Round 3 Cameron Sutton and James Conner

Was hoping for Desmond King over Cameron Sutton but guessing they selected Sutton more because he can play on the outside. We still need a guy that can play that nickel corner position, and versatility to play safety is a plus. King would fit that role. Might be a bit of a homer, but one can hope right?

Anywho CB Cameron Sutton out of Tennessee was our first pick in the 3rd Round. Here's some highlights of his play at Tennessee:



Our second 3rd Rounder (Compensatory) selection was James Conner, RB, out of Pittsburgh. Conner's story is one most of us should be familiar with. If you're not familiar with James Conner I encourage you to read up on this kid. I'm very happy he'll be in Pittsburgh and while I personally would've gone defense again, I am very happy for James Conner that he'll be on our team. Conner and Bell will be a nice combination. Here's some highlights of Conner at Pitt:

Cameron Sutton imo was drafted as a nickel CB if anybody knows James Conner health it would be the Steelers.

James Conner not a true FB but could be a bigger stronger Rocky Bleier with Bell's running style like Franco could be a killer in the same backfield.

effyou515 wrote:

Cameron Sutton imo was drafted as a nickel CB if anybody knows James Conner health it would be the Steelers.

James Conner not a true FB but could be a bigger stronger Rocky Bleier with Bell's running style like Franco could be a killer in the same backfield.

Honestly I don't know a ton about Sutton so you're probably an expert on him compared to me!

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

effyou515 wrote:

Cameron Sutton imo was drafted as a nickel CB if anybody knows James Conner health it would be the Steelers.

James Conner not a true FB but could be a bigger stronger Rocky Bleier with Bell's running style like Franco could be a killer in the same backfield.

Honestly I don't know a ton about Sutton so you're probably and expert on him compared to me!

not really but the write ups are fluid hips!!! a little under size as slot WRs tend to be a little under size (Patriots*).

Sutton was voted all American his junior year as a kick returner by Sporting News and broke his ankle his senior season. The kid started a s freshman at Tenn and is a good cover corner, but might not be who the Steelers want in the way of run support.

Basically, they are going with Burns and Cockrell on the outside, will see if Golson is up to the level of 2 years ago and Sutton is more depth as a nickel corner. I was thinking they would go with Damonte Kazee as a nickel corner but they obviously had Sutton ranked higher and his kick return ability is something they can use.

I rewatched Sutton's combine workout and he is smooth in and out of his cuts. Has good hip turn and changes direction well. Also attacked the ball at highest point in the air and showed good hands.

Teez Tabor was right after him and Tabor looked more clunky than Sutton, with stiff hips and got too high so he wasn't able to transition well. Sutton's 40 time didn't look great, but he looks like a smooth athlete with good hands. I think a good prospect to play slot corner and can play outside with safety help deep. Nice pick IMO. (still wanted a TE)

Sutton is probably a first round pick in he came out as a Junior.

He'll battle for the slot CB position day 1.

BlackAndGold wrote:

Sutton is probably a first round pick in he came out as a Junior.

He'll battle for the slot CB position day 1.

If he was a 1st round prospect as a junior, he probably would have come out. I bet he heard reviews from NFL advisors and he was anywhere from 3rd to higher, so he decided to stay. He doesn't have the long speed to be considered a 1st round pick and is somewhat thin. Not a lot of NFL teams spending a 1st round pick on a slot CB.

Sutton posted better results as a freshman and sophomore. His 1 INT as a junior was a bit of a let down, so likely tried to rebound his senior year before injury.

This is a cool video on James Connor. Ben Boulware from Clemson says he is the toughest guy he played against in college. Every time he tackled Connor, it hurt.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000779669/Ben-Boulware-on-playing-against-James-Conner-He-s-a-warrior

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

BlackAndGold wrote:

Sutton is probably a first round pick in he came out as a Junior.

He'll battle for the slot CB position day 1.

If he was a 1st round prospect as a junior, he probably would have come out.  I bet he heard reviews from NFL advisors and he was anywhere from 3rd to higher, so he decided to stay.  He doesn't have the long speed to be considered a 1st round pick and is somewhat thin.  Not a lot of NFL teams spending a 1st round pick on a slot CB.

Sutton posted better results as a freshman and sophomore.  His 1 INT as a junior was a bit of a let down, so likely tried to rebound his senior year before injury.

I remember him getting a late first-early 2nd grade before returning. Like Desmond King, wanted to finish school.

This was a very deep CB crop. He's a 2nd rounder in most drafts. Smart kid, who plays well in press.

BlackAndGold wrote:

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

BlackAndGold wrote:

Sutton is probably a first round pick in he came out as a Junior.

He'll battle for the slot CB position day 1.

If he was a 1st round prospect as a junior, he probably would have come out.  I bet he heard reviews from NFL advisors and he was anywhere from 3rd to higher, so he decided to stay.  He doesn't have the long speed to be considered a 1st round pick and is somewhat thin.  Not a lot of NFL teams spending a 1st round pick on a slot CB.

Sutton posted better results as a freshman and sophomore.  His 1 INT as a junior was a bit of a let down, so likely tried to rebound his senior year before injury.

I remember him getting a late first-early 2nd grade before returning. Like Desmond King, wanted to finish school.

This was a very deep CB crop. He's a 2nd rounder in most drafts. Smart kid, who plays well in press.

OK, but just like Desmond King, all the homers had him as a first rounder, but when the stopwatch and tape measure got out it would be apparent that both are nickel corners and they lacked the speed, size, arm length to be a 1st round pick.

I like the pick of Sutton, but he is a slot corner who even got tried out at Safety in the Senior Bowl week. I think some wonder if he can get bigger and play FS in addition to nickel. Either way, I think we have a nickel CB in Sutton and Golson going forward. I mocked Kazee, but am very pleased with Sutton.

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

This is a cool video on James Connor.  Ben Boulware from Clemson says he is the toughest guy he played against in college.  Every time he tackled Connor, it hurt.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000779669/Ben-Boulware-on-playing-against-James-Conner-He-s-a-warrior

Gotta love Connor. Can't wait to see him on the field.

Steelers Depot is doing great work.

James Conner Was One Of The Most ‘Explosive’ FBS Runners In 2016

Watched some more Senior Bowl practice coverage of Sutton and a couple notables from the coverage.

-Mike Mayock likes him as a football player, but did mention "He is 5'11", 180lbs and has 29" long arms".

-Daniel Jeremiah really likes him as a football player too and thinks he is smart and instinctive. Also flexible as he plays the slot, can play outside and was even being used as a safety in practices. DJ said, I love him in off man where he can read the play and drive on the ball.

-Sutton understands route concepts from what I saw. in one on one drills, the WR stemmed him to the outside, but Sutton read that as being setup for a dig and when the WR cut inside, he undercut the route to break it up. In scrimmage, he was in the slot against OJ Howard and Howard ran a 5 yard out. Sutton sat on the route, made contact at 5 yards and undercut the route. The Cal QB underthrew the pass, which was good as Sutton was underneath the route.

Again, I think it takes time for him to get into a regular rotation, but pretty good stuff from the kid and I think will be a solid addition.

looks to me the Steelers getting better quality DBs now than in the past 15 years or so. imo is the reason Tomlin was made HC.

Cowher was more of a run stuffing front 7 guy.

BlackAndGold wrote:

Steelers Depot is doing great work.

James Conner Was One Of The Most ‘Explosive’ FBS Runners In 2016

Reminds me of Barry Foster. Not gonna break off 80 yard home runs, but the first guy will rarely bring him down. And after contact the legs never stop moving. I like his style.

So far the draft they did was really good in. Great things for the Steelers in 2017.

JPPT1974 wrote:

So far the draft they did was really good in. Great things for the Steelers in 2017.

Yes, if Ladarius Green comes back healthy it is fine. Otherwise we will still be questioning why they didn't take a TE in a very good draft for TE's. At least we got a rocket scientist at 3rd string QB

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

JPPT1974 wrote:

So far the draft they did was really good in. Great things for the Steelers in 2017.

Yes, if Ladarius Green comes back healthy it is fine.  Otherwise we will still be questioning why they didn't take a TE in a very good draft for TE's.   At least we got a rocket scientist at 3rd string QB

Well Green is gone, so I'm kind of thinking the same as you, why not take a TE in the draft? I guess they trust James/Grimble to hold it down. I think James and Grimble won't be asked to do as much with guys like Bryant and Schuster back in the mix at receiver.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

JPPT1974 wrote:

So far the draft they did was really good in. Great things for the Steelers in 2017.

Yes, if Ladarius Green comes back healthy it is fine.  Otherwise we will still be questioning why they didn't take a TE in a very good draft for TE's.   At least we got a rocket scientist at 3rd string QB

Well Green is gone, so I'm kind of thinking the same as you, why not take a TE in the draft? I guess they trust James/Grimble to hold it down. I think James and Grimble won't be asked to do as much with guys like Bryant and Schuster back in the mix at receiver.

Yeah, I think a TE just made so much more sense than Dobbs at that point, or even taking a TE instead of Connor and looking for somebody like Perine later on. They must have thought Green was going to be OK to come back. Oh, well...I am on the Gary Barnidge train, so lets see if it has any fuel.

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

El-Gonzo Jackson wrote:

JPPT1974 wrote:

So far the draft they did was really good in. Great things for the Steelers in 2017.

Yes, if Ladarius Green comes back healthy it is fine.  Otherwise we will still be questioning why they didn't take a TE in a very good draft for TE's.   At least we got a rocket scientist at 3rd string QB

Well Green is gone, so I'm kind of thinking the same as you, why not take a TE in the draft? I guess they trust James/Grimble to hold it down. I think James and Grimble won't be asked to do as much with guys like Bryant and Schuster back in the mix at receiver.

Yeah, I think a TE just made so much more sense than Dobbs at that point, or even taking a TE instead of Connor and looking for somebody like Perine later on.  They must have thought Green was going to be OK to come back.  Oh, well...I am on the Gary Barnidge train, so lets see if it has any fuel.

Count me in on that train as well. Barnidge played quite well with some horrible QBs in Cleveland, I'd like to see what that guy could do with Ben throwing the ball to him.