Steelers Mock Draft 3.0

Although it’s still nearly impossible to guess what direction the Steelers go in the 2014 draft, things are happening that allow us to make at least a slightly more educated guess.

We now now that the Steelers picked up 3 additional picks as compensation for free agents lost last off-season.

We also have seen the Steelers add depth to some positions such as safety, defensive end, and running back so they don’t need to reach for a particular position.

Feedback is always welcome, but try to remember how sure you were what things would or wouldn’t happen that we were all completely wrong about in past drafts.

1. Darquenze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.

Even though I wrote and article saying tha the Steelers wouldn’t pick Dennard, it’s starting to look like he might be the guy. If Tomlin and Colbert were both at his pro day there’s probably at least some interest. He does remind me a little bit of Darelle Revis, who Tomlin supposedly loved in his first NFL draft. The Jets thought that might be the case because they traded ahead of Pittsburgh to grab him.

I’m still not convinced that Dennard is a good fit for the Steelers’ defense. He’s extremely good at doing what he does best, which is play close to the line, and even plays pretty well in zone coverage… However, he is limited athletically which could give him trouble when he has to play off man, which the Steelers do a lot of.

Please don’t think that means I hate Dennard as a prospect. I think he’s actually a great value at the 15th pick, and could go much higher, but the cornerback position is one where scheme fit is really important. It’s part of the reason Lovie Smith just cut possibly his most talented player in Darelle Revis. It’s also why Nnamdi Asomuga was an all pro in Oakland, and burnt regularly in Philadelphia.

I think that Mike Evans, Justin Gilbert, Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan, and maybe even Eric Ebron are off the board at this pick. Dennard is the best player available in that scenario.

Ultimately I think that the Steelers really will want to move down and grab a receiver like Kelvin Benjamin, Odell Beckham, or Brandin Cooks, but that could be difficult with such a deep draft.

2. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
I already have a feeling the reaction to this pick will not be all that positive. Landry is probably a third rounder with potential to go in the second… But he won’t be there at the end of the 3rd. The Steelers showed last year though they don’t care about a perceived “reach” if they like a guy. I’d say nobody still thinks Le’Veon Bell was a reach.

I think we’re going to see a big run at the receiver position late in the first round, and early into the second. Allen Robinson or Martavius Bryant could also be options if they’re still on the board.

Jarvis Landry had the college career to go late in the first, but he ran an even worse than expected 40 time at the combine. I say they have plenty of speed with Brown and Wheaton. Landry has maybe the best hands in the draft and knows how to runs routes… Those two things could get him on the field early.

He’s not all that big, and not all that fast, but he’s got grit. I’m hesitant to compare him to my all-time favorite Steeler that wore number 86, so I’ll say he could fill the role that Cotchery has the past couple seasons.

3 (comp). DaQuan Jones, NT/DE, Penn State
I’m not a fan of a guy like Louis Nix in the first round, but getting someone to plug the middle of the defense later one wouldn’t be a bad option. Jones is kind of interesting because he has the bulk to play in the middle at around 320 pounds, or possible at end as well much like the recently departed Al Woods.

I’m not really all that worried about where Jones fits in, just that the Steelers add some quality bodies along the defensive line and figure out who plays where in camp. McLendon and the recently added Cam Thomas have experience in the middle if needed.

4. Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB, Texas
I would definitely expect to see a project pass rusher in the middle of the draft. The Steelers really need to lock up Jason Worilds long term… That probably won’t happen until after the June 1st money becomes available… However, even if they do the Steelers are one injury away from Chris Carter starting outside.

Jeffcoat is a high motor, highly motivated player that lacks an elite move. Part of his problem in college was getting pushed around in the run game as an undersized defensive end. He’s the typical sort of tweener project the Steelers like to take around this round in past drafts.

5. De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
I’ve gone back and forth between Thomas and Dri Archer, but I expect the Steelers to grab an “OW” (offensive weapon) at some point in this draft. They got their primary backup in LaGarette Blount. Look Todd Haley to look for his Dexter McCluster in this draft. My hope is that Thomas is more McCluster than Chris Rainey.

5(comp). Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford
Ben Garnder is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. I loved Mike Mauti last year for a lot of the same reasons I love Gardner. Both are highly intelligent football players, that give maximum effort and dropped because of injury concerns. Gardner moved all over the defensive line for Stanford, but brought pressure from all over.

He’s very smart, and isn’t built like a typical 5 technique, but does have some long arms and played mostly DT in college. When you look at Gardner, his body type looks a lot like Brett Keisel. Future team captain type of guy that should’ve gone in the second round if he hadn’t lost most of his senior season… He looked ready to play at his pro day though.

6. Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
I doubt that this happens. Colvin would likely go on IR, and spend his first season as a redshirt essentially. I think it would be a good gamble though. The Steelers certainly needs CB’s, but I think if they went into 2014 with Ike, Cortez Allen, William Gay, and Dennard they’d be set at the position, but would need depth once Ike moves on maybe in 2015.

Colvin could step in then, in 2015 and essentially be another 3rd round talent on the roster. Unlike Dennard, Colvin’s strength is playing off man coverage and is great at keeping his man in front of him, rarely getting burned. He’s good enough in run support. Prior to his injury I might have mocked him to the Steelers in round 2 depending on his combine times.

6 (comp). Andrew Jackson, LB, Western Kentucky
Andrew Jackson is a guy that’s limited in some areas of his game, but I’d like to draft him just for his aggressiveness, and personality. Jackson has said he models his game after Ray Lewis, and he’s a fiery emotional guy on the field.

He’ll struggle in pass coverage, but he’s a thumper against the run. Even if he nevers becomes a starter, this late in the draft he’d be a quality addition as a special teamer, and could be a goal line specialist as well. I was a big fan of Vontaze Burfict coming out, Jackson has some similarities.

7. Alex Bullard, G/C, Tennessee
An athletic interior offensive lineman that could probably play multiple positions along the line. The Steelers should probably look for some insurance in case they don’t extend Maurkice Pouncey’s contract once it expires.