Last season there were some names going around linked to the Steelers that I felt would not be good fits for the Steelers.
None of the players I mentioned were drafted by the Steelers, with 3 of them on the board for the Steelers’ pick; Darquenze Dennard, Louis Nix, and Calvin Pryor. Check it out here.
Here’s some names I’ve seen this year that just don’t feel right to me…
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
This is one that I sort of hope I’m wrong about. Peters was kicked off the team at Washington for multiple incidents where he butted heads with the coaching staff. I’ve heard mixed reports on whether or not that worries teams after interviewing him at the combine. It sounds like some teams still aren’t convinced that Peters won’t be a problem. I don’t see the Steelers taking a risk on a guy like Peters.
Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Again, I think character issues are why he won’t be in the black and gold. I doubt Gregory falls to 22 anyway, but if he did I can’t see the Steelers taking a chance, particularly with the new NFL rules on substance abuse. Gregory is a slip up away from a multi-game suspension, and he’s already admitted to being a pretty heavy user in college. This team can’t afford a Josh Gordon situation.
Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Armstead is a really big athletic player, and I think he’s a great value at the Steelers’ spot. Todd McShay mocked him to the Steelers in his latest mock but I just can’t see any way that happens. At 6’7″ 292 pounds, Armstead would be a great fit at 3-technique for the Steelers, where they currently have a 1st round pick in Cameron Heyward and 2nd round pick Stephon Tuitt. I’m all for depth and rotations, but it doesn’t make sense to have a really good 3rd DE when you don’t even have starters at OLB and CB.
Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma
Plenty of Steelers fans keep pointing out how the defense has seemed to go downhill since the departure of Casey Hampton. I think that there’s plenty of reasons the defense has fallen off, but I don’t think the need for a nose tackle is one of them. Steve McLendon is fine, and Dan McCullers showed a lot for a rookie last season. If Danny Shelton falls, then maybe I change my tune, but barring that don’t expect a nose tackle pick.
