AFC East Draft Preview

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the AFC East. Our friends Jamie from Musket Fire, Alex M from ProFootballFocus.com and thefanassociation.wordpress.com were cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 14-2

AFC East Champion, Lost to NY Jets in Divisional Round

Draft Picks: 17, 28, 33, 60, 74, 92, 125, 159, 193

The Patriots ran up the best record in the league then were upset in the opening round of the playoffs by the Jets. New England's offense was, at times, one of the best in the league, but they also laid some complete duds, like the playoff game against the Jets. The Patriots got more out of less than any other team last year, getting significant contributions on offense from guys like Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman. Getting Deion Branch back was a good move from a locker room perspective, but they still have a lot of holes on the defensive side of the ball. Luckily for the Patriots, they have a TON of draft picks this year.

The Patriots have done a great job in the past few years assembling a plethora of draft picks. With 2 picks in each of the first 3 rounds, you've got to believe the Pats will be wheeling and dealing in the early rounds of the draft again this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade away a few of their picks for early round selections in next year's draft. With two first round picks, the Pats are primed to fill two of their needs with big-time talent. Most likely they'll spend one pick on defense and one on offense.

Our friend Jamie from Musket Fire was cool enough to enlighten us on what to expect from the Patriots come draft day.

1. What are the biggest needs New England has entering the draft?

The Patriots' top five needs entering the draft are a pass-rushing OLB/DE, any position along the offensive line, a 3-4 DE, running back, and corner. Some have argued that wide receiver should be considered a top need, but my feelings are that if it's not broke, don't fix it. The Patriots had a prolific passing game, and any in-game struggles can be bailed out by a more legitimate ground game. However, the Patriots had the worst 3rd down defense in the NFL that year, and a good reason for that was the lack of a strong pass rush. That needs to change.

2. Do you think New England will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

The Pats will likely pluck at least the top 3 needs from the draft. I expect the Patriots to grab an DE/OLB, offensive lineman, and defensive lineman within the first three rounds. They could wait for free agency for a veteran RB to partner with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, as well as a veteran nickel corner to shore up a secondary that will be lead by Devin McCourty and Leigh Bodden.

3. What players would you like to see the Patriots target in the draft?

Fortunately for the Patriots, their biggest needs line up perfectly with the positions with the greatest depth in the draft. There are so many quality pass rushers and offensive linemen that will be available early on that I haven't become fixated on a certain player or players. My biggest hope is that the Patriots target the top 3 needs early, and I'm hoping they snag the best pass rusher available in the first round. A couple of players that the Patriots could move up for if they fell far enough are UNC's Robert Quinn or Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers, who was in for a pre-draft visit recently.

2010 Record: 11-5

Lost to Pittsburgh in AFC Championship

Draft Picks: 30, 94, 126, 161, 194, 208

Last year, Rex Ryan guaranteed the Jets would win the Super Bowl. They defied the odds and made it all the way to the AFC Championship game. The Jets defense is built around pressuring the quarterback, but they don't have a stud outside linebacker that can get to the QB. Rather, they rely on Ryan's crazy blitz schemes to generate pressure. The Jets are also on the verge of losing a good amount of talent to free agency with Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie's contracts set to expire.

2010 Record: 7-9

Draft Picks: 15, 79, 111, 146, 179, 217, 218, (235)

The Dolphins had high expectations in 2010 and fell a bit short. Chad Henne didn't progress as a passer as much as some had hoped (though I think he still has potential as the Dolphins long-term quarterback). A bigger blow to the Fins was their lack of a running game. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams just flat out didn't produce last year. The front 7 on defense was stout with OLB Cameron Wake leading the league in sacks. LB Karlos Dansby was brought in in free agency last year to bring a tackler to the linebacking corps. In the secondary, the Dolphins have a pair of young corners that have the potential to be great, but are still learning the NFL game and have a tendency to get smoked.

The Dolphins don't have a 2nd round pick this year, so they need to hit on their first round pick. With the 15th pick, they are in prime position to trade down and compile more picks. The Fins have enough needs that they could use more picks, and players that could fill their needs will definitely still be on the board if they move down.

Alex M, Senior Staff Writer for the fantasy section at ProFootballFocus.com and owner of thefanassociation.wordpress.com drops some knowledge on us about what to expect from Miami. You can find him on Twitter @PFF_Zerodev.

1. What are the biggest needs your team has entering the draft?

RB - Without free agency before the draft, banking on any free agents signing is too much of a gamble. With Lex Hilliard being the best back on the team right now (and even he is just a restricted free agent), the Dolphins need to look for a back or two in the draft.

TE - Fasano is a great TE, but the position needs an upgrade in terms of athleticism. A pass-catching seam threat is needed.

OL - The interior of the offensive line was putrid, particularly in rush blocking. Must be addressed.

QB - You don't win Super Bowls without a good quarterback. Henne is only marginally better than Mark Sanchez.

WR - The Dolphins actually have a good set of receivers, but a speedy stretch-the-field kind of guy is their biggest need.

2. Do you think your team will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

I think they might wait for free agency on running back and offensive line. It will be a gamble to rely on free agency to fill ANY needs, and I think they could effectively address most of them in the draft, but rookies are never a sure thing either.

3. What players would you like to see your team target in the draft?

I, personally, love Ryan Mallett. I think he's the most NFL-ready and he's got a rocket arm. His off-the-field issues are mostly unsubstantiated and/or overblown, and I think he could be a great pick, maybe even at 15. 

2010 Record: 4-12

Draft Picks: 3, 34, 68, 100, 122, 133, 169, 206, (245)

I'm really not sure what to think of the Bills. Their offense showed flashes of being NFL-caliber, but they still have some pretty big holes that need filled. Their pass defense was decent, but playing in a division with Tom Brady means they will always need more help there. Missing on Aaron Maybin a few years ago has left a gaping hole in their defensive front. Buffalo has also switched between a 4-3 and a 3-4 each year for what seems like the last 5 seasons. 

NFC West Draft Preview

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the NFC West. Our friend Will from RamsHerd was cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 7-9

NFC West Champion, Lost to Bears in Divisional Round

Draft Picks: 25, 57, 99, 156, 157, 173, 209, (242)

Seattle became notorious as the first team in NFL history to win their division with a losing record last year. Then they went out and knocked off the defending champion New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs. Pete Carroll has done a great job bringing in talented players with questionable pasts and getting the most of them (like WR Mike Williams whose career in Detroit could best be categorized as "miserable failure"). Carroll had a good draft last year, landing three guys who should be long-term contributors: Russell Okung (OT-Oklahoma St), Earl Thomas (S-Texas) and Golden Tate (WR-Notre Dame).

2010 Record: 7-9

Draft Picks: 14, 47, 78, 112, 145, 216, 228

The Rams had one of the best turnarounds in the league last year. They went from the worst team in the league to playing for their division title in the last game of the season. After making Sam Bradford the #1 overall pick last year, he went on to win offensive rookie of the year, despite having no legitimate receivers to throw to. The Rams need to add a legitimate #1 receiver either in the draft or via free agency.  They could also use some help on defense as well, so if both AJ Green and Julio Jones are off the board by #14, the Rams might go for a defensive lineman with their 1st round pick.

1. What are the biggest needs St Louis has entering the draft?

Fortunately, not quarterback, not middle linebacker, and I like our young tackles. So from the perspective of the biggest “need” positions for most NFL teams, the Rams are pretty well set with youth and potential. However, nearly any other position on the field could be justifiably upgraded. Specifically, there should be a strong emphasis on getting Bradford a primary offensive weapon to grow with, and I have a strong crush on Alabama WR Julio Jones to fit that bill.

Other needs: We have two 34-year-old old horses anchoring key spots on the D-line in DT Fred Robbins and DE James Hall. We have a rotation of square pegs trying to fit a big hole at weakside linebacker. And the loss of Atogwe in the secondary makes safety a priority. With Steven Jackson nearing the 28-year-old threshold but still running with power (if not so much speed), finding a complementary player will be key. And the interior of the offensive line, particularly at right guard, needs a big upgrade.

2. Do you think St Louis will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

There’s only one free agent target we know the Rams will pursue, and that’s re-signing WR Mark Clayton. A great move in my opinion. Other possibilities could include Giants free agent DT Barry Cofield, which would fit in well with Spagnuolo’s trend (Fred Robbins, James Butler, Kevin Dockery, Craig Dahl) of grabbing former New Yorkers who understand his defensive concepts and can help teach on the field.

There have also been rumors that we will look into Sidney Rice, but I wouldn’t expect that to go far. The Rams under Billy Devaney are primarily a “build through the draft” type team. And when they do look at free agents, they tend to go bargain shopping.

3. What players would you like to see the Rams target in the draft?

Julio Jones. But in the real possibility that Julio isn’t there by the time the Rams pick, I would reach into that deep pool of D-line talent, going for length and explosiveness. In particular, I like Missouri DE Aldon Smith and Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson as high-potential targets, with more polished players like Illinois DT Corey Liuget or Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan as safe alternatives. There is also a ton of apparent depth in complementary runners, and I could see a multi-threat player like Cal’s Shane Vereen, Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers, or Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter fitting in extraordinarily well.

The one player I would love to have, though this would only be feasible in a trade-down scenario, would be Baylor G Danny Watkins. I think St Louis would absolutely fall in love with this guy’s back story, and he would be tremendous in shoring up the pocket and providing run-blocking punch at right guard. Whichever team drafts him is going to get a hell of a player.

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Picks: 7, 45, 76, 108, 115, 141, 174, 190, 211, 231, (239), (250)

The 49ers might have been the most disappointing team in the league last year. They were anointed as the NFC West favorites before last season and came out and dropped their first 5 games. Coach Mike Singletary was fired halfway through last season and Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh was brought in to resurrect the franchise. Harbaugh cut his teeth in college football behind the success of quarterback Andrew Luck and will most likely look to acquire a franchise passer early in the draft for the 49ers. San Francisco has a decent defense that lacks a true pass-rusher, which should be another target for them in the draft.

2010 Record: 5-11

Draft Picks: 5, 38, 69, 103, 136, 171, 184, (249)

The Cardinals lost more players in free agency last year than any other team. QB Kurt Warner retired, WR Anquan Boldin went to Baltimore, LB Karlos Dansby to Miami, and S Antrel Rolle to New York. The Cards saw the direct result of it on the field. Their offense was stagnant and their defense was downright gag-worthy, finishing 30th in the league in run defense. The Cardinals need help all over the field, from cornerback to outside linebacker to defensive line. On offense, their running game flat out blows (32nd in the league) and their passing game isn't far behind (31st). John Skelton was inserted as the starting quarterback at the end of the year and went 2-2 as a starter, but wasn't overly impressive. The Cardinals have a lot of needs, with quarterback being the biggest. They will bring someone in, whether in the draft or free agency.

NFC South Draft Preview

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the NFC South. Our friends Andrew from The Saints Nation and Scott from ScarDraft.com were cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 13-3

NFC South Champions, Lost to Green Bay in Divisional Round

Draft Picks: 27, 59, 91, 124, 158, 192, 210, 229, 230

The Falcons surprised some by sprinting out to the #1 seed in the NFC. Matt Ryan continues to deliver at quarterback and he has his share of weapons in RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White. The Falcons could use another receiver to complement White in the passing game. On defense, the Falcons could still use some help in the secondary and on the defensive line, particularly having to face Drew Brees twice a season. 

Our friend Scott, owner of ScarDraft.com (in our opinion, one of the top 5 NFL Draft websites out there), and Falcons fan, hooks us up with what's going on in the ATL. Check him out on Twitter: @scar988

1. What are the biggest needs Atlanta has entering the draft?

Defensive End - We need a true Pass rusher who can get in rotation with Abraham and Biermann.
Wide Receiver - Need some speed there.
Left Tackle - Baker has been sub par since the beginning.

2. Do you think Atlanta will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

All draft. I think Dimitroff's biggest focus is the draft. Of the 22 starters on Atlanta, 16 were drafted or brought in through their rookie process of the UDFA and practice squads. The offensive line as a whole, the starting wideouts. Almost every pick to Dimitroff is gold. And he will attempt to bring in talent through the draft and fill holes through the FA.

3. What players would you like to see the Falcons target in the draft?

The guys they are already looking at. Jernigan, Torrey Smith at WR, Justin Houston and DaQuan Bowers at DE.

2010 Record: 11-5

Lost to Seattle in Wild Card Round

Draft Picks: 24, 56, 72, 88, 226, (243)

How much did Pierre Thomas mean to this team? His early-season injury completely changed the trajectory of the Saints season and they really never recovered. On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints still lack that true pass-rushing defensive end, even though they finished in the top half of the league in sacks. Luckily for New Orleans, the draft is deep in defensive lineman and they should be able to snag at least one long-term contributor.

Last year, our Saints draft preview was just a video of Tracy Porter picking off Peyton Manning and running it back for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV. This year, our friend Andrew from The Saints Nation drops by to give us some more info on NOLA. You can also find him on Twitter @GoSaintsNation

1. What are the biggest needs New Orleans has entering the draft?

I'd say, in no specific order, that the Saints have needs at running back, defensive end, linebacker and defensive tackle. Running back and DT more for depth purposes, and DE and LB would be nice to add an impact player.

2. Do you think New Orleans will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

Who knows what's going to happen with free agency? I think in general the Saints are very careful with how they spend their money being a small market team. It's hard to imagine they're going to find "the answer" after the 1st round at those positions. So I think you hopefully find an impact player with that 1st round pick, and then maybe add one or two players through free agency that can start. The Saints also have a ton of free agents of their own to re-sign, so a lot of their "needs" will depend on who they lose.

3. What players would you like to see the Saints target in the draft?

If Mark Ingram falls to #24 - and all reports are that he will, he deserves consideration. Other targets include Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, Illinois DT Corey Liuget, Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson and UCLA LB Akeem Ayers. I could see any of those players ending up on the Saints. Personally, I'd love an edge rusher that can consistently get to the quarterback, but I'm not sure there's a clear guy that fits that description at #24. If Ingram or Liuget is the best player available, the Saints won't pass up the best player available for a need. They never have.

2010 Record: 10-6

Draft Picks: 20, 51, 84, 116, 151, 187, 222, (238)

In NFC South tradition, the Bucs went from the bottom of the division last year to contending for the division title the next. Josh Freeman took the next step in his development as an NFL quarterback and undrafted free agent LeGarrette Blount has the makings of a big-time back in this league, and rookie WR Mike Williams might have been the best rookie receiver in the league last year. On defense, the Bucs need help in the secondary, especially with CB Aqib Talib's arrest a few weeks ago. Tampa was also 30th in the league in sacks and could use a defensive end that can get to the quarterback.

2010 Record: 2-14

Draft Picks: 1, 65, (97), 98, 132, 166, (203), (244)

Even though Carolina holds the #1 overall pick, they lack a 2nd round pick one has to think they would try to shop the pick in the hopes of trading it away for at least a 1st and 2nd rounder. The Panthers will set the tone for how the rest of the draft will play out. If new coach Ron Rivera decides that he is not impressed with Jimmy Clausen, the Panthers will probably roll the dice on Cam Newton (QB-Auburn) with the #1 overall pick. If the Panthers have faith in Clausen, they'll probably look to the defensive side of the ball and take either the best player in the draft (Patrick Peterson CB-LSU) or the top interior lineman (Marcel Dareus DT-Alabama) to improve their 23rd-ranked run defense. 

NFC North Draft Preview

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the NFC North. Our friends from the Packers Therapy podcasts were cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 11-5

NFC North Champions, Lost to Packers in NFC Championship Game

Draft Picks: 29, 62, 93, 127, 160, 195

For the first time since the Jay Cutler trade, the Bears finally have some early-round picks to work with in the draft. They have some holes that need addressed along the offensive and defensive lines. Their secondary still needs some help after finishing 20th in the league in pass defense last year. Cutler could use an elite receiver as a reliable target as well as some blockers in front of him to keep him on the field and off the bench.

2010 Record: 10-6

Super Bowl XLV Champions

Draft Picks: 32, 64, 96, 129, (131), 163, 197, 204, 233

The Packers have a ton of elite talent and have the luxury of a franchise quarterback, a slew of receivers, an elite pass rusher, and a talented secondary. What few holes they do have are on their offensive line, an inside linebacker, and a 5-technique defensive end. 

The guys from the Packers Therapy podcasts requested a big check (because them having bragging rights over us for winning the Super Bowl apparently isn't enough) to help out with this, but we were able to barter a few answers out of them. You can find them on Twitter @PackersTherapy

1. What are the biggest needs your team has entering the draft?

DE (GB will likely lose Cullen Jenkins if/when free agency starts and Mike Neal is a question mark), OLB (who can complement Matthews), OT (Chad Clifton is, literally, on his last legs) and WR (GB will likely lose James Jones to free agency and Donald Driver is 35+).

2. Do you think your team will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

Ted Thompson rarely does free agency. So if he addresses those situations directly, I expected to come via the draft. However, Ted is a "best player available" sort of guy, so I don't expect them to reach for a position if they feel a better player at a lower need area is available.

3. What players would you like to see your team target in the draft?

As Steelers' fans know all too well, it is hard to say what will be available at pick #32. So it is very difficult to have an opinion here. However, I have seen a couple of reports that suggest that Akeem Ayers (OLB from UCLA) might be around late in the first round. It's thought he could be a nice fit opposite Matthews.

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Picks: 13, 44, 75, 107, 154, 205

It's weird to think of a 6-10 season as a "rousing success" but for Detroit Lions fans, that's just what last season was. For a year that saw franchise quarterback Matt Stafford go down with an early season injury, three different Lions quarterbacks won games last season. It looked like "more of the same" for most of the season before Detroit reeled off 4 straight wins to end the season. Ndamukong Suh is a monster that has solidified the Lions defensive front. Detroit still needs help in the secondary and a cornerback and defensive end headline their needs heading into this draft. The Lions could still use a power running back to complement Jahvid Best. 

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Picks: 12, 43, 106, 139, 150, 172, (200), 215, (236)

The Vikings are in a world of hurt after putting all their eggs in the Brett Favre basket. Unless they want to bank their hopes on Tavaris Jackson, they will need to add a quarterback to the roster who can be a long-term solution. Luckily for whoever that is, they will be able to spend most of their snaps handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson. The Vikings defense is decent, but Jared Allen had a horrendous year last year and they could use some help at linebacker. Playing in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler, you can never have enough defensive backs. 

NFC East Draft Preview

As the clock ticks closer to the NFL Draft on April 28-30, we'll be doing our best to preview the team needs of all 32 teams to give you all an outlook on what to expect come draft day. Of course, there are no guarantees with things like mock drafts (even though they are fun to do) so we did our best to get some insight from bloggers/fans of other teams. Today we take a look at the NFC East. Our friends Geoff from Sportslebrity and Kevin from Hogs Haven were cool enough to help us out with some inside perspective on their team needs.

For reference, we compiled the draft picks each team currently has. Compensatory picks are listed in parentheses.

2010 Record: 10-6

NFC East Champions, lost to Packers in Wild Card round

Draft Picks: 23, 54, 85, 104, 120, 149, 153, 227, (237), (240)

The Eagles got a huge lift last year when they inserted Michael Vick at quarterback. On offense, this team isn't lacking at any of the skill positions. With Vick at the helm, LeSean McCoy in the backfield, and DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin at receiver, the offense can beat anyone in a track meet. The offensive line has some holes that need addressed. On defense, the Eagles could use some help in the secondary and depth at linebacker.

Our buddy Geoff from Sportslebrity, who was on the Steelers bandwagon for the playoff run, gave us the 411 on what the Eagles need. You can find him on Twitter @PhillyFansVoice and @sportslebirtyus

1. What are the biggest needs Philadelphia has entering the draft?

Offensive Lineman and Cornerback

2. Do you think Philadelphia will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

Cornerback will be addressed in free agency and offensive line through the draft

3. What players would you like to see the Eagles target in the draft?

Mike Pouncey or Gabe Carimi

2010 Record: 10-6

Draft Picks: 19, 52, 83, 117, 185, (198), (202), 221

The Giants had an up-and-down 2010 season that was marked by injuries throughout their lineup. Their once-dominante running game was inconsistent at best. Their passing game went from seeming elite to struggling to complete a pass when Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks suffered injuries. The Giants could use some help along the offensive line as well as in the secondary. A run-stuffing defensive tackle would be a good addition to their line and they could use more depth in their linebacking corps.

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Picks: 10, 41, 144, 155, 177, 213, 224, (253)

The Redskins brought in Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb to help turn things around. However, rather than contending for a division title the 'Skins wallowed in mediocrity most of the season. Shanahan benched McNabb multiple times during the season, at one point inserting Rex Grossman with 2 minutes to go in the game. McNabb figures to be on his way out and the Redskins need a ton of help all over the field. The Albert Haynesworth experiment was a complete failure, leaving the Skins with a gaping hole in their defensive front. Injuries plagued the Redskins backfield last year and their receiving corps is far from elite.

The guys from Hogs Haven hit us up with what's going down in the Nation's Capital (besides Congress' approval rating).


1. What are the biggest needs your team has entering the draft?

Everywhere but TE and FS, sadly. Nose Tackle, OLB, and Offensive Line (all positions) are the most desperate needs. 

2. Do you think your team will address those needs in the draft or wait for free agency?

Haha, with this many, yes. It would surprise me if the Redskins don't trade back given we're missing our 3rd and 4th round picks. We need starters, not superstars.

3. What players would you like to see your team target in the draft?

Von Miller, Phil Taylor, Mike Pouncey.

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Picks: 9, 40, 71, 110, 143, 176, 220, (252)

Dallas' 2010 season was marked by Tony Romo's injury and Wade Phillips' complete inability to coach an NFL team. Jason Garrett turned things around when he was appointed midseason as the head coach. The Cowboys have the offensive firepower to be a threat, but need a better line to protect Romo and create holes for their running backs. Their secondary is in shambles, ranking 26th in the league last year. They need help both at safety and corner and on the defensive line, as their run defense wasn't much better than their pass defense.

More Draft Prospects

As the days tick down the the NFL Draft on April 28, each team is permitted to bring in 30 prospects for interviews, workouts, and to get a better perspective of the player's personality. In the past, the players the Steelers brought in weren't a great indicator of their draft strategy. Two years ago, the Steelers picked Ziggy Hood in the first round and he was not one of the 30 players that visited. If you really want to get the inside scoop on what's going on with the draft, check out some of our favorite sites: Draft Breakdown, ScarDraft, Mocking The Draft, and Optimum Scouting

Denarius Moore (WR-Tennessee)

6'1" 194 lbs

Draft Breakdown: #32 WR

ScarDraft: #184 overall, #22 WR

Mocking The Draft: #140 overall, #18 WR

Optimum Scouting: #166 overall, #20 WR

NFL.com Player Bio

Moore is a burner that can take the top off the coverage, much in the same mold as Mike Wallace. He has blazing speed and at 6'1" would be the tallest receiver on the team that can actually catch (ie not Limas Sweed). Tennessee's offense kind of blew last year, so Moore didn't get a ton of exposure, but he has the speed and athleticism to develop into a big-time receiver in the NFL.

Austin Pettis (WR-Boise St)

6'2" 209 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #95 overall, #12 WR

ScarDraft: #116 overall, #14 WR

Mocking The Draft: #119 overall, #15 WR

Optimum Scouting: #153 overall, #18 WR

NFL.com Player Bio

If you weren't impressed when you watched Austin Pettis play this year, you haven't watched much football. Pettis is a big receiver with great hands that will go across the middle and make the tough catches. He reminds me a LOT of Anquan Boldin with his size and hands. Pettis is a strong receiver with the potential to be a long-term starter in the NFL. He could be one of the steals of the draft in the 3rd or 4th round if he lasts that long. I'm not going to lie, I have a big draft-crush on Austin Pettis and I really like his potential. He was beastly in the red zone for Boise State's offense last year, averaging about 13.5 yards per catch the last 2 years and reeling in 24 Touchdowns in the last 2 seasons.

Da'Rel Scott (RB-Maryland)

5'11" 211 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #10 RB

ScarDraft: #188 overall, #18 RB

Mocking The Draft: #26 RB

Optimum Scouting: #135 overall, #15 RB

NFL.com Player Bio

With Mewelde Moore's contract expired, the Steelers might need to add a 3rd down back. Scott has good speed and athleticism, posting a 4.3 40-yard dash at the Combine. Scott needs to improve his pass-blocking and route-running to be a truly effective 3rd down back. However, his speed definitely makes him a weapon that NFL teams can utilize. He had a big bowl game which helped his draft stock. He'll probably get chosen in the mid rounds of the draft and could be very useful for a team that needs a change-of-pace back.

Ras-I Dowling (CB-Virginia)

6'1" 198 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #61 overall, #6 CB

ScarDraft: #72 overall, #10 CB

Mocking The Draft: #68 overall, #9 CB

Optimum Scouting: #57 overall, #4 CB

NFL.com Player Bio

Dowling is a tall, physical cornerback that would be a great fit in the Steelers system that demands corners to tackle well and support in run defense. Dowling looked like a sure-fire 1st round prospect before last season started, but he missed over half the games due to injury, which has hurt his draft stock a bit. Dowling is a beast in run defense and has great ball skills. He would be a great fit for the Steelers and probably could be considered a steal if they can get him in the second round. Plus, his name kinda reminds you of Ra's al Ghul, which is pretty badass.

Cortez Allen (CB-Citadel)

6'1" 197 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #25 CB

ScarDraft: #149 overall, #22 CB

Mocking The Draft: #29 CB

Optimum Scouting: #184 overall, #21 CB

NFL.com Player Bio

Allen is a small-school prospect with a ton of athleticism and good size, but he is still very raw as a prospect. He could be a good late-round choice for a team that has the luxury of developing a corner. Assuming the Steelers re-sign Ike Taylor, we would be in that situation as we wouldn't need a corner to step in and play right away. Allen has the size and ball skills to make tough interceptions in jump ball situations but lacks the top-end speed to keep up with faster receivers downfield. As a small school prospect, Allen hasn't had as much experience playing against top talent as other corners. He would be worth the risk of a later round pick to give him the chance to develop into a pro corner.

Johnny Patrick (CB-Louisville)

5'10" 191 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #99 overall, #13 CB

ScarDraft: #71 overall, #9 CB

Mocking The Draft: #35 overall, #6 CB

Optimum Scouting: #163 overall, #18 CB

NFL.com Player Bio

Draft Breakdown Scouting Report

Patrick is a physical corner that has developed well during his time at Louisville. He was arrested last summer which is definitely a negative point on his resume. As you can see from the rankings above, the scouting world is split on him, with some ranking him as high as a Top-40 pick and others projecting him as low as the 5th round. He has drawn some comparisons to Willie Gay, and given his size, that comparison might not be far off. His weakness is definitely in man coverage, but he has great closing speed when playing in a zone. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the combine and lacks the over-the-top speed to stick with fast receivers down the field, which also hurt his draft stock.

Kenrick Ellis (NT-Hampton)

6'5" 346 lbs
Draft Breakdown: #89 overall, #3 NT

ScarDraft: #91 overall, #3 NT

Mocking The Draft: #92 overall, #13 DT

Optimum Scouting: #26 overall, #4 DT

NFL.com Player Bio

Ellis is a mammoth of a man at 6'5" and close to 350 pounds. His size just screams "3-4 Nose Tackle" and he definitely fits the bill of "run-stuffer." He is a strong player but he was dismissed from South Carolina two years ago, and the Steelers bringing him in means they wanted to investigate his character issues and see if he has changed his attitude since leaving South Carolina. This is exactly the type of thing these prospect visits should be used for, much in the same way the Steelers brought in Dez Bryant last year and other players with character issues. Going into the draft, you need to know if there are players you absolutely don't want on your team and you don't want to waste a draft pick on them, which is why you need to bring them in and talk to them.

Frank Kearse (NT-Alabama A&M)

 6'4" 300 lbs

Optimum Scouting: #327 overall, #30 DT

Another small school prospect that is a strong player, but he needs a lot of work on his technique. He's probably a 6th or 7th round pick at best and possibly won't get drafted. That said, the Steelers usually bring in a few prospects that they think they will have the opportunity to pick up as undrafted free agents. If there is no CBA by the draft there will be no undrafted free agency, but undrafted players should be able to sign with teams after a new CBA is signed, so the Steelers are saving their scouts some work by bringing in these edge prospects now.

First Draft Prospects Visit

As the days tick down the the NFL Draft on April 28, each team is permitted to bring in 30 prospects for interviews, workouts, and to get a better perspective of the player's personality. In the past, the players the Steelers brought in weren't a great indicator of their draft strategy. Two years ago, the Steelers picked Ziggy Hood in the first round and he was not one of the 30 players that visited. If you really want to get the inside scoop on what's going on with the draft, check out some of our favorite sites: Draft Breakdown, ScarDraft, Mocking The Draft, and Optimum Scouting

Jarriel King (OT-South Carolina)

6'5" 310 lbs

Draft Breakdown: unranked

ScarDraft: #250 overall, #23 OT

Mocking The Draft: #199 overall, #17 OT

Optimum Scouting: #148 overall, #7 OG

NFL.com Player Bio

King's draft stock has been falling due to an irregular heart beat that caused him to miss time during his college career. The Steelers probably brought him in to have his health assessed by their team doctors. If he gets drafted, King will likely be a late round pick. He has a big frame and is strong off the ball but has a slow first step and can get smoked by speed rushers on the outside, leading some to think his future might be on the inside at guard rather than on the outside at tackle.

James Carpenter (OT-Alabama)

6'5" 300 lbs

Draft Breakdown: #92 overall, #6 OT

ScarDraft: #82 overall, #11 OT

Mocking The Draft: #152 overall, #13 OT

Optimum Scouting: #63 overall, #4 OG

NFL.com Player Bio

Carpenter is a mid-round prospect that has the potential to develop into a starting offensive lineman in the NFL. He isn't starter-ready just yet, but he is an athletic lineman that can handle speed rushers off the outside. He has the athleticism to get to the second level in run blocking but he needs to add some strength to handle NFL defensive linemen at the point of attack. Considering that the Steelers went through 7 different tackles last year, adding depth to the position is a must. We wouldn't be surprised to see them go after offensive linemen in multiple rounds of the draft.

Marcus Gilbert (OT-Florida)

6'6" 318 lbs

Draft Breakdown: #14 OT

ScarDraft: #98 overall, #12 OT

Mocking The Draft: #190 overall, #16 OT

Optimum Scouting: #173 overall, #12 OT

NFL.com Player Bio

Gilbert is another mid-round tackle prospect. Coming out of Florida's spread offense, he doesn't have much experience with being a mauler in run blocking but he handles speed rushers well off the outside. He will need to add some bulk to his frame to mash it up in the trenches in the NFL, but his 6'6" frame and long arms are something that can't be taught. He has good lateral quickness and could provide good depth to the team in his first year while being groomed as a tackle of the future.

Curtis Marsh (CB-Utah State)

6'0" 197 lbs

Draft Breakdown: #97 overall, #9 CB

ScarDraft: #102 overall, #13 CB

Mocking The Draft: #103 overall, #13 CB

NFL.com Player Bio

Marsh is likely a mid-to-late round pick at corner. Scouts have commented that his hip movements seem tight and he struggles to turn and run with receivers. He has long arms and is better in press coverage close to the line rather than in off-man or zone coverage (which are more the types of defenses the Steelers employ). Corner prospects are hit-and-miss, particularly in Dick LeBeau's defense. Assuming the Steelers are able to bring back Ike Taylor, the biggest hole in the secondary will be at the nickel and dime back positions, which could be easier for a rookie to pick up.