Early Draft Prospects     By CK Stiller

It’s time to start focusing on the draft again (unfortunately). This article will highlight some draft prospects who should interest Steelers fans in the coming months. This isn’t all inclusive, and we’re still early in the process, but here are the names that have caught my attention.

WR

Jordy Nelson, Kansas State, 6’3-215

Nelson is the big body Steelers fans have been crying for at receiver. He had a solid week of practices at the Senior Bowl, and was one of the more impressive receivers. There aren’t many guys with his size I like right now, but he’s one of them. He was extremely productive in his Senior season. Kept under 100 yards receiving just four times, caught TD’s in 9 of 12 games, and had under five catches just once. He lacks great timed speed, but still showed the ability to stretch defenses deep (5 plays of over 40 yards). On the year, Nelson had 122 catches for 1606 yards and 11 TD’s.

There’s another element to this man’s game, however. Nelson was used to return punts only a handful of times this past season, but the results were impressive. He had 5 returns for 264 yards (52.8 avg) and two TD’s. He was also a high school QB, and threw four passes. That resulted in another two TD’s.

I find Nelson to be one of the more interesting prospects. He could fill two holes in the Steelers roster, while also adding a trick-play dimension. Right now Nelson is projected as a 3^rd rounder. He’s a gamer, and I see very little not to like.

OL

Sam Baker, USC, 6’5 315 (OT)

Baker is a solid, consistent prospect. He lacks the overall potential of other picks, but he’s also got one of the lower bust factors.  Baker excels in pass pro, and has the frame to add some more bulk. He could use some more lower body strength, but he would be a sound draft pick in R1.

Carl Nicks, Nebraska, 6’5-343 (OT)

Nicks is a guy with a lot of potential. His size and strength will allow him to transition to the pro game by playing at RT.  That’s good for the Steelers, and it would allow for a bit more flexibility. Baker is a natural LT. Nicks moves well for a man of his size, and was one of the most consistent performers this past week. He also plays up to his size and gets movement in the ground game. Currently he’s projected as a 2^nd-3^rd rounder.

Oneil Cousins, UTEP, 6’4-301 (OG/OT)

It’s hard for me not to compare Cousins and Willie Colon. They are similar physically, and both have a bit of mean streak. Cousins has shorter arms, and is just shorter than ideal for a tackle. He moves very well, though, and gets good leverage. He’s explosive coming out of his stance, which is also a strength of Colon’s. Cousins is stronger than Colon, but lacks the technique.  He has too wide a base and has been relying on his natural power up to this point.  When he cleans that up, Cousins has a whole lot of potential. Like Nicks, he’s a 2^nd-3^rd rounder.

Mike Pollack, Arizona State, 6’4-299 (OC)

I like Pollack in the second round a lot. He is in the Steelers mold of a center, and the top rated player at the position. He was consistently productive in college, and has showed that at the Senior Bowl. His strength is what sets him apart from most prospects. Center is one of the few positions where a rookie could come in and legitimately start for this team. Pollack allowed just three hurries in his senior season, and gets good leverage while pass blocking. That needs to be key when looking for the next center. This is the natural center this team needs after the Sean Mahan experiment. He is used to playing while snapping the football, and is probably already a more polished player. This is the most balanced and pro-ready center in the draft.

John Sullivan, Notre Dame, 6’3-294 (OC)

Sullivan was a surprise at the Senior Bowl. Of the interior OL, he was second only to Pollack. He’s athletic and showed surprising ability to hold his ground while pass blocking. My concern is that he looked better in drills than he did live action, which is more of a concern because of Notre Dame’s lousy season. Sullivan would have good value early on day 2.

Fernando Velasco, Georgia, 6’3-318 (OC)

Velasco is an interesting prospect. He is bigger and stronger than either of the other two prospects, but rawer. Pass protection is something I’m keying on, and it’s where he struggles. The issues are with his technique, however. When it comes to the physical ability, he’s not lacking.  He has a habit of lunging at defenders and doesn’t always move his feet. What he has above the others is potential and strength at the point of attack.  I would be as happy with him on day 2 as I would Pollack in the 2^nd or Sullivan in the 4^th.

Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh, 6’5-309 (OG)

Strong and technically sound. He has a long reach and strong punch. This is a natural RG prospect who could legitimately come in and start. He has the technique, experience, and physical tools to do it. Few players have been more consistent. Gets it done in pass pro (just 2 hurries as a Jr.) and in the ground game.  He is considered a mid-round prospect right now, and I don’t know if there’s a better RG in the entire draft.

3-4 DE’s

Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina, 6’5-308

Balmer had a productive senior season, and is quickly rising up draft boards. Had only limited work at the Senior Bowl as he pulled his hamstring. Balmer is a guy who plays the run and has the potential to push the pocket at the next level. There aren’t that many better prospects at the spot than this.

Red Bryant, Texas A&M, 6’5-326

Bryant was a little over weight at the Senior Bowl weigh-ins, but made up for it on the field where he showed solid hustle. What I like about Bryant is that he can play NT or DE. In spite of his size, he’s still shown that he can get low. He’s a bit like Haloti Ngata. He doesn’t penetrate enough for my liking, and he won’t add enough as a pass rusher. Considering he’ll likely go as a 2^nd rounder, he’s still an interesting prospect. I’m leaning away from him.

Keilen Dykes, West Virginia, 6’4-295

Dykes has great value on day 2 in my book. I don’t know if he’ll ever pan out as a full time starter, but he could be a very effective role player for someone. He has the stoutness to play 3-4 DE, but he can also penetrate. He knows how to use his hands (has more moves than Brett Keisel), and has the strength and speed to get up field. A potential day 2 steal. Was the heart and soul of one of the best defenses in the nation. Has the size to come in and play right away, unlike many other day 2 prospects the team has taken.

Calais Campbell, Miami, 6’8-282

Campbell has a huge amount of potential, and will likely be a first round pick. He could potentially go in the top 20 considering this years DE class. His size and athleticism make him attractive to teams running any scheme. I wonder about how his size will work in the pro’s. As a 3-4 DE, he may actually end up being too tall. I have little doubt that he would greatly improve the Steelers pass rush, however. If he fell to the Steelers at 1-23, I would seriously consider grabbing him. This is a guy who may not start right away, but would add a lot just as a situational player.  He should have the frame to add bulk up more without sacrificing athleticism. The potential here is off the charts, and I may like him the most in the late first round. Balmer’s ceiling just isn’t that high, and in spite of what many think, the team has a good starting three. If I grab a 3-4 DE in round 1, he has to have a very high ceiling. 1

LB

Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech, 6’2-245

Wheeler is a great LB prospect for any scheme, and the 3-4 is no exception. I would love to have him playing inside next to Timmons, but it simply isn’t likely. Wheeler will put up combine numbers that likely get him taken in the late first or early second. The Steelers aren’t likely to invest such a high pick on a LB. Wheeler has a rare blend of power and speed at the LB spot. He’s aggressive in playing the run and one of the best from this class at taking on blocks. I see a guy who is every bit as good of a prospect as Patrick Willis last season.

Spencer Larsen, Arizona, 6’2-243 (ILB)

Larsen is another guy very well suited to replace Foote down the line. He doesn’t have the athletic talents of Wheeler, but he is a strong LB who attacks the line well. Had strong production in college, and got after the QB as a blitzer as well as he played the run. Was the all-star of the East-West Shrine game. This would be a nice day 2 pick to add depth at LB. Foote has only two more years left on his deal, and Farrior just one.

Jameel McClain, Syracuse, 6’1-253 (ILB)

McClain comes from the same school as Anthony Smith, and has the same intensity and attitude. This team needs enforcers on defense, and McClain fits that role nicely. This is another guy built well to take Foote’s job. He has experience playing as a DE. Had a subpar senior season like the rest of the team, and lacks the eye-popping physical talent to get himself taken anywhere before the middle of day 2. The goal here is to find a two down player who will attack the line of scrimmage with sort of ferocity the team hasn’t had since Bell was a rookie. Monster junior season (9.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL) leaves a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Could be a steal. How he runs at the combine will determine his draft position. I look at this guy and see a similar player to James Harrison, just a bit bigger. He has the quickness to take the edge when he puts his hand on the ground (along with the experience) and the ability to play in limited space. Inside a 3-4 is a good spot, but he could put his hand down and rush on third down (something Foote certainly can’t do).

DB

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 6’2-183 (CB)

Listing him here is almost a waste of time. Cromartie will likely go early in the first. Cromartie is a playmaker outside, which is certainly something this team needs. He will run well, and that combined with his great size will make him a high first rounder. His brother had less production and went in the first simply off his size and speed.

Dwight Lowery, San Jose State, 6’1-185 (CB)

Lowery is a mid-round prospect from a smaller school. He has great size and athletic ability. He lacks top-end speed, however, and that will hurt his stock. What I like about him is his playmaking ability. In his 2007 season, he had just 60 passes thrown his way and came away with 4 INT’s. In 06, he had 9 INT’s. He was one of the best punt returners in the nation, as well. He’s a guy who could excel playing off in LeBeau’s scheme, or even in a cover 2. Either would help hide his speed and give him chances to make plays on the ball.

Aqib Talib, Kansas, 6’2-202 (CB)

Talib is a playmaker at corner. His athletic ability has allowed him to play receiver at times.  If the team wants a corner who will go after the ball, this is the guy. He will require a day 1 pick, but has the raw talent and playmaking ability to develop into a Pro Bowler.

Sources
Draft Scout
NFL Network
Rivals.com