The STEELERS possess 7 Picks this Draft, with 2 coming in Round 7. As usual the team will show a net loss in VFA so there will be some holes to fill, not to mention the retirement of HEATH MILLER/TE. But surprisingly the team will not have to look to the Draft to replace MILLER because it signed LADARIUS GREEN in Free Agency to go along with vet MATT SPAETH & last year’s Rookie JESSE JAMES. For my money the team’s biggest need is adding talent to their secondary. They may also be looking to supplement their WR group with the suspension of MARTAVIS BRYANT.
Round 1, Pick 25 ELI APPLE/CB/OHIO STATE 6’1/199
APPLE erased any concerns about his speed, but after posting a 4.40/40-time at the Combine and secured himself a first round draft grade around the League. It might also be noted that under MIKE TOMLIN the team has brought a lot of former Buckeyes into the fold. APPLE has nice size and brings good coverage skills to the dance. TOMLIN likes to bring his youngsters along slowly, but it’s not inconceivable that APPLE. combined with last year’s 2nd Rounder SENQUEZ GOLSON/CB are the the future starting CB combo for this team. PP#27
Round 2, Pick 58 GERMAIN IFEDI/OT/TEXAS A&M 6’6/324
This big former Aggie could fight for the job of departed KELVIN BEACHUM,but he may also backup everywhere except OC until he matures as a pro. He has some sloppy habits, but his overall talent is undeniable. I’m not convinced his feet are quick enough for LT on a full-time basis, but some personnel folks felt he was a First Round candidate. Most seem to agree he will need work on his technique, and patience before he starts in the NFL, and the STEELERS are the kind of team to take that approach as needed. PP#58
Round 3, Pick 89 TYVIS POWELL/S/OHIO STATE 6’3/211
I don’t want to get carried away with the Ohio State theme, but after all there may be 12 Buckeyes in the Top 100 this Draft. THey are that talented and POWELL may be every bit as good (and bigger) than his more hyped teammate VONN BELL. POWELL wowed everyone by running a 4.46/40 at the Combine which was better than the majority of CB prospects. By mid-season he could be teamed with former Buckeye WILL ALLEN at a S slot. He and APPLE would seriously upgrade the athleticism of the STEELERS secondary. PP#94
Round 4, Pick 123 KENYON DRAKE/RB/ALABAMA 6’1/210
Injuries hit the STEELERS RB group hard last year. DRAKE would add some speed to the backfield as well as return skills on Special Teams. He has a smooth gliding running style and has shown good hands as a receiver. TOMLIN can groom him for a heavier load in 2017 when DEANGELO WILLIAMS is likely to be gone. This is a good value Pick for Saturday and his versatility will come in handy on their roster. PP#118
Round 6, Pick 220 VINCENT VALENTINE/DT/NEBRASKA 6’4/329
VALENTINE is a natural “big guy” who may be a better overall prospect than his more ballyhooed former teammate MALIEK COLLINS. He’s a bit tall for a typical NT but is an athletic big body. He ain’t no CASEY HAMPTON, but could make a very serviceable rotation partner for DANIEL McCULLERS on the Nose. Good value at this point in the Draft. He fills a need caused by the defection of STEVE McLENDON in VFA. PP#217
Round 7, Pick 229 DANIEL BRAVERMAN/WR/WESTERN MICHIGAN 5’10/180
The small, fast DRI ARCHER pick did not work out for the STEELERS, but this guy is a natural hands receiver, who can get separation through good route running and/or by knowing when/where to sit down in the empty spaces in a zone D. Many questioned his early Draft entry, but what was there left to prove in college after 108 receptions in 2015? He wasn’t going to grow another 3″ or shave his 40-time with another year in the MAC. He’s quick and elusive after the catch and looks like a natural slot candidate as a pro. He doesn’t replace BRYANT, but he surely can add to BIG BEN’s completion total. PP#222
Round 7, Pick 246 BRANDON ALLEN/QB/ARKANSAS 6’1/217
He probably does not answer the question as to who BIG BEN’s successor will be, but ALLEN has flashed some solid potential to the scouts as a potential NFL back-up QB type, ala CHASE DANIELS. He has a good arm and is quite mobile whether escaping the pocket or extending the play. He got better each year for the Razorbacks and impressed with a senior campaign that featured 30 TD passes against only 8 INT. He is short of stature but plays smart and hard. It might be time for the team to roll out a young, high energy option when BIG BEN gets nicked up again a couple of times during the 2016 season. Started 34 games in his college career. PP#240
Nothing gaudy here, but a group of players who can infuse this team with talent at positions of need and some youthful energy for a veteran roster. The functionality of these picks seems to fit the STEELERS mode of operation as an organization.
PIGSKIN
