We get to pick at #17

I know it's early and many things can change but what do you guys think about this


The Pick: ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

The Manti Te'o wait is over.

Fans of the Notre Dame linebacker will surely be upset that he's still on the board here, but they should be glad to see him in a situation tailor-made for his talents. But why the fall down the board?

Te'o is a very good linebacker, no question, but his position isn't one of great need at the top of the draft this year. There are teams who could add a middle linebacker, but it's not the primary need for any team ahead of Pittsburgh.

Also (and this doesn't get mentioned enough), Te'o simply isn't a great athlete. He's not Patrick Willis. Instead, look for Te'o to run somewhere around a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash and perform about average in all agility tests at the combine.

Te'o had a brilliant year, and his character can't be questioned, but he's not the elite, all-world prospect that some have made him out to be. It's much more likely he's drafted in the 10-15 range and not the 5-10 range some are predicting.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/1461577-2013-nfl-mock-draft-full-first-round-predictions-with-final-draft-order/page/18

The problem with the draft analyst is that they always forget to factor in the x-factor. You know that team that wanted someone else, but then preferred a different player.

It would be great if he's available, but I can also see this team going with RB as the top pick.

I'm as far from being a draftnik as a person can be. But that doesn't stop me from weighing in with my thoughts.

If Te'o dropped to 17, I think whether the Steelers take him depends on how they feel about Spence. If they're confident that Spence can step in and fill the void, then selecting Te'o with their No. 1 seems like a wasted pick. However, if they're not confident that Spence can be the man, then Te'o would probably be the best pick.

It sounds crazy saying this considering we finished 8-8 and we stand to lose several veterans, but I don't think we have any immediate needs that are a concern for next season. I think we go best player available for depth and future need. I don't see a need to reach for any position.

Looking a year or two into the future, the positions I'm most concerned about are safety and outside linebacker. And of course corner if we can't re-sign Lewis.

Kenny Vaccaro SS. is the guy I got my eyes on I think we have to go saftey with this pick.

I love Troy and Ryan but we have to get ready for their departure. Let's face it, Troy missed more than he played the last 2-3 years. If they decide to put Spence in at Safety then ILB might be a later round consideration but not #1 in my opinion.

You're right SD, we certainly need to prepare ourselves for the departure of Polamalu and Clark. And finding a tandem that can work together like that is going to be a daunting task. Pile on the fact that some of our key front 7 are also well in to their senior playing years, doesn't make this draft any more fun.

However, it does make it a little easier for the first two rounds, knowing that we have such glaring needs.

don't know if he's 1st round but i like this player's size

David Amerson CB NC State 6'2" 194lbs

peojected 2-3 round

big corner to cover those big WRs he played safety in high school.



but my first round pick is

Jesse Williams DT Alabama 6'3" 320lbs

Alabama plays a 3-4 defense so the learning curve should be flat.

here is somthing interesting

Abry Jones DT Georgia 6'3" 308lbs

projected 5th round pick

a 5 technique defensive end Georgia plays a 3-4 defense.

Galax Steeler wrote:

Kenny Vaccaro SS. is the guy I got my eyes on I think we have to go saftey with this pick.

might be able to get him in the second round and what i've read this is a draft thats going to have a lot of good safeties in it.

LeVeon Bell RB Michigan State 6'2" 244lbs

projected 3-4 round

Michigan State runs a power run game offense so he might be the RB the Steelers are looking for.

effyou515 wrote:

but my first round pick is

Jesse Williams DT Alabama 6'3" 320lbs

Alabama plays a 3-4 defense so the learning curve should be flat.

I think with the emergence of steve mclendon we will not make that pick. I was thinking the same thing but the way Mclendon is playing I think we can go another direction with the 1st pick.

DeMarcus Milliner*, CB, Alabama
Height: 6-1. Weight: 182.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2013): Top 16

YES PLEASE

OR:

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2013): 1.

how about trading down in the 1st round and getting more draft picks?

effyou515 wrote:

how about trading down in the 1st round and getting more draft picks?

I have thought about that but if there is a top corner or safety when we pick then I say we should stay.

Drizztbob wrote:

OR:

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2013): 1.

I really like this kid, I would not mind seeing him in Black and Gold next year.

Galax Steeler wrote:

Kenny Vaccaro SS. is the guy I got my eyes on I think we have to go saftey with this pick.

Safety is the most important position that needs to be addressed in the upcoming draft. I'm less worried about James than I am Troy or Ryan for that matter.

17th pick is for losers

Quote :

17th pick is for losers

So is not making it to the superbowl for the hundreth time -- something you can tell us all about in February....

Gingerchip wrote:

Quote :

17th pick is for losers

So is not making it to the superbowl for the hundreth time -- something you can tell us all about in February....

Oh, I believe he'll be able to tell us something about that come Sunday