Steelers Draft Review

Yesterday evening wrapped up the 2013 NFL Draft, and the Steelers did a pretty damn good job, in my opinion. I would give them an A because they got some good players that can contribute right away, even if just on special teams, and guys that can start down the road.

First Round, 17th Overall
Jarvis Jones - OLB/Georgia

Jarvis Jones was drafted as the replacement for the released (and recently signed by the Cincinnati Bengals) James Harrison. Jones should compete immediately with Jason Worilds to start at the right outside linebacker spot for the Steelers aggressive 3-4 defense.

Now following the pick, there was a lot of negative reaction on Twitter about the pick. People are saying that by taking Jones here, it wastes the second rounder that was used a few years ago on Worilds. That he never got a fair shake and now Jones is going to be pushed into the spot sooner rather than later to justify the first round pick.

Here's the thing: Worilds has not impressed the Steelers coaching staff or front office with his play since being drafted. In three years he has a total of 42 games played, 81 tackles, and 10 sacks. Yes he had 5 sacks last year, but they were against the following teams: Denver (1), Philadelphia (1), Tennessee (1), Cleveland (2). Four of the five were against teams that didn't make the playoffs, and those three teams all picked in the top 10 in the draft. And a sack against Peyton Manning doesn't mean much these days because he normally folds like a piece of paper to avoid a big hit. They've seen him in practice, in games, and watched all the video from both. They know what they have in Jason Worilds.

Worilds will get the chance to compete for a starting job in training camp. We had a bit of the same situation in 2007 when the Steelers drafted Lawrence Timmons. People didn't like the pick and felt that James Harrison wouldn't get a fair shot to win the OLB job. Harrison went on to become one of the best linebackers the Steelers have had, and Timmons moved to the inside where he has excelled. If Worilds looks like the better player in minicamps, OTA's, and training camp...then he will win the job. Rookies don't often start for the Steelers, they have to be special players to do so.

But if Jones shows to be the better option at OLB, he will start. If Worilds wins the job in training camp but isn't getting the job done in regular season games, Jones will get playing time. This team went 8-8 last year when the team expected to be in the playoffs. They will play the best players at their positions, regardless of draft status or time in the league.

This also serves as a heads up to LaMarr Woodley who had a down year last year. If Worilds proves he can play well, Woodley could become a cap casualty in a season or two if he doesn't regain his form. Some believe that part of the reason he was so good is because so much attention was paid to Harrison over the years, and once his play declined teams focused on Woodley. I think that's true, but only a little bit. I think injuries had more to do with Woodley's decline in play than anything. However, if we get a stud pass rusher across from him again, that should be a big help.

Second Round, 48th Overall
Le'Veon Bell, RB/Michigan State

Last season, the Steelers didn't have a feature back. They had a stable of backs who all had good qualities, but none had the complete package looked for in a feature back. Bell however, can step in from day one and be the feature back. Last season he ran 382 times for 1,793 yards averaging 4.7 YPC, and 12 touchdowns. In his Spartans career he totaled 671 yards for 3,308 yards averaging 5.1 YPC, and 33 touchdowns. He also caught 78 passes 542 yards and 1 TD in his college career.

Bell is 6'2" and 244 Lbs., so he has the size to take the beating that NFL defenses hand out. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and he's athletic. I don't expect him to go down easily and he's going to hit the holes hard, unlike a former Steelers first round pick at the same position.

Third Round, 79th Overall
Markus Wheaton, WR/Oregon State

Wheaton is a smallish receiver with some good speed delivering a 4.45 40-yard dash at the Combine. The Steelers lost speedster Mike Wallace in free agency, and they drafted Wheaton to help blow the top off of defenses. The Oregon State product was used on sweeps quite a few times in his college career. His production only went up every year, peaking last season with 91 receptions, 1,244 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

He won't win a starting job in his rookie season, but he's an insurance policy if Emmanuel Sanders leaves in free agency. Look for him to be the third or fourth receiver on this team, taking advantage of his speed in the slot.

Fourth Round, 111th Overall
Shamarko Thomas, S/Syracuse

Thomas is a heavy hitting safety who will probably play special teams mostly as a rookie, but could start if there's an injury to either Troy Polamalu or Ryan Clark, but he will probably be listed as the main backup the Polamalu on the depth chart. He may be a starter as soon as next year if Ryan Clark is not re-signed with his contract expires. Sitting behind two Pro Bowl safeties, one a future Hall of Famer, should do nothing but help him get better as he prepares for what should be mostly a career as a starter in the NFL.

Fourth Round, 115th Overall
Landry Jones, QB/Oklahoma

Landry Jones took over for first overall pick Sam Bradford in 2008 when he got injured, and had a good career for the Sooners throwing 30+ touchdowns twice. This is a pick for the future, as the Steelers need to get younger at quarterback and find a player they can groom as a solid #2 quarterback at worst, and at best the eventual successor to Ben Roethlisberger. Jones can be groomed to be that successor, but I will be happy with a solid immediate backup out of a fourth round pick.

Fifth Round, 150th Overall
Terry Hawthorne, CB/Illinois

Terry Hawthorne is a physical corner who can support the run, and has the speed to match up with the other team's top receiver. However, the injury bug got him a few times in college, so his durability is in question.

Maybe the heir to Ike Taylor? He reminds me of Ike Taylor somewhat, and being a fifth round pick he should play a lot on special teams. He'll be behind a few guys on the depth chart, but could become a very solid starter down the like like Ike Taylor himself was.

Sixth Round, 186th Overall
Justin Brown, WR/Oklahoma

I can't find much info on Brown, to be honest. I don't know much about him. However, at 6'3" and 213 Lbs. he's a bigger receiver who could become an asset in the redzone with his size. Look for the Steelers to develop him, as he could eventually become a third receiver.

Sixth Round, 206th Overall
Vince Williams, LB/Florida State

Williams looks to be an inside linebacker prospect for the Steelers, who have some need there with Sean Spence recovering from a bad knee injury in last year's preseason. Williams will add depth to the inside linebacker corps where there isn't a lot of experience behind Foote and fellow Florida State prospect Timmons. If Williams makes the team, I expect him to be almost strictly a special teams player.

Seventh Round, 223rd Overall
Nicholas Williams, DT/Samford

Williams is coming out of small Samford, where at his size I expect him to be a backup NT in the Steelers 3-4 defense. There isn't much behind Steve McLendon and nobody knows if Casey Hampton will eventually be resigned, especially after the contract just given to McLendon.