Just over on Walter's football site Charlie Campbell's 2 round 2013 mock is up -
1st round at 21: Sean Porter OLB Texas A&M
2nd round: Montee Ball RB Wisconsin
2 things I dont like - Sean Porter - 230 lbs.. Too lite in the arsh to take on OT's... wont need to bulk up... I like the converted larger DE's better... Second thing that I dont like.. drafting at 21 in the first? na - we'll be in the 30's
1 thing I do like - Montee Ball - at the back end of round 2 - great value for one of the best RB coming out.. It would have to be a later 2nd rounder for me... and even a move back... if he aint there he aint there... but mid 20's or lower if not - forget about it...
Just over on Walter's football site Charlie Campbell's 2 round 2013 mock is up - This mock draft is complete garbage. Having us picking at 21 instead of 32 and adding insult to injury the Ravens at 31 (when they will be alot worse) is just a slap int he face.
Our position isn't Campbell's biggest sin, even though apparently all the playoff teams except the Saints (popular failure pick) and Bengals (playoff team with the worst record last season) return to the playoffs;, and the Bears, who for whatever reason are this offseason's media darlings, are the team that replaces the Saints. And look! Packers win the Super Bowl! Creative overall re-assembly on Charlie's part.
What's actually worse than that is the fact that Charlie gives us Sean MFing Porter and gives the Jets T.J. McDonald two picks later. McDonald is my current pick for us in the first round, and he would fill a FAR greater need than Porter would. I strongly believe the Steelers wouldn't pick Porter while passing on McDonald, which displays that Charlie doesn't know the Steelers' drafting methods that well.
Walter football has 2013 mock out, two rounds, I have a few issues in general, draft related, many more issues on a personal level.
First off Matt Phartley as the #1 overall, EXCUSE ME but watch him FAIL at the next level. I just sniff more Jimmy Clausen-like skill set and similar size and build. No a NFL Qb does not have to be 6-5 245, but at least the guys shoulders should be big enough to hold a set of golf clubs without sliding down hiis arm, if you catch my drift. Another reason the Browns went with Brandon Weeden, and are shopping Twig McCoy who is BRITTLE and has a slight build. This is not to say a QB can be smaller, but I think Russell Wilson might end up surpising some folks. Not really sure on Kellem Moore, his arm strength may not be off-set buy his early throws on timing routes. Give an NFL Defensive Coordiantor time to watch film and the DB's will feast on his early throws.
Second gripe is Tyrann Mathieu at #8. This guy is a muckin' fidget. I would never use a top 10 pick on someone who is built like an Oompa Loompa. Is he a game changer, YES, but at the NCAA level, the pros are much bigger and faster. MJD is the exception, not the rule, he is very solid, but short.
Keep your eyes on Star Lotulelei out of Utah, kid is a monster, Walt has him going very early (#7), along with Barkevious Mingo (#2). Star is not the only NT in round one, he has Jessie Williams, Alabama, going to the Pastry Meats @ 31,
I do like the Steelers pick, Manti Te'o but not sure I agree with picking 26th...
which displays that Charlie doesn't know the Steelers' drafting methods that well. JACK CHIT.
fixed it demo.
One thing I am pretty confident in saying, David Amerson may be the best DB coming out since Woodson. (either one).
I think Charlie the Tuna also is over-valuing marginal OT talent and not pushing the QB's up high enough. What has happenned is that the plug and play OT are just as big a risk as the QB, but the upside is that you can win with a mediocre OT but not with a run of the mill QB. The real SHOCK is not the Steelers picking behind the JEST, Broncos, and Lions, it's who they pass on a @ 21 to take an OLB best suited for the 4-3, Taking Sean Porter over: TJ McDonald, Manti Te'o, and Marcus Lattimore is mind boggling to say the least. Round 2 okay Montee Ball, but if they took Lattimore in the first, then why not Eric Reid in round two if they pass on McDonald. I just don't see Colbert's board not having Lattimore. McDonald and Te'o fairly high up. 2013 will also be a bumper crop of DB's so unlike 2012 the Safeties will not be over-drafted. (Harrison and Barron and a super reach in Tavon Wilson) I mean Jeebus Tavon Wilson was almost as weird as The Crypt Keeper taking Mike Mitchell at 47. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
I would like to propose a better method at looking at prospects and to gain more knowledge and have actual tape on prospects coming out of college.
I know basically right now we only have the seniors that are definate locks to enter the draft, but you can always guesstimate what juniors are going to make the jump.
We usually assign positions to anyone on here that is interested and displays determination towards the draft, and the assignments are usually assigned after the college season is over. That leaves some of us scrambling for tape on the prospects. I propose that we assign positions before the season that way we have certain draftnuts concentrated on a certain position and also there can be more than 1 draftnut assigned to a position and those that have that position can evaluate the talent of a player amonst themselves and can rate a player more accurately with 2 or 3 sets of eyes rather than just 1, It can be a bit overwhelming to dive head first into an entire position, plus I myself have a DVR option and am able to record games of the players that I'm going to look at that week.
I will look at DB's, both Safety and Cornerback. And yes Tyronn Mathieu is over-rated, will not be a great pro. He is Cortland Finnegan but without NFL size.
If you don't mind I'd like to take RB's this year.
As for Montee Ball, this year is going to be telling for him, he's had a monster O-line to run behind for a couple years. I want to see him run behind some freshman or 1st time starters and see if he still puts up the production.
While Ndamukong Suh was tearing up the Big 12 a few years back, a sophomore defensive tackle right next to him was making his own name for himself. However Jared Crick hasn't had the same type of impact since Suh left Lincoln and there are strong concerns about where he will play at the next level. After missing the second half of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle, Crick looked very average in his pre-draft workouts, especially with the 40-yard dash (4.95) and bench press (26). And at 6-4, 280 pounds with shorter arms (32"), he has a tweener skill-set creates concern about where he will "fit" at the next level. Crick stays balanced and fights with a relentless attitude, but plays too high and isn't a natural bender, losing the leverage battle. Once thought to be a candidate to sneak into the first round, Crick's draft stock is currently moving in the other direction.
This is what Dane Bugphuccer had to say why Jared Crick was a faller on the last riser/faller list. Go back a few months and I think we all knew this anyhow. Crick benefited from playing next to Suh., Injuries aside, they no longer had to concentrate on Suh and could focus on Crick, pretty simple math.
Here is another perspective on the top 50 players for the 2013 draft.
Alabama has 5 players on this top 50 list. Demo was signing the praises of Barret Jones already, his versatilty will either help or hurt him. Some teams like the Steelers who only dress 7 OL love this type of player. Other teams want or need a pro ready guy who is a plug and play person at one OL position. They will ask is he a OG or OT or an OC and it could give Jones mixed reviews from the scouts. It's early but my target would be Manti Te'o based on BPA and the void left by Farrior. It depends on what teams need a MLB or ILB next April. I am not sure how much gas Larry Foote has in the tank and how far along Sly is. I am in the minority, but I thnk Spence will be a core ST player and maybe a starter in a few years, maybe. Te'o already has the thump you need. HIs pass coverage skills will be fun to grade. Watch Notre Dame this year, they are on a tv a lot.
Not sure if you guys saw this.. But Rolando McClain ILB Radiers - kid we were high on last year - sentenced to 180 days of jail time.. sheez... What is it with some of these knuckleheads? On the other end - L.McCoy signed a new deal with the Eagles - very Gracious and appreciative... some get it - some dont...
That is why CHARACTER is so important in this process. Some guys I want written off for character flaws become a battle in the group. I am very quick to toss out trouble makers, sort of the bouncer of the war board. I am also not a fan of shrimp salad, aka Spence and Rainey, time will tell. I just hope John MItchell can keep "Moo" motivated and eventually become the next Bigger Snack.
Teams that passed on Alemeda Ta'amu I hope they regret it, however 2013 looks like the year to draft your NT, lots of upper talent on the board, early in the game. Of course injuries and crappy play can change all of that. Should be a good camp, I really like the depth at DL now, no so much S, ILB, or OLB however...
It's early in the drafting process, but I was wondering if you guys thought Sean Porter could be an ILB in our defense. That's where we will need help next offseason - not at OLB, provided James Harrison doesn't retire. I may end up watching him this season to make sure of it myself.
Also, I was gonna take the safeties myself this season NY, but you can have them if you want them. I'll get back to you with my position soon.
I was taking DB's, but I can take another position, the sesason does not start for 3 months plus. Forget David Amerson, top ten talent, and I am not sold on Ray Ray Armstrong and his fluidity. We had one CB in the 6-3/6-4 range years ago, he's in the HOF. He was so good, they changed the ruless so he could not beat the dcrap out of people at the LOS.
I thing NT would be an interesting position to cover, but I don't see Pittsburgh taking anyone in round one with McClendon and now Ta'amu on the roster. Sure, BPA unless you already have good depth. I really like the depth at DL now, with Al Woods and Corbin Bryant the Dark Horses, or unkowns.
For years some of us, a lot of us, p1ssed and moaned about ignoring the OL in the draft. Then they were ignoring NT..... seems like Colbert knows what he's doing. In 3 of the first four picks he took and OG, OT, and NT. I also think year 4 is a make or break season for Ziggy Hood. Honestly I think he is a talented player but is more of a natural DT in a 4-3 scheme, just my $0.02. The Steelers rarely draft low enough to get top OL talent, but sometimes luck works too.
My best guess for the dozen teams that passed on DeCastro and took someone else, it's going to come back and bite them in January some year. When the snow is flying and the ground turns to frozen mud, DeCastro is going to be kicking a$$ and taking names. All these finese teams with the dink and dunk may never get enought TOP to play catch up. 3 yards, a cloud of dust, and 30 seconds of the clock. Everyone is writing off John Clay, not me. I think he has some thump and special teams value, his first NFL carry was a TD, me thinks there is more to come. Dwyer if he comes into camp in shape, could make some noise, I'll let Kirby Wilson figure that out.
