Home 2014 NFL Draft If Dennard is Gone, Then What for the Steelers?

If Dennard is Gone, Then What for the Steelers?

by Steeldad

Darqueze DennardThe vast majority of mock drafts currently have the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard with pick number 15 in the first round.

Personally I enjoy looking at mock drafts but I also realize they are worth as much as the paper they are printed on.

That said; let’s assume the Steelers do in fact have Dennard targeted as their first round pick but surprise! Someone unexpectedly takes him ahead of the Steelers. What happens then?

Based on the same mock drafts I’ve seen, Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans won’t be an option. I’ve seen him going anywhere from five through ten so forget him.

The other top corner in the draft is Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State. While not as aggressive as Dennard, he’s very athletic, fast and returns kicks as well. He’s a possibility but I’ve seen him mocked many times to the Detroit Lions at number ten.

Is tackle an option? Although unlikely, there’s a small chance Jake Matthews could fall to 15 and a slightly better chance that Taylor Lewan could fall there too. Personally I think we have more pressing needs than tackle, but I could see this happening.

Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix III will more than likely be there at 15 but will the Steelers want to use their top pick on a guy who won’t be on the field a whole lot?

What most Steelers’ fans want to see and I count myself among them is a trade down. If the player the Steelers covet the most is no longer an option then collecting some extra picks should be.

Remember, mock drafts are typically based on need versus want so there’s really no way to know just who the Steelers have on top of their draft board at the current time. GM Kevin Colbert has been through enough of these rodeos to know how to proceed should Dennard, or whomever they have at the top, not be there.

Experience doesn’t necessarily guarantee getting it right though and Colbert has had more than his share of ‘wrongs.’ Assuming Dennard is the top choice right now, what is the Steelers best option for plan ‘B?’

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @steeldad and follow the website at @SCBlitz. He can be heard weekly on Trib-Live Radio talking Steelers and is a blogger for ESPN 970 in Pittsburgh.

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4 comments

steelbydesign April 15, 2014 - 2:08 pm

If the Steelers get “stuck” at 15 without a value pick I think that Beckham Jr. or Roby are the most likely surprise picks.

I respect Mayock more than any other draft “expert” and he has Fuller as his #2 CB which definitely has my attention too.

Vittorio April 19, 2014 - 6:50 pm

What is Beckham Jr going to do that AB, Wheaton and Moore cannot do for Ben? I’m so sick and tired of people thinking that if the y take Benjamin it’s a reach says who? If he is someone who can help out this offense that why call it a reach? One other thing that bothers is the saying “don’t sacrifice skill for size”, to those people who think that way you are beyond dumb and foolish. This draft has a number of guys who are typical WR’s you see in the NFL, what you don’t see it that same number of WR’s who are tall. I know everybody is so hesitant of a Tall WR because of how Sweed turned out but it was a mistake that didn’t cost them anything. The Steelers went to 2 superbowls since they drafted sweed and I don’t see anybody complaining about it. You complain about how the Steelers are fine without a Tall WR and should stick to taking short WR’s. How exactly is that going to work? By taking another small WR such as Beckham your implying that there Red Zone problems are fixed and Beckham will make life easier for AB. You people are wrong on both accounts. If they go with Beckham who exactly is the target for the Red Zone when it’s needed? You can’t ask miller to make catches every time your down there cause you need him to block as well, and don’t say run the ball cause you all know that OL doesn’t have neither the balls or where with all to open running lanes. So tell me with out a Tall WR who can AB’s job a lot easier and for that matter free up the other Wide Outs how is this team going to win more than they have the past 2 seasons?

steeldad April 20, 2014 - 12:20 am

Currently, taking Benjamin at 15 is a reach. I’ve seen very few mocks that have him going in the first. That isn’t the be all end all but it’s clear teams aren’t as high on him as they once were. Yes he has the size but his hands and attitude are an issue.

Vittorio April 20, 2014 - 6:50 pm

All WR’s have attitude that’s nothing new in the NFL. Hands may be an issue but from what I’ve seen I believe he’ll do fine. Look at this way: No defensive prospect that you or for that matter anybody mocks to the Steelers at 15 is going to make in impact. You can moan and complain all you want it’s just the way LeBeau coaches. In his mind if he plays rookies they will end up giving up big plays and make more mistakes than say the rest of the D. You all saw what Jones did and what did he get in return for his work: Complaints left and right about his production and how he played. He’s a rookie he supposed to struggle I mean come on even the coaches knew that when they drafted him and it’s the same way with and Defensive rookie the Steelers take. I asked for fans to back off of Jones and what do I get in return: more negativity and criticism. I’ll make a deal with every fan here on this site that is fair for everybody: You back off Jones for the 2014 season and I will back off Wheaton for the entire 2014 season. How does that sound?

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