Dissecting the 2014 NFL Draft – Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Draft (2)

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1/15 Ryan Shazier OLB – The Steeler D is getting old. Shazier adds youth, speed and instincts. He can play inside or outside and was a very good pick given their needs on D.

2/46 Stephon Tuitt DT – The team has seen DL players leave like the last one out had to play the dinner check. Tuitt was hurt and even when healthy was not as productive as he was in 2012. He will start only because of the lack of depth.

3/97 Dri Archer WR – Tiny was the fastest player at the combine. But at 5-8 173 you have to wonder how long he can survive in the AFC North. He has good hands and quicks but is only a slot guy.

4/118 Martavis Bryant WR – Bryant is a big fast WR that will make a real difference. He was a great value that could have gone in the 2nd round.

5/157 Shaquille Richardson CB – He has size but lacks top speed. He would have been more effective in a Tampa 2 system. I doubt he will be the guy they need.

5/173 Wesley Johnson C – He is smart and versatile. He could start at G or T for the Steelers.

6/192 Jordan Zumwalt ILB – He can play inside or out and was as productive as his UCLA team mate Anthony Barr. He lacks the upside of Barr however.

6/215 Daniel McCullers NT – At 6-7 McCullers is too tall to be a traditional NT. But the team needed a nose for the 3-4 and he is big enough to take up a lot of blockers. He was a good value and could be good.

7/230 Rob Blanchflower TE – They collect TEs like some collect stamps. Rob is a blocker first and that is what the team wants. He ended the season on the injured list and could start 2014 on the Non-football Injured list.

Overall the Steelers had a decent draft but only 2 of the picks were really good. The rest will be wait and see types.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think.

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Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/ and the live show Mondays at 6 PM Eastern time on .

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