2015 First Round Mock Draft - After Free Agency Edition

Free Agency went and did what it does to everyone's initial mock draft, makes you throw a good chunk of it in the trash bin. Between the Saints getting rid of Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham and getting an extra first round pick, to teams filling needs I had them filling in the draft...it was time for a re-do.

2015 NFL Mock Draft v2.0

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB Florida State – The Buccaneers need a franchise quarterback, and there is no better place to get one that the draft. Winston’s off-the-field problems make you wonder if he can mentally make it in the NFL, but I think he has all the physical tools to be at the least a pretty darn good QB in the league.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon – Normally when you’re picking this high in the draft, your biggest need is quarterback.  Reportedly, the Titans are all-in with Zach Mettenberger this season. The coaching staff is going to want to back the player currently on their roster in case something happens and they don’t draft a QB in the first round. Also, Mariota is going to be likely to sit and learn his first year coming from Oregon’s spread scheme to a pro-style scheme that Whisenhut runs in Tennessee.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kevin White, WR West Virginia – White has shot up to the number one receiver available in the draft in my mind. And while this might be a bit of a reach, the Jaguars need to give Blake Bortles some more weapons in the passing game. They signed the talented tight end Julius Thomas from Denver, but they don’t really have a dynamic weapon on the outside for Bortles to take advantage of. Lee and Robinson could eventually develop into nice receivers, but neither of them will ever be the talent that White is currently.

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DE/DT USC – Williams falls to the Raiders, which works out great for them because they have holes on both sides of the ball. Williams can play both DE and DT, so they can move him around the line to create mismatches.  Him with Khalil Mack at linebacker looks like a good combo of havoc wreaking defenders.

5. Wahsington Redskins: Dante Flowler, DE/OLB Florida – Brian Orakpo hit free agency and is now a Titan. The Redskins could plug Fowler in at OLB and go back to what they thought they would have with Orakpo and Kerrigan before injuries happened to both players, a pass rushing duo to terrorize quarterbacks.

6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB Nebraska – The Jets filled their hole at WR by trading for Brandon Marshall. There is no quarterback worth taking at this pick. With Bowles being a defensive minded head coach, I have him taking Gregory to help the pass rush of their 3-4 defense, seeing how the pass rush has been inconsistent at best the past few years for the Jets.

7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, NT Washington – The Bears are moving away from the 4-3 “Tampa Two” defense that they’ve seemingly ran ages and are going with a 3-4 under new coordinator Vic Fangio. The Bears don’t have someone who can play that lynchpin nose tackle position, so they take the best NT available in Shelton, who should clog up running lanes and collapse the pocket for years as a Bear.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB Missouri – The Falcons offense SHOULD be good, their defense needs lots of work though. They need a guy who can get to the quarterback in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and most likely a new first-overall pick at quarterback in Tampa Bay. Shane Ray is the best pass rusher on the board, and the Falcons should have no second thoughts about making this pick.

9. New York Giants: Ereck Flowers, OT Miami – The Giants could use some help on the offensive line, and drafting Flowers does a lot for them. It allows Justin Pugh to move inside to guard, upgrading the interior line. It gives them a new young right tackle, and someone who can slide over to the blind side once William Beatty retires or is released due to how much he is owed on his contract. If the Giants are going to compete for the division again anytime soon, they need to keep Eli Manning’s jersey clean.

10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Schreff, OT Iowa – Jake Long has been cut, so Greg Robinson moves over to left tackle permanently. The Rams traded oft-injured Sam Bradford away for Nick Foles, so they better protect Foles if they want anything close to his 27 TD/2 INT season of 2013.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT Stanford – The Vikings need help on the line, and even though Matt Kalil has been disappointing I don’t think the Vikings would hold that against Peat. Peat could take over left tackle duties allowing Kalil to kick over to right tackle, where he wouldn’t see as many stud pass rushers. This would help create bigger holes for Adrian Peterson (if he returns to the Vikings) and would give Teddy Bridgewater better protection to use his arsenal of receiving weapons.

12. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Brown, DT/DE Texas – The Browns were horrible against the run to end the season, and with an offense that currently doesn’t look like it’ll score many points they’ll need to be able to stop the run in a division with Le’veon Bell and an underrated Jeremy Hill. Brown can slide inside on sub packages too.

13. New Orleans Saints: Amari Cooper, WR Alabama – The Saints take a first round receiver for the second straight year, but a position that was once a strength has now become a need with Kenny Stills gone and Jimmy Graham traded to Seattle. The Saints might not throw it quite as much as they have in the past, Drew Brees is still going to sling it around and he will need reliable pass catching targets.

14. Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker, WR Louisville – The Dolphins traded Mike Wallace away to Minnesota, and acquired Kenny Stills. They don’t have a #1 receiver, so I have them now drafting Parker who could be that guy, giving Ryan Tannehill some reliable pass catchers who the Dolphins hope can help get them over the hump and into the playoffs.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State – The 49ers have had a rough offseason losing star inside linebacker Patrick Willis and his backup and budding rookie Chirs Borland to retirement, along with head coach Jim Harbaugh being booted. The 49ers defense has some holes, one of them being cornerback. Waynes can come in and help fill the hole of having no #1 corner, essentially locking down one side of the field. The 49ers can find inside linebacker depth in the second or third rounds.

16. Houston Texans: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia – Yeah, the Texans have Arian Foster…but he seems to never be able to last a season. The Texans are going to be a team that runs the ball a lot, and Gurley can split carries with Foster to take some of the load off of the oft-injured back. I can’t see the Texans passing on probably the most talented back in the draft, who could be good to go by the end of training camp.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordan, RB Wisconsin – Ryan Matthews has teased Chargers fans since being drafted. When healthy, he’s a dynamic player who adds another level of excitement to the Chargers offense, but the problem is he’s often not healthy. That’s why I have the Chargers taking Wisconsin’s workhorse running back with this selection, giving the Chargers some much needed peace of mind they haven’t had at the position in a while. He isn’t Ladanian Tomlinson in his prime, but Gordon can take pressure off of Rivers in the passing game.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: La’el Collins, OT/G LSU – The Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin away from the Eagles, taking away their huge need for a WR. They need to protect Alex Smith so he can get the ball to Maclin down the field. Reid was known for not having a problem drafting linemen in Philadelphia, so I have him taking one here to help improve the passing and running game.

19. Cleveland Browns: Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson – The Browns could use a tone setter at OLB, as they don’t currently have one on the team. Barkevious Mingo hasn’t shown much of anything since being drafted sixth overall, and Paul Kruger had a good season with 11 sacks last year, but that’s the only season he has ever had double-digit sacks so I don’t think it will be a trend. Beasley can come in and become the defensive enforcer at OLB that the Browns defense desperately needs if they want to reach the next level.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S Alabama – The Eagles need help in the defensive secondary, and here comes some reinforcements with Landon Collins. Collins isn’t the greatest in coverage, but he’s not bad and fits best as a hard hitting strong safety in the NFL, evidenced by his 103 tackles, 7 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions last season for Alabama. Collins can hit receivers/backs/tight ends coming over the middle, break up some passes, and get his hands on a couple for picks if he’s allowed to play some roaming zone coverage.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: D.J. Humphries, OT Florida – The Bengals need for a pass rushing defensive end is gone with them signing Michael Johnson back after he was cut after only one year in Tampa Bay. This allows the Bengals to draft Humphries who can come in and take over the left tackle position, allowing the 33 year old Andrew Whitworth to move inside to guard, filling a need there.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest – The Steelers FINALLY take a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft! Last year’s pass defense was just horrible. Cortez Allen was so bad against the Colts he got benched and never regained his starting job. Johnson can come in and compete with Allen and Gay for a starting corner job, the loser becoming the nickel corner. If Williams doesn’t become a starter in camp/preseason, he could get the chance as the season goes on. If Cortez Allen gets his confidence back and plays with the talent we know he has, a Johnson/Allen duo at corner could be a very good thing for future Steelers’ defenses. Johnson has the athleticism and the length to cover big receivers down the sideline.

23. Detroit Lions:  Eddie Goldman, DT/DE Florida State – The Lions lost both Suh and Fairley in free agency, making the strength of their defense more of a weakness. They traded for Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata to fill one of the two holes. Goldman can come in and start next to Ngata and be a disruptive force up the middle for the Lions, keeping this part of their defense a strength.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota – The Cardinals could use upgrades at a couple of positions. I think in the first round, they upgrade the tight end position with a big body tight end with natural pass catching ability in Maxx Williams, who will be a mismatch for most linebackers and defensive backs.

25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh – The Panthers couldn’t block for Cam Newton at all early in the season last year. And while the offensive line gelled later in the season, they could upgrade both tackle spots and Clemmings would be a very good pick here to help ensure the health of their franchise quarterback.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Devin Smith, WR Ohio State – The Ravens lost Torrey Smith in free agency, and need to replace their deep threat. In steps another Smith, this one the deep ball target from Ohio State. Smith led all of D1 FBS football in yards per reception last year, and everyone knows how much Joe Flacco loves to chuck the ball deep and he his receiver can make a play on the ball. Smith made some catches for the Buckeyes that were eye popping, and he could do the same thing in Baltimore.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Alvin Dupree, DE Kentucky – The Cowboys pass rush in some of their biggest games/most embarrassing losses last year. Enter Dupree, a fast and physical defensive end who can come in and get the pressure the Cowboys need to defend the pass.

28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips, NT Oklahoma – The Broncos are switching to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and the NT out of Oklahoma would provide the Broncos with what a 3-4 defense needs at that position…a big body who can collapse the pocket and take up at least two blockers.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Cameron Erving, C Florida State – The Colts now have a RB to help take some pressure off of superstar QB Andrew Luck in Frank Gore. They replaced Reggie Wayne with Andre Johnson. Now they need to protect Luck a little bit better. Erving can come in and play either center or guard, either way he would be an upgrade on the offensive line which is the only weakness on the Colts offense.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB Miami– The Packers just cut AJ Hawk, and now have a big hole in the middle of their starting linebacker corps. Perryman can come in and start right away for the Packers on defense. Perryman is a thumping linebacker who can stop the run and plays well in zone coverage against the pass. If their defense could have held a sizeable lead against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, the Packers would have been in the Super Bowl. This pick could help get them back there.

31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle Seahawks): Markus Golden, DE /OLB Missouri – The Saints got this pick in the Jimmy Graham trade, and they should use it to bolster what was one of the worst defenses in the league last season. Some of their players couldn’t tackle at all. Their pass rush was non-existent most of the time. Golden would be a big upgrade, getting pressure on quarterbacks in the division.

32. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona State – The Patriots offense isn’t anywhere near bad, but adding a receiver like Strong would be a big upgrade for Tom Brady in the receiving corps. Strong is a big, physical receiver who doesn’t have elite speed but is fast enough to get separation. His size (6’3”, 212 lbs.) also makes him a nice red zone scoring threat. 

2015 NFL First Round Mock Draft 1.0

Here is my first 1st round mock draft for the 2015 NFL Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB Florida State – The Buccaneers need a franchise quarterback, and there is no better place to get one that the draft. Winston’s off-the-field problems make you wonder if he can mentally make it in the NFL, but I think he has all the physical tools to be at the least a pretty darn good QB in the league.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon – Normally when you’re picking this high in the draft, your biggest need is quarterback.  Reportedly, the Titans are all-in with Zach Mettenberger this season. The coaching staff is going to want to back the player currently on their roster in case something happens and they don’t draft a QB in the first round. Also, Mariota is going to be likely to sit and learn his first year coming from Oregon’s spread scheme to a pro-style scheme that Whisenhut runs in Tennessee.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Amari Cooper, WR Alabama – The Jaguars may have their QB of the future in Blake Bortles, but he lacks weapons to throw to on offense. Amari Cooper is a big-play threat who can take advantage of Bortles arm. If the Jaguars are going to ever compete in the AFC South, they’ll need to be able to score some points.

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DE/DT USC – Williams falls to the Raiders, which works out great for them because they have holes on both sides of the ball. Williams can play both DE and DT, so they can move him around the line to create mismatches.

5. Wahsington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB Nebraska –While not a huge need for the Redskins, their defense is predicated on getting to the QB. Brian Orakpo is headed to free agency and has been injured more than healthy in his career. Pairing Gregory with Ryan Kerrigan would give the Redskins what they’ve needed on defense, a pass rushing duo.

6. New York Jets: Kevin White, WR West Virginia – The Jets need a QB in the worst way, but they didn’t lose enough games to land one of the top two and there isn’t one worth taking at sixth overall. Kevin White’s game film should have been enough to put him in the top ten, but his combine numbers make sure he’s taken in that span. In this mock draft, Amari Cooper is gone so I have the Jets taking this big, physical, and fast receiver out of the Mountaineer State who I think is the second best receiver in the draft.

7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, NT Washington – The Bears are moving away from the 4-3 “Tampa Two” defense that they’ve seemingly ran for ages and are going with a 3-4 under new coordinator Vic Fangio. The Bears don’t have someone who can play that linchpin nose tackle position, so they take the best NT available in Shelton, who should clog up running lanes and collapse the pocket for years as a Bear.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB Missouri – The Falcons offense SHOULD be good, their defense needs lots of work though. They need a guy who can get to the quarterback in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and most likely a new first-overall pick at quarterback in Tampa Bay. Shane Ray is the best pass rusher on the board, and the Falcons should have no second thoughts about making this pick.

9. New York Giants: Ereck Flowers, OT Miami – The Giants could use some help on the offensive line, and drafting Flowers does a lot for them. It allows Justin Pugh to move inside to guard, upgrading the interior line. It gives them a new young right tackle, and someone who can slide over to the blind side once William Beatty retires or is released due to how much he is owed on his contract. If the Giants are going to compete for the division again anytime soon, they need to keep Eli Manning’s jersey clean.

10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Schreff, OT Iowa – The Rams don’t know if Jake Long can come back and be the same player after tearing the same ACL that ended his 2013 season, and Roger Saffold has been nothing but injured his entire career. Drafting Schreff would give them another tackle to book end the line with last year’s #2 overall pick Greg Robinson.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT Stanford – The Vikings need help on the line, and even though Matt Kalil has been disappointing I don’t think the Vikings would hold that against Peat. Peat could take over left tackle duties allowing Kalil to kick over to right tackle, where he wouldn’t see as many stud pass rushers. This would help create bigger holes for Adrian Peterson (if he returns to the Vikings) and would give Teddy Bridgewater better protection.

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR Louisville – The offense in Cleveland is devoid of playmakers, and no matter who plays QB in Cleveland in 2015, they’ll need a guy who can make some plays at wideout. Josh Gordon is suspended for the entire season, and there is no guarantee that he will ever be on the field consistently with his off-the-field problems. Either way, this is the right pick because it gives their QB the best chance to succeed this season and in the future, because pairing him with Gordon if he can get back to his 2013 self could be one of the best receiving duos in the league.

13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB Florida – The Saints major malfunction last season was on defense. I sometimes wondered if their defensive players were really holograms when I watched them play, because they couldn’t seem to stop anything at times. Fowler can come in and make an immediate impact rushing the passer, which would help the Saints defense get the turnovers that they thrive on.

14. Miami Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State – The Dolphins are thin at CB with just Brent Grimes as a true starting option. Waynes could come in and be a starter right away for the Dolphins.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Sammie Coats, WR Auburn – The 49ers will be targeting a wideout with this pick. Crabtree was disappointing last season and may leave as a free agent. Anquan Boldin is getting up there in age and his production dipped some this last season, and could fall off even more. Stevie Johnson proved to not be the weapon they hoped for when they traded for him. Coates is a bit raw, but would have put up much better numbers if he were in a better passing offense.

16. Houston Texans: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia – Yeah, the Texans have Arian Foster…but he seems to never be able to last a season. The Texans are going to be a team that runs the ball a lot, and Gurley can split carries with Foster to take some of the load off of the oft-injured back. I can’t see the Texans passing on probably the most talented back in the draft, who could be good to go by the end of training camp.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordan, RB Wisconsin – Ryan Matthews has teased Chargers fans since being drafted. When healthy, he’s a dynamic player who adds another level of excitement to the Chargers offense, but the problem is he’s often not healthy. That’s why I have the Chargers taking Wisconsin’s workhorse running back with this selection, giving the Chargers some much needed peace of mind they haven’t had at the position in a while. He isn’t Ladanian Tomlinson in his prime, but Gordon can take pressure off of Rivers in the passing game.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Smith, WR Ohio State – Last year the Chiefs’ receivers were atrocious, they didn’t catch a single touchdown pass last season. As a group, they had fewer receiving yards than the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown notched all by himself. Devin Smith is a big-play threat who can blow the top off of a defense, and as Buckeye fans said last season “all he does is catch big touchdowns!”  The threat of a quick score that you get with Smith is also something the Chiefs could use. Also, in games where Smith caught a TD pass, the Buckeyes never lost.

19. Cleveland Browns: Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson – The Browns could use a tone setter at OLB, as they don’t currently have one on the team. Barkevious Mingo hasn’t shown much of anything since being drafted sixth overall, and Paul Kruger had a good season with 11 sacks last year, but that’s the only season he has ever had double-digit sacks so I don’t think it will be a trend. Beasley can come in and become the defensive enforcer at OLB that the Browns defense desperately needs if they want to reach the next level.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S Alabama – The Eagles need help in the defensive secondary, and here comes some reinforcements with Landon Collins. Collins isn’t the greatest in coverage, but he’s not bad and fits best as a hard hitting strong safety in the NFL, evidenced by his 103 tackles, 7 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions last season for Alabama. Collins can hit receivers/backs/tight ends coming over the middle, break up some passes, and get his hands on a couple picks if he’s allowed to play some roaming zone coverage.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB Kentucky – Dupree’s stat line wasn’t as impressive as it could have been because he faced a total of eight read-option teams last season. The Bengals missed DE Michael Johnson’s disruptive force last season. Dupree can come in and make an impact quickly for the Cincinnati defense.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest – The Steelers FINALLY take a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft! Last year’s pass defense was just horrible. Cortez Allen was so bad against the Colts he got benched and never regained his starting job. Johnson can come in and compete with Allen and Gay for a starting corner job, the loser becoming the nickel corner. If Johnson doesn’t become a starter in camp/preseason, he could get the chance as the season goes on. If Cortez Allen gets his confidence back and plays with the talent we know he has, a Johnson/Allen duo at corner could be a very good thing for future Steelers’ defenses. Johnson has the athleticism and the length to cover big receivers down the sideline.

23. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT Texas - The Lions are going to need a defensive tackle with their top three hitting free agency. If they tag or resign Suh, they’ll have to let Nick Fairley walk and probably top backup CJ Mosley as well. If they resign Fairley, they will have to let Suh leave and while they might be able to bring back Mosley, they’ll still need a DT to rotate in. If they resign Mosley and lose both Suh and Fairley, they’ll be in desperate need for a second starting caliber DT. I just don’t see the Lions going with any other position with this pick.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota – The Cardinals could use upgrades at a couple of positions. I think in the first round, they upgrade the tight end position with a big body tight end with natural pass catching ability in Maxx Williams, who will be a mismatch for most linebackers and defensive backs.

25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh – The Panthers couldn’t block for Cam Newton at all early in the season last year. And while the offensive line gelled later in the season, they could upgrade both tackle spots and Clemmings would be a very good pick here to help ensure the health of their franchise quarterback.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Collins, CB LSU – The Ravens secondary was a weakness last season with Jimmy Smith missing a good chunk of it and nobody behind him able to really take over that #1 CB role. A pairing of Smith and Collins would possibly give the Ravens one of their best CB combos in the history of the club.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Nate Orchard, DE Utah – The Cowboys need to upgrade their defense, especially their pass rush, if they want to contend for the Super Bowl. They got no pressure on Colt McCoy in an embarrassing MNF loss to the Redskins, Mark Sanchez had a clean pocket on Thanksgiving, and Aaron Rodgers wasn’t pressured whatsoever in the Divisional Playoff loss to the Packers. Orchard was a pass rushing monster for the Utes and could bring a much needed pass rush to the Cowboys.

28. Denver Broncos: La’el Collins, OT LSU – Collins is being projected as either a guard or a right tackle in the NFL. The offensive line was a big issue for the Broncos last season, and Collins would upgrade at either position. Peyton Manning is a statue in the pocket, and needs a clean pocket to be effective. The only way the Broncos don’t take an offensive lineman with this pick is if there isn’t one available worth taking, which is doubtful.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Markus Golden, DE/OLB Missouri – The Colts got steamrolled by the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. They could use help along the offensive line, but their defense stood no chance against the New England Patriots, and part of that is because they couldn’t get a pass rush, which was an issue for them all season long. Golden can come in and bring a pass rush to the Colts, who are lucky to be in a QB weak division (at the moment) but when they face the other teams with top tier quarterbacks their defense gets kicked around.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB Miami – The Packers just cut AJ Hawk, and now have a big hole in the middle of their starting linebacker corps. Perryman can come in and start right away for the Packers on defense. Perryman is a thumping linebacker who can stop the run and plays well in zone coverage against the pass. If their defense could have held a sizeable lead against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, the Packers would have been in the Super Bowl. This pick could help get them back there.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Bennett, DT Ohio State – The Seahawks have far from a weak defense, but they get a major upgrade here at tackle with Ohio State behind the line-of-scrimmage playmaker Michael Bennett. Bennett is a fast gap-shooter who showed that he can defend the run in last year’s postseason. Adding Bennett to this defense is just taking a major team strength and making it even stronger.

32. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona State – The Patriots offense isn’t anywhere near bad, but adding a receiver like Strong would be a big upgrade for Tom Brady in the receiving corps. Strong is a big, physical receiver who doesn’t have elite speed but is fast enough to get separation. His size (6’3”, 212 lbs.) also makes him a nice redzone scoring threat. 

Steelers Offseason Outlook

I have had a few weeks to think back on the Steelers season, and now it's time to look at what the offseason shall bring.

Here is a list of the 21 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) that the Steelers have this year:

Wide Receiver (3): Plaxico Burress, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders

Running Backs (3): Jonathon Dwyer, Felix Jones, LaRod Stephens-Howling

Tight Ends (2): David Johnson, Michael Palmer

Offensive Linemen (3): Fernando Velasco, Cody Wallace, Guy Whimper

Defensive Linemen (3): Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Al Woods

Linebackers (3): Stevenson Sylvester, Jamaal Westerman, Jason Worilds

Defensive Backs (2): Will Allen, Ryan Clark

Specialists (2): Matt McBriar, Greg Warren

The Steelers also have one Exclusive Rights Free Agent in offensive lineman Eric Olsen.

I would say their number one priority in free agency is resigning Jason Worilds who led the team in sacks last season with 8 sacks. The Steelers also spent a first round pick on Jarvis Jones, and I don't think they want him to sit on the sidelines for much longer. However, this leaves the Steelers in a pickle with another outside linebacker on the roster, LaMarr Woodley. They gave him a big contract a couple years ago, so I think it's a bit of a cap hit to cut him. But he's been hurt the last few years and hasn't had double digit sacks since 2010. So if the Steelers resign Worilds, they may be cutting bait with Woodley.

Other free agents I would like to see them keep:

Jerricho Cotchery, WR - He's Hines Ward Lite...he makes a lot of catches, including the tough ones. If you hit him, he gets back up and makes a big catch. He's great out of the slot. He may not be fast, but he runs precise routes and catches the ball when it's thrown his way. He's reliable, and that's what you need in a receiver more than anything.

Jonathon Dwyer, RB - He's not going to start unless Le'Veon Bell is hurt. However he'll get you some tough yards and is a great change-of-pace backup for Bell. The Steelers cut him in training camp last year and then resigned him when they couldn't muster a running game while Bell was hurt to start the season. I think the Steelers would like to bring him back in the role he played behind Bell this year.

Fernando Velasco, OL - He played very well at center with Maurkice Pouncey getting put on IR in the first game of the year. He's be a great backup to the oft-injured Pouncey and could probably start at guard over Foster. He also played under our new offensive line coach Mike Munchack, so he would help the offensive line adjust to what Munchack wants them to do.

Guy Whimper, OL - The guy isn't the best tackle in the NFL, but he played pretty damn well last season when called upon. Even if he's just there for depth, I like him and would like to see the Steelers bring him back.

Brett Keisel, DL - I would love for them to bring The Beard back for at least one more year. He's like a coach on the field, and even if he's not a starter anymore he's still a damn good player who can help keep legs fresh in the trenches. He should never wear another uniform.

I think those are the guys the Steelers need to bring back most of all.

Now you may be wondering about first round pick Ziggy Hood. He hasn't been all that impressive. With the Steelers always being up against the cap, and Hood losing his starting job to Heyward who is a stud at DE for us, I think the Steelers let Hood test free agency. They want to see what he's offered before making an offer. I think they have a number in mind that they're willing to pay him, but they want to see if they could either get him for less...or if a team wants to overpay for him, and then get the comp pick for him instead.

The Steelers don't make splash signings in free agency. However, they need to fill some holes on defense. They haven't had a pocket collapsing, run stopping NT since Casey Hampton wasn't resigned. The NT is the lynchpin of the Steeler's 3-4 defense. We need a guy who other teams have to often double team. This way the offensive line is dealing with our three defensive linemen allowing our linebackers to make the "splash plays."

I think the Steelers might look at B.J. Raji of the Packers, Paul Soliai of the Dolphins, and maybe another guy or two. Soliai probably will be too expensive, and might end up back with the 'Phins. I think the Packers are going to let Raji test free agency. If he isn't signed in that first wave, or if he's not getting super big offers (which I don't think he will), the Steelers may kick the tires on him. He's shown that he could be that kind of NT, and maybe he just needs that change of scenery. But the Steelers aren't going to overpay for the guy.

If they don't get a NT who can start in free agenct, and they likely won't, look at the draft.

I have seen mock drafts where they take a nose tackle, wide receiver, corner, and safety at this pick.

Ike Taylor is getting old and didn't play so great last season, if he doesn't take a pay cut this year he may find himself cut. Even if they keep him, they need a corner for the future. The Steelers let Keenan Lewis walk and become a Saint, which might have happened no matter what because that's his hometown team.

It's likely the Steelers will go into the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starting corners. William Gay is a fourth corner at best, in my opinion. I don't think they have a future starter on the roster after Cortez, so the Steelers will be looking to upgrade this position. The Steelers have had luck developing later round corners into starters such as Taylor, Lewis, and Allen. So there's no guarantee the Steelers go this rout in the first two rounds.

I have also seen the Steelers tied to a wide receiver in some mock drafts. GM Kevin Colbert said that the Steelers need to build around Ben Roethlisberger...and it's about time they see that! Ben has wanted a tall receiver since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season. Plax did return, but didn't play much and then got hurt. He won't be back this season.

I've seen the Steelers linked to players such as the former USC playmaker Marqise Lee, and Florida State National Championship game hero Kelvin Benjamin. Either player I think would be welcomed by Roethlisberger as a play maker in the passing game. If they don't go WR in the first round, they'll likely go there in the second.

Safety is another need. Troy Polamalu plans to play out his contract and then retire, which means he wants to play this year. He played well last season for the first time in a while because of injuries. But even if he plays and plays well all season, who's playing across from him? I don't think the Steelers want to bring back Ryan Clark who played poorly last season. I don't think they want to start Shamarko Thomas across from Polamalu because he was drafted to be the eventual replacement. They've been linked to a few safeties with some ball skills. Calvin Pryor of Louisville is one of those safeties, and not only can he hold his own in coverage the guy hits like a sledgehammer, something the Steelers covet in their defensive backfield. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is another guy who the Steelers would love if he's there.

And like I said before, the Steelers could go and get that lynchpin of the defense in nose tackle. I have seen them linked to Louis Nix of Notre Dame if he's there.

What will be the hardest thing for me to do in the coming days is work on my next blog, a full first round mock draft. I like all these players for the Steelers, and more than one should be available at 15th overall.

Well that's my offseason outlook for the Steelers! Keep an eye out for my first full first round mock draft!

Week 1: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly vs. Titans

Week one came, and for most of the members of Steeler Nation, we wish it hadn't.

Yeah, the Steelers got two points at the very beginning of the game when Tennessee's kick returner left the endzone and then re-entered the endzone to down the ball giving the Steelers a safety, but then until the final two minutes of the game the Steelers didn't score again.

So here we go with the first edition of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly for the 2013 season.

The Good

Honestly, there is very little good coming from this game. It was brutal. I had the Browns game on my television (I live in Cleveland, so that's the game that was on) and I was streaming the Steelers game on my laptop. If it wasn't for uniforms, I would have been confused on which game I was watching at any time because the most popular play of both offenses was the punt.

So the good is the fact that the defense played well. They gave up 16 points, and that damn sure isn't bad at all seeing how much time they spent on the field. Tennessee's offense was on the field for 34:01. If the offense could have sustained drives and allowed the defense to catch their breath, they would have won this game.

Also, on the good part, the rest of the division lost. The entire division goes into week two with a record of 0-1. So we are tied for first, or last depending on how you look at it.

The Bad

What the hell was the offense doing? We couldn't run, and the passing game was inept until the end of the game when Ben drove them down the field for a touchdown. Redman fumbled on the three yard line, the ball was recovered in the endzone by the Titans for a touch back. No running back gained even 20 yards yesterday, and three of them got carries! 

Normally I am not "blame the offensive coordinator" guy, but Haley's play calling was putrid. This is his second season running the offense. All I read leading up to the season was that he was more comfortable with the players and they were more comfortable with him. I didn't see any of that yesterday. I saw a team with no identity. At least with Whisenhut the players knew the offense would be run based and with Arians the players knew the team would be pass based. I don't think even Haley knows what he wants to do on offense. When it was obvious that we couldn't run the ball, he should have adjusted to more of a pass based offense. Instead, he kept trying to beat a dead horse.

The offensive line is horrible. Again. I thought maybe this was fixed seeing how second round picks had been used at the tackle positions and two first round picks had been used on a center and a guard. But this offensive line looks no better than ones of the past made up mostly of mid-round picks. If the Steelers are going to even reach the 8-8 record they had last year, this offensive line is going to have to shape up and give Big Ben some time and our running backs some type of hole to run through. I'm not asking for the HOGS of Redskins fame, but I've seen better offensive line play in high school football games. Hell, a local high school might have done a better job on Sunday than the guys wearing Black & Gold. The offensive line play was that brutal.

The Steelers resigned Jonathon Dwyer, a running back that they cut just nine days ago. He was last year's leading rusher with 623 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was brought back because of the lack of a run game, and because of a season ending injury to LaRod Stephens-Howling. I know the coaches want Le'Veon Bell, their second round pick, to be the starter however he's currently out with a foot injury. So this is Dwyer's chance to seize the starting running back position. If he doesn't impress, Bell will be inserted when healthy.

The Ugly

Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. The Steelers are looking more and more like a MASH unit than a football team, and we are just a week into the season.

Pro Bowl starting center Maurkice Pouncey is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL in his knee, after fellow offensive lineman David DeCastro dove or fell (depending on your point of view) and crashed into the back of Pouncey's knee. Pouncey was our best offensive lineman, considered by many to be the second best center in the AFC. Now he's gone for the year. The Steelers signed former Titans center/guard Fernando Velasco. Seeing how he wasn't on a roster in week one, I don't know if he's going to replace Pouncey in the middle of the line or is just a depth signing because they're going to reshuffle the line.

Starting veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote sustained a ruptured tendon in his bicep, and is also out for the season. I have no idea who is going to replace him. On the two-deep the backup ILB's are Vince Williams (rookie) and Kion Wilson. I have a feeling they might move Chris Carter inside seeing how he has the most experience of the three in our defense. I really wish Sean Spence had never gotten that freak injury, because he would have been able to step in here, and I felt he was going to be a future star LB for this team. Now I am really hoping he can make a full enough recovery to play again, because Foote's career is likely over now.

LaRod Stephens-Howling tore his ACL in Sunday's game, which is a big reason why Dwyer was resigned today. He was expected to be a third down back and be fresh legs in the backfield this season with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He was also probably the fastest RB on the roster.

Those are just the season ending injuries sustained yesterday.

Shaun Suisham is having hamstring issues, so the Steelers signed Shane Graham, who was recently cut by the Cleveland Browns a little over a week ago, after spending all of training camp and preseason with the team competing for the then vacant kicker position. Matter-of-fact, the Browns cut BOTH kickers on final cut day and opted to try out two guys that were free agents and hadn't been in camps and use one of them. So we now have a kicker who wasn't even good enough for the Cleveland freaking Browns! And we currently have two kickers on the roster, meaning we would have to cut from another position (or place on IR) to bring in a LB for depth until Suisham is healthy.

Folks, it doesn't get much uglier than that!

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.

Steelers 7 Round Mock Draft

Thursday night is the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, one of the most exciting times in the offseason for the National Football League.

The Steelers biggest needs in this draft are: outside linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and quarterback.

SteelerS GM Kevin Colbert says that the Steelers are looking at this draft like they do any other draft. They don't expect any rookies to come in and make a huge impact right away. That doesn't mean it can't or won't happen, just that it isn't expected. And don't expect a trade up, Colbert isn't looking to do it.

So here it is, my seven-round Steelers mock draft!

1st round, 17th overall
Bjoern Werner, DE-OLB/Florida State - The Steelers cut former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison this offseason after he refused to take a pay cut. I don't think that they are comfortable going into the season with Jason Worilds as their main option at rush outside linebacker. Werner is a player who can possibly start right away of Worilds is his main competition for the position. The only way Worilds can keep the starting job is to show what he has yet to show, an uncanny ability to get to the quarterback. If he's not getting it done, Werner will get a chance to play, much like LaMarr Woodley in his rookie season.

2nd Round, 16th pick, 48th overall
Justin Hunter, WR/Tennessee - The Steelers lost wide receiver Mike Wallace in free agency, and honestly I don't think they wanted him back. The Steelers have had luck with receivers outside of the first round in recent years with Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders. Hunter has blazing speed, running a 4.44 second 40-yard dash while considered still not 100% from a knee injury. If he's still available when the Steelers pick in the second round, expect them to take Hunter to bring even more speed to the offense.

3rd Round, 17th pick, 79th overall
Phillip Thomas, S/Fresno State - Troy Polamalu can't keep healthy for a full season and Ryan Clark is in his 30's and entering the final year of his contract. The Steelers need to get younger at the safety position and giving Thomas a year to sit behind and learn from two of the best in the league is a very good idea for the Steelers.

4th Round, 18th pick, 115h overall
A.J. Klein, ILB/Iowa State - The Steelers are in need for help and depth at inside linebacker. They resigned Larry Foote to a deal that is very cap friendly, but he's aging and many believe he's a borderline starter. Sean Spence suffered a horrible knee injury and may never be the same again, some believe he may never play again. Stevenson Sylvester has never really been given the chance to start, but if the Steelers felt he was the future at ILB next to Lawrence Timmons, they likely wouldn't have resigned Foote. Klein had a very productive career at Iowa State and would be an excellent pick here for the Steelers if available/

5th round, 17th pick, 150th overall
Zac Dysert, QB/Miami (OH) - In 2004, the Steelers selected a quarterback out of small MAC school Miami of Ohio, Ben Roethlisberger. He's won two Super Bowls and is considered by many to be a future Hall of Fame quarterback. Can lightning strike twice? The Steelers have the often injured Roethlisberger as the starter, as it should be. The Steelers don't have much behind him, so taking the accurate Dysert would make sense here to groom as the immediate backup and possibly the eventual replacement when Roethlisberger eventually retires.

6th Round, 18th pick, 186th overall
Johnny Adams, CB/Michigan State - The Steelers lost Keenan Lewis to the Saints in free agency. They could very well take Adams who is fast but needs to develop and see what they can get out of him. At worst, they have a guy who can play special teams

6th Round, 38th pick, 206th overall
Brandon Moore, DT/Texas - The Steelers need more depth on the defensive line. He could play nose tackle and backup Steve McLendon. The Steelers cut Ta'amu and it looks like they won't be resigning Casey Hampton. There's very little depth at this position and this will be McLendon's first chance to get significant playing time. Moore could also double as depth to the defensive end position.

7th round, 17th pick, 223rd overall
Onterio McCalebb, RB/Auburn - The Steelers still aren't quite sure what they have at running back. Dwyer, Redman, and Batch all have their qualities...and they all put the ball on the ground in a game against the Browns last season. Pittsburgh let former first round pick Rashard Mendenhall walk as a free agent and cut Chris Rainey after a domestic violence incident. McCalebb is a very fast but undersized back, much like Rainey. At worst, he brings depth to the kick and punt return units.

Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Draft falls this upcoming Thursday, and this is my second mock draft. This will also be my final full first round mock draft, however there will be a full seven-round Steelers mock draft up by Wednesday evening.


1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT/Texas A&M
The Chiefs recently gave the Miami Dolphins permission to speak with left tackle Branden Albert, which could lead to a trade of the left tackle. Even if they keep Albert, the Chiefs would have at least one year with these two tackles book ending the offensive line, protected recently acquired quarterback Alex Smith. Albert will be a free agent again after the 2013-14 season, and could leave the team then…the Chiefs would then already have his replacement.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Luke Joeckel, OT/Texas A&M

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia
New head coach Gus Bradley worked under Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and recently told the NFL Network that one of the things he learned while in Seattle is to build the team on speed. Last year, he watched Seattle win games with a rookie quarterback who could throw the ball with accuracy and take off and run, making big plays. Smith was a very accurate quarterback at West Virginia, and he’s also a guy who can make plays with his feet. The Jaguars sent their entire front office (that’s no embellishment) to Smith’s Pro Day, so there is definitely interest. I think they pull the trigger, ending the Blaine Gabbert era in Jacksonville.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Dion Jordan, DE-OLB/Oregon

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT/Florida
Oakland has a lot of needs. Over the offseason they voided the contract of Richard Seymour and cut Tommy Kelly. The two guys they signed aren’t star caliber players, and wouldn’t start on most teams. Floyd is probably the best pick for the Raiders at this selection. He fills a need in the middle of the defensive line, and he can help generate a pass rush up the middle. The Raiders had the second least amount of sacks last season. In a division with Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, and Alex Smith…getting pressure on the quarterback is a must.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Sharrif Floyd, DT/Florida

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher, OT/Central Michigan
The Eagles can go a few different ways with this pick. If Geno Smith is still there, I think they pull the trigger on him. But I have him going second overall to Jacksonville. They have a mobile quarterback in Michael Vick, but he’s also been plagued by injuries for his entire career. The Eagles offensive line is a steaming pile of garbage, and without a quarterback worthy of the pick (nor one who is a fit for the system), they choose to protect the quarterbacks the do have by taking the second best offensive tackle in the draft.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Erick Fisher, OT/Central Michigan

5. Detroit Lions: Dion Jordan, DE-OLB/Oregon
The Lions could also go a few ways depending on who’s still available. They need help in a few places, but I have them taking Jordon, the speedy pass rusher from Oregon. They lost Cliff Avril and cut Kyle Vanden Bosch over the offseason and needs to replenish their edge pass rush. Jordon is one of the fastest defensive linemen available in the draft, and could seriously help the Lions defense.

Draft 1.0 Pick: DeMarcus Milliner, CB/Alabama

6. Cleveland Browns: DeMarcus Milliner, CB/Alabama
Now there is a lot of speculation that the Browns are going to trade this pick, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see that happen. They don’t have a second round pick after using it in last year’s supplemental draft and rumors are they would like to recoup a pick in that round due to the holes on the team. However, I don’t predict trades so I have the Browns taking the Alabama product here. The Browns still have Joe Haden, but across from them they might be better with a ghost playing corner instead of what they currently have on the roster. They could use another pass rusher, but Milliner is a play maker and if they can rush the passer enough with what they have, a corner combo of Haden-Milliner would be the best in the division, and one of the best in the conference.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Ezekiel Ansah, DE-OLB/BYU

7. Arizona Cardinals: Lane Johnson, OT/Oklahoma
The Cardinals traded for Carson Palmer. While he isn’t the Palmer from 2005, he’s still got a cannon for an arm. However, he’s like a statue in the pocket and the Cardinals need to protect him if he’s going to deliver the ball downfield to Larry Fitzgerald. Levi Brown has never been a Pro Bowler at left tackle, but he isn’t horrible. Johnson could play either tackle position, same with Brown. If the Cardinals are going to compete in a division with teams that are often scoring 30+ points a game, they need to be able to score too.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Lane Johnson, OT/Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee
The Bills are going offense with this pick. I originally had them taking Geno Smith because the Bills have said that they want to get their franchise quarterback. They did sign Kevin Kolb, but he’s not going to break the Bills playoff drought. I don’t feel there is a quarterback worthy of this pick…but then again who thought that Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder as early as they went a couple of years ago? However, if they are smart, they go with Patterson to give Stevie Johnson someone to take some off the coverage heat off of him. Patterson works here because he’s fast, big, and strong. Johnson is a guy who can run fast down the field and catch bombs, Patterson can be more of a possession receiver who can also streak down the field.

Draft 1.0 Pick: Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia

9. New York Jets: Ezekiel Ansah, DE-OLB/BYU
The Jets have no pass rush. They have good corners, one of the best once once Revis is back on the field. There was a lot of talk about trading Revis and/or Cromartie, but I don’t see that happening now (but there could always be a draft day surprise). Creating a pass rush would take advantage of the talent they have at corner who could cause sacks with their coverage, only if they had a player who could get there. Ansah fits that, and would start right away in the Jets defense. It’s also reported that Rex Ryan loves Barkevious Mingo, so he could be the pick of Ansah is already off the board. But Ansah, in my opinion is the better player, so I have the Jets taking him.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Desmond Trufant, CB/Washington

10. Tennessee Titans: Chance Warmack, OG/Alabama
I still have the Titans taking the Alabama interior lineman, because that’s one of the biggest needs on the team. Their head coach is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman and wants to run the football. Warmack would help getting Chris Johnson back on the map as one of the top running backs in the NFL by creating holes for the speedy back to blaze through.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Chance Warmack, OG/Alabama

11. San Diego Chargers: Barkevious Mingo, DE-OLB/LSU
San Diego is in a division with the following quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Alex Smith, and Matt Flynn. They haven’t had a sufficient pass rush since before Shawne Merriman was busted for taking PED’s. The Chargers want to be able to pressure the quarterback, and Mingo would help in that department.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Barkevious Mingo/ DE-OLB/LSU

12. Miami Dolphins: D.J. Fluker, OT/Alabama
The Dolphins let Jake Long walk in free agency. Tannehill is a big armed quarterback with the speedy Mike Wallace to throw deep to, but he can’t do that from his backside. Fluker may never be as good as Long was, but he’s better than what they currently have on the roster. They spent a first round pick on a quarterback and big money on a deep threat receiver in the past couple of years, you have to protect that investment with a talented offensive tackle.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes, CB/Florida State
The second best cornerback in the draft, the Buccaneers take him because that’s a big need for them on defense. The Buccs traded former first round pick Talib Aquib, and they didn’t have a replacement for him as the #1 corner. Rhodes would become that corner, helping to stabilize the back end of the defense for a team that was once one of the best defensive teams in the NFL.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Xavier Rhodes, CB/Florida State

14. Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT/Utah
There’s a good chance that the first name could ring true, Star Lotuelei could be a defensive star in the NFL. The Panthers need to plug up the middle, they were gashed in the run game last season, especially up the middle. He would not only stop the run, he would create a pass rush up the middle.

Mock 1.0: Star Lotulelei, DT/Utah

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones, DE-OLB/Georgia
With the Saints moving to a 3-4 defense that relies on pressure from the outside linebacker position, Jones would come in and be able to make an instant impact on that front, seeing how he was one of the top pass rushers in all of college football the past two seasons. It would help in a division filled with talented quarterbacks. Of course, this pick all depends on how the Saints medical staff and coaches feel about Jones’ medical condition.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Jarvis Jones, DE-OLB/Georgia

16. St. Louis Rams: Eddie Lacey, RB/Alabama
The Rams lost their career leader in rushing yards, Steven Jackson, in the off-season. While they could go offensive line to help whoever ends up playing the position and protect Sam Bradford, I think they instead bring in Lacey who can take pressure off of Bradford by running hard up the middle. He’s replace a big weapon for their offense, giving the Rams a young back to rely on for those tough yards.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Jonathon Cooper, OG/North Carolina

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bjoern Werner, DE-OLB/Florida State
In Mike Tomlin’s first draft as head coach of the Steelers, the team chose Lawrence Timmons out of Florida State to transition for DE to OLB. Instead, James Harrison took over that position and Timmons has excelled at inside linebacker. This year, I think the Steelers go the same route at the same school, only this time the Steelers don’t have a Harrison waiting in the wings to wreak havoc on NFL quarterbacks. With Harrison being cut (and looking more and more like he won’t be back in Pittsburgh, if in the NFL at all), the Steelers have a big need at outside linebacker. With the contract just given to Steve McClendon, I don’t think the Steelers are taking a nose tackle at this pick any longer. If they go defense (and I think they will), then Werner will be the pick with Jarvis Jones off the board.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Jonathon Jenkins, NT/Georgia

18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathon Cooper, OG/North Carolina
The Cowboys biggest need, in my opinion, is the offensive line. The Cowboys interior offensive line is worse than their tackles, so I am looking for Jerry Jones to take Cooper to replace one of the downgrades they put in at guard last year. Cooper would be able to start right away, open holes for Cowboys running backs, and help protect Tony Romo.

Mock 1.0 Pick: D.J. Fluker, OT/Alabama

19: New York Giants: Sheldon Richardson, DT/Missouri
I originally had them taking Werner from Florida State, because they like getting pass rushing defensive ends, but I now have the Steelers taking him to convert to outside linebacker. I don’t feel there’s a DE that fits what they like at this pick, but I still have them going defensive line. Richardson is very athletic for his size and can shoot the gap to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Adding him to the defensive line would just make the Giants front seven that much better, giving them another piece to wreak havoc on offensive lines and quarterbacks.

Mock 1.0 Pick:  Bjoern Werner, DE/Florida State

20. Chicago Bears: Menelik Watson, OT/Florida State
The Bears’ biggest need is still the offensive line. If they are going to win the division and go deep in the playoffs, they need to rely on the offense to score, not the defense. Jay Cutler is getting sacked a lot. Watson is a freak athlete who would play right tackle and is more than athletic enough to trap, pull, and get to the second level to block. Protecting Jay Cutler should be a top priority for the Bears if they want to keep the most talented quarterback Chicago has had in a very long time. Watson can also be a big help in opening up holes for Matt Forte and Michael Bush.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas
With the Bears taking a tackle, Vaccaro falls to the Bengals who waste little time in making this pick. The safety position has never been much of a strength for the Bengals, who have watched the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens with three Super Bowls with dynamic play from that position. Vaccaro would replace either Taylor Mays or Reggie Nelson, most likely Mays. If they go into the season with Mays and Nelson starting at safety, then they aren’t trying as hard as they should be to make the playoffs for a third straight season.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Matt Elam, S/Florida

22. St. Louis Rams: Alec Ogletree, LB/Georgia
The Rams need help at strong side linebacker, unable to find someone to produce at the position last season. Ogletree would join what is otherwise a rather strong linebacker corps to strengthen a defense in a division with some dynamic quarterbacks.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Alec Ogletree, LB/Georgia

23. Minnesota Vikings: Tavon Austin, WR/West Viginia
The Minnesota Vikings shocked everyone by making the playoffs last season, much so on the back of Adrian Peterson. However, quarterback Christian Ponder surprised many with the way he played for much of the season, showing a better grasp of the offense. However, the Vikings traded away Percy Harvin. While they signed Greg Jennings in free agency, they don’t really have that speed guy on the outside, so I have them taking the speedy Austin from West Virginia, who can beat coverage deep and use that speed to find the edge on WR sweeps.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Codarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee

24. Indianapolis Colts: Damontre Moore, DE-OLB/Texas A&M
The Colts let Dwight Freeney go this offseason, and in the 3-4 the pass rush comes from the outside linebackers. Moore could come in and replace the production of Freeney, if not better it.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Damontre Moore, DE-OLB/Texas A&M

25. Minnesota Vikings: Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State
The Vikings replace Harvin two picks earlier, and now they use that pick to obtain help on the offensive line with Hankins, who can stop the run and create a pass rush from the interior of the defensive line. The Vikings need to upgrade this position, and this is the right time and player to do it with.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State

26. Green Bay Packers: Keenan Allen, WR/California
The Packers lose Greg Jennings, and they may be losing James Jones next offseason. Allen would be able to start or be the third receiver at worst this season. The Packers don’t run the ball much, and when they do they aren’t particularly good at it. So to keep the offense humming like it has been, Allen would have to be the pick here.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Menelik Watson, OT/Florida State

27. Houston Texans: Kevin Minter, ILB/LSU
The Texans need help at ILB, enter Kevin Minter who could hold down one of the two ILB positions right away. Brian Cushing may not be 100% coming off of his knee injury, and Darryl Sharpton isn’t the answer next to Cushing.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Kevin Minter, ILB/LSU

28. Denver Broncos: Sylvester Williams, DT/North Calolina
The Broncos still need help on the interior line, so they take the best defensive tackle available in North Carolina’s Williams. The Broncos had trouble keeping the lead against the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs, so I am looking at some help on defense for this team. Williams can help stop the run, and he can also get to the quarterback from the inside of the line.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Sheldon Richardson, DT/Missouri

29. New England Patriots: Desmond Trufant, CB/Washington
The Patriots got carved up by Joe Flacco in the playoffs, and they need to upgrade their defense even more if they want to win another Super Bowl. Aqib Talib signed just a one-year deal and Alfonzo Dennard probably isn’t the answer across from him. Trufant has shown skill at one-on-one coverage and could be an asset for the Patriots defense for years to come.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Jonathon Cyprien, S/Florida International

30.  Atlanta Falcons: Tank Carradine, DE/Florida State
The Falcons two biggest needs are cornerback and defensive end. I don’t think there’s a corner available here who they would want to use a first round pick on, so they go with defensive end. If they can rush the passer, then they can take a corner in the second round and not have to worry about their corners needing to cover for long periods of time.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Alex Okafor, DE/Texas

31. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathon Cyprien, S/Florida International
The 49ers are pretty stacked, and were just one defensive stop away from being Super Bowl Champions earlier this year. Cyprien might be able to replace Craig Dahl, who has never really been more than a special teams player. Cyprien may be the rookie needed to make that stop next season and win their sixth Super Bowl title.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Sylvester Williams, DT/North Carolina

32. Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te’o, MLB/Notre Dame
The Ravens lost a lot of talent when free agency hit. They recoup some of that with this pick, taking Te’o to play inside linebacker alongside either Rolando McClain or Jameel McClain on the defensive side of the ball.

Mock 1.0 Pick: Manti Te’o, MLB/Notre Dame

Steelers lose free agents

The first week of Free Agency is in the books, and so far the Steelers are considered "losers" in my book. The reason why? The one Steelers free agent I hoped the would retain more than any other, they didn't. Rumor has it they never even made an offer. Lets look at the big players the Steelers lost.

Mike Wallace, WR/Miami Dolphins: I did not expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to keep Wallace. Last offseason they couldn't come to a long-term contract agreement with the speedy wideout and then he held out of training camp by not signing his restricted free agent tender. He wanted big dollars, more than what the Steelers could give him. Also, it's thought that he was unhappy with the fact that the Steelers gave fellow wide receiver Antonio Brown a long term deal last offseason while negotiating with Wallace. His new contract comes out to around $13M a year with the Dolphins.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB/Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall was once the feature back for the Steelers. But then he tore his ACL at the end of the 2011 season, came back last season and looks lackluster, and ticked off the coaches and front office when he failed to show for a home game because he was upset about not being on the active roster for the game. Put that with some Twitter posts that made him look less than bright in most circles, and the writing was on the wall. I don't think the Steelers had any intent on re-signing the former first round pick.

Keenan Lewis, CB/New Orleans Saints: Losing Lewis is the reason why I feel the Steelers are losers in free agency. Lewis was young, and just had his first season as a starter where he played very well. He could have potentially become the heir to Ike Taylor as the Steelers #1 cornerback. Nobody knows who is going to replace Lewis across from Taylor. The Steelers did sign former Cardinals and Steelers cornerback William Gay. but I can't find anyone who's happy with that signing of this was intended to replace Lewis. The Steelers didn't try to re-sign him when he left for the Cardinals after the 2011-12 season. And then he had a really bad season in Arizona, so there isn't much faith in him being anywhere near as good as Lewis was last year. So I am expecting a competition between Gay, Cortez Allen, and Curtis Brown for the #2 corner spot. It's unknown how well any of those players will perform. The fact that the Steelers are rumored to not even have offered Keenan Lewis a contract tells me one of two things: they feel he isn't as good as us fans think he is, or he put his price outside of what the cap strapped Steelers could afford and they chose to not even waste their time negotiating with him.

AFC North Offseason Preview

In a few days, the NFL's Free Agency period. This weekend, player agents can negotiate contracts with teams but are not allowed to set up meetings between players and teams. So if a team decides to agree to a contract with a player, they must do so "blind." Also, any contract agreements cannot be finalized until Tuesday, when Free Agency officially begins. However, teams can sign their own pending free agents to deals.

This is also a way for teams to learn the market value for their free agent players and can then offer a contract accordingly, or choose to let a player walk because they feel that they can't pay the player an amount to keep him.

Free Agency is more than just an opportunity to sign proven players from other teams. It also shapes the NFL Draft. If you have a need at WR and sign a top guy at that position in Free Agency, then you can focus on another need in the draft.

So here is my offseason look at each team of the AFC North. I will look at their needs, their top Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA), record from last season, and where they will be drafting. I will also look at possible first round draft selections for each team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 last season, missed playoffs)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have never been big players in Free Agency. They don't sign the huge names, other than keeping their own players when they want/can. So I do not expect them to go after any big names, other than possibly attempting to resign Mike Wallace. The free agent I think they most need to resign is Keenan Lewis, who had an excellent season in his first as a starting cornerback.

The big question mark for the Steelers this offseason is what happens with OLB James Harrison. They want to renegotiate his contract and he won't take a pay cut. Harrison is 35 years old, and has had knee and back issues the past few years that are likely to just get worse instead of better. There is a chance that the Steelers end up just cutting Harrison.

Top UFA's:
Keenan Lewis, CB
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Max Starks, OT
Plaxico Burress, WR

Draft Position: 17th

First Round possibilities:
Jarvis Jones, OLB/Georgia
Manti Te'o, ILB/Notre Dame
Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas
Alec Ogletree, LB/Georgia
Eddy Lacey, RB/Alabama
Kevin Minter, ILB/LSU
Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State
Jonathon Jenkins, DT/Georgia

Needs:
Outside Linebacker
Inside Linebacker
Running Back

Baltimore Ravens (10-6, won Super Bowl)
After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens front office didn't have much time to celebrate. They had to get the team under the cap, resign free agent quarterback Joe Flacco to a long-term contract, and figure out their goals in free agency and the draft.

The Ravens locked up Flacco, and are focusing on Dannell Ellerbe over Paul Kruger. Ellerbe played as Ray Lewis' replacement when he injured his arm during the season, and the Ravens would like to keep him. Kruger had his best season ever, and is expect to sign for more money somewhere else than what the Ravens can give him, not to mention the drafted Courtney Upshaw in last year's draft so they likely feel they have a decent or better replacement for Kruger.

Top UFA's:
Paul Kruger, OLB
Dannell Ellerbe, ILB
Ed Reed, S
Cary Williams, CB

Draft Position: 32nd

First Round possibilities:
Jonathon Hankins, DT/Ohio State
Manti Te'o, ILB/Notre Dame
Jonathon Cyprien, S/Florida International
Jonathon Jenkins, DT/Georgia

Needs:
Inside Linebacker
Offensive Tackle
Safety

Cincinnati Bengals (10-6, eliminated in first round of playoffs)
This team is hard to predict, for me at least, because Mike Brown sometimes makes moves that leaves you scratching your head. He let Jonathon Joseph walk away without making any real attempt at keeping him. Mike Brown has the smallest scouting staff in the National Football League and doesn't have a general manager, nor a personnel man at his side to lean on.

The Bengals are a young team. However they will be looking to upgrade a defense that was pretty good last year and they will also be looking to add a bell cow type of running back to their offense to give their passing game some help.

Top UFA's:
Robert Geathers, DE
Pat Simms, DT
Andre Smith, OT
Rey Maualuga, LB

Draft Position: 21st

First Round possibilities:
Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas
Eddy Lacey, RB/Alabama
Xavier Rhodes, CB-S/Florida State

Needs:
Safety
Offensive Tackle
Defensive Line
Running Back

Cleveland Browns (5-11, missed playoffs)
The Cleveland Browns have made some big changes in this offseason. I honestly could have written an entire article just on them. New owner Jimmy Haslam fired the previous coaching and front office regime. New head coach Rob Chudzinski brought in Norv Turner to be the offensive coordinator. Mike Lombardi was hired as the Vice President of Player Personnel and this past week was promoted to General Manager.

Chudzinski worked with Cam Newton in Carolina the past few years, but the Browns currently have last year's starter at the position in Brandon Weeden. Weeden has the arm to make the downfield throws that are often staples in an offense ran by either Chudzinski or Turner, but he doesn't have the running ability of a Cam Newton. So the Browns might be looking to change quarterbacks, seeing how they have yet to show any type of commitment to Weeden.

The Browns also hired Ray Horton as defensive coordinator who will be running a "hybrid" 3-4/4-3 defense but I expect to see the Browns mostly in a 3-4 look.

Top UFA's:
Josh Cribbs, WR
Phil Dawson, K

Draft Position: 6th

First Round possibilities:
Ezekiel Ansah, DE-OLB/BYU
Dion Jordan, DE-OLB/Oregon
Dee Millner, CB/Alabama
Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia
Jarvis Jones, OLB/Georgia

Needs:
Outside Linebacker
Tight End
Quarterback
Inside Linebacker

And that is my preview for the AFC North's offseason. Later this week I will be positing my first mock draft for the first round.

Looking towards the 2013 season

Well, it's the day after the Super Bowl, the 2012-13 football season is officially over. And what a crappy season it was for Steelers Nation. Mike Wallace holds out of training camp and then goes on to have a rather crappy season. Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt right as the offense starts to get on a roll. We lose to the Cleveland Browns....the FREAKING BROWNS!!!!!!!!!! We miss the playoffs. The Super Bowl is a real punch to the gut...either the 49ers tie us with six Super Bowl wins or...our arch enemy, the Baltimore Ravens win it. The Ravens win it, and Ray fricking Lewis rides off into the sunset on top.

So I, for one, am glad that this season is OVER!

Now everyone is tied at 0-0. Everyone is in first place. It's time to look at the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers....and that starts with the offseason.

The Steelers have a good amount of free agents. Lets take a look at the list.

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA's)
Mike Wallace, WR
Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Will Allen, S
Charlie Batch, QB
Plaxico Burress, WR
Larry Foote, LB
Ramon Foster, G
Casey Hampton, DT
Brandon Johnson, LB
Juston King, LB
Byron Leftwich, QB
Doug Legursky, OL
Keenan Lewis, CB
Ryan Mundy, S
Leonard Pope, TE
Max Starks, OT
Greg Warren, LS

Restricted Free Agents (RFA's)
Jonathon Dwyer, RB
Steve McLendon, DT
Issac Redman, RB
Emmanuel Sanders, WR
Stevenson Slyvester, LB

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA's)
Baron Batch, RB
DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB

Now the RFA's and ERFA's I am not worried about whatsoever. It's been years since one tendered has been signed by another team. If nobody went after Mike Wallace in free agency last year, then nobody is going after our restricted guys. Nobody on that list is going somewhere else if they get tendered by the Steelers.

Now the UFA list is one that is split into three sections: Guys I don't want back, guys I want back, and guys I want back for the right price.

Guys I Want Back

Max Starxs, OT  - Max Starks isn't an elite tackle. The Steelers know that, the fans know that, and Starks himself knows that. However he is a good tackle. And if he wants to come back, and we can make the contract work with us always being up against the salary cap, then I welcome him back with open arms. Marcus Gilbert is an injury risk and Mike Adams had an up-and-down rookie year that ended on IR. Starks would compete for a starting job and at the least be an excellent backup at both tackle positions.

Plaxico Burress, WR - Burress returned to the Steelers when wide receiver depth suffered due to some injuries. Burress accepted a lesser role in the offense. With how he left after the 2004 season, many fans didn't want him back. I feel he had to earn not only the trust of the fans, but the trust of the team. I think he earned it and would be a good third receiver on the outside, moving Sanders or Brown to the slot in three-receiver sets.

Keenan Lewis, CB - Going into last season there were a lot of questions about the starting corner spot across from Ike Taylor. Keenan Lewis plays phenomenal and honestly showed that he could be a #1 CB in the NFL. If the Steelers want to remain one of the top defenses in the NFL, they have to lock Lewis up.

Doug Legursky, OL - This guy is like the little engine that could. He's an undersized offensive lineman that can play guard and center. He knows he's not a starter, but a guy that can play either guard position and center is a valuable guy to have on the team as a backup.

Guys I Don't Want Back

Mike Wallace, WR - I was hoping Mike Wallace would have one hell of a season and truly earn the big contract that he coveted last offseason. Instead, he whined all offseason and then held out of training camp...and he's been here long enough to know that the Steelers will not negotiate with a player not in camp. Then there were times during the season that he wasn't even trying. Giving up on routes, not blocking down field, not fighting for balls...hell not even trying to knock them down so they aren't intercepted. Then, in the season finale which meant little more than pride because the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, Wallace showed his true colors....he held himself out of the game to avoid a possible injury going into free agency. That's not something that a Pittsburgh Steeler does.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Mendenhall was a first round pick who had a few good years. In the regular season finale of the 2012 season, he tore his ACL. He came back this season and just imploded. He fumbled the ball three times in a mere 51 carries. Then for the game against San Diego, when he was told he wouldn't be active for the game, he chose to no show on game day. Being deactivated isn't permission to not attend the game. I feel that he wants to be gone, and the Steelers shouldn't even offer him a contract.

Byron Leftwich, QB - Leftwich has been an injury waiting to happen. He can't even hold up for one game. He's not young, nor do I feel he understands the game well enough to be of any help to Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines. I would much rather draft someone in the third round or so and groom them to not only be the #2 QB, but possibly one day take over when Big Ben walks away from the game. Leftwich isn't worth the roster spot that he would take off.

The rest of the UFA list, I would take back at the right price. None of them would be guaranteed a starting job, and most would be just depth at various positions and play special teams.

The 2013 NFL Rookie Draft

It's now time to start really looking at the NFL draft. So here are what I feel are the teams' biggest needs, in no particular order.

Backup Quarterback - The Steelers don't have a guy who's young and can step in for a game or two if needed, nor do they have anyone that they are grooming behind Ben Roethlisberger. I think it's time to get someone, and the draft is the perfect place to do this.
Outside Linebacker - James Harrison is on the wrong side of thirty and played all last season with a bad back, not to mention he could be a cap casualty this offseason. LaMarr Woodley had hamstring issues again. I don't believe the team has the next great Steelers outside linebacker currently on the roster. Maybe they can find that guy this offseason.
Offensive Line - In the past three seasons the Steelers have taken the following offensive linemen in the first two rounds: Maurkice Pouncey (center), Marcus Gilbert (tackle), David Decastro (guard), Mike Adams (tackle). These guys should be the core of the offensive line for years to come, should turn that part of the team into the strength. However, I think we might be able to draft a better player for left guard. Foster isn't that good, in my opinion. Willie Colon can't stay healthy to save his life. And Doug Legursky is nothing more than a backup. Maybe a second round guard can be taken to put nothing but first and second round picks making holes for the run game and protecting our franchise quarterback.
Safety - Troy Polamalu is a constant injury risk. There have been rumors floating around the Twitterverse that Ryan Clark might be released this offseason, though nobody can say why. The team needs to find a young playmaker at one of the two safety positions to at least groom behind the Polamalu/Clark combo we currently have.