Week 3 FA, Steelers Mock Draft (updated with comps)

After watching the pro days, and the FA invites, etc I have come to the conclusion that this draft could only be built in 2 ways.  CB then WR or WR then CB.  I also took another hard look at the roster for 2014 and the potential for losing some of those players in 2015.  The mock below was built on the premise that A. Blount would be signed (done) and B. Worilds doesnt sign an extension by May 8th.

Below is a merged mock as only the 15th and 46th picks differ from one another, while the rest of each mock maintains the same.  The As are my first choice with Bs being second.

That said, with the 15th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select...

15A Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State- once again history shows we pick Big 10 or SEC most of the time in the 1st and 2nd rounds under Tomlin.  Colbert and Tomlin attended the Michigan State pro day as well as took Benjamin to dinner.  The only other time I recall that happening was last year with MT and Colbert took Bell and Dion Sims to dinner.  Bell was picked in the 2nd round (as I predicted) and the Dolphins snuck in 4 picks ahead of us in the 4th and took Sims.  Bastards.  Needless to say, DD is a 6 foot 4.4 36 in vert press CB from the Big 10.  And a captain to boot.  And I think he is at the top of our board with the likes of Gilbert, Evans, Ebron and Benjamin behind him.  Oh, and yes hes also a captain.

15B Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M- here is the player that allows us to follow suit in drafting a junior offensive player.  While Evans has size his speed is adequate, not necessarily fast.  His route running si fine, and yes he has played with an improvisational QB.  But its his ego that troubles me.

46A Donte Moncrief, WR Ole Miss- just the pick Ben wants and needs.  Unlike Wallace, also from Ole Miss, Donte is tight with his routes, also runs a 4.4, but he knows the entire route tree.  This aint no one trick pony.

46B Jaylen Watkins, CB Florida- I was so excited to see that not only did MT and Colbert attend the Gator PD, but Lake was also there.  Watkins proved in the combine that he has the body, athleticism, back pedal and speed to play int he NFL.  (As the brother of Sammy Watkins, his blood line doesnt hurt either)  But the thing that I think will be a long lasting edge for Jaylen with us is his team first mentaility.  In 2013 he played CB with Evans and Elam both left for the draft with little behind them at Florida.  Watkins offered to move to safety and played very very well.  That same conversation was had by Lake in his career in the NFL.  Watkins knew what would be best for the team probably wouldnt grab the attention of scouts, etc, but he knew the team needed him.  So he did it. He is also a captain.

97 (COMP) Ryan Carrethers, NT Arkansas State- while I could find proof of us as the Razorbacks PD, I cant find anything linking us to Ryan.  Other that the schools history.  They employed a young WR by the name of Michael Tomlin and installed him as their 2ndary coach years back.  Since then hes drafted another Red Wolf in DJ Johnson.  Weve proven we need a true 0 tech, and even the recent signing of Cam Thomas, only for 2 years, doesnt mean the 26 year old Fangupo is hanging onto a spot (never dressed).  A mid round pick is the norm for MT to draft DTs lately as the drunk TaAmu was a 4th rounder.  Further reviews show Ryan to be the 4-5th best true NT in the draft.

118 Prince Shembo, OLB Notre Dame- Whether or not Worilds signs an extension is actually irrelevant as the depth behind he and Jones is now only Carter (bust) and Moats.  Though the moats deal is only for 1 year.  The thing we missed re JJ was his size and speed.  Colbert over assumed his understanding fo the 34 would allow those 2 things to not be a problem.  While he did start, 1 sack is shitty.  Enter the Prince.  Some things that Shembo has that JJ does not- speed, size, power, and position flexibility.  Actually the only thing they have in common is the fact they both played in a 30 front in college.  MT and Colbert attended the ND pro day.

157 Taylor Hart, DE Oregon- UPDATE- I found an article where Hart went into detail about working out for Coach Tomlin and the staff at the Combine.  To say I was geeked is an understatement.  Now we just need the Eagles to make a mistake and miss him in the 4th round as this is the highest I can see us addressing the DE spot.  Also, after looking deeper into whats separated Cam Heyward from other recent 5 tech attempts (and failures) I whittled it down to knowledge of the position, use in the game plan, and overall stats.  The knocked a large number of DEs from the middle of the draft right off my board.  Take a minute to compare the career stats of Cam and Hart.  Almost a match.  A recent stellar PD requires us to grab him early, but his familiarity in the position could also allow him playing time.  At least on rotation.  And another captain.  And yes, a team captain.

173 (COMP) Crockett Gillmore, TE Colorado State- Ive always been a fan of the Georgia TE Lynch, but after looking over the history of the 6-8th TE being picked by the end of the 3rd round, I had to abandon him.  Thankfully Gillmore has similar stats and build, though maybe a better inline blocker.  Either way, Im hoping Coach Porter puts in a good word.  He did have a minor hammy tweak in his pro day.  Yup, a captain.

192 Ross Cockrell, CB Duke- As we really only have 1 CB after 2014 being Gay we do need to draft 2 CBs.  As the former bust Curtis Brown proved, some of the 2ndary dont need to necessarily be position flexible as long as theyre strong in special teams.  Thats totally Ross.  Size, speed, hands and a ST gunner.  Colbert loved the DBs in the Shrine game and attended his pro day.  And yet another captain.

215 (COMP) Wesley Johnson, OL Vanderbilt- The addition fo Wallace allows us to not really worry so much over the interior Oline, however this is Gilberts last year and Adams still sucks.  Johnson has the size, athleticism and history starting at RT LT and LG in a zone blocking scheme.  We also worked him out at the Vandy pro day.  Captain, yes.

230 Henry Josey, RB Mizzou- here is the 3rd down speed back that we now need thanks to the recent deal with LeGarrett Blount.  This kid can also return kicks.  He is a junior, at 5'9 195 he fits the mold for what MT and Colbert have been looking at.  If not for an injury this year he would easily be a 2-3 round pick.  Finally, another team captain.

UDFAs-

Richardson, DB Arizona- Total DB that can flex to CB or Safety with height and speed.
Bryant, OL Youngstown State- flexible OL for any of the 5 spots on the oline.
Ramsey, DE Boston College- MTs required local kid selection.