Who do you hope the Stillers draft?

[Stoosh]

I can't believe I'm bringing up a Stillers topic here, but I've always enjoyed the NFL Draft. I think it's overhyped for the most part. But I like the first day because those are typically your impact guys. I like the second day because I follow college football quite a bit and it's interesting to see where some of the familiar names go.

So who do you hope the Steelers take at #32? Don't tell me who you think they'll take...who do you HOPE they'll take?

I like Bobby Carpenter, the LB from Ohio State quite a bit. Sad as it is to say, you don't see technically-sound players like that in the pros a lot anymore. I like Ko Simpson and Darnell Bing, the two safeties from South Carolina and USC, respectively.

But I'm really hoping that LenDale White falls to them at #32. If he gets past Carolina at #27, I'd think that he's still there when the Steelers pick at #32. The Steelers are in the rare position of not having a ton of holes in their lineup to fill, so they might be able to take a bit of a risk with a pick like this.

White might be a gamble for a team picking in the top 20 or 25, but not at #32. This kid's game is tailor-made for the NFL, perhaps moreso than that of his USC counterpart who projects to go first overall. I don't buy these comparisons to Bettis either. White may be out of shape now, but my guess is that even on his worst day, White is more cut than Bettis was on his best. I've seen White run when he was in shape, and he's a lot more like Mike Anderson or even Larry Johnson than he is Jerome Bettis.

[Kicksave]

You know, i've pretty much gone through the whole cycle of who i'd want. First, I wanted Moss but the more I learned about him, I didn't want him. Then I went through the runningback phase, and then the safety. I wouldn't mind seeing Jason Allen (S, Tennesee) or Donte Whitner (S, Ohio State) but I don't really want to take one of them because of the depth at safety. You can get a Pat Watkins (S, Florida State) or Danieal Manning (CB/S, Abilene Christian) in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

That would mean if Lendale White were to fall, i'd probably take him but I don't think he'll get past Carolina. There won't be any WR worth taking at #32, so forget that idea. You can get better value at WR in the 2nd-4th rounds, such as Nance, Demetrius Williams, Derek Hagan, Maurice Stovall, etc.

Basically, #32 is going to come around as best player available. And, I hated this at first, I think the best pick would be Nick Mangold (C, Ohio State). Our game is won and lost in the trenches. Jeff Hartings is on his last leg and we don't know if Okobi is going to be able to be a #1. Altho Okobi just got a new contract, its structured where if hes cut in 2 years, its not that big ofa hit. I'm talking like 300K - 500K, which is hardly nothing. Mangold is touted as being a top of the line center, in the mold of Olin Kreutz or Kevin Mawae. Our OL would be pretty much set for a dynasty run (3-4 more years) with Marvel, Faneca, Mangold, Kemoeatu, Starks (I think Kemo will push for the starting job this year - the guys a beast)

Anyway, Mangold would be a nice, safe pick that will more than likely yeild us a pro-bowler.

2. Demetrius Williams (WR) or Danieal Manning (S)
3. Pat Watkins (S) or Martin Nance (WR)
4. Running Back
4. Linebacker
4. Defensive Line
5. Offensive Guard
5. Corner Back
6. Offensive Tackle
7. Tight End (Jai Lewis, George Mason...take a shot at the next Antonio Gates)

(4-6 is best player at those positions available)

[HomerPenguin]

I can't believe I'm bringing up a Stillers topic here, but I've always enjoyed the NFL Draft. I think it's overhyped for the most part. But I like the first day because those are typically your impact guys. I like the second day because I follow college football quite a bit and it's interesting to see where some of the familiar names go.

So who do you hope the Steelers take at #32? Don't tell me who you think they'll take...who do you HOPE they'll take?

I like Bobby Carpenter, the LB from Ohio State quite a bit. Sad as it is to say, you don't see technically-sound players like that in the pros a lot anymore. I like Ko Simpson and Darnell Bing, the two safeties from South Carolina and USC, respectively.

But I'm really hoping that LenDale White falls to them at #32. If he gets past Carolina at #27, I'd think that he's still there when the Steelers pick at #32. The Steelers are in the rare position of not having a ton of holes in their lineup to fill, so they might be able to take a bit of a risk with a pick like this.

White might be a gamble for a team picking in the top 20 or 25, but not at #32. This kid's game is tailor-made for the NFL, perhaps moreso than that of his USC counterpart who projects to go first overall. I don't buy these comparisons to Bettis either. White may be out of shape now, but my guess is that even on his worst day, White is more cut than Bettis was on his best. I've seen White run when he was in shape, and he's a lot more like Mike Anderson or even Larry Johnson than he is Jerome Bettis.

White is big, but he rumored to be slow and he's hurt so he can't run for anybody. I'd rather see them go S or even WR although the return there at 1-32 in this draft may not be great. I'm not even sure a BPA strategy would lead to White with all the question marks around him.

[Bowser]

Honestly, unless someone falls to them at 32, I would trade down a few spots. I just don't see anyone worth first round money at 32, where you can't get the same quality in the 40s.

[conforto45]

i think you go after LenDale White or Sanorice Moss if either of them are still available..

White is the typical "steelers back"

big, bruising running back who can handle the load..

Sanorice Moss is a quick as hell WR that can take the 2nd spot and return kicks...

if a big name WR isnt available early, i would also like to see them go after Michael Robinson from PSU...

He would be a perfect twin image of Randel El. He knows he wont get drafted as a QB..

he can catch, run and return kicks. im sold on him as being a Steeler...

Bobby Carpenter wouldnt be bad...

but i would love to see an Offensive player taken

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

My choices in order are:

Moss - they need a 3rd WR with punt return ability more than anyother position.

White - a good third down RB who could one day be the starter is another need. White may not have the type of character the Steelers look for though.

Carpenter - A team like the Steelers can never have too many good LBs, and Porter or Farrior will be FAs pretty soon.

Mangold - He might be the only guy on my list still available at #32. He is the best center in the draft, and Hartings was supposed to retire two years ago with bad knees. If this is Hartings last year than he can compete with Okobi in 2007.

[Kicksave]

You guys can forget about S. Moss

1. I believe his agent is Rosenhawwse
2. He is a midget - They don't need another Randle El. We signed a replacement for Randle El last year when we got Ced the Entertainer. We still have yet got a replacement for Plaxico Burress. To get something straight, i'm not saying that we need a 6'4" receiver (altho one that has some hands is nice), we just need someone who can stretch the field and can get up for the ball. Corners now a days are bigger and stronger, getting up into the 6' range. With no fault of his own, Moss is like 5'7. He might have an awesome vertical leap but what good is it if hes only 5'7...hes still only about where a taller, bad leaper would be. I'd rather take someone later in the draft who is taller, and has the physical attributes but is raw.

We'd be best sutied by taking one of the big running backs if the fall (Deangelo Williams, Lendale White, Laurence Maroney) or one of the top safteys if they fall (Jason Allen, Donte Whitner) other than that, stick with Mangold.

[ville5]

I'm hoping they use one or two of those extra picks and trade up again. Get the player that they want. Within reason of course. Not wait to pick up the scraps. Kinda hoping for White.
Not sure if Fast Willie can take the pounding all year. And I don't think the Duece is the answer.

[Bowser]

If you trade up to get a player you want like they did for Polamalu, they're probably hoping to get Santonio Holmes. I think that's the only player in the draft worth jumping up to get in the 15-21 range, who could step in right away and be a valuable asset.

I'm not interested in Sinorice Moss as a WR because he's too small, he's an unproven special teams returner, and his agent is Drew Rosenhaus.

If Holmes passes Philadelphia(14) and Denver (15), Steelers must get in front of San Diego at 19 to get a shot at Holmes.

Of course, Mel Kiper has him going 21 to New England but I think he's the best WR in the draft ahead of combine circus darling Chad Jackson.

[Tocchet]

Package the first and one of the two third round picks to move up and nab either Jackson or Holmes.

If they stay pat, grab either Jason Allen (S out of Tenn) or Nick Mangold (C out of OSU). Neither is sexy, but either would be better than what they currently have (i.e., the new safety from Wash or Okobi).

If they stay at #32, I'm hoping that they'll move into the early-mid 3rd round and get Devin Hester. Obviously he's be their return man from day 1, but I think he could also become a very good option at WR. Miami didn't develop him properly since he was always switching around from CB to WR to CB to RB to CB, but he might be the kind of game-changing deep threat that the team could really use right now.

A late round pick should be used on Chase Page of UNC. 6-4 3/4, 296 DT/DE (for the 3-4) who ran a "slow" (for him) 4.9 forty, which equalled the best ran by any DT at the combine. He also scored a ridiculous 29 on the Wonderlic test, and he broad-jumped 9'11"...one inch further than Mario "Super" Williams. Great character and leadership, with a non-stop motor.

[Bowser]

Page is the type of DE, Steelers like. Smart and good for the 3-4 scheme. Good gem.

[DelPen]

I hope White is there at #32 but I can't see the Colts passing him up at #30 if he slips that far. I also don't see anyone worth moving up 4 or 5 spots either for what it would cost and I highly doubt anyone would give us anything to move down either.

If White's not there I'd like to see a WR who can return punts now and work into the offense slowly over the next couple years. Or just draft the best player available since there is no glaring weakness that can't be patched be a camp cut from another team.

[Goalie]

The key number for the Steelers this year could be their total number of draft picks. They have 10 of them, they do not have room for 10 players no do they probably have the cap space available to play all 10 rookies.

I would like to see them "trade up" but they could do this in one of two ways in my opinion. Either they try to make a big splash and move way up in the first round to get the player they really want. Whether that player is LenDale White, Chad Jackson, they could make a move to guarantee themselves that player.

The Steelers could also make a move to aquire a higher extra second round pick or maybe even more third round picks to give the more of a chance to gamble on someone like Devin Hester, Jeremy Bloom, Michael Robinson, etc.

I am not overly excited about the prospect of the Steelers moving up to get Holmes or Jackson, LenDale White would be my choice if possible. Lets not forget that how good White was during the season and one bad workout because of a torn hamstring does not change any of that.

The Steelers are obviously going to take a return specialist at some point, Maurice Drew, Bloom, Hester and they will need to get a reciever at some point as well.

I really want them to get Michael Robinson at some point. Call me biased if you want because of the PSU connection but the kid is a works hard, is a leader and has tremendous physical skills. He is the type of player that the Steelers usually take and develop into very useful players.

[Tocchet]

The key number for the Steelers this year could be their total number of draft picks. They have 10 of them, they do not have room for 10 players no do they probably have the cap space available to play all 10 rookies.

Exactly. Even with the value-method of determining how much the Steelers would have to move up, they'd be able to do it with all of those compensatory picks that garnered. I'd package a third and a fourth to move up for one of the stud WRs (either Holmes or Jackson) since I think that's the biggest need for this team. You can't put all the pressure on Fast Willie and Big Ben while giving Ben only Hines and Heath -- they need a vertical threat to complement their other pieces.

If they do stay at 32, good point about packaging those picks to acquire an early second pick to go along with their regular second rounder.

[DelPen]

The key number for the Steelers this year could be their total number of draft picks. They have 10 of them, they do not have room for 10 players no do they probably have the cap space available to play all 10 rookies.

Exactly. Even with the value-method of determining how much the Steelers would have to move up, they'd be able to do it with all of those compensatory picks that garnered. I'd package a third and a fourth to move up for one of the stud WRs (either Holmes or Jackson) since I think that's the biggest need for this team. You can't put all the pressure on Fast Willie and Big Ben while giving Ben only Hines and Heath -- they need a vertical threat to complement their other pieces.

If they do stay at 32, good point about packaging those picks to acquire an early second pick to go along with their regular second rounder.

10 picks, wow. I didn't realize it. So they really could package their 1st and then the later picks in each round they have extras to move up a good distance in the 1st. I would really love to see a tandem of Parker and White in the backfield after this season when Staley is cut loose.

[HomerPenguin]

White - a good third down RB who could one day be the starter is another need. White may not have the type of character the Steelers look for though.

How can we say that White is a "good third down RB?" The guy caught 31 passes total in three years at USC and I don't think he was asked to do much pass blocking but I could be wrong. Maybe he'd make a fantastic third down back, but I don't see how anybody could possibly guess that at this point.

[Tocchet]

The draft value guide shows that it would cost the Steelers too much to move from 32 to mid-first round to grab either of the elite WRs, but they could swap with Chicago to nab White before Carolina can, and that would cost them a third. Seeing how the Steelers have 3 4th round picks (2 of which are compensatory and cannot be traded), the Steelers would likely do it IF they really are enamored with White.

http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/pick_value_chart.htm

But since they have real holes at WR, S and return, I think they'll stay at 32 and then use their 4th and 5th round picks to move up to early third and grab someone like Hester, who could help immediately with the return game and could be used as a 5th WR until he really learns his craft.

1 1st round
1 2nd round
1 3rd round
3 4th round (two compensatory)
2 5th round (one compensatory)
1 6th round
1 7th round

[Ron`]

One question for all you 1st round WR pickers. Is there really a WR in the first round worth a first round pick? Think of the salary involved contract wise. I say no, this may be the first year I can remember where there will be no 1st round pick at WR.

The closest thing to a first round receiver is the TE Vernon Davis and we don't need another pass catching TE. Steelers will go best available athelete at 32, but I'd bet the house it isn't going to be a WR. Only way they trade up is if they really covet a RB and I don't think that's the case. They'd rather gamble on the depth of this draft at RB and LB to get a good player regardless.

[Tocchet]

Sorry, but there will be two or three WRs taken in the first round (Holmes, Jackson and possibly Moss).

I think the first-round worthy RBs will be gone by the time the Steelers pick. I heard that they are high on UCLA RB Maurice Drew, who may turn out like a Brian Westbrook, but I'm not sure where he fits in other than returner. The Steel don't need another smaller skatback RB with Haynes firmly entrenched as the 3rd down back and "Fast" Willie providing the "smaller" back for the offense.

The team's feeling about Rian Wallace will be key as to whether they should go for an early ILB. D'Qwell Jackson is a guy that I like, but he likely will go in the early 2nd round before the Steelers can pick.

[ville5]

Sorry, but there will be two or three WRs taken in the first round (Holmes, Jackson and possibly Moss).

I think the first-round worthy RBs will be gone by the time the Steelers pick. I heard that they are high on UCLA RB Maurice Drew, who may turn out like a Brian Westbrook, but I'm not sure where he fits in other than returner. The Steel don't need another smaller skatback RB with Haynes firmly entrenched as the 3rd down back and "Fast" Willie providing the "smaller" back for the offense.

The team's feeling about Rian Wallace will be key as to whether they should go for an early ILB. D'Qwell Jackson is a guy that I like, but he likely will go in the early 2nd round before the Steelers can pick.

A couple mocks I've seen have White falling to the Steel. If that happens, or the running back they like is there, I'd like to see them trade up in the 2nd round. (The running game is too important to us to not take a RB at 32. IMHO.)
I'd like to see them trade up and grab Demetrius Williams, WR of Oregon. Tough, quick kid who's not afraid to go over the middle.

[Rocco]

Lendale White as a 3rd down back? The guy is a bruising plowhorse. His destiny is either the next Ron Dayne (fat and out of shape and afraid of contact) or Earl Campbell (destroyer, until his body falls apart from all the carries). I think the guy could potentially be a stud if his head is screwed on right.

The Steelers should take the best player available to them at 32. I don't think it's worth trading up to get a receiver. I never cared much for Moss (although that could be because Miami's offense has been bad the last few years), and Jackson seems like the typical guy who has great workouts and moves up the draft boards after a less than great season. Maurice Stovall should be available in Round 2.

[Ron`]

Sorry, but there will be two or three WRs taken in the first round (Holmes, Jackson and possibly Moss).

K gonna hold you to that, I say 1 maybe Moss and he's a reach for late first round. But no way 3.

[Kicksave]

Sorry, but there will be two or three WRs taken in the first round (Holmes, Jackson and possibly Moss).

K gonna hold you to that, I say 1 maybe Moss and he's a reach for late first round. But no way 3.

How will Moss be the first WR taken when he is rated, by pretty much everyone, the 3rd best WR on the board behind Chad Jackson and Santonio Holmes?

[Bowser]

Ron - Sorry but there's a major problem with teams if they're taking Sinorice Moss over Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson. Honestly, I think Moss is a 2nd round talent, Jackson is the usual suspect Gator WR and Holmes would be a bottom first tier WR in most other drafts.

I think there's more value in the second and third rounds at WR with guys like Jason Avant, Jonathan Orr, Demetrius Williams, Maurice Stovall, Greg Lee, Michael Robinson, Derek Hagan, Will Blackmon, Martin Nance, and Brandon Williams.

So unless the Steelers really rate Holmes that much higher at WR than the 2nd and 3rd round talent, I think the Steelers will go with the best talent and use their extra picks to move up in the second and third rounds.

[Ron`]

Ron - Sorry but there's a major problem with teams if they're taking Sinorice Moss over Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson. Honestly, I think Moss is a 2nd round talent, Jackson is the usual suspect Gator WR and Holmes would be a bottom first tier WR in most other drafts.

I think there's more value in the second and third rounds at WR with guys like Jason Avant, Jonathan Orr, Demetrius Williams, Maurice Stovall, Greg Lee, Michael Robinson, Derek Hagan, Will Blackmon, Martin Nance, and Brandon Williams.

So unless the Steelers really rate Holmes that much higher at WR than the 2nd and 3rd round talent, I think the Steelers will go with the best talent and use their extra picks to move up in the second and third rounds.

So were actually agreeing, there is no true first round WR talent in this draft. If someone takes one it's going to be a reach and overpaying for second round talent. That was my original point. The only reason I picked Moss was there is a rumour that a team will waste that late first round pick for a second round receiver.

Jackson is a combine/workout wonder. Holmes is second round material for sure. Moss intrigues people only because of the success of smaller guys like Steve Smith.