And now, on Day 1 of the Draft, the final installment of Steelers Draft prospects. Again, these names come from reported visits, or mock drafts. Following the Draft's completion, I'll put up a similar post reviewing the actual Steelers picks, but with more analysis on my part of what they'll bring to the table.
WR Marqise Lee (USC)
6-0, 192lbs
2013: 57rec/791yds/4TDs
combine: 40- 4.52s, 38in vertical jump
He has very good athletic ability. Navigates through traffic and creates with the ball in his hand. He has terrific acceleration and short-area burst. A fine route runner, he understands how to manipulate coverage. He attacks the ball and has game-breaking return ability.
He doesn't break many tackles. Has some durability issues. He can do better securing the ball through traffic.
Young Steelers WRs usually lack route running ability, but Lee would bring that to the table.
NFL.com grade - 6.26 (instant starter)
CB Marcus Roberson (Florida)
6-0, 191lbs
2013: 9tckls
combine: 40- 4.61s, 8reps, 37.5in vertical jump
He transitions efficiently and shows nice plant and drive quickness. He flashes ball skills to break up plays. Punt-return experience.
Struggles with bigger and stronger receivers. He lacks elite top-end speed to keep up with burners. His route recognition is lacking. A poor tackler with durability issues.
Roberson would be a nice depth CB for the Steelers
NFL.com grade - 5.39 (back-up/special teams)
CB EJ Gaines (Missouri)
5-10, 190lbs
2013: 75tckls/5INTs
combine: 15reps
Fills aggressively and supports the run. Competes hard and brings energy to the field. Has good eyes and route recognition. Has a very good career production on the ball. A proven special teams coverage defender.
He plays a lot into the boundary. Shows some tightness in his hips. Has average transitional quickness, and lacks ideal burst and acceleration.
With his ability to step up and support the run, Gaines would be a nice mid-late rd fit for the Steelers
NFL.com grade - 5.24 (back-up/special teams)
DT Brent Urban (Virginia)
6-7, 295lbs
2013: 40tckls/1sck
Has stature on the defensive line. Has a large wing-span that enables him to disrupt passing lanes. Engages quickly off the snap. Can stack and shed or press single blocking and generate push.
He shows stiffness through his shoulders and torso. Still developing recognition and instincts. He's still learning blocking schemes. Needs to improve hand use. A vanilla pass rusher.
At DT, Urban would be a nice developing depth piece.
NFL.com grade - 5.27 (back-up/special teams)
ILB Avery Williamson (Kentucky)
6-1, 246lbs
2013: 102tckls/1sck
combine: 40- 4.66s, 25reps, 30.5in vertical jump
Plays with a good wide base. A very productive tackler. Accountable and commands respect. Can make all the calls and on-field adjustments.
Has average athletic ability and foot quickness. Struggles to disengage from blockers. Late to recognize and gets sucked up by playaction.
A good accountable LB with leadership qualities, would be a good fit
NFL.com grade - 5.27 (back-up/special teams)
QB Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech)
6-6, 248lbs
2013: 56.5 compl %, 2,907 pass yds, 16TDs
combine: 40- 4.61s, 35.5in vertical jump
Towers over the lane and has natural throwing lanes. He climbs the pocket and escapes. Generates velocity easily and can make all the throws. Tough and durable.
Has an uneven performance. Has inconsistent footwork and mechanics. Still developing touch and deep ball accuracy. Needs to expand field vision. Can be too careless with the football.
While the Steelers picked Landry Jones last yr, Thomas would be a good back-up QB to develop.
NFL.com grade - 5.41 (back-up/special teams)
OLB Shaquil Barrett (Colorado St)
6-1, 260lbs
2013: 80tckls/12scks/1INT
Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of thew Year
Has solid instincts. Flattens down the line and runs to the ball. Has good closing speed and pursuit protection. A strong tackler. Disciplined defending on the run.
Slow-footed with stiff hips and segmented with mechanical movement skills. A near liability in man coverage. Gets stuck on blocks too long.
Barrett would be a good late rd addition, would provide good depth with his disciplined defending in the run game.
NFL.com grade - 5.24 (back-up/special teams)
OG John Urschel (Penn St)
6-3, 313lbs
combine: 40- 5.31s, 30reps, 29in vertical jump
Campbell Trophy Winner
Engages quickly with good leverage, balance and body control. He works his feet and hips to position and seal. Protects with awareness. Has sparkling intangibles. Is well-versed in a pro style offense.
Lacks ideal size and plays short-armed. Not always explosive or powerful. He lets defenders cross his face and struggles to reach.
With his character, Urschel would be a good fit on the Steelers OL.
NFL.com grade - 5.26 (back-up/special teams)
OT Justin Britt (Missouri)
6-6, 325lbs
combine: 40- 5.19s, 23reps, 27.5in vertical jump
He's quick enough to cut off the outside rush and give help where its needed. Recognizes blitzes and displays good enough agility to adjust to movement.
He falls off blocks and doesn't finish. Limited body control and recovery speed. Is late to reach the block point on the second level. He doesn't create movement in the run game.
Britt would be a player to take a flier on in the late rounds, or as a undrafted FA.
NFL.com grade - 5.16 (better than average chance to make roster)
CB Ross Cockrell (Duke)
6-0, 191lbs
2013: 43tckls/3INTs
combine: 40- 4.56s, 10reps, 36.5in vertical jump
Good eyes, anticipation and awareness. Has good route recognition. Is quick and agile enough to handle dynamic receivers. Good leaping ability. Has jammer experience on special teams.
Has limited press strength to match up against bigger receivers. Allows separation at break point. Doesn't step up and take on blocks and his overall game lacks physicality.
Cockrell would be a good sleeper player with the Steelers, with good potential down the line.
NFL.com grade - 5.38 (back-up/special teams)
DT Beau Allen (Wisconsin)
6-2, 333lbs
2013: 20tckls/1.5scks
Honorable All-Big 10
Good initial thrust off the snap. Desirable mentality for the position. Gives terrific pursuit effort for a big man. He's tough and durable.
Has marginal value as a pass rusher. Ordinary bull rush. He plays too tall and is too easily engaged. Doesn't dominate single blocking. Struggles to change direction. Not an impactful playmaker.
Allen would be a name to watch potentially as an undrafted free agent.
NFL.com grade - 5.09 (better than average chance to make roster)
WR Martavis Bryant (Clemson)
6-4, 211lbs
2013: 42rec/828yds/7TDs
combine: 40- 4.42s, 16reps, 39in vertical jump
Has very good straight line separation speed. Fairly shifty after the catch. A good red-zone target (effective back-shoulder). Has return experience. Flashes ability to climb the ladder.
Has shaky hands. Not a polished route runner. Lacks the toughness to work the middle.
With his speed, Bryant would be a good depth WR and develop over time.
NFL.com grade - 5.32 (back-up/special teams)
And with that, let the Draft begin, and let the players fall where they may.
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