Good Monday to you Steelers’ fans.
The NFL Draft is now in the books after a record 55 million people tuned in over the weekend and normally we look forward to what comes next. But that’s the problem. What does come next? By now in any other year, rookies have already been to Pittsburgh, met the coaches and stopped by Primanti’s. This isn’t “any other year” however and the truth is we really don’t know when we will see these young men get a chance to show why the Steelers drafted them. The NBA is tinkering with the idea of opening practice facilities but not everyone is on board with that. As long as states remain under any type of ‘stay at home’ order I just can’t see the NFL letting teams get things going.
Ike Taylor
We have a very special edition of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing tonight. Two-time Super Bowl winner Ike Taylor will be joining us. We’ll be discussing a number of things with Ike from his playing days to his new Bleav podcast. We’ll post the show as soon as possible.
Tweet of the Day… Fact is, the current generation couldn’t handle this.
One of the most recognizable people ever, from one of the greatest dynasties ever, was just walking around and partying in Las Vegas for 48 hours in the middle of the NBA season while they were trying to win their 6th title?!
What a time to be alive.
Imagine that today.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 27, 2020
Grading the Draft
Many of you this morning will no doubt view several websites offering up their grades on how the Steelers did in this Draft. If they are grading based on “did they address need?” then I can accept that but to grade players before they even hit the field for the the team that drafted I don’t understand. Let’s take Antoine Brooks, Jr for example. He played safety at Maryland and that’s what his position was listed as for the Draft. Therefore fans will automatically assume that’s where Brooks will play. The truth is though that Brooks will play as much linebacker as anything. Do those that are “grading” consider that? I doubt it. You have to consider how players will be used not just how they were used in college. These are reasons why I don’t grade drafts. As for my thoughts on what the Steelers did you can catch up on that right here.
What’s in a Name?
Another thing that fans often get too caught up in with the Draft is name and college recognition. Many fans are quick to dismiss a player like Alex Highsmith because he played at Charlotte and not Alabama or Clemson. The same goes for Kevin Dotson who starred at Louisiana. The college these guys attended should rarely skew your evaluation. Yes, level of competition has to be considered but you need to evaluate what the player can do for your team. This is partly why fans look at the drafts of the Ravens and immediately scream about how great their draft was. It was good, no doubt about it, but ask yourself how much name and college recognition matters to some of these ‘graders.’
I’m Surprised…
That Thaddeus Moss wasn’t drafted. I’m told the inability to get medicals done on him was a big reason… That the Patriots didn’t draft a quarterback… That the Packers didn’t draft a wide receiver… That Clemson safety Tanner Muse went to the Raiders in the THIRD round. I’m told the Steelers were going to take him before Las Vegas scooped him up. We had him graded as a fourth or fifth rounder… That the Draft went as well as it did. Roger Goodell and his people deserve credit where it is due.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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