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| Jarvis Jones (#95) Headlines the 2013 Steelers Draft Class |
Immediate Impact Players - To me, this is the biggest thing that the Steelers haven't done in the past that they finally did in this draft. It seemed every 1st Rd pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers under Tomlin was an "eventual" star. The entire time I'm watching other teams drafting players who are studs from Day 1. This year's draft is a sign that there are at least 2-3 players who could be significant players this year...not 2-3 years down the road. Jarvis Jones played in a 3-4 in college and is a pass rushing demon. Do I think he will start Week 1 over Jason Worilds? No...the defense is far too complex for that. Do I think he will come in on obvious passing situations and get after the QB? You bet he will. The Steelers RARELY trot rookies out on the defensive side of the ball, but with the lack of depth at OLB, this might be the year you see just that. Outside of Jarvis Jones I think that 2nd round pick Le'Veon Bell (RB) and 3rd round pick Markus Wheaton (WR) could be players who have an impact on this 2013-2014 Steelers team. Bell is more likely to see significant time considering the current Steelers RB situation. Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman both leave something to be desired, and with Rashard Mendenhall leaving town to Denver you have to think Bell will have a shot at seeing significant playing time. Will he start? I'd be shocked if it was the beginning of the season, but you never know. Wheaton will have to really show some good things in camp to get on the field above Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, and even Plaxico Burress. With that said, those are 3 rookies that have the best shot at really helping this team this season...something that hasn't been said much under Mike Tomlin.
Team Needs - Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin always say the same thing before the draft...we are looking for the best player on the board at the time we get our selection. That changed this year. There were other players available that the Steelers probably thought were the "best" or "most talented" on the board at pick #17, but they decided to scrap that theory and draft what the Steelers NEED. It was refreshing to see the top 3 picks go to the top 3 team NEEDS instead of just picking up someone who they thought was the most talented. Teams that are consistently contenders (along with the Steelers) draft by what best fits their team needs. The Steelers have started to do this the past few years by addressing O Line issues, but this draft was based solely around team need. It goes beyond the top 3 picks, but drafting a Safety in Rd 4, and a QB in the 5th Rd. Throw a CB in the 6th Rd and you've got yourself a draft that was based around team needs and not just picking the most talented player at the time.
Slight Desperation - There are times when the Steelers are down right arrogant with the way they run the football club. I look at last year as a perfect example of that. The Steelers SHOULD have cut ties with several veterans before going into the offseason, but arrogantly felt they could squeeze just a little bit of juice out of the lemon that didn't have anything left to give. In turn, the play on the field hurt and the Steelers were forced to backpedal into the offseason after a mediocre 8-8 season. They made some tough decisions this offseason, and because of that showed the desperation needed to to hopefully make this team competitive NEXT year...not in 2-3 years. No, I don't think this team is a project, but one that can win next season. Some of you might read this and think "Desperation...that isn't a good attribute to success", but I disagree. I think being desperate, or showing desperation is a quality that brings out the best of the best. Think about in terms of the game of football. 2 minute drill and you need a TD...the creme always rises to the top. The Steelers were a desperate team this April in the NFL draft, and in my humble opinion they succeeded in having a draft that (ON PAPER) can make the contenders again next season.
Obviously, the proof is in the pudding when it comes to any draft class, but for some reason this one stands out. Tomlin hasn't been as bad at drafting as most people think (CLICK HERE for an article I wrote on the topic last season), but I still think that this draft class could be something special. Only time will tell...
Your last statement is how I feel..."only time will tell." I don't put too much stock into "grading" draft classes until they get on the field with NFL players and you really see what they are capable of. There have been way to many "busts" in the past to get overly excited about guys who played well in college. We shall see.
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