Why I Like the Shazier pick (and my thoughts on the rest of the Steelers draft)

On Thursday night, the Steelers shocked all of Steelers Nation by taking Ohio State Linebacker Ryan Shazier, with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Most of the Nation wanted a cornerback. I feel we got the best player defensive player available, and I am not just saying that because I am a Buckeye nut.

Most Steelers fans wanted Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard, but I am glad the Steelers didn't bite. I have watched a lot of his play, and he's too physical in my opinion. The way he plays will be drawing penalty flags in the NFL. Some say you can coach it out of him, but I don't fully buy that. He's played that way all through college, probably played that way in high school. That's a long time for habits like that to sink in, and it's easier to coach someone to do something better than to stop doing something that's now natural to them. Can he be good? Yeah. But he could also turn out to be a headache due to penalties. Untimely penalties have killed the Steelers in the past, so I am glad this flag magnet isn't going to be wearing the Black & Gold.

The Steelers won their past two Super Bowls with Ike Taylor as the best corner on both teams. He was a good corner on those teams, but he wasn't anywhere close to the best in the league. If our linebackers are flying around and getting good QB pressure, our corners will be fine. Our entire defense is predicated on linebacker play.

Ryan Shazier is a tackling machine. Here is his career stat line at Ohio State:

317 total tackles (210 solo), 45.5 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 1 interception, 9 forced fumbles

Just last season alone he had 23.5 TFL with 7 sacks. He had 102 total tackles.

He was also the fastest linebacker in the draft. Warren Sapp has called the Steelers' defense "old and slow" multiple times, but that's not the case anymore. The defensive line has youth, the linebacker core is all young, and the secondary has some youth too. The two oldest starters for the Steelers will likely be Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu.

Speaking of Polamalu, this draft pick is going to be what extends his career to the end of his new extension. He's too old to be playing the quasi-linebacker role that we have seen in the past. The whole reason he was playing it last season was because we didn't have a second inside linebacker. At this point in his career, he should be playing more of the role Ed Reed played in Baltimore. Center field, breaking up passes and getting picks. Shazier is going to be playing inside 'backer, he's going to be making those plays against the run. He can cover backs and tight ends.

Polamalu is still going to provide run support. I am sure we will see him diving over the line of scrimmage a time or two this season. But he's not going to take the normal pounding because we won't need him to. And because of that, he should be able to play the next three seasons.

 The Steelers also drafted Stephon Tuitt, the DE out of Notre Dame. He's going to be the 5-technique DE we have been looking for. He's going to bookend the defensive line with Cam Heyward...the defense is going to be so much better than it's been the past two plus seasons. It's needed this infusion of youth. Tuitt isn't only going to take up blockers allowing our linebackers to make plays, he's going to also get pressure on the QB.

Dri Archer (RB, Kent State) was the fastest player in the draft, and I expect him to be used as a RB-WR hybrid. He's going to be able to scorch defenses, I just hope he can hold up being smaller. If he can, he can be a fourth receiver and play some RB. He will also return punts and kicks, which is good because it'll save Antonio Brown some unneeded hits.

Martavis Bryant (WR, Clemson) was the less heralded receiver on the Tigers, but he should be very good for the Steelers. At 6'5" and 200 lbs., he will be the biggest receiver on the team. There's rumor that he may start at some point this season. With 800 yards and 7 TD's last season, I expect to get close to that from him once he steps into a full-time starting role.

Shaquille Richardson (CB, Arizona) had only 10 picks in his college career, but from everything I have read he has all the physical tools to play the position in the NFL. The Steelers don't often take corners high, but this kid could end up starting after a season or so of being coached up by Coach Lake. Even if the Steelers take a corner in the first round next season, Richardson could end up a good nickel back at worst.

Wesley Johnson (OL, Vanderbilt) adds depth to the offensive line. I didn't see him play much, but with all the injuries to our line last season, some added depth is always a good thing.

Jordan Zumwalt (LB, UCLA) is a pick that has me a bit confused. He was a good player for the Bruins and racked up 91 tackles last season, but he puts us crowded at linebacker. Maybe he was drafted because the Steelers want to push a couple backups and maybe release them if they can't outperform Zumwalt, or at the least get better on special teams with him.

Daniel McCullers (DL, Tennessee) has monster size at 6'8" and 351 lbs. I think the Steelers want to develop him into a starting nose tackle, and I think this guy can definitely collapse the pocket. If he can become a solid starting NT, then this is damn sure a great pick. Otherwise, it's good depth.

Rob Blanchflower (TE, UMASS) wasn't really a pass catcher. He had 27 catches for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. I would think he's being brought in for depth and help blocking, maybe to develop into a tackle at 6'4" and 350 lbs.

I would give the Steelers a solid B on this draft. Shazier and Tuitt are probably going to start as rookies. Bryant should see a lot of snaps at the least in three receiver sets. Archer is going to be electric on special teams at the least. Got some good depth at the least in the rest of the draft.

2014 First Round Mock Draft

Here is my first mock draft of the offseason. Just remember, I don't predict trades because it's rather unpredictable, so I have everyone picking at their pre-set draft positions no matter the likelihood of them trading down or up. 

2014 NFL Mock Draft

1. Houston Texans: Jadaveon Clowney, DE South Carolina – The Texans need a quarterback, however there isn’t a quarterback that’s a sure thing like Andrew Luck was for the Colts in this draft. Heck, many believe there isn’t a quarterback in this draft that should be taken in the first round. I think the Texans play it as safe as possible here and take Clowney. Pair him with J.J. Watt and you have the best defensive line in the league. He’s not your prototypical 3-4 DE, but the guy is an athletic freak that can maybe even play some OLB in certain situations. You’re in a division with Andrew Luck. Getting to the QB is going to be a priority. With the trade of Matt Schuab and the signing of Fitzpatrick, I think the Texans feel they can find and develop a quarterback in the second round.

2. St. Louis Rams: Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson - I originally thought they were going to take an offensive tackle. But with Rodger Saffold coming back to the Rams, I have a hard time having them pick a tackle here, maybe in the second round. Instead, I have them taking Watkins, giving former first overall pick Sam Bradford another weapon on offense.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M – Johnny Football is a boom or bust pick. But the Jaguars need to turn this ship around fast, and that’s what Manziel did for Texas A&M. They left the Big 12 for the SEC, and with Manziel at quarterback they shocked everyone by becoming a top team in the conference. The Jaguars need a spark, and Manziel may be the guy that is that spark. He’ll darn sure put butts in seats, and that’s another thing Jacksonville needs.

4. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville – The Browns have had zero luck at quarterback since coming back into the league in 1999. They’ve had 20 different quarterbacks start a game for them since then, Bridgewater would make number 21. The Browns released two of those former starters, leaving plenty of room on the depth chart for the next “franchise” quarterback for the Browns. He makes sense at this pick for the Browns.

5. Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT Auburn –The Raiders lost their LT, then Rodger Saffold failed his physical and is now resigning with the Rams. The Raiders literally have nobody of note on their roster. The good free agents they had fled like rats on a sinking ship. Nobody wants to stay in Oakland, and they only way they can sign a free agent is to overpay. They could go any direction here, it’s really hard to say. I think the take Robinson, and then maybe they take a QB in the second round. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback if he can’t get any protection.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M – The Falcons can go a few ways here. They need a pass rush, they could use a pass catching tight end to replace Tony Gonzalez, or they could take a tackle. I think the Falcons take Matthews because protecting Matty Ice has to be the top priority. They can find a quality defensive end in the second round, take a franchise left tackle is the best thing they could do with this pick.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA – While OLB isn’t the top need on the Buccaneers, Lovie Smith built his Bears Super Bowl run on the back of a strong defense, and that’s how the Bucs won their only Super Bowl. While in Chicago, Smith always had great linebacker play. Barr would become the next great Buccaneers LB, and would be a force coming off of the edge on blitz packages. Anthony Barr could become a cornerstone player for Tampa’s defense.

8. Minnesota Vikings: Stephon Tuitt, DE Notre Dame – Even if the Vikings re-sign Jared Allen, they don’t have a pass rusher on the other side of him. The Vikings gave Matt Cassel a new two year deal, so I doubt they go QB with this pick. If Jared Allen leaves or retires, Tuitt takes over his position. In a division with three first round picks at quarterback, the ability to rush the passer is a must.

9. Buffalo Bills: Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M – The Bills took E.J. Manuel with their first round pick last year. Stevie Johnson can’t do it alone, so drafting Evans would give Manuel another target and would take some pressure off of Johnson. I really can’t see the Bills going any other direction if Evans is still on the board.

10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State – The Lions have a glaring need at cornerback, especially in a division with Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers. Gilbert turned heads at the combine, and that made his stock skyrocket. With the Lions signing Golden Tate in free agency, I don’t think they take a receiver in the first round.

11. Tennessee Titans: C.J. Mosley, ILB Alabama – With the Titans moving to a 3-4 defense, they’re going to need some linebackers. Inside linebacker is a need for the Titans, and I don’t think they have a stud on the inside on the roster. Mosley comes from a 3-4 ran under Nick Saban, and he would be an instant plug-and-play pick for Tennessee. Ken Whisenhut might be an offensive minded coach, but spending those years in Pittsburgh, you know he learned a thing or two about defense.

12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan – The Giants did a poor job of protecting Eli Manning, and that was a big reason why he threw so many interceptions last season. The Giants have a couple of needs, but a left tackle that can protect Manning’s blind side is paramount to the Giants getting back into the playoffs.

13. St. Louis Rams: Hasean Clinton-Dix, S Alabama – The Rams helped their offense with the second overall pick of the draft. With this one, they go after a need on defense by shoring up their secondary with a player that goes by the nickname “HaHa.” There’s nothing funny about his play, he’s athletic enough to make plays in coverage and physical enough to support the run or take out a receiver who caught a short pass.  

14. Chicago Bears: Calvin Pryor, S Louisville – The Bears have some need in their secondary. They currently don’t have anyone that can be a successful starter at strong safety. The Bears couldn’t stop the Packers from driving down the field and winning the NFC North in the season finale. They’ve also got to face the Lion’s Matthew Stafford twice a season, and the Vikings could take a QB in the second round to groom for the future. If they want to win the division in 2014, they’ll have to stop two of the better quarterbacks in the league.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State – The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a safety in free agency, and that’s good because in this mock I have both top safeties already off of the board. Kevin Colbert has said they’re going to draft a receiver, and I think they take the tall playmaker from the National Champions who made the biggest offensive play of the game. Ben Roethlisberger has been asking for a tall receiver since the Steelers let Plaxico Burress walk after Roethlisberger’s rookie season. I think this is the year they 

finally acquiesce their franchise quarterback with this request.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh – The Cowboys are in need of a stud defensive tackle as they move from a 3-4 defensive alignment to a 4-3 which employees two defensive tackles. Donald is the smartest choice here for the Cowboys, who need to get better on that side of the ball in a division with Eli Manning (who had an off year), Chip Kelly’s Eagles, and Robert Griffin III. Donald can stuff the run and rush the passer from the DT position, making him a great choice for the Cowboys.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina – The Ravens traded away Anquan Boldin before last season. They paid Joe Flacco huge money, and left him with very little to work with, especially since TE Dennis Pitta injured his hip before the season started and missed most of it. In their Super Bowl season, many of Joe Flacco’s big players was throwing up prayers. Last season Flacco looked like the typical Joe Flacco, not the guy the Ravens thought they paid all that money to. Eric Ebron is a stud pass catching TE who could start right away, and also allow the Ravens to run two tight end sets which I think would be a big help to Joe Flacco.

18. New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR USC – The Jets need to surround either QB that starts for them, Geno Smith or Mike Vick, with some better talent than what Geno had a season ago. They added Eric Decker, but this offense needs more than just Decker if they want to get into the playoffs, much less win a game in the playoffs. Lee is fast, will force defenses to keep a safety up top, and can blow the lid off of defenses.

19. Miami Dolphins: Zach Martin, OT/G, Notre Dame – The Dolphins are in trouble on the offensive line after the bullying scandal that rocked the club last season. Gone are Richie Incognito and Jonathon Martin. They signed Branden Albert formerly of the Chiefs, but they have two positions on the right side currently open for starters because the two players that I said were gone were listed as starters on that side of the line a year ago. Zach Martin would fill one of the two holes, as he could play either tackle or guard.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Darqueze Dennnard, CB Michigan State – The Cardinals want another top-flight corner across from Patrick Peterson, and Dennard seems to fit well here. The Cardinals also want to go best player available, something their head coach learned from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dennard falls into that category as well. If he is gone, they may go offensive line with this pick.

21. Green Bay Packers: Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT Minesota – The Packers need more help on defense, and they want to get tough and quicker on the offensive line. Hageman could play DE in the base package and DT in the sub packages. He would be an instant starter for the Packers, who would be able to help the OLB’s get to the quarterback by taking up blocks.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Shazier, OLB Ohio State – The Packers had problems on defense last season, hell they had problems in their playoff loss. I don’t think there is a safety worth taking here, so I think they take Shazier who is a tackling machine and will turn the corner on the blitz. He could replace Connor Barwin at LOLB immediately.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State – The Chiefs might be a candidate to trade up ahead of Miami to take Martin of Notre Dame since they lost Albert in FA. Since I don’t predict trades, I have them taking the speedy WR from Oregon State because Alex Smith needs a speedy downfield receiver to be his best in this offense. Cooks will cause matchup problems and now allow defenses to stack the box against Jamaal Charles.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Dee Ford, DE Auburn – The Bengals lost Michael Johnson in free agency and they need another pass rusher. Ford can come in and help with that immediately. In the division you have three Super Bowl rings between Ben Roethlisberger (2) and Joe Flacco (1). The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990 either, getting to the quarterback can help break that skid.

25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix, DT Notre Dame – He falls to the Chargers, who need a nose tackle to anchor their 3-4 defense. He can play right away, taking up two blockers most of the time to help free up a linebacker to make a big splash play. The Chargers can then go linebacker or wide receiver in the second round, but there’s no way they pass up Nix if he falls to them. Their guy in New York should sprint that card up front.

26. Cleveland Browns: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG Notre Dame – The Cleveland Browns have a glaring hole at right guard, and they have nobody who is currently ready to step in and play. It’s not going to matter who plays quarterback for the Browns if they can’t protect their signal caller. This guy’s name is a mouth full, but he will provide protection for the quarterback and help open holes for new starting running back Ben Tate.

27. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech – The Saints need a CB who can start across from Keenan Lewis, so they draft Fuller to give them two young studs at the starting cornerback positions. Defense has never been the strongest side of the ball for the Saints, but they knew they need some playmakers in the secondary if they want to compete for and in the playoffs every year.

28. Carolina Panthers: Odell Beckham, WR LSU – The Panthers WR corps has turned into a joke. They signed Jericho Cotchery, but his ten touchdown season with the Steelers last year (a career high) is probably more of a fluke than a projection for future production. However, he is a heck of a possession receiver and should help. But outside of a guy who was a third receiver a year ago, they have nothing. That’s why I have them taking Beckham, or whoever is best available at this position. If they want to get the most out of Cam Newton, he needs weapons.

29. New England Patriots: Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech – The Patriots like big tight ends who can catch, and Amaro falls into exactly the mold they like. Gronk finished the season on IR once again, and they don’t really have anyone behind the oft-injured tight end. Enter Amaro, who will allow the Patriots to go back to the two tight end sets they used before Aaron Hernandez went to jail. Amaro will bring new wrinkles to the Patriots offense, making them that much harder to defend. Teams can’t defend Gronk, and Amaro would prove to be a challenge himself.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State – The 49ers not only got some surprisingly poor QB play towards the end of the NFC Championship Game, they also allowed the Seahawks to make plays at will. I am not impressed at all by their secondary, and while Roby had an up-and-down season at Ohio State, he’s a first round talent who the 49ers could use immediately.

31. Denver Broncos : David Yankey, OG Stanford – The Broncos could use some more beef up front, not just to protect Peyton Manning but to help bust open holes for the running attack so they can balance the offense. At 6’6” and 315 pounds, he’s a guy who could help where there’s a need on offense.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Kony Ealy, DE Missouri – Free agency hasn’t been good to the defending Super Bowl Champs, and it normally never is. The Seahawks lost Chris Clemmons, and they could lose Chris Avril after this season. Ealy can step right in and rush the passer on the defensive line for this team that plays a rough and mean defense, which is what won them the Super Bowl. 

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