Monday. Does anything else need to be said?
I hate draft grades. How on Earth can you grade someone who hasn’t even taken the test yet? So with a gun to my head I’ll give the Steelers a B. Picks I love? Hargrave, Davis, Matakevich. Picks I’m so-so on? Burns and Hawkins.
The Steelers announced yesterday they have re-signed Bruce Gradkowski to a one-year deal. This was the fall-back plan when the QBs the Steelers were targeting in the draft weren’t there. Looks like another year of Ben, Bruce and Landry but then again you never know about these undrafted rookies that come in.
Here are the UDFA Rookies the Steelers have signed:
Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 Rookie Free Agents
Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
Johnny Maxey | DL | 6-5 | 283 | Mars Hill |
Tyriq McCord | LB | 6-3 | 241 | Miami (Fla.) |
Will Monday | P | 6-4 | 210 | Duke |
Giorgio Newberry | DL | 6-6 | 295 | Florida State |
Christian Powell | RB | 6-0 | 235 | Colorado |
David Reeves | TE | 6-5 | 255 | Duke |
Jay Rome | TE | 6-6 | 250 | Georgia |
Quinton Schooley | OL | 6-4 | 298 | NC State |
Canaan Severin | WR | 6-2 | 205 | Virginia |
Devaunte Sigler | DL | 6-3 | 290 | Jacksonville State |
Chart courtesy steelers.com
Fans really need to hit the brakes on the idea that many of these guys will start right away for the Steelers. Even with Dick LeBeau gone, the defense is still very complex and will take time to learn. I’m not saying they can’t become starters but to insist that the top three picks will all start right away is just not thinking it through.
Tweet of the Day… I could not agree with this more.
Stop overtraining in one sport. pic.twitter.com/QhrB993UMH
— Tom Luginbill (@TomLuginbill) May 2, 2016
I’m going to beat this like a dead horse for the next few months so be ready… The Steelers have evolved from a 3-4 defense to at the very least a 4-2-5 defense. Remember that they spent about 75% of their time in a defense other than the base 3-4 last year. Can Hargrave play the nose? We think so but that wasn’t why he was drafted. He’s better as a three technique over a guard which is where you typically play your DTs in a four-man front. It’s happening people so get on board.
I still think the Steelers will add a veteran cornerback sometime this summer.
Mandatory Rookie Camp runs this week from May 6-8.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
3 comments
I agree with everything you said but i believe the Steelers run a 2-4-5 with added pressure on the QB coming from any LB or DB spot. Some may feel I’M wrong but that’s what it looks like to me.
I don’t think you’re wrong Bob… It’s going to be a hybrid for the next few seasons until they get the personnel they really want in place.
I think you and Marc are saying the same thing and are on the same page. The Steelers use their OLBs as defacto ends on those passing downs and the fact that those “ends” are in a two point stance allows for more versatility in terms of pressure direction and flexibility in assignment.