Home 2014 NFL Draft Outside the Box Thinking on the Steelers First-Round Pick

Outside the Box Thinking on the Steelers First-Round Pick

by Steeldad

460xOK so almost everyone under the sun has the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a cornerback or wide receiver with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft a week from today.

Granted there are some who have other ideas and it’s those folks who have me thinking. 

Here’s a scenario that I think bears just a little bit of thought or else I wouldn’t be writing about it. 

With a great debate emerging about the future of Steelers’ center Maurice Pouncey (his contract is up after this season), is it possible the Steelers go with an offensive tackle in round one? 

The master plan would work like this; 

Everyone appreciates the work Kelvin Beachum has done at tackle. Many times he’s been overmatched and outgunned but he has still done a whale of a job and has become the Steelers most versatile offensive lineman. With that said, how comfortable is the coaching staff and front office with him remaining at left tackle?

Now the mindset shifts back to the draft where three very good offensive tackles are expected to go in the top 15 picks if not earlier. Both Mike Tomlin and offensive line coach Mike Munchak have been to pro days at Michigan and Texas A&M where Taylor Lewan and Jake Matthews are respectively. This doesn’t mean they were there exclusively for these mean by any stretch because of the talent at other positions but still…

While I don’t believe there will be a trade-up, the Steelers are certainly doing their due diligence in vetting both players. The third guy is Auburn tackle Greg Robinson who is expected to go top 5. 

If either Lewan or Matthews falls to 15, the plan could be in place… 

There’s your tackle of the future, Beachum slides into center where he saw a lot of time in training camp last year. The coaches apparently like him there. Pouncey goes off into the free agent sunset where he’ll demand big bucks that the Steelers likely won’t pay or have.

Cody Wallace and possibly Fernando Velasco could be in place as reserves in case of a problem with Beachum moving to center. Beachum would of course still be a versatile member of the O-line, but the hope is that he anchors the center spot dutifully. 

I understand there are those that think the world of Pouncey but I can’t see paying my center the money he will demand. He’s had some on and off injury issues and the question of whether this line was better without him in 2013 looms large as well.

As always, much is dependent on all of this taking place. It’s a just a thought but I think it bears just a little merit.

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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10 comments

steelbydesign May 1, 2014 - 2:31 pm

I don’t think this is that crazy at all.

I have no problem with giving Beach a shot at LT but if someone like Lewan is there then go for it. Beachum’s maybe the most athletic player on the line (outside Pouncey) and by most accounts one of the smartest players on the team (very important for a center).

No matter what they do I think they need to start giving Beach a real position. He’s amazingly talented when it comes to learning a new position, but he could really be great if he is allowed to focus on one position completely.

Mike May 1, 2014 - 7:01 pm

I still think either corner or WR is the most likely first pick, but that is a very plausible scenario that I think makes a lot of sense. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if this has at least been discussed, particularly after Alex Mack signed that huge contract a couple weeks back.

Certainly, if Matthews is somehow there (which I doubt), it might almost be a no-brainer.

robert henderson May 1, 2014 - 8:15 pm

If Jake Mathews is on the board it will take them 3 seconds to put that pick in. He’s a no brainer pick.

robert henderson May 1, 2014 - 8:20 pm

PIck will be Kyle Fuller unless Mathews or Evans drops.

Vittorio May 1, 2014 - 8:37 pm

What is everybody’s deal with OL in the 1st round? They spent high picks on Adams and Gilbert so why would they go that route when it would automatically indicate they have no faith in either of those 2 guys to start with. I will say this however: If the Steelers were to wait on a WR until later then there is only 1 guy that I really like above all others and that is Brandon Coleman of Rutgers. He does not have the Speed that say a Benjamin has but he fits what the Steelers need. A Tall WR who can be an effective red zone target something most fans wish to ignore these days.

JollyRob May 2, 2014 - 4:03 pm

It has less to do with faith in the guys and more to do with having Mike Munchak as a coach plus , if Jake MMatthews is there he’s the bpa & need.

steeldad May 3, 2014 - 1:32 pm

The debate over the confidence of Beachum at tackle is a futile one. There’s no question the staff would rather someone else anchor that role. Beachum has done a yeoman’s effort at the spot but I’m confident that isn’t where the organization really wants him.

As of right this minute, I would think an OT or Fuller will be the pick. I think you’re going to see a run on receivers and corners early while QBs drop with the exception of maybe one of them. While all the focus is on Robinson, Matthews and Lewan, don’t rule out the kid from from Notre Dame. He’s coming up on a lot of boards.

This was a reply in general by the way, not directed to anyone specifically.

Vittorio May 2, 2014 - 6:47 pm

No need for OL in the 1st round. If they go that route it shows they have no faith in Beachum, Adams and Gilbert yet for some reason you think adding another one is the right choice. If the Steelers want OL they will get by day 3 of the draft and not waste a 1st round pick on a guy who will not take the spot of either of those 3 guys. You fans have this unbelievable knack for thinking that Munchak can fix the Steelers OL problems. The Steelers OL problem is this: they don’t care about run and pass blocking and creating running lanes. It’s that simple. That OL could care less about who is behind them and care more about getting there paychecks. I have watched more than enough Steeler games to come up with that conclusion. If the OL were to block better than they would have done it already.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls May 4, 2014 - 8:28 pm

The idea of drafting an OT is not so far-fetched, but not because of Kelvin Beachum. More so, because of the situation at right tackle (Gilbert/Adams). Zack Martin appears to be the only OT likely to be available at No. 15.

The Steelers do like “position-flexibility” in their offensive linemen. Martin has that, Beachum has that, and the signing of Cody Wallace to a three-year contract says something. While it seems the Steelers plan to keep Pouncey this season, afterwards remains an open question. It’s not likely to happen, but if a draft-day trade involving Pouncey could net a third-rounder this year and a fourth-rounder next year …???

steeldad May 4, 2014 - 11:53 pm

You raise an excellent point Pit Bulls. While I do believe they’d like to move Beachum, I agree that the selection of a tackle could also be a referendum on Adams much more so than Gilbert. We would be wrong to totally dismiss the recent acquittal of the three men who were alleged to have stabbed Adams. I say this because it runs eerily parallel to Adams career on the field. I have to believe the Steelers are running out of patience with Adams.

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