It's never too early to talk Draft 2013

**K Train** · 12-12-2012, 11:50 AM

which could come in the form of a FS, SS, OLB, NT, or CB...its not gonna come all at once

First 3 picks could be a lot of different options. They could take John Jenkins in the first and brandon jenkins in the second, they culd target a safety like McDonald, Reid, Rambo, Vaccaro....all of which have their value all over the place at this point. They could go with Amerson, Banks, Rhodes at CB, amerson is a FS to me but banks and rhodes are long rangy CB who are press man guys. But G, WR, RB are all needs too. Obviously im on board with a top guard again. Having a interior line that is unbeatable will make adams and gilbert look like gods at tackle. We want to go towards building a line that dominates rather than keep playing musical linemen with backups, dont want to turn into the bears and just watch them get pummeled week after week

**steelchamp204** · 12-12-2012, 11:58 AM

I think the dline can be ok for another year if Tomlin decides to play McLendon more often and start putting Heyward in more. We need to cut some guys if they arent going to fully play on the defensive side of the Ball. I think Sly wont be here for much longer and I expect Spence to get some time in with Foote next season(crossing fingers). I would love to see Reid playing for us as safety. Or Rambo. I dont think we will get either.

**TarlsQtr** · 12-12-2012, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by K Train

you have to take these guys high or you end up with dennis dixon or omar jacobs. Skins drafted RG3 and cousins in the 1st and 4th round, and cousins is probably starting for them this week. Eagles have taken kolb and foles high and they had one hell of a return on investment with foles, both RG3 and Vick are injury prone, so lets not pretend roethlisberger is the most durable guy.

Yeah, but like every team if our starter goes down for any significant period we would not make the playoffs regardless of whom we draft as Ben's backup. Even Aaron Rodgers had poor numbers as a backup, as they just do not get enough reps to be sharp.

**K Train** · 12-12-2012, 12:51 PM

but for 3-4 games its worth having someone you can count on, and batch is not that guy anymore and leftwich never really was.

i guarantee the browns dont regret taking mccoy even if they just got weeden, because mccoy is a hell of a backup QB they could count on

**NeilPatrickBanana** · 12-12-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by K Train

but for 3-4 games its worth having someone you can count on, and batch is not that guy anymore and leftwich never really was.

i guarantee the browns dont regret taking mccoy even if they just got weeden, because mccoy is a hell of a backup QB they could count on

Yea, I'm sure the Browns are thrilled that they drafted Colt McCoy in the 3rd round, over Eric Decker WR, Navarro Bowman LB, Jimmy Graham TE... who all went in the next 10 picks

**K Train** · 12-12-2012, 01:49 PM

right but thats so much hindsight, none of those guys were great prospects at the time.

they either have a good backup, which is HUGE for a team like the steelers that are in contention year after year with a fragile QB or they will trade him away to be a backup somewhere else (GB maybe?)

**NeilPatrickBanana** · 12-12-2012, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by K Train

right but thats so much hindsight, none of those guys were great prospects at the time.

they either have a good backup, which is HUGE for a team like the steelers that are in contention year after year with a fragile QB or they will trade him away to be a backup somewhere else (GB maybe?)

the point is that you can land great talent and impact players in those mid rounds (granted it's harder), but that's where Colbert nabs a Mike Wallace or Keenan Lewis... or later rounds like Cortez Allen or Chris Rainey

Sure, you miss 4 out of 5 times... but I'd rather take those shots on players that could make a difference regularly, rather then investing in a backup you "might" need.

90% of the QBs drafted outside the first 2 rounds are free agents in 2 years... go get one of them in free agency, and coach em up. or sign a veteran as a long term backup... the Steelers have been to 3 super bowls with that strategy, i think it's worked out ok.

**norris** · 12-12-2012, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by NeilPatrickBanana

the point is that you can land great talent and impact players in those mid rounds (granted it's harder), but that's where Colbert nabs a Mike Wallace or Keenan Lewis... or later rounds like Cortez Allen or Chris Rainey

Sure, you miss 4 out of 5 times... but I'd rather take those shots on players that could make a difference regularly, rather then investing in a backup you "might" need.

90% of the QBs drafted outside the first 2 rounds are free agents in 2 years... go get one of them in free agency, and coach em up. or sign a veteran as a long term backup... the Steelers have been to 3 super bowls with that strategy, i think it's worked out ok.

I completley agree. Seahawks had an unknown in flynn. Eagles had injury prone vick and the redskins draft RGIII who is vulnerable to injury because of the way he plays. Ill be interested to see who gets let go by other teams in the offseason. Hopefully they pick up someone decent.

Steelers need to focus on Defense in the draft. Look around for a FA quarterback and running back. I'm hoping they do something like this in the draft....

1 – Louis Nix III – NT – Notre Dame
2 – Phillip Thomas – SS – Fresno State
3 – Shayne Skov – ILB – Stanford
4 – D.J. Swearinger – FS – South Carolina

**KemoTherapy** · 12-12-2012, 02:32 PM

There's so many needs on defense that it's pretty hard to zero in on what's most important. Putting McClendon and Hayward in permanently would be a good start for the d-line. That leaves a Harrison replacement and Troy replacement as the top order of the day imo.There are too many pressing needs to trade up unless a great talent slips and is suddenly witthin range. At some point you got to get a Ben replacement as well. That's the only other real reason to trade up because Ben has a lot of mileage on him now and is getting dinged up regularly.

**NeilPatrickBanana** · 12-12-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by norris

I completley agree. Seahawks had an unknown in flynn. Eagles had injury prone vick and the redskins draft RGIII who is vulnerable to injury because of the way he plays. Ill be interested to see who gets let go by other teams in the offseason. Hopefully they pick up someone decent.

Steelers need to focus on Defense in the draft. Look around for a FA quarterback and running back. I'm hoping they do something like this in the draft....

1 – Louis Nix III – NT – Notre Dame
2 – Phillip Thomas – SS – Fresno State
3 – Shayne Skov – ILB – Stanford
4 – D.J. Swearinger – FS – South Carolina

They need playmakers on defense for sure... I'd be disappointed if they went with run support players like NT and Skov (although Skov in the 3rd would be a steal).
A premier Pass Rusher is an absolute must in this draft

It's a great draft for safeties... and I have no doubt we can land a very good one in the 2nd.