In honor of Kurgan Hitman Final Mock: Twas the Night Before the 2020 NFL Draft

[Steeler Hitman]

Okay, Kurgan here goes:

With live feeds from the offices of Mr. Rooney, Mr. Colbert, Coach Tomlin, OC Fitchner, and DC Butler! (well pretend live feeds).

 

2nd Round Pick #49 - - Available choices: WR Brandon Aiyuk TCU, Michael Pittman WR USC, ILB Mailk Harrison Ohio State, JK Dobbins Ohio State, and Terrell Lewis Edge Alabama.

Kyle Dugger, Cesar Ruiz, Llyod Cushenberry, Jalen Johnson, Jake Fromm, and Nick Eason are all gone (no trade partner for QB). 

I pick WR Michael Pittman Jr. 6'4 225 - - I went for some size and the Steelers have a successful history when drafting USC WR's (Lynn Swann, Calvin Sweeney, Ju Ju). 

I didn't get the true burner, but I got some size and a solid guy to play opposite Ju Ju.  Washington and Dionte can dominate in the slot and I am believing in Cain to help add some deep speed. 

 

3rd Round pick #102 - - Available players are OL's Logan Stenberg Kentucky, Matt Hennessy Temple, Nick Harris Washington, Prince Tega Wanogho Auburn, RB AJ Dillon Boston College, and DT Leki Fotu Utah. 

New England takes my dream pick Tyler Biadasz one selection before I get to grab my man-crush as the Jets did Darelle Revis some years back. I am torn between taking the OL as the OL run has started, drafting the player to eventually get the middle of the defense clogged or the RB dynamic duo. Wanogho is athletic but has medical concerns not fan of Hennessy for our offense. Stenberg is a G and I have Wiz.....Nick Harris who is a talented C prospect or do I lock up the defense with Leki? I lock up the defense! Steelers get a Haloti Ngata type player for the defense!

Round Four - - Two picks #124 and #135. Available players at pick #124 RB Josh Kelly UCLA, ILB Cam Brown Penn State, OC John Simpson Clemson, and SS K'von Wallace Clemson. I like Kelly. I think he is a sleeper. Simpson would help provide depth on the OL, but we need help at safety and particularly SS.  I will see if the football gods smile on me and let Kelly or Simpson drop to 135. I help the back-end after missing out on Kyle Duggar earlier. Pick: K'von Wallace 5'11 205.

Round Four - - Pick #135 the football gods don't smile on me and the Ravens nab both Simpson at #129 and Josh Kelly one pick before me at #134.  No problem, we expect these little setbacks.  Available players: huge OG Soloman Kindley UGA, Washington OT, Trey Adams, Nebraska CB Lamar Jackson, RB Keshaun Vaughn Vanderbilt. The pick is UGA OG is between Trey Adams and Solomon Kindley 6'3 335. Here's the beef!!! Our inside rushing attack will get better. DL's will start to get pushed off the ball at the LOS. We will not need to solely rely on pulling OG's or the C to get the rushing attack going.  Back to line up and punch them in the mouth! We need to become bullies at the LOS again on both sides of the ball! The game is won in the trenches. I didn't get the heir apparent at C, but what a nice road grader! 

6th round after taking a bit of a siesta in round five.  The board gets reset and we are looking at the following for pick #199: Darius Anderson RB TCU, Casey Toohill Edge Standfod, Kamren Curl S Arkansas, Sterling Hofrichter P Syracuse. This may not be a popular choice, but I view the need for competition at punter as a huge step towards taking this team to the next level. There are some that can be had in round seven or free agency, but I like what I've read about Sterling and he has upside despite not great size orr the strength of Turk.  A great bench press never helped a punter kick the ball high and deep though. Pick: Punter Sterling Hofrichter Syracuse 5'11 185. 

 

Seventh Round pick #233 - -  We are into getting someone that we like as a free agent and keeping him from signing elsewhere. Do I take an Edge, ILB, RB, LT, or another safety. i will go with the player I know since I probably did abit of a reach with the punter instead of going Edge last round.

Pick: Adrian Killings Jr. RB UCF 5'8 165 (with two rolls of quarters in his shorts) - - He won't be a serious RB with his size and serious concerns about him getting leveled between the tackles. However, there is no substitute for speed.  I am hoping he can be what Dri Archer was not for our offense: Jet sweeps, quick screens and hopefully hit some home runs aka long runs/catches. He never had a year that he did not have at least a 71 yard play from scrimmage. 

My breakdwon is one WR, one DT, one Safety, one huge OG, one diminutive P, and one speedy gnat of an offensive weapon:  3 offense, 2 defense and one Punter. All in all, I am not doing cartwheels, but I feel like I helped improve this team for 2020 in some positions and potentially down the road. Biggest questons marks are the last two picks and I don't worry that much withsixth and seventh rounders. Not a bad place to gamble if you lose. I honestly think both could make them team as specialist. That is it. I played a few scenarios in my heard and used Drafteks board to do the mock and anticipate what I felt teams would do based on their positioning and my gut. This was for you Kurgan so grade away.

[MOSteelers56]

Pretty solid draft. I don't love Pittman at 49. He's too similar to JuJu for me, not a bad thing I'd just like a little variety. I wouldn't hate Pittman, I think he's a good player. Definitely fills the needs the team has. I think a lot of these guys get solid snap counts by the end of the year. 

[Steeler Hitman]

 

 

 

1

1 minute ago, MOSteelers56 said:

Pretty solid draft. I don't love Pittman at 49. He's too similar to JuJu for me, not a bad thing I'd just like a little variety. I wouldn't hate Pittman, I think he's a good player. Definitely fills the needs the team has. I think a lot of these guys get solid snap counts by the end of the year. 

I agree that they are similar, but I think they would actually complement each other in terms of play.  Pittman is a bit bigger height and weight. This can create some mismatches. Like Ju Ju he also sneaky faster than he times.  I see Pittman potentially having a Plaxico like affect. Ben has always wanted the big-bodied WR.  At 6'4 and 225 pounds, Ben gets that. He isn't Martavious in terms of speed, but he can stretch the field. Pittman gives the team something different in terms of size and style than Johnson, Washington, and Cain though. That is why I took Pittman over Aiyuk who is a bit straight-line faster. 

[jebrick]

I would hate it just for selecting Pittman and Fotu

Why I am not a fan of Pittman for the Steelers.  They have him already and he is called James Washington and JuJu( to a degree).

Do not like wasting high picks on the blockbuster franchise

6th round punter but at least you drafted a punter.

I will be very surprised if Wallace makes it to the 4th

Edited April 22, 2020 by jebrick

[Steeler Hitman]

 

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, jebrick said:

I would hate it just for selecting Pittman and Fotu

Why I am not a fan of Pittman for the Steelers.  They have him already and he is called James Washington and JuJu( to a degree).

Do not like wasting high picks on the blockbuster franchise

6th round punter but at least you drafted a punter.

I respect that. I understand Pittman, but why Futu? Is it too early or the waisting a pick on a two-down player argument? 

[jebrick]

Too early to put a pick into a 2 down player.

[kurgan]

First, thanks for the shoutout @Steeler Hitman!!!

As long as I have been doing this (at least 3 years on here) the Steelers never listen to me.  I wanted a DL three years ago, but we did 'OK' with Watt.  I did not want Bush, I was for staying with our picks and getting players, and I think we did "OK" there too.  As much as I want a trade down for picks for depth, the Steelers are most likely going to stay at 49 and take one of the 1-2 players that they have really shown interest/connection to.

As much as I would be against it personally, Pittman 'feels' like a Steeler.  The connections are real, and if he is there at 49, he feels like he will be the pick.  Yes, I think he is much the same player as JWash, but like many men... we have a type.  Ben/Fichner/Tombert seem to like big, tall, jumpball dudes who are not burners but can make big plays down the field.  There is a world in which after the bye week our 4 wide is JWash wide right, Pittman wide left, JJSS and DJ in the slots. Add in EE as a mismatch slot option, and that is a pretty impressive lineup.  2 jumpball specialsts on the outside, a slot mismatch and a quick YAC guy.  5 wide could add EE and really hurt people.

Truth be told, I feel like if Taylor or Pittman are here, they are the picks.  They are the two 2.49 guys we have been in contact with, and they both 'feel' like Steelers as much as I would be against it.  The connections are real, and so is the need.

Moving on, I could stomach Wallace and Fotu better if they were switched.  Fotu is a great piece for us, and fills an immediate need. Wallace may be my favorite fit of all of the Safties, Winfield included.  I could throw Kindley in there as well.  I love him as a player (I am a UGA homer) and he fits what we do.  This is a good range for him as well.

Basically, if we came out with those top 4, we are already playing with house money.  I don't mind the result, even if I can't get behind the pick at 102. I would be upset on Friday if this were to happen IRL, but I would be better at the end.

Hofrichter is an interesting name.  Punter rankings are strange, as most places have Mann/Turk at 1 and 2, and then either this kid or Charlton from SC.  Some places have this kid #1.. I will say that I have not watched many Syracuse games and even less punter film.  But, the position needs to be addressed, and he is one of the best.

Reading up on Killings, he seems not at all like what we normally take.  165 is generous, but he is a burner.  He is def different than what we normally do, and he is an interesting add to the RB room, to be sure.

Forgive me as I beat the dead horse, but I am not a fan of not addressing the ILB position.  I know you added Wallace, which helps in subpackages, but the lack of anyone in that room save Bush and UG3 worries me.  Also, the special teams aspect is not addressed with adding an Edge or ILB.  But, maybe with UDFAs we can snag a guy.

Overall, this is what I see the Steelers draft being more like.  As much as *I* want a trade down, Tombert is going to want that Top 50 pick.  As someone stated earlier in another thread, I could even see us turn some 2021 stuff into 2020 picks by moving up from 102.  Again, as much as I hate it, that seems to be more of a Colbert move.  If we stay at 49, Pittman or Taylor are going to be the guys.

But all that being said, just looking at the haul this is a B+/A- draft for me. I don't think there is any way we leave this weekend with just 6 picks.  There will be some wheeling and dealing involved, be it 2021 picks, trade down, or a player trade....

[Chieferific]

Is it too late to do the mock draft where we vote for the specific player?  I really enjoy that.

Edited April 22, 2020 by Chieferific

[43M]

I really hate the idea of us drafting a WR early.   

[Steelers22]

1 hour ago, FourThreeMafia said:

I really hate the idea of us drafting a WR early.   

Yeah, I'm slightly confused about the idea that we need a WR. Juju is an established starter/potential upper echelon receiver, James Washington made big strides last year, and Diontae Johnson looks like he's going to be really good. Unless we plan on letting Juju go next year (and I doubt the front office has any strong opinion on this right now), I just don't see how a WR sees the field this year or anytime soon.

[AFF]

1 hour ago, FourThreeMafia said:

I really hate the idea of us drafting a WR early.   

James Washington while improved doesn’t seem to be a guy who should be anything more than a good 3 or maybe an average 2nd wr...plus JuJu might not get resigned due to cap reasons.

I understand not liking it due to the depth of the draft class but as a complementary piece this year sand potentially a starter next year it makes sense.

I would prefer if they went that route it was with something they don’t have...speed....Reagor...Mims...heck even Hamler.

FWIW I think they go Pittman at 49 if he’s there and go WR.

[Steelers22]

3 minutes ago, AlanFanecaFan said:

James Washington while improved doesn’t seem to be a guy who should be anything more than a good 3 or maybe an average 2nd wr...plus JuJu might not get resigned due to cap reasons.

I understand not liking it due to the depth of the draft class but as a complementary piece this year sand potentially a starter next year it makes sense.

I would prefer if they went that route it was with something they don’t have...speed....Reagor...Mims...heck even Hamler.

FWIW I think they go Pittman at 49 if he’s there and go WR.

I understand that perspective but it seems like a bit of a luxury for a team that has such a small window for a championship. With that said, I don't think our team has any major holes right now so I'm ok with BPA. But if it's close, I'd prefer a RB (Conner is guaranteed to be hurt and probably leave next year and I'm not a benny snell guy) or offensive line, which will be a MAJOR need sooner rather than later.

[Steeler Hitman]

23 hours ago, jebrick said:

Too early to put a pick into a 2 down player.

I hear that argument a lot. My response is that I know that the face of offensive football typically changes late in the year going into December and January. The Titans looked like the Jaguars of 2017 that ran the ball down our throats at home . The inability to stop the run and run the football lost that game more than anything else in 2017. It is also a major reason that 2019 was not more successful despite losing Big Ben. Late in the season Buffalo, Jets, and the Ravens ran well enough to keep the Steelers out of the win column. Earlier in the year, the Steelers had struggles stopping the Seahawks, 49'ers, Colts and Browns.  In my humble opinion a two-down player that keeps our defense from second and five and third and two is much needed. With our pass rush and a dominant run stuffer on early downs, it becomes second and nine and third and seven. Those downs in distance favor our defense. So, I would argue that investing in a stout run stuffing two down players does warrant consideration.  Passing well may win the division title, but running the ball and good defense wins championships. That is the goal. 

I certainly trust and respect your input. You stated that Karl Dugger would end up a late first or early second round talent before all was said and done and you have more accurately predicted a lot of movement than some of the so-called draft gurus and experts. I honestly believe that this type of ruun stuffer makes a huge difference on our defense. Even if it is only for first and or second down.

21 hours ago, kurgan said:

First, thanks for the shoutout @Steeler Hitman!!!

No problem. I appreciate your enthusiasm and passion to share what you know and believe. 

As long as I have been doing this (at least 3 years on here) the Steelers never listen to me.  I wanted a DL three years ago, but we did 'OK' with Watt.  I did not want Bush, I was for staying with our picks and getting players, and I think we did "OK" there too.  As much as I want a trade down for picks for depth, the Steelers are most likely going to stay at 49 and take one of the 1-2 players that they have really shown interest/connection to.

It is really hard to say because I don't know how their board will shape up or fall. I will say that they certainly should have tried or considered doing that when they drafted Edmonds.  No one hated the selection, but most felt they could have sought a trade partner and traded down and still got him. I have even said that I would have preferred Mason in round one to Edmonds. Not that he is a better player, but based on draft grades and value. If the value falls, I think they woul dbe wise in not over-drafting a player and seeking a suitable partner to trade down with. Someone may want Jalen Hurst, Jake Fromm, or Eason who missed out on a first round QB. The Steelers have been far less predictable and conservative over the past few years.

As much as I would be against it personally, Pittman 'feels' like a Steeler.  The connections are real, and if he is there at 49, he feels like he will be the pick.  Yes, I think he is much the same player as JWash, but like many men... we have a type.  Ben/Fichner/Tombert seem to like big, tall, jumpball dudes who are not burners but can make big plays down the field.  There is a world in which after the bye week our 4 wide is JWash wide right, Pittman wide left, JJSS and DJ in the slots. Add in EE as a mismatch slot option, and that is a pretty impressive lineup.  2 jumpball specialsts on the outside, a slot mismatch and a quick YAC guy.  5 wide could add EE and really hurt people.

I have been against the Steelers going wide receiver most every year, but for the most part have liked the results in Ju Ju, Washington and Dionte. Because my board fell that way, they won't draft a WR at all with my luck. I have nothing against Pittman. He is high character and high production. 

Truth be told, I feel like if Taylor or Pittman are here, they are the picks.  They are the two 2.49 guys we have been in contact with, and they both 'feel' like Steelers as much as I would be against it.  The connections are real, and so is the need.

I agree. As much of a James Connor fan as I am, I really would like to see Taylor in the Steelers Black N Gold. He offers speed that none of our other backs besides Kerrith White have. 

Moving on, I could stomach Wallace and Fotu better if they were switched.  Fotu is a great piece for us, and fills an immediate need. Wallace may be my favorite fit of all of the Safeties, Winfield included.  I could throw Kindley in there as well.  I love him as a player (I am a UGA homer) and he fits what we do.  This is a good range for him as well.

I didn't go with who I wanted or what I wanted, I kind of followed the draft board and what or how I thought other teams may draft as well. My dream draft would be different.

Basically, if we came out with those top 4, we are already playing with house money.  I don't mind the result, even if I can't get behind the pick at 102. I would be upset on Friday if this were to happen IRL, but I would be better at the end.

Hofrichter is an interesting name.  Punter rankings are strange, as most places have Mann/Turk at 1 and 2, and then either this kid or Charlton from SC.  Some places have this kid #1.. I will say that I have not watched many Syracuse games and even less punter film.  But, the position needs to be addressed, and he is one of the best.

I like Turk as well based on his pedigree, but I have read and seen some good comments about him (Sterling) as well. 

Reading up on Killings, he seems not at all like what we normally take.  165 is generous, but he is a burner.  He is def different than what we normally do, and he is an interesting add to the RB room, to be sure.

Agreed, but I have seen what Dave Meggot and other diminutive burners or gnat-like-quick small guys can do.  He is a specialist and unique weapon.  My love is the explosiveness that he brings. He would be hell to contain with Jet sweeps, wildcat, reverses, screens, and other gadget plays. Not the usual, but a very interesting X-factor. It didn't work with Dri Archer, but I think this kid can find a role in the NFL. He is lightning in a bottle.

Forgive me as I beat the dead horse, but I am not a fan of not addressing the ILB position.  I know you added Wallace, which helps in subpackages, but the lack of anyone in that room save Bush and UG3 worries me.  Also, the special teams aspect is not addressed with adding an Edge or ILB.  But, maybe with UDFAs we can snag a guy.

After those two: VW will play in some early downs. I still believe that if Edmonds does not flourish at  SS, he will find success in Marc Barron's old role. He would be playing as a Dimebacker with the right safety back deep and Minkah able to flow. Robert Spillane takes Dirty Red's special teams role. I may be undervaluing the need, but I don't think this hurts the Steelers as much especially if they get a little more stout against the run. 

Overall, this is what I see the Steelers draft being more like.  As much as *I* want a trade down, Tombert is going to want that Top 50 pick.  As someone stated earlier in another thread, I could even see us turn some 2021 stuff into 2020 picks by moving up from 102.  Again, as much as I hate it, that seems to be more of a Colbert move.  If we stay at 49, Pittman or Taylor are going to be the guys.

If they are there. If you have guys that are not on your board or top 50 at 49, you should try to move down.  What I don't want to see is taking the #83 ranked player at #49 without trying to make some moves to move down.  As far as moving up, we did that with Minkah by trading this year's #1. You can't do that every year. You still need the draft to build the nucleus of your team. Minkah is a rare special player and worth the investment. I don't believe the Steelers would be able to draft anyone at #20 who would bring to them what he has, will and does. 

 

But all that being said, just looking at the haul this is a B+/A- draft for me. I don't think there is any way we leave this weekend with just 6 picks.  There will be some wheeling and dealing involved, be it 2021 picks, trade down, or a player trade....

Thanks for the input.

[jebrick]

36 minutes ago, Steeler Hitman said:

I hear that argument a lot. My response is that I know that the face of offensive football typically changes late in the year going into December and January. The Titans looked like the Jaguars of 2017 that ran the ball down our throats at home . The inability to stop the run and run the football lost that game more than anything else in 2017. It is also a major reason that 2019 was not more successful despite losing Big Ben. Late in the season Buffalo, Jets, and the Ravens ran well enough to keep the Steelers out of the win column. Earlier in the year, the Steelers had struggles stopping the Seahawks, 49'ers, Colts and Browns.  In my humble opinion a two-down player that keeps our defense from second and five and third and two is much needed. With our pass rush and a dominant run stuffer on early downs, it becomes second and nine and third and seven. Those downs in distance favor our defense. So, I would argue that investing in a stout run stuffing two down players does warrant consideration.  Passing well may win the division title, but running the ball and good defense wins championships. That is the goal. 

So Hargraves was not the NT type they wanted?  He was not the classic Wilfolk/Hampton type NT.  He was closer to a 3 or 1 tech in a 4-3.  The Ravens, with Brandon Williams, considered one of the best NT, got killed vs the Titans. 

 

A player like Hargraves you take day 2.  Now they were 7th vs the run in 2019.  Hargraves played 60% of the snaps only because Tuitt was injured.  If you want a Hargraves replacement you want to make that pick #49 with players like Blacklock, Gallimore and Madubuike.

[Steeler Hitman]

56 minutes ago, Steelers22 said:

I understand that perspective but it seems like a bit of a luxury for a team that has such a small window for a championship. With that said, I don't think our team has any major holes right now so I'm ok with BPA. But if it's close, I'd prefer a RB (Conner is guaranteed to be hurt and probably leave next year and I'm not a benny snell guy) or offensive line, which will be a MAJOR need sooner rather than later.

I did a mock draft. I predicted what I thought would happen and tried to pick players and need based on who was available in the scenario that I set up or board that I followed. Sometimes there is confusion in the terms mock and dream or ideal draft.  In a perfect world, my dream draft would be something like this:

2. Kyle Dugger SS, Jonathan Taylor, DL Neville Gallimore, C. Ruiz/L. Cushinberry - -  One of these guys, but will any of these four realistically be there?

3. IOL Tyler Biadasz/OG Robert Hunt, RB Cam Aikers, SS Jeremy Chinn, Edge Bradlee Anae, Michael Pittman WR (love him in the third)

4 a AJ Dillon RB

4 b Devin Duvarney WR or Vann Jefferson WR

6. Benito Jones NG or Bravvion Roy NG

7. Michael Turk P - - Yeah I am impressed with the Bench Pressing Punter. Doesn't do anything for his leg, but WTH.

In my world, these are some players that I like and wouldn't mind seeing in the black n gold. Will it happen and will the board fall as I hope? We both know the answer to that. 

Dugger, Dillon and Biadasz have been my guys all off season. I love the undersized (for NG), but powerful Neville Gallimore. Who I love and who the Steelers selct or have an opportunity to pick rarely happens. I think we all loved Minkah Fitzpatrick coming out of Bama, but no one had him realistically falling to the Steelers. Even though that was a huge need. We ended up getting him, but not through the draft.