How Did the Pittsburgh Steelers Do in the 2014 NFL Draft?
The Pittsburgh Steelers stunned me and my 2014 Mock Draft when they chose Ryan Shazier from Ohio State as their 15th pick in the 1st round. I really thought they would take a cornerback, namely Darqueze Dennard. The Steelers finished 8-8 for the 2013 season and needed some obvious improvement at WR, DL, and CB. Cornerback Ike Taylor became a favorite corner to target for opposing QBs as the year progressed. He was beat so many times he could be a new cereal called Toasted Taylor. So they need to get some young guys in to get ready to take over. With the loss of WRs Jerricho Cotchery to the Carolina Panthers and Emmanuel Sanders to the Denver Broncos plus the year before losing Mike Wallace to the Miami Dolphins all to free agency has to be keeping Pittsburgh QB Big Ben Roethlisberger awake at night wondering who exactly who is receivers will be in 2014. Not a way to build a Super Bowl or even Playoff team letting pieces of the puzzle walk every year to a different team.
2014 NFL DRAFT PICK RECAP AND ANALYSIS
Ryan Shazier LB, Ohio State Round 1 Pick #15
I didn't even have him projected in the first round and think this was a terrible draft pick. The Steelers could have easily gotten a stud CB or WR. If the running game has been devalued so has the Linebacker position. Bad pick for a linebacker but could be a decent Strong Safety to replace the aging Troy Polamalu when he retires. Just 6'1” and 230 ponds makes him an average build for a Strong Safety and a really small linebacker. I think Ryan Shazier is at best a 2nd round pick who the Steelers overreached for and will be a project player and will have a hard time finding a fit for him on this roster because of his below average football instincts and tendencies to overrun plays. Below average use of a 1st round pick on a hybrid player who doesn’t fit the Steelers roster or improve the immediate needs of the team.
Stephon Tuitt DE, Notre Dame Round 2 Pick #14
Because of a double hernia injury this 5 technique defensive end fell down from a projected 1st round pick into the 2nd round because of a weight issue. The Steelers jumped all over this guy as they should. Makes up for the Ryan Shazier misfire and Stephon Tuitt is the prototypical pass rusher. Can bring the heat on the edge and can bull rush the inside with his power as showcased at the NFL combine benching 32 reps. I expect big things from this player but will watch and monitor his health and weight. Great Pick.
Dri Archer RB, Kent State Round 3 Pick #33
Another head scratching pick. A luxury pick on a speedy undersized Wide receiver just totally makes zero sense. Could be used like a Tavon Austin or Dexter McCluster but not many situational plays in the NFL make this a pressing need when the CB and WR spots are still untouched. If they wanted a guy like this, they should have dove into the free agency and signed New Orleans RB Darren Sproles.
Really Poor Pick.
Martavis Bryant WR, Clemson Round 4 Pick #18
6'4” 210 wide receiver that will give Big Ben Roethlisberger a big target. Steelers finally draft a wide receiver in the 4th round. Big time High Risk draft pick. Huge maturity issues and has poor catching technique and needs big time help learning to run crisp routes and to get separation. This is not the guy the Steelers need to replace what they lost. Bust written all over this guy. Poor attitude and could be a serious mistake going forward. Bad Pick.
Shaquille Richardson CB, Arizona Round 5 Pick #17
Marginal cornerback who the Steelers overreached drafting. Projected in the 6th and 7th rounds, the Steelers haven't yet figured out what to do for a replacement to Ike Taylor and I am personally becoming pretty worried. I think at this point the Steelers let the draft get away from them and they are in panic mode. Going to require lots of coaching to get him even close to playing. Scary Bad pick.
Wesley Johnson OT, Vanderbilt Round 5 Pick #33
Fits right in. A competitive intelligent playing that fits the build of a NFL Offensive tackle. In any other year, he would be a late 2nd to early 3rd rounder so the Steelers finally got a player that will be an impact almost immediately. Has anchored the interior and could easily be transitioned. Good Pick.
Jordan Zumwalt LB, UCLA Round 6 Pick #16
Remembered for his brutal hit on Logan Thomas when he knocked him unconscious and returned an INT for a TD. Smart player with excellent football awareness but will need some coaching on how to shed blocks. Will also need an NFL strength program as his power needs major improvement. Could see him being transitioned to Strong Safety as well. Above Average Pick.
Daniel McCullers DT, Tennessee Round 6 Pick #39
A mountain of a man at 6'7” and 350 pounds. Has a huge wingspan and can easily disrupt the inside of a line by occupying his blocker and still being able to latch on to a running back. Tendency to put on weight as he was over 400 lbs in high school. This is an awesome pick and will with the proper coaching on technique and footwork will one day terrorize the interior. Great Pick.
Rob Blanchflower TE, Massachusetts Round 7 Pick #15
Heath Miller re-incarnated. Excellent pass blocker will do whatever it takes to catch a ball. Will one day take over from Heath and will have a few years to learn his position. Looking forward to him starting the 2017 season and being a force on the field. Excellent Pick. Low risk,/High reward.
Analysis and overall draft grade
The Steelers looked at the beginning of the draft confused. The first few draft picks were puzzling and didn't fill their need positions. If Ryan Shazier is being groomed to take over for Troy Polamalu then I get the pick. I love the Tuitt pick. Next three picks were poor and then the Steelers front office seemed to get back on track. Not sure if the way the draft fell stumped them or they just got overwhelmed.
Draft Grade: C
This grade was headed to be a “D-” in the middle of the draft, but the Steelers found their footing and finished strong. Scary day watching them pick and still they need positions filled so I can't see them bettering their 8-8 record. I forecast a 6-10 record for 2014. Terrible.
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