Mel Kiper has Steelers drafting ILB Rashaan Evans in 1st Mock Draft

Kiper has Steelers drafting ILB Rashaan Evans in 1st Mock Draft

Kiper has the Steelers taking a linebacker in the first round for the fifth time in the past six years.

Bryan DeArdo

"The big looming question for the Steelers is Ryan Shazier's future, and no one knows if he'll play again," Kiper wrote. "Even if he returns, though, the Steelers need depth at linebacker. Evans is versatile enough to play inside or outside, and he had 15 career sacks at Alabama, where he often played on the edge and blitzed. He is a perfect fit in the middle of a modern-day defense -- he can play every down."

Despite finishing in the top-5 in several NFL rankings, Pittsburgh's defense struggled without Shazier, allowing an average of 132 rushing yards per game after losing their Pro Bowl linebacker 13 weeks into the 2017 season.

to read rest of article:

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Bolt/Kiper-has-Steelers-drafting-ILB-Rashaan-Evans-in-1st-Mock-Draft-113884271

How accurate has Kiper been with Steeler picks?

schillah wrote:

How accurate has Kiper been with Steeler picks?

About as accurate as Kordell Stewart back in the day.

Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 prospects for 2018 NFL Draft

By Daniel Jeremiah
NFL Media analyst
Jan. 26, 2018

RANK 27

Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Evans is a versatile, playmaking linebacker. He moved all over the field in the Alabama defense. He aligned off the ball in the middle of the defense, stood up outside and even occasionally put his hand in the ground as a defensive end in pass-rush situations. Against the run, he's a tick late to key/read, but once he makes up his mind, he closes in a hurry. He runs right through blockers and if he doesn't make the tackle, he creates a pileup to slow down the ball carrier. He has outstanding speed to range sideline to sideline. He will miss an occasional tackle in space because he rarely breaks down, instead looking for the big hit. In coverage, he can easily mirror tight ends and backs. He will even match up in the slot at times. He isn't a polished pass rusher, but he can win with pure speed and effort. Overall, Evans is a tone-setter on defense and his versatility is a huge asset.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000909727/article/daniel-jeremiahs-top-50-prospects-for-2018-nfl-draft

Kiper and Jeremiah are just guessing. Well so much for guessing indeed. Just take a wait and see attitude.

I can still see the Steelers going QB in the 1st Round if the guy they want is available. Definitely going to be an interesting draft this year. Should really be a defense-heavy draft.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I can still see the Steelers going QB in the 1st Round if the guy they want is available. Definitely going to be an interesting draft this year. Should really be a defense-heavy draft.

I don't know. Is there any QB in this draft worth a #1 pick? Lamar Jackson : Lamar Jackson*, QB, Louisville
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Jackson has an amazing skill set with a powerful arm that allows him to make throws off platform that many NFL quarterbacks couldn't even dream of making. He is tough in the pocket, knows his scheme well, and has amazing athleticism and speed as a runner. Jackson looks like a taller and right-handed version of Michael Vick. Some team sources feel that Jackson is being undervalued similarly to Deshaun Watson a year ago.

In speaking with a general manager who scouted Jackson this season, they said, "[The Cardinals] depend on him too much, and he's trying to do it all. I think he has a learning curve. He will need the right system and right coach, but he's super-talented. [Jackson] suffers with accuracy issues."

In 2017, Jackson completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry on the ground on his way to 1,601 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

7/17/17: Jackson set college football on fire in 2016 while winning the Heisman Trophy. He was a massive point-producer for the Cardinals. Jackson completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,543 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions on the year. He also ran for 21 touchdowns and 1,571 yards while averaging six yards per carry.

Jackson has a good athletic skill set, but will need to show more accuracy and pocket-passing skills in 2017. He also faces some size concerns and needs to add weight. Teams do feel that Jackson has a ton of athletic ability and upside to grow. He also has gotten good early reviews for his character, leadership and toughness.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

and Baker Mayfield:image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Oklahoma_logo.gif
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes in 2017 for 4,627 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had five rushing touchdowns. Mayfield led Oklahoma to an impressive road win at Ohio State, lost a shootout at home to Iowa State, and led the Sooners to an epic win over Oklahoma State, in which Mayfield threw for 598 yards on the Cowboys. Mayfield accepted an invitation to play at the Senior Bowl, which was a smart move as he is very likely to help himself by participating in Mobile.

There is a lot to like about Mayfield's play for the NFL. He is a gritty gunslinger quarterback who has an "it factor" to his game. Mayfield doesn't have a strong arm, but it is good enough to make the throws required in the NFL. One of Mayfield's most impressive strengths as a passer is being able to locate the ball well and throw receivers open. He is very good with his timing and trajectory on passes to hit receivers on the run and set them up for lots of yards after the catch. Mayfield is very skilled to loft in touch passes downfield and throws a very catchable ball. He can be an accurate passer with superb ball placement.

Mayfield has excellent mobility to dodge sacks, escape pressure, extend plays with his feet, and throws well on the run. He also can pick up critical yards on the ground and adds the value of being a dangerous threat on third-and-short or third-and-manageable.

Mayfield is undersized for the NFL with just average arm strength. He can have issues reading defenses because of his height, throwing into tight windows, and will have a big adjustment in learning to work under center, call plays, and operate a pro-style offense. One big area of improvement for Mayfield is his footwork as he gets happy feet in the pocket. One college scouting director told me that Mayfield's feet are terrible. In speaking to multiple teams, they had second-day grades on Mayfield, but that doesn't mean he won't go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

7/17/17: In 2016, Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards with 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He picked up six rushing touchdowns as well. Improving his field vision, feel, and pocket passing are necessary for Mayfield to have any chance of being an early round prospect. He is a good college quarterback, but not a pro-caliber signal-caller.

Mayfield stepped up in 2015 and carried the Sooners late in the season as they earned a spot in the college playoff. He was a Heisman finalist as he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mayfield also ran for 405 yards with seven scores.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

may be there.

solardave wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I can still see the Steelers going QB in the 1st Round if the guy they want is available. Definitely going to be an interesting draft this year. Should really be a defense-heavy draft.

I don't know. Is there any QB in this draft worth a #1 pick? Lamar Jackson : Lamar Jackson*, QB, Louisville
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Jackson has an amazing skill set with a powerful arm that allows him to make throws off platform that many NFL quarterbacks couldn't even dream of making. He is tough in the pocket, knows his scheme well, and has amazing athleticism and speed as a runner. Jackson looks like a taller and right-handed version of Michael Vick. Some team sources feel that Jackson is being undervalued similarly to Deshaun Watson a year ago.

In speaking with a general manager who scouted Jackson this season, they said, "[The Cardinals] depend on him too much, and he's trying to do it all. I think he has a learning curve. He will need the right system and right coach, but he's super-talented. [Jackson] suffers with accuracy issues."

In 2017, Jackson completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry on the ground on his way to 1,601 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

7/17/17: Jackson set college football on fire in 2016 while winning the Heisman Trophy. He was a massive point-producer for the Cardinals. Jackson completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,543 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions on the year. He also ran for 21 touchdowns and 1,571 yards while averaging six yards per carry.

Jackson has a good athletic skill set, but will need to show more accuracy and pocket-passing skills in 2017. He also faces some size concerns and needs to add weight. Teams do feel that Jackson has a ton of athletic ability and upside to grow. He also has gotten good early reviews for his character, leadership and toughness.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

and Baker Mayfield:image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Oklahoma_logo.gif
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes in 2017 for 4,627 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had five rushing touchdowns. Mayfield led Oklahoma to an impressive road win at Ohio State, lost a shootout at home to Iowa State, and led the Sooners to an epic win over Oklahoma State, in which Mayfield threw for 598 yards on the Cowboys. Mayfield accepted an invitation to play at the Senior Bowl, which was a smart move as he is very likely to help himself by participating in Mobile.

There is a lot to like about Mayfield's play for the NFL. He is a gritty gunslinger quarterback who has an "it factor" to his game. Mayfield doesn't have a strong arm, but it is good enough to make the throws required in the NFL. One of Mayfield's most impressive strengths as a passer is being able to locate the ball well and throw receivers open. He is very good with his timing and trajectory on passes to hit receivers on the run and set them up for lots of yards after the catch. Mayfield is very skilled to loft in touch passes downfield and throws a very catchable ball. He can be an accurate passer with superb ball placement.

Mayfield has excellent mobility to dodge sacks, escape pressure, extend plays with his feet, and throws well on the run. He also can pick up critical yards on the ground and adds the value of being a dangerous threat on third-and-short or third-and-manageable.

Mayfield is undersized for the NFL with just average arm strength. He can have issues reading defenses because of his height, throwing into tight windows, and will have a big adjustment in learning to work under center, call plays, and operate a pro-style offense. One big area of improvement for Mayfield is his footwork as he gets happy feet in the pocket. One college scouting director told me that Mayfield's feet are terrible. In speaking to multiple teams, they had second-day grades on Mayfield, but that doesn't mean he won't go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

7/17/17: In 2016, Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards with 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He picked up six rushing touchdowns as well. Improving his field vision, feel, and pocket passing are necessary for Mayfield to have any chance of being an early round prospect. He is a good college quarterback, but not a pro-caliber signal-caller.

Mayfield stepped up in 2015 and carried the Sooners late in the season as they earned a spot in the college playoff. He was a Heisman finalist as he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mayfield also ran for 405 yards with seven scores.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

may be there.

I still like Joshua Allen, though the hype and potential he presents may lead to him getting drafted very high. Hard to say. Depends on where the other QBs go. I think Cleveland could potentially go QB at #1, or that they may take Saquon Barkley. The Giants could also potentially take a QB, as could the Broncos, and the Jets. A lot of QB hungry teams in this draft. I'd love to see Allen fall in our lap, but it's probably a longshot. I know the Steelers also showed an interest in Sam Darnold. They sent scouts to watch Allen, and Darnold play this year. Some mocks out there have the Steelers taking Lamar Jackson, I guess that wouldn't surprise me as Tomlin has shown an affinity for drafting dual threat types of quarterbacks. I just don't like those kinds of QBs because they seem to flake out more often than not.

I think the other possibility is going ILB with the first pick. Someone like Rashaan Evans would be a nice fit for our defense.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I can still see the Steelers going QB in the 1st Round if the guy they want is available. Definitely going to be an interesting draft this year. Should really be a defense-heavy draft.

I don't know. Is there any QB in this draft worth a #1 pick? Lamar Jackson : Lamar Jackson*, QB, Louisville
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Jackson has an amazing skill set with a powerful arm that allows him to make throws off platform that many NFL quarterbacks couldn't even dream of making. He is tough in the pocket, knows his scheme well, and has amazing athleticism and speed as a runner. Jackson looks like a taller and right-handed version of Michael Vick. Some team sources feel that Jackson is being undervalued similarly to Deshaun Watson a year ago.

In speaking with a general manager who scouted Jackson this season, they said, "[The Cardinals] depend on him too much, and he's trying to do it all. I think he has a learning curve. He will need the right system and right coach, but he's super-talented. [Jackson] suffers with accuracy issues."

In 2017, Jackson completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry on the ground on his way to 1,601 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

7/17/17: Jackson set college football on fire in 2016 while winning the Heisman Trophy. He was a massive point-producer for the Cardinals. Jackson completed 56 percent of his passes for 3,543 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions on the year. He also ran for 21 touchdowns and 1,571 yards while averaging six yards per carry.

Jackson has a good athletic skill set, but will need to show more accuracy and pocket-passing skills in 2017. He also faces some size concerns and needs to add weight. Teams do feel that Jackson has a ton of athletic ability and upside to grow. He also has gotten good early reviews for his character, leadership and toughness.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

and Baker Mayfield:image: http://walterfootball.com/college/Oklahoma_logo.gif
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
1/22/18: Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes in 2017 for 4,627 yards with 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had five rushing touchdowns. Mayfield led Oklahoma to an impressive road win at Ohio State, lost a shootout at home to Iowa State, and led the Sooners to an epic win over Oklahoma State, in which Mayfield threw for 598 yards on the Cowboys. Mayfield accepted an invitation to play at the Senior Bowl, which was a smart move as he is very likely to help himself by participating in Mobile.

There is a lot to like about Mayfield's play for the NFL. He is a gritty gunslinger quarterback who has an "it factor" to his game. Mayfield doesn't have a strong arm, but it is good enough to make the throws required in the NFL. One of Mayfield's most impressive strengths as a passer is being able to locate the ball well and throw receivers open. He is very good with his timing and trajectory on passes to hit receivers on the run and set them up for lots of yards after the catch. Mayfield is very skilled to loft in touch passes downfield and throws a very catchable ball. He can be an accurate passer with superb ball placement.

Mayfield has excellent mobility to dodge sacks, escape pressure, extend plays with his feet, and throws well on the run. He also can pick up critical yards on the ground and adds the value of being a dangerous threat on third-and-short or third-and-manageable.

Mayfield is undersized for the NFL with just average arm strength. He can have issues reading defenses because of his height, throwing into tight windows, and will have a big adjustment in learning to work under center, call plays, and operate a pro-style offense. One big area of improvement for Mayfield is his footwork as he gets happy feet in the pocket. One college scouting director told me that Mayfield's feet are terrible. In speaking to multiple teams, they had second-day grades on Mayfield, but that doesn't mean he won't go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

7/17/17: In 2016, Mayfield completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards with 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He picked up six rushing touchdowns as well. Improving his field vision, feel, and pocket passing are necessary for Mayfield to have any chance of being an early round prospect. He is a good college quarterback, but not a pro-caliber signal-caller.

Mayfield stepped up in 2015 and carried the Sooners late in the season as they earned a spot in the college playoff. He was a Heisman finalist as he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,700 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Mayfield also ran for 405 yards with seven scores.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2018QB.php#QZIGrccyGVMqwFPE.99

may be there.

I still like Joshua Allen, though the hype and potential he presents may lead to him getting drafted very high. Hard to say. Depends on where the other QBs go. I think Cleveland could potentially go QB at #1, or that they may take Saquon Barkley. The Giants could also potentially take a QB, as could the Broncos, and the Jets. A lot of QB hungry teams in this draft. I'd love to see Allen fall in our lap, but it's probably a longshot. I know the Steelers also showed an interest in Sam Darnold. They sent scouts to watch Allen, and Darnold play this year. Some mocks out there have the Steelers taking Lamar Jackson, I guess that wouldn't surprise me as Tomlin has shown an affinity for drafting dual threat types of quarterbacks. I just don't like those kinds of QBs because they seem to flake out more often than not.

I think the other possibility is going ILB with the first pick. Someone like Rashaan Evans would be a nice fit for our defense.

I think Mayfield would be there. I feel the same way about Jackson.

after another under achieving season , i gotta think tomlin is feeling the pressure to hand mr rooney another lombardi. the team is built to win now, and that window is getting smaller. shaziers injury forces their hand to go ILB in round one unless they can find someone in free agency. they don't have the luxury to take a qb project with their first pick.

bet there are a few OLBs in the draft who will make good 3-4 ILBs in the NFL pick up a free agent ILB this offseason. so the Steelers might not have to go ILB in the first round.

Shazier, not only his on field athletic talent he also called all defensive plays his injury was a big hit to the defense so you can't but all the post Shazier bad defensive all on the coaches.

The more I think about this... I think they're definitely going to go ILB in the first round. This should be a defense-heavy draft. They're in win-now mode. Need to fix the holes in the defense if we want to win another title.

1. ILB
2. FS
3. NT (Big Snack prototype are there any out there?)
4. TE
5 OLB

I think one of the biggest problems is since Hampton left we have not had a big run stuffing NT that commanded to be double teamed. Hampton was a lynch pin to making the 3-4 Defense work and after he left we never picked up another Hampton prototype. We tried with McCullers but he didn’t pan out. Hargrave doesn’t have the size to warrant being double teamed allowing Tuit and Hayward to get doubled often.

When the 3-4 Defense is at it’s best it has a monster playing NT.

If Roquan Smith, Edmunds or Evans should fall into their lap they shouldn't hesitate. These are the only ILB's worth taking in the first round, although I like Leighton Vander Esch a lot. He probably will be gone somewhere in the middle of the second round, but they could trade down and grab him early in the second. I absolutely don't like Malik Jefferson.

Other possibilities in the first round: Ronnie Harrison, Lamar Jackson, Dallas Goedert, Vita Vea, Sam Hubbard, Okoronkwo, a RB if Bell is gone

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers seven-round mock draft: Feb. 14

RAY FITTIPALDO
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/02/14/ray-fittipaldo-steelers-mock-draft-Rashaan-Evans-Ronnie-Harrison-Quin-Blanding-DeShon-Elliott-Josey-Jewell-Daesean-Hamilton/stories/201802140045

I would like the Steelers in the first round draft BPA that is Watt I think

watched the Steelers 3-4 d front turn a hybrid 3-4, 4-3 didn't work . maybe Art II and Tomlin have been working together on a new 4-3 d front.

can't change over night.

Yeah as Steelers are indeed better off with 3-4 there. 4-3 Indeed di not work.

Hawaii 5-0 wrote:

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers seven-round mock draft: Feb. 14

RAY FITTIPALDO
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/02/14/ray-fittipaldo-steelers-mock-draft-Rashaan-Evans-Ronnie-Harrison-Quin-Blanding-DeShon-Elliott-Josey-Jewell-Daesean-Hamilton/stories/201802140045

Cedric Wilson Jr! He is the key! lmao

I looked at 5 different mocks. 4 of them have Evans going to the Raiders. Here is what I think: Colbert and Tomlin have made a list of needs. They will pick BPA based on these needs. I think ILB probably sits at the top. Really this draft for us depends on Bell. If he goes and we get 2-#1s do we get one of them in this draft? If so we could use it to move up and get a player they really want. It's already been said but this is going to be an interesting draft.

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft. And not just one pick, but two. Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first. With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

stlrtruck wrote:

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft.  And not just one pick, but two.  Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first.  With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

Agreed.

solardave wrote:

stlrtruck wrote:

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft.  And not just one pick, but two.  Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first.  With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

Agreed.

No way Roquan Smith is there in the 20's. My son and I met him at this year's Nagurski awards and found him to be a very polished and bright guy. Too much talent and has his act together, so he won't last long in this draft. We also met Josey Jewell at the Nagurski awards. I really liked watching him at Iowa. But he reminds me too much of Matakevich and although I do like him, we need other talents at ILB.

Jerome Baker from Ohio State. He didn't have huge numbers this year which may cause some to look past him, but I think that has more to do with the massive talent in front of him. His D-Line mates were crushing it before Baker could get there. Plus, he's probably one of the best LBs in pass coverage coming out this year. There is only 1 Shazier, but Baker might be the closest thing to how the Steelers want that ILB position to play.

If they want to take a chance on a great athlete from a smaller school, Darius Leonard from South Carolina State (Hargrave's old stomping grounds). He has freakishly long arms and big hands and spent a good portion of his playing days making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. A big fish in a small pond, but I do think that he's the real deal.

kirklandrules wrote:

solardave wrote:

stlrtruck wrote:

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft.  And not just one pick, but two.  Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first.  With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

Agreed.

No way Roquan Smith is there in the 20's. My son and I met him at this year's Nagurski awards and found him to be a very polished and bright guy. Too much talent and has his act together, so he won't last long in this draft. We also met Josey Jewell at the Nagurski awards. I really liked watching him at Iowa. But he reminds me too much of Matakevich and although I do like him, we need other talents at ILB.

Jerome Baker from Ohio State. He didn't have huge numbers this year which may cause some to look past him, but I think that has more to do with the massive talent in front of him. His D-Line mates were crushing it before Baker could get there. Plus, he's probably one of the best LBs in pass coverage coming out this year. There is only 1 Shazier, but Baker might be the closest thing to how the Steelers want that ILB position to play.

If they want to take a chance on a great athlete from a smaller school, Darius Leonard from South Carolina State (Hargrave's old stomping grounds). He has freakishly long arms and big hands and spent a good portion of his playing days making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.  A big fish in a small pond, but I do think that he's the real deal.

I think Josey is going to be better than Matekavich, I've watched a lot of Josey Jewell as a Hawkeye fan. Kid is smart, he's athletic, good in coverage, and good at shutting down the run. Sound tackler that plays with good mechanics and makes very few mistakes. Has the brains to match the talent. High motor, and high effort player on top of that. Put up monster stats against the highest levels of competition we faced. If anything I think Josey compares to Chris Borland who had a monster season with the 49ers in 2015 before he decided to retire due to concussions. I think Jewell is the finest LB that Iowa has produced since Chad Greenway, and I'm saying that having seen guys like Abdul Hodge, Anthony Hitchens, Christian Kirksey, James Morris, and Pat Angerer play.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

kirklandrules wrote:

solardave wrote:

stlrtruck wrote:

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft.  And not just one pick, but two.  Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first.  With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

Agreed.

No way Roquan Smith is there in the 20's. My son and I met him at this year's Nagurski awards and found him to be a very polished and bright guy. Too much talent and has his act together, so he won't last long in this draft. We also met Josey Jewell at the Nagurski awards. I really liked watching him at Iowa. But he reminds me too much of Matakevich and although I do like him, we need other talents at ILB.

Jerome Baker from Ohio State. He didn't have huge numbers this year which may cause some to look past him, but I think that has more to do with the massive talent in front of him. His D-Line mates were crushing it before Baker could get there. Plus, he's probably one of the best LBs in pass coverage coming out this year. There is only 1 Shazier, but Baker might be the closest thing to how the Steelers want that ILB position to play.

If they want to take a chance on a great athlete from a smaller school, Darius Leonard from South Carolina State (Hargrave's old stomping grounds). He has freakishly long arms and big hands and spent a good portion of his playing days making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.  A big fish in a small pond, but I do think that he's the real deal.

I think Josey is going to be better than Matekavich, I've watched a lot of Josey Jewell as a Hawkeye fan. Kid is smart, he's athletic, good in coverage, and good at shutting down the run. Sound tackler that plays with good mechanics and makes very few mistakes. Has the brains to match the talent. High motor, and high effort player on top of that. Put up monster stats against the highest levels of competition we faced. If anything I think Josey compares to Chris Borland who had a monster season with the 49ers in 2015 before he decided to retire due to concussions. I think Jewell is the finest LB that Iowa has produced since Chad Greenway, and I'm saying that having seen guys like Abdul Hodge, Anthony Hitchens, Christian Kirksey, James Morris, and Pat Angerer play.

So you're saying Jewell is a diamond in the rough.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

kirklandrules wrote:

solardave wrote:

stlrtruck wrote:

IMO, the ILB position is key in this draft.  And not just one pick, but two.  Not saying it has to be the first two picks, but it certainly should be the first.  With Shazier's future uncertain, we need someone to anchor the defense.

Agreed.

No way Roquan Smith is there in the 20's. My son and I met him at this year's Nagurski awards and found him to be a very polished and bright guy. Too much talent and has his act together, so he won't last long in this draft. We also met Josey Jewell at the Nagurski awards. I really liked watching him at Iowa. But he reminds me too much of Matakevich and although I do like him, we need other talents at ILB.

Jerome Baker from Ohio State. He didn't have huge numbers this year which may cause some to look past him, but I think that has more to do with the massive talent in front of him. His D-Line mates were crushing it before Baker could get there. Plus, he's probably one of the best LBs in pass coverage coming out this year. There is only 1 Shazier, but Baker might be the closest thing to how the Steelers want that ILB position to play.

If they want to take a chance on a great athlete from a smaller school, Darius Leonard from South Carolina State (Hargrave's old stomping grounds). He has freakishly long arms and big hands and spent a good portion of his playing days making plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage.  A big fish in a small pond, but I do think that he's the real deal.

I think Josey is going to be better than Matekavich, I've watched a lot of Josey Jewell as a Hawkeye fan. Kid is smart, he's athletic, good in coverage, and good at shutting down the run. Sound tackler that plays with good mechanics and makes very few mistakes. Has the brains to match the talent. High motor, and high effort player on top of that. Put up monster stats against the highest levels of competition we faced. If anything I think Josey compares to Chris Borland who had a monster season with the 49ers in 2015 before he decided to retire due to concussions. I think Jewell is the finest LB that Iowa has produced since Chad Greenway, and I'm saying that having seen guys like Abdul Hodge, Anthony Hitchens, Christian Kirksey, James Morris, and Pat Angerer play.

The reason I think Jewell is similar to Matakevich is because they are both high motor guys with above average football brains. But I don't see them as having above average athleticism or speed (above NFL average) . In fact, Matakevich plays better at the NFL level than I thought he would. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Jewell in a Steelers uniform, but probably not as a starting ILB. The guys I've listed have far more talent and speed, IMHO.