max Starks, RT |
R3 |
Personally, I don�t like this pick but Rich Gosselin had this prospect rated #69 among all players. Considering that he had Kelly Butler at #76 and Nate Dorsey #86, the PS might have held fire at this position, so realizing significantly better value in R4 or R5. Still, it must be acknowledged that the top CB on the board, Derrick Strait, was just #66 in that same list. Therefore, considered in isolation, Starks must be regarded as a value pick. |
|
4.107 |
Chris Thompson, CB |
R4 |
On a BPA basis, DT (or RT) would be the pick. However, as DB was evidently job #1 coming in, this prospect, whose profile is shown below. Note: If Colclough in R2 then S Glenn Earl presents (check the profile yourself). |
|
5.145 |
Nathaniel Adibi, OLB |
R4 |
Good pick at the spot. See opening notes. |
|
6a |
Bo Lacy, OT/OG |
UDFA |
As above. |
|
6b |
Adim Echemandu, RB |
R4 |
Selecting Lacy, the PS missed on Troy Fleming. Echemandu is a different kind of RB but a good investment at the spot. See profile above. |
|
6c |
Clarence Moore, WR |
R6-7 |
Spike-sized WR with better speed; played at Northern Arizona, as did Dennis Northcutt. Selected by Baltimore a few picks later. See profile following. |
|
7 |
Eric Taylor, NT |
R4 |
Good pick at the spot, and at a position of need. |
Some priority FA:
Drew Caylor, OC/LS
Toby Harrell, ILB
Matt Kranchick, TE
To conclude, some information on the players introduced above:
2.45: Sean Jones, FS, 6-1, 212#:
From nfl.com: Hard-hitting tackler with excellent leaping ability � Standout performer on special teams who proved to be invaluable in the Bulldogs secondary, playing free safety, strong safety and Rover during his career � An outstanding kick blocker, Jones served as defensive co-captain during his junior campaign � Played in 37 games, starting 24 times � Finished with 250 tackles (140 solos), an 8-yard sack, 10 stops for losses of 35 yards, four quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries for 105 yards in returns, seven interceptions for 100 yards in returns, four blocked kicks, a pair of kickoff returns for 55 yards (27.5 avg.) and 10 punt returns for 160 yards (16.0 avg.) � His 10 interceptions rank 10th on the school's career-record list � His four blocked kicks topped the old school career record of three by Boss Bailey (1998-99, 2001-02), Kendrell Bell (1999-2000) and Corrie Collier (2000-01).
4.107: Chris Thompson, CB, 6-0, 191#:
From the same source: Regarded by many as the best cover cornerback in the NCAA Division I-AA ranks, and is also highly regarded for his special teams play, holding the school season and career records for blocked kicks � A model of consistency, as he has not allowed a touchdown reception by an opponent during his career � Became the first Nicholls State player to be named to an All-America team (2002) since Darryl Pounds received the award in 1994 � Started 32 of 35 games for the Colonels, recording 148 tackles (90 solos) with 11 interceptions, 28 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and a school career-record eight blocked kicks.
6c: Clarence Moore, WR, 6-5, 211#:
And again: Positives: Has good quickness and body control in his initial release, using his hands actively to defeat the jam � Fluid route runner that shows a quick burst in and out of his cuts � Has good field awareness, knowing where the pursuit is coming from as he easily finds the open area � Very reliable on underneath routes, showing the ability to turn a short catch into a big gain � Snatches the ball with his hands properly extended, showing outstanding ability to catch the pass over his head � Displays good concentration catching in a crowd � More quick than fast, but has the juking moves to elude in the open � Very effective making plays on the ball in the air, especially when working the fade routes � Very shifty runner after the catch, with good balance and shiftiness to avoid the initial tackle � Does a nice job of shielding the ball from defenders on underneath routes � Very conscious of keeping his feet inbounds working along the sidelines � Effective using his hands to get a push off the defender and knows how to settle in and sink when working back towards the ball.
Negatives: Gets a little too high and erect in his release, but uses his hands efficiently to get a push off the jam � Lacks home run speed to be considered a deep threat � When working in a crowd, he keeps his hands inside the frame (not fearless going over the middle, but does maintain concentration going up for the ball) � Gives a marginal effort as a blocker (will only get in the way).
4.55 in the 40-yard dash � 1.61 10-yard dash � 34-inch vertical jump � 10-foot-2 broad jump � 4.21 20-yard shuttle � 6.84 60-yard shuttle
Summary:
Last winter, Chris Mortenson of ESPN had the Steelers with the inside track on Drew Henson, presumably because of some standing relationship between Kevin Colbert and clan Henson. Why that didn�t eventuate, well, we�ll never know. What we do know is that the PS lost an opportunity to secure both a franchise QB and, in Will Smith, a primetime OKIE OLB and package DE. Roethlisberger was a fine acquisition but I have to project the tandem of Henson and Smith a (far) better outcome.
The Colclough trade may be considered in similar fashion. Dealing up, the PS acquired the #5 CB in this class; by consensus, they got value at the spot. Still, there�s no doubt that, by allowing the draft to come to them, they would have accomplished the same, even if at other positions. The Steelers gave two to get one; Jones and Askew or Smiley and Thompson or some other; there were many combinations of prospects at those position. Moving up for Colclough, the PS passed on equivalent value in R2, and gave up any number of players later. Perhaps, the PS got value at one spot; easily, they could have done the same at two.
While many consider improvement at CB as job-only in the secondary, our 2004 D-side Overview suggested otherwise. Further, it should be acknowledged that, with Cleveland getting KWII, the complexion of the AFC North has changed significantly. The Steelers haven�t been able to cover a TE for years; now, they�ve got Winslow and Heap four times per season. Whether that event impacted at Steeler FO is unknown, doubtful, as that group has not been one of the really flexible organizations in football. It may be that their tenacity with respect to the undersized Colclough will pay out but that�s a dubious proposition, IMO.
Having made no move at all to acquire a RT in FA, the FO was obliged to snag a starter even in an OT-short draft. Past Shawn Andrews and Vernon Carey, who could not be had without passing on their QB, the other RT revealed themselves as suspect, more than prospect. Rogers had injuries throughout his collegiate career; Dorsey has had shoulder problems; Starks has had ankle problems; Kelly Butler did what he did. Of those, Starks is (perhaps) the best bet to contribute immediately but, four years gone, we�ll see whether he�s a considered a core contributor, or just a fringe guy. As noted above, Starks may represent value at 3.76; however, there�s no doubt that there were (nearly) equivalent prospects at the position who were available later, in R4 and R5. As that was predicted here long ago, the overall outcome is tough to accept.
On the second day, well, for the most part, the FO set their sights low, and they hit their mark. Except as Adibi fell and Lacy may be the new Jugs, the FO got little they couldn�t have had as UDFA. Overall, considering each pick in isolation, the Steelers did pretty well, through 6a anyway. However, factoring the sum of all picks with all (squandered) opportunities for advancement over the preceding FA period, not so much.
Bottom line: The Steeler FO failed to address their primary needs in FA. Therefore, they drafted on a need-first basis. Drafting like that is about the same as driving down the highway with your eyes fixed on the rear view mirror; as long as the road rolls straight out, you�re okay (maybe) but at the first bend, adios.
That is all.
Or not (Postscript):
Following Hammer�s example, this; generally, the basis for the following picks derives from the twin Overviews (O and D) published last January, as well as that subsequent series of articles analyzing past drafts by the numbers and projecting those forward. There it was projected that Day One value would be found at the O-skill positions, DT and S, R2 with CB R3. Day 2? A quantity of O-linemen, LB and skill sleepers.
|
Player/Pos |
Remarks |
Alternatives |
VC, if any |
|
Ben Roethlisberger, QB |
Franchise QB available thanks to Jacksonville. |
None, except to trade down but with a franchise QB available, that�s no reasonable. |
DE |
|
Randy Starks, D-line |
Gamble on CB cluster R3 |
Justin Smiley, IOL Sean Jones, S |
|
|
CB |
Several CB available including Ware, LeSueur and Poole. Gamble on OT available later |
Derrick Hamilton, WR Travelle Wharton, OT |
CB |
| Nate Dorsey, OT | As predicted, OT prospects persist into Day 2. Dorsey has LT ability. |
Jaacob Bell, O-line |
O-line |
|
Kelly Butler, OT |
Behavior problems drove Butler down |
PK Sam, WR |
O-line |
|
Clarence Moore, WR |
Big WR to groom behind Burress |
|
O-line |
| Issac Hilton, OLB | Elite skills, dubious recognition ability |
Adim Echemandu, RB |
O-line |
| Shane Olivea, O-line | Explosive swing player. |
Jason Peters, O-line |
O-line |
| Roc Alexander, CB | Elite skills, dubious recognition ability and some injury history |
Cody Pickett, QB |
|