We passed another draft milestone last week after getting through the NFL combine, which gives us a little bit more information to use when building a Steelers mock draft.
I think that in about two to three weeks we’ll have the clearest picture yet of a Steelers draft when we get through the start of free agency. By that time we should know what the Steelers are doing with most of their own free agents.
Steel City Blitz has some interesting new ideas planned for that time, but for now, here is my best shot at a Steelers mock coming out of the combine.
1. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Previous Pick: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
So prior to the combine I saw us going WR then CB in 1-2. I’m changing it based on the talent at WR as SteelDad mentioned following the combine. I’ll admit it was tough for me, because I love Benjamin, but I think this is how the Steelers go.
Gilbert is just what the Steelers need. He’s a big play machine, he plays well in off-man and zone coverage, and he’s a talented return man. There’s a good chance Gilbert’s scorching 40 time puts him in the top 15, but I’m not going to let that deter me here, because you never know. He could simply drop based on runs at other positions, or a team could like Dennard’s man to man ability better to push him above Gilbert.
Plus, with so much depth in this draft someone is going to drop. There’s going to be someone on the board that everyone is telling us there’s no way they’re there.
2. Kyle Von Noy, LB, BYU
Previous Pick:Â Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
I’m tempted to go Allen Robinson here, because I think he’ll be here and would be a solid pick. With the depth in this draft though, there’s going to be a first round talent a this pick, it’s just trying to figure out who falls. I could also see a big run of receivers going towards the end of the first, early second round; leaving the Steelers reaching if they go WR. If Jason Worilds leaves in free agency, Woodley will stay, but I think a high pick goes towards OLB to possibly oust him in the next couple of years.
Von Noy is a very intelligent player, and uses his superb technique and brains to make plays more than an overwhelming physical skill set. He doesn’t have the ceiling of some of the first rounders in this draft but he seems low risk, potentially high reward to me. I could see Von Noy potentially fitting inside if needed as well if Woodley suddenly bounces back.
4. Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
Previous Pick:Â Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford
This pick was hard for me. There’s just so many receivers with talent in this draft, that I’m guessing somebody falls. I considered Moncrief, Martavius Bryant, Jared Abbrederis, or possibly even Jarvis Landry if he doesn’t improve his 40 at his pro day. I may move Moncrief to the 3rd if we pick up  a compensatory pick there in a future update.
Moncrief really appears to have it all as a wide receiver, but just didn’t produce his last season as well as everyone expected him to. He’s got good size, and isn’t Mike Wallace but good deep speed. He is prone to drops, but he has the upside to be a very good receiver.
5. Ben Gardner, DE, Stanford
Previous Pick:Â Aaron Lynch, OLB, USF
Gardner moves down a round in this update. I still think he could go higher but I’ve also seen him projected to go towards the very end of the draft.
Gardner is a guy that’s dropping because injury issues, but prior to a torn pectoral muscle Gardner looked like a second round pick to me. As a Cincinnati alum, I was a big fan of Derek Wolfe a couple years ago, and Gardner reminds me of him.
Gardner was used all over the line at Stanford, and could probably fit in a lot of different schemes, but looks like a 3-4 DE for the Steelers. He’s very well rounded could set the edge, as well as provide some pass rush for the Steelers. Gardner’s also a very smart player and future team captain type of player.
6. De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
Previous Pick:Â De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
I’ve seen thomas projected as a first rounder, and a 7th rounder depending on what website you look at. The consensus is that he should have returned to school for his senior season because he had a down year.
I don’t like the idea of taking 175 lb. RB’s early in the draft, but at this point it’d be ok. The Steelers need depth at the position, and need a return man. Haley has shown that he loves backs like Thomas. Chris Rainey didn’t work out, but Thomas may prove to be a dangerous return man, and change of pace back.
7. Bennett Jackson, CB/S, Notre Dame
Previous Pick:Â Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky
I could see the Steelers doubling up on corners in this draft, given that Cortez Allen and William Gay could be the only players on the team with any experience at the position, very soon. Jackson has good size and could project as a safety, which is also a need. I would like to see Aaron Colvin selected here, who would likely sit a year due to blowing out his knee at the senior bowl… but that’s not typically something the Steelers do.
30 comments
I agree with most of your picks except for a couple. You have them taking a WR after the first 2 rounds which I only have 1 question for you: Is this bizzaro world or have you just gone off the deep end? you steelbydesign have CB in the 1st round which I feel is wrong cause if you heard Colbert he said the CB class is deep so why would he take a CB who won’t start his 1st year or for that matter get much playing his rookie year when the way he talked about the CB’s it points to him taking one in the late rounds. I will make it clear for everyone to understand since I guess some don’t get it: Go with WR in the 1st round and then once round 2 hits go defense for literally the rest of the draft. I don’t mind RB in that 6-7th round range but I just feel they won’t go that route instead they will resign Dwyer and then pick up an undrafted FA RB and just have compete for the 3rd back spot. It seems to me that no matter what Colbert says you just throw it out the door and just throw something out there and hoping that it will stick.
I guess we can’t all be as in tune with the Steelers as you Vittorio.
To my knowledge Colbert never said the CB class is deep. He said the entire draft is deep. You say that we should wait on CB for that reason? Wide Receiver is the deepest position in this entire draft. I laid out my reasoning for going with what I did… SteelDad did an entire write up on why they could very likely go away from WR in round 1 unless Evans falls.
You’re entitled to your opinion, you’ve made it loud and clear on the comments sections. I’m entitled to mine as well. None of us know what’s going to happen, but I’m making an educated guess and giving plenty of reasons for how I came to that conclusion.
Here is my problem when fans want to go Defense in the 1st round: How many more times can they keep going that route? Every time the Steelers pick a defensive player in the 1st round they want him to start right from the get-go or get more time than the veteran in front of him and I’m sick of that reasoning. Stop throwing the Jones and Williams thing in my face cause I counter with “injuries forced those 2 guys to play and all that got was extensive negative reaction from the fans” Colbert said in his own words and it’s the honest to god truth “Were all in for Ben and intend to draft a Tall WR within the first 2 rounds” yet for some reason which I no longer care to hear about you people look the other way with that comment. You mentioned how Moncrief is prone to drops and yet you feel the Steelers should take him. why would they want another guy who drops the ball when they had that last season with Sanders. Sure you can say the same thing about Benjamin but with him it’s an occasional drop with Moncrief your exact words were “He is prone to drops” that quote right there is all one would need to know about Donte Moncrief. I get sick and tired of fans thinking that once they draft a Nix or a Gilbert or a Dennard or a Clinton Dix they are automatically starting, well that day arrives I’ll come back and say I was wrong but until that day comes I really get irked when some fans think that D is the right choice or answer in the 1st round. This is not me issuing an opinion, this is me airing my grievances with fans of this site and any other site that is going the same route.
I don’t give a rat’s you know what if a guy starts in year 1 or not. It’s nice, sure… But I care more about getting the right guy. Marquis Lee is very pro ready, and probably would see the field as a rookie, but I don’t want him because his ceiling is just not there.
And don’t just make things up. Kevin Colbert has never said “Were all in for Ben and intend to draft a Tall WR within the first 2 rounds.” Nobody is ignoring it because he never said it… and even if he did, that doesn’t mean squat. You take everything a GM says this time of the year with a grain of salt.
Colbert definitely said that. I can’t recall whether it was from espn or from nfl but since those are just about the only websites I check it came from one of them. I am not high on Benjamin very much because I feel he is a top 20 maybe 25 pick not top 15. Steelers tend to draft the best talent available and that will either be Evans (if we are lucky), gilbert, dennard, calvin pryor, or a personal favorite Eric Ebron. I think Ebron would bring a new dynamic to our offense and we could run a duel tight end threat like the Patriots. I think corners like Kyle Fuller and Jason Verret are near as good as the top corners and so I think we will draft an offensive weapon or saftey in the first and a corner in the second. I think there are so many ways this draft can go for the steelers that it is almost pointless to argue about it. This is my input and the way I would like to see the draft play out. Also I would like to see Ike Taylor cut and the money we save on cap go to alterraun verner a much younger corner that is talented.
No, Colbert never said anything about getting Ben a big target. When does any GM ever say “we’re going to do X?” And if they do you should have serious doubts about it.
Gerry Dulac said it’s been indicated to Ben; it’s a rumor. The Steelers locking into anything would be a huge mistake.
Colbert said those words. Colbert indicated to Ben that they will take a Tall Target early in the draft. Why pick a Defensive Player who won’t start and for the life of me I can’t understand why some fans continue to think that LeBeau is an idiot when it comes to Rookies on D when they have a hole at WR. Wheaton is not a No.2 he is just another version of Wallace only without the attitude. Everybody’s mock draft has Evans going before 15 that is by far a croc. Lets look at a team that supposedly looking at Evans in the Lions. There problem lies with both the Offense and Defense but not the way some experts are thinking. Have people forgotten that before we got to the combine and all the draft talk that pretty much football expert had pointed out that Stafford was a problem. By that I mean they all said he mechanical flaws and Stafford flat out denied that comment. They also have a problem on the back end of the D just like Pittsburgh so tell me how will a guy like Evans is going to fix the QB’s mechanical issues when that can be worked on and you should try to focus on the D. Buffalo is another team that has been mocked to Evans and that is totally bogus. EJ Manuel never spent a whole season under center and yet most experts feel that Evans can help him. My point is this why should those teams get there hands on a guy like Evans when there issues far outweigh the Steelers issue? Lets look at these CB’s and Safeties that everyone is so enamored with: On a scale of 1-10 how likely is it that if they get drafted by the Steelers they will start? This scale is not what you think it’s what LeBeau thinks. Put yourself in his shoes and tell me do you really think that guys like Gilbert, Dennard or Clinton Dix stand any chance at starting in his Defense? Oh and to anyone who wants the NE offense go watch them and stop mocking TE to this team. You fans seem to forget this one major issue when it comes to your idea of taking TE in the 1st round: What was the point of bringing back Spaeth and paying him the money they did if your going to take a NON NEDDED POSTION?
You can type wall’o’text’s until you’re blue in the face… But Colbert never said that.
You can ask anybody you want and they will give you the same quote I just did and you can go out and search the quote as well. I take into account what Colbert said for this reason: He has to give Ben the weapons on the outside cause other than Brown and Miller and maybe Wheaton what else do they have at that spot? Ben has said he would like to have a Tall WR ever since Burress left in 05. You want the Steelers to draft the right guy but how do you tell those people who always want the Steelers to do what everybody else does that it does not make sense? They have gone Defense in the first couple rounds far enough and it’s time to go into another direction. I will always maintain my stance on WR in the 1st round because what other option is there? After 1 year people complain and complain about the way both Jones and Williams played as rookies and I’m sick of it. There is not one guy in this draft on Defense that will start as rookie or for that matter see much time on the field. I hear all these experts say otherwise but they seem to think LeBeau will now all of a sudden change his stance on rookies playing, obviously they have gone crazy and really don’t know LeBeau at all. I have looked up and down at this WR class and I don’t see depth I see 3-4 guys at the top who will make an immediate impact and the rest is bunch of guys who you hope will do something. Look at some of teams best WR’s: Green, Jones, Megatron and Fitzgerald all guys who went in the 1st round and who legit threats to score or make big plays. AB is a guy who will make a 10yrd catch into a 20yrd gain and maybe the once in a while PR TD but that’s it he is not a Home-Run threat. So I want someone to tell me what is the definition of the right guy for the Steelers?
Show me a link with that Colbert “quote”
PITTSBURGH — Another public affirmation of the Steelers’ commitment to Ben Roethlisberger provided more proof that the team plans to go all-in on its franchise quarterback.
Kevin Colbert’s comments about the organization needing to do its part to help Roethlisberger dovetail with recent ones the general manager made about the Steelers having to surround Big Ben with as much talent as possible to maximize his remaining years.
And they again point to the Steelers fetching the tall wide receiver Roethlisberger has long coveted or a game-breaking one early in the 2014 NFL draft.
The offense around Roethlisberger is mostly set, but it could use another wide receiver, especially if Emmanuel Sanders, who started opposite Pro Bowler Antonio Brown last season, signs elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.
A draft class that is deep, in general, looks particularly strong at wide receiver. And the Steelers, picking at No. 15 overall, could have their choice of wide receivers after Clemson’s Sammy Watkins — from rangy ones such as Texas A&M’s Mike Evans and Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin — to smaller but polished ones such as Southern Cal’s Marqise Lee.
The Steelers theoretically could help Roethlisberger by taking a left tackle with their first pick. But it’s not a glaring need after the way Kelvin Beachum played in 11 starts last season, and the Steelers have invested two first-round picks and two second-round picks since 2010 on their offensive line.
It’s time to let new offensive coach Mike Munchak, one of the best hires of the offseason, to get the most out of those players, particularly tackles Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert.
Any number of positions on defense also could be addressed with the first-round pick, and even if the Steelers target a pass-catcher at No. 15.
It has become clear that giving him the best chance of succeeding in the coming seasons has become as much of a priority for the Steelers as addressing a defense that is in need of reinforcements.
Is this good enough for you steelbydesgin or would like more?
You’re confusing blogger speculation with straight from the horse’s mouth.
It’s not blogger speculation or your horse’s mouth BS, This is a very true statement so my question is what makes you think I made this up or for that matter thinking that Colbert is lying? Behind the Steel Curtain is another site that will give literally the same thing ESPN quoted from Colbert himself.
ESPN, City of Champions, Behind the Steel Curtain are 3 sites that explain Colbert’s quote so what more must it take for you to get through your head steelbydesign?
A link with an actual quote… That will get it through my head.
Everything I have said on this site is 100%. Gerry Dulac confirmed that Colbert is going to take a Tall WR early in the draft. Go to ESPN.com and look in the Steeler section and you will find that Colbert comments about taking a Tall WR was confirmed by Gerry Dulac and if that is not enough go ask Mark Madden who the Steelers should take in the Draft and you will get literally the same answer I have given you time after time after time after time after time after time.
I’m not searching anything out, because it’s not there. Post a link if you’re so confident.
Dulac has said that it’s been indicated to Ben that they’ll find him a big target, that’s it. You’re talking like Colbert beat his fist on the desk and said “WE WILL DRAFT BEN A RECEIVER IN ROUND 1!” That’s never happened, and Dulac never said ANYTHING about Colbert.
There’s rumors and speculation, nothing more. I’m done talking on this subject.
It’s not rumors and it is there. Go to the Steelers section of ESPN and there you will find that Dulac confirmed Colbert saying that they have indicated to Ben they will take a Tall Target for Ben early in the draft. Why is it so hard for some of you fans to accept that. It’s time the Steelers adjusted to the new NFL. It’s a passing league. You need Weapons to score and score fast. Don’t give me the Seattle crap cause I will counter with did the Ravens or Packers win with D or was it there offense that carried them to the show and won those Trophies. The Rules favor the Offense now which is something the Steelers brass wants to ignore, instead they choose to believe there old outdated philosophy: Run the Ball and allow the D to keep the game close long enough for the Offense to win. Here is your link: http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers and here is a bonus for you to help you with the search: look for this date and time FEB 19, 3:15 p.m.
Keep in mind Vittorio that the Steelers have been saying for years they want to get Ben a big target at WR. You’ll have to forgive people who aren’t buying what Colbert is saying.
Yeah well now the fact that Ben is 32 means the Steelers can’t keep ignoring talent that stares them in the face and give Ben the help he needs. Everybody is so freaking enamored with taking D early and I say why? This has nothing to do with them getting younger it has do with the fact you people feel the Steelers should stick to the same philosophy and that’s fix the D first and wait until Day 3 for a WR to fall into your lap. AB is the only WR that fell into there lap and has panned out. Wallace proved he was nothing without Ben throwing him the ball. Sweed never had his head in the game and look how that turned out. Baker did nothing for this team so what more can be said on that. Finally we come to Sanders: Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang. So tell me what makes any of you think that a WR from rounds 2-7 will somehow turn out to help the Steelers when it has done nothing but blow up in there face. Yeah you can say the same thing about 1st round WR’s but not as often when it comes to those after the 1st round.
Steelbydesign, don’t you have the ability to block idiots like Vittorio for posting uninformed information so the easily influenced fans don’t become confused by someone who obviously just wants to be right when he clearly has no clue what he is talking about. Granted, I might know better and laugh it off but it could cloud some people’s minds.
I do have the ability to delete comments that are posted.
I don’t use it just because I figure everyone’s entitled to their opinions. Vittorio wants to continue to say Colbert said things he didn’t… I commented and pointed out the difference between rumors and facts, so hopefully people can see that and can form their own opinions.
Jordin, we try to allow everyone a say here at SCB. They only way we’ll block or remove someone is if they are using inappropriate language directed at another poster. It’s been our goal to use our comments section as our ‘forum.’ We just aren’t fans of message boards and forums. More often than not they create more problems than necessary and typically stray from the actual topic. Vittorio has been coming here a lot and he and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things but its never been disrespectful. Please contact me for anything else. info@steelcityblitz.com
Really Jordin really? I have told you the truth from the start and yet everyone seems to believe I’m lying well I’m not. I told you that Colbert said they will go after a Tall Target early in the draft yet none of you wish to believe that. I gave you guys the link and the exact day and time the quote was reported so why is every fan ignoring WR until it’s to late? Once guys like Evans, Benjamin and Cole are gone there is nothing out there that intrigues me or for that matter would make say this guy is just the kind of target the Steelers need. I have said from day one and it has never changed and it never will until it happens and that’s: Go WR in the 1st round and once you get to the 2nd round you go out and fix the D and for the life of me I don’t understand what everyone’s problem is with what I am saying here? I have told you why this teams needs WR but you people ignore that by saying just wait until the mid rounds for that position and that is a foolish way of thinking. You don’t want Ben to have help at WR you would rather give a curtain jerker to him than an actual talented WR.
HERE YOU GO VITTORIO, PLEASE STOP BOTHERING ME NOW! lol
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/3/24/5542492/steelers-nfl-draft-2014-wide-receivers
That’s supposed to convince me how exactly?
It’s a direct quote from the man himself that you said told everyone he’s taking a big receiver. He’s telling you there in black and white that he’s never had that conversation. Ben may have said he wants one, but he never asked or told Colbert to do it.
You’re obviously not going to give this up though. Maybe I can get Kevin Colbert to give you a call.
While that is true it makes sense none the less. With guys like AB and Wheaton you can say they will make plays to get you into the redzone but what happens when you don’t have a guy that is capable of making a big catch in the redzone, then what do you do? TE is a viable redzone option but you can’t always rely on the TE to do that. A Tall WR like Evans or Benjamin could do some major damage in that area. Yes I want a Tall WR but I’m not the only one who has said it. There is an actor from this city who appeared on Path to the Draft last week and was given a list of options for the Steelers 15th pick. He chose Benjamin. Look a guy like AB can only do so much but unless you have another threat to help opposite of AB then how can Ben expect to win another ring. The D needs to be fortified with youth but there is no way anyone can convince me they will make any impact there 1st year.
Here is quote form Ben himself on that subject “I’m always going to ask for a Tall WR” Ben has wanted a Tall WR that would get the job done inside the RedZone and has not had that since Plaxico in 2004.
I could only read up to when you started talking about how Colbert told the world about his draft plans. Look, Colbert never said that, Gerry Dulac reported that a source close to Ben Roethlisberger said that he was told that they would draft a tall WR in rounds 1 or 2. First of all, reporting from sources is always hearsay and rarely factual. They do it to stir everyone. Now if Colbert came out in a news conference with the media and stated that we are going to be looking hard at the WR position in the first or second, I could possibly believe that source close to Ben Roethlisberger then but Colbert hasn’t. What he has said, I’ve read your version of twisting his words, is that this is a very deep draft. Colbert also has said that this is a deep draft at the CB AND WR position. Do your research and maybe I could let some of your emotional views get in the way, but your bias is ridiculous without fact to back you up. Good luck man, maybe you’d be happier not being a Steelers fan?
You keep stating how you are telling the truth, well what’s truth without a fact? A made up story from a guy trying to get everyone’s attention. You received mine for a second but now I’m moving on. You could respond, which I have a feeling you won’t be able to help yourself, or you could give up, I don’t believe anything you have said so I’m not wasting my time to read your opinion… so you might as well save it for someone else, I won’t be back to this particular page.