The Steelers make Sexier picks: But are they Better Picks?

[VJCPatriot]

Let's take a quick glance at the last draft and see how the two teams fared:

Steelers 2014
Rd 1 Ryan Shazier LB
Rd 2 Stephon Tuitt DT
Rd 3 Dri Archer RB/KR
Rd 4 Matavis Bryant WR
Rd 5 Shaquille Richardson CB, Wesley Johnson OL
Rd 6 Jordan Zumwalt LB, McCullers DT
Rd 7 Rob Blanchflower TE

Patriots 2014
Rd 1 Dominique Easley DT
Rd 2 Jimmy Garappolo QB
Rd 4 Bryan Stork C, James White RB, Cameron Fleming OT
Rd 6 John Halapio OG, Zach Moore DE, Jemea Thomas CB
Rd 7 Jeremy Gallon WR/KR

Who had the better draft? Tough to say. Gallon offers nearly what Archer does as a KR but we got him in the 7th. James White is probably a more complete back that we got in the 4th. Pats got the backup QB that they needed. Tuitt was taken much earlier than our pick at 62. And I believe that Easley presents more value as an impact pass-rusher. Shazier of course taken way too early for us to bite.

We also got a physically talented pass rush project in Zach Moore and added more beef on the OL than the Steelers did by a factor of 3x to 1. I'd say that the Pats look to have the better overall value considering the later draft position. Matavis Bryant may be a 'sexier' pick, but Brady won't be completing many passes from his backside. The injection of size and talent on the OL was much needed. And don't forget that the Pats have turned plenty of mid-round OL into serviceable to good players. Koppen in round 5 comes to mind.

 

[Big-T]

They needed CB help badly and ignored it until round 5. A Steelers fan I know hated the Shazier and Tuitt picks for that reason - they weren't needs unlike CB.

 

[Jrik83]

I'm extremely biased because Shazier was my binky, and in my opinion the best player that the Pats could have hoped for. However, I do really like Easley, and the risk may be bit overstated at this point. His interior pass rushing is something that this team has lacked (as we all know).

I'll say this. I think the Pats killed it in day three. First of all, I wouldn't be surprised to see all three offensive linemen putting time in next year. Stork has a decent chance to start right away. White was kind of boring but he does everything pretty well. He should be an upgrade to Bolden as the backup 3DRB with potential to be a nice piece of a running back stable.

As I said in another thread, I love taking small-school pass rushers with great measurables in the sixth or seventh round. So I thought Moore was a fun pick. Thomas has a very good chance to make the roster because of his versatility and ability to contribute on special teams. Gallon has an uphill battle making the team, but what seventh round pick doesn't? He was certainly fun to watch at Michigan.

 

[zimmy]

Plus the Steelers picked 15 spots earlier in every round. Lets not forget that. A big handicap for the Pats.

Even so, I'll still take the Pats draft.

 

[VrabelJr]

They needed CB help badly and ignored it until round 5. A Steelers fan I know hated the Shazier and Tuitt picks for that reason - they weren't needs unlike CB.

When I think of the Steelers dominant defense over the last decade or so, I don't think of big profile name CBs. But I could probably name every player that's started in their front seven since 2002. Tuitt and Shazier were absolutely the right picks for how the Steelers like to build a defense.

 

[Kontradiction]

I like the Steelers draft better as a whole, but it's hard for me to hate what the Pats did on the OL and DL. They got bigger and more physical on the interior OL (something they badly needed to do) and they got a penetrator and difference maker (when healthy) in Easley. The rest of it is a big meh. They could have filled another need in the 2nd round and held off at QB until next season, they arguably should have addressed WR, DE, and/or safety earlier as well. Time will tell, but I like the Steelers' draft better right now. Hopefully I'm proven wrong.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I thought the Steelers had a great draft. They like to red shirt draft classes over there, but I could see their first four picks contributing this year and next year I could see several of the other draftees contributing, especially mountain man McCullers.

Our draft is tied to Easley and White, and maybe Stork if he wins a starting job at center. Hard to see any year to contributions from the remainder of the draft class.

 

[patchick]

I absolutely loved the Steelers' draft, particularly Shazier and Archer. But IMO its a little unfair to compare to the Patriots, given that they were picking half a round earlier. If this were an exchange of picks, you'd have to trade almost two whole Patriots drafts for the Steelers'. So it would take something special for Steelers' picks to NOT end up more valuable.

That said, the Steelers have not had impressive draft success in recent years. So maybe my love for their picks this year reflects badly on me!

 

[VrabelJr]

I absolutely loved the Steelers' draft, particularly Shazier and Archer. But IMO its a little unfair to compare to the Patriots, given that they were picking half a round earlier. If this were an exchange of picks, you'd have to trade almost two whole Patriots drafts for the Steelers'. So it would take something special for Steelers' picks to NOT end up more valuable.

That said, the Steelers have not had impressive draft success in recent years. So maybe my love for their picks this year reflects badly on me!

I tend not to judge the Steelers drafts until 3 years out as they tend to redshirt all of their rookies (DeCastro was a rare exception, and then he tore his ACL).

 

[Wilfork#75]

I love what the Steelers did and if I were a fan of theirs I wouldn't complain about any of those picks. I'm not a huge Shazier fan but I think he could be their Jamie Collins type defensive weapon. Tuitt is a perfect fit for them and has huge upside. Bryant is a lottery ticket that could excel with Big Ben, especially making big plays after the play breaks down. Wesley Johnson is tough and versatile and I really like the way he handled Jadaveon Clowney when they went up against each other. My favorite picks though for them I think are the two 6th rounders which I think they nailed. Zumwalt and McCullers might only be role players but they are good at what they do and every team needs these kinds of players. Zumwalt offers energy, toughness and attitude which fits the Steelers perfectly and McCullers is a man mountain in the muddle to clog the running game. Obviously we have to wait a few years to see how it turns out but it is definitely a much sexier draft than the Pats and I think they will get both more short term and long term impact out of it (which is to be expected considering their draft positioning).

 

[TruthSeeker]

The Steelers draft is spectacular. They helped their defense with two very talented beasts. And they got a very talented 6'4" receiver with sub 4.4 speed and the fastest most explosive player in the draft in Dri Archer. Archer can do it all, can be a slot receiver, can be a RB, and a ridiculously explosive return man. Blanchflower was an excellent pick, wish we took him in the 6th round.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I like Shazier but I don't see him as a 34 LB. Too small.