War's official mock draft mid-FA

[warfelg]

No simulator use here to do other teams picks.  I'm only using one to keep my thoughts straight and know who's there and who isn't.  I'm controlling the entire thing though.

PICK 17 - There's a lot of options that I really like here.  Joey Porter Jr is still available.  So is Peter Skoronski.  Brian Branch as well.  Seattle at 20 wants to move up.  20, 151, 2024 3rd, 2024 5th are offered.  I would take that to get another day 3 pick and stock up some picks for the future.

PICK 20 - Joey Porter Jr CB PSU - I know a lot of people feel like this pick will be because of the legacy, but he does remind me quite a big of Patrick Peterson coming out.  Additionally if you play him on one side with leverage and in press (which we started to do more of) you get him in the best position to really get at it.  This moves Patrick Peterson into the slot on nickel downs, possibly even moves him to a 2-deep safety look with Wallace and JPJ on the outside.

PICK 32 - Yes I'm taking another move down.  Tennessee is calling with pick 41, 182, and 2023 3rd on the table.  Lots of players I like are available, I don't move down too much, but I pick up another future asset. 

PICK 41 - Darnell Wright OT Tennessee - I like that he has LT ability but asked to stay at RT. It allowed him to stay aggressive blocking on that side and attack the DL.  I think he really fits the new "big, nasty, throw you out the club" attitude the OL has.  This sets up a nice 3 way battle.  Moore/Chucks for LT, Chucks/Wright for RT.  Loser becomes someone you can use in heavy packages.

PICK 49 - Darnell Washington TE Georgia - I know the stigma that having 2 picks go offense early, but this is all about establishing the run, establishing physical dominance.  There were a lot of other defensive options out there, but I think that I can get some value out of there later.  But the TE class can make a big impact and won't last long.

PICK 80 - Kelee Ringo S Georgia - Yes you read that right, safety for Ringo.  I think ultimately he's too raw and has some hip movement issues.  But his movement can be well used at the safety position.  Early on I would see Kazee start, and Ringo gets used at the 3rd safety in the 3 safety packages they started to develop last year.

PICK 120 - Zach Harrison DL Ohio State - I see so much Cam Heyward as I watch this kid play.  Bigger as an edge, but a little undersized as a 3T.  I think he can easily put on 15-25 pounds and become Heywards successor as the IDL player for us.

PICK 151 - Dorian Williams LB Tulane - He's a really athletic LB who needs time.  The 3 safety setup, along with Cole and Elondan gives you time to let Williams develop.

PICK 182 - Yaya DIaby EDGE Louisville - He's really athletic and really skinny.  I think he can be a nice "pinch hitter" in obvious pass down situations.

PICK 234 - Malik Cunningham QB Louisville - I think he can be a nice backup option.  Especially with this new run based offense, a run based QB is a really good option to backup with rather than your traditional signs caller.

PICK 241 - Keondre Coburn NT Texas - It's so funny to me people want to stop the run, but also complain about NT being drafted.  We need this.

[bigben07MVP]

My only gripe, if Ringo moves to safety is he really a good compliment to what we already have in Minkah, Kazee, and even Pat Pete? I was under the impression we need more of a box guy to replace Edmunds.

Otherwise it’s a great draft. We would be kicking team’s butts in the run game.

[warfelg]

4 minutes ago, bigben07MVP said:

My only gripe, if Ringo moves to safety is he really a good compliment to what we already have in Minkah, Kazee, and even Pat Pete? I was under the impression we need more of a box guy to replace Edmunds.

Otherwise it’s a great draft. We would be kicking team’s butts in the run game.

I think he’s physical enough to drop into the box. I think he can be Edmunds like with more turnovers created. I think what edmunds was has gotten quite misrepresented. 

[43M]

Porter Im way too iffy on for 17.  Just not feeling that pick, but obviously very possible.

Wright I could live with there, but not my favorite.

Washington will never stop being a terrible pick IMO.   Hardest of passes.

I like all the other picks except Malik Cunningham.    Dude has zero business being drafted, and we just wasted a pick last year on a QB that had zero chance.    Even for rd 7, you can do significantly better.   Get Cunningham as a UDFA, or better yet, not at all.

 

[warfelg]

6 minutes ago, 43M said:

Porter Im way too iffy on for 17.  Just not feeling that pick, but obviously very possible.

Wright I could live with there, but not my favorite.

Washington will never stop being a terrible pick IMO.   Hardest of passes.

I like all the other picks except Malik Cunningham.    Dude has zero business being drafted, and we just wasted a pick last year on a QB that had zero chance.    Even for rd 7, you can do significantly better.   Get Cunningham as a UDFA, or better yet, not at all.

 

I didn’t take Porter at 17, took him at 20 gaining a 5th this year, 2024 3rd and 5th.

I think Washington is quickly becoming one of the most underrated prospects in this draft.

Chris O had 0 business being drafted because of the QB room.  He wasn’t beating out anyone.  When’s the last time we finished the draft with only 2 QB on the roster?  Hint: Never under Tomlin.  We’re going to take a QB late.  I’m fine if you don’t like Cunningham, but I like either him because you can run the ball to death easily or Bennett because he’s a smart enough passer.

[43M]

2 hours ago, warfelg said:

I didn’t take Porter at 17, took him at 20 gaining a 5th this year, 2024 3rd and 5th.

Either way.   That early still concerns me.

2 hours ago, warfelg said:

I think Washington is quickly becoming one of the most underrated prospects in this draft.

Getting pretty overrated on the Steeler forum based on what Ive seen.  

2 hours ago, warfelg said:

Chris O had 0 business being drafted because of the QB room.  He wasn’t beating out anyone.  When’s the last time we finished the draft with only 2 QB on the roster?  Hint: Never under Tomlin.  We’re going to take a QB late.  I’m fine if you don’t like Cunningham, but I like either him because you can run the ball to death easily or Bennett because he’s a smart enough passer.

You dont need to spend a 7th rounder on one unless you have someone you particularly want.   If they are just looking to bring in someone in to fill in that spot, just sign a UDFA or some really cheap free agent.   

[bigben07MVP]

2 hours ago, 43M said:

Porter Im way too iffy on for 17.  Just not feeling that pick, but obviously very possible.

What is your actual gripe with Porter? All I’ve seen you mention is concern we will draft him for the wrong reasons. What about his game do you not think will translate?

Not coming at you, just genuinely curious. 

[Big Snack]

I think both porter and Wright are going 1st and possibly before our pick.

I do think ringo could fall like this and would make a great pick at 80 and his best position is safety. 

[43M]

1 hour ago, bigben07MVP said:

What is your actual gripe with Porter? All I’ve seen you mention is concern we will draft him for the wrong reasons. What about his game do you not think will translate?

Not coming at you, just genuinely curious. 

As a Penn State fan, I just dont see what makes him worth a top 25 pick outside of physical tools.   He was rather inconsistent with average at best ballhawking skills.   

I dont think he is a bad player, but feels more like a 2nd rd talent to me, or maybe even early 3rd.   If not for his size and bloodline, probably would be.

[bigben07MVP]

13 hours ago, 43M said:

As a Penn State fan, I just dont see what makes him worth a top 25 pick outside of physical tools.   He was rather inconsistent with average at best ballhawking skills.   

I dont think he is a bad player, but feels more like a 2nd rd talent to me, or maybe even early 3rd.   If not for his size and bloodline, probably would be.

I forgot you were a Penn State fan. You can watch all the film you want but there’s no better judgement of a player than watching them on your team every Saturday for 3-4 years (in my opinion), so I’ll take your word for it.

I’ll disagree with you on the 2nd part. Guys with the size and athleticism Porter has get over drafted (compared to college production) in the 1st all the time. Plus, size and NFL bloodlines are actual real predicators for success. There’s a reason teams care about those things.

[warfelg]

23 minutes ago, bigben07MVP said:

I forgot you were a Penn State fan. You can watch all the film you want but there’s no better judgement of a player than watching them on your team every Saturday for 3-4 years (in my opinion), so I’ll take your word for it.

I’ll disagree with you on the 2nd part. Guys with the size and athleticism Porter has get over drafted (compared to college production) in the 1st all the time. Plus, size and NFL bloodlines are actual real predicators for success. There’s a reason teams care about those things.

The hard part about that sometimes (not try to pick anything here @43M) but sometimes being a fan of a team makes you “too close” and makes it hard to fairly evaluate those players. Being a VT fan one of the things I try to do is to not see a player as a prospect while watching games. 

[AFF]

Nice draft @warfelg

Im liking the Diaby and Williams picks especially.

I think they sign 1 more decent FA at 1 of S/NT/WR.

[warfelg]

17 minutes ago, AFF said:

Nice draft @warfelg

Im liking the Diaby and Williams picks especially.

I think they sign 1 more decent FA at 1 of S/NT/WR.

Thanks. I feel like the front 7, outside of NT, has a lot of pop behind it. Wanted to go, especially at edge, for a speedy guy who can get skinny and really make life tough. Diaby is someone I could even picture using as a “spy blitz” on Burrow and Watson as their mobility can cause problems. So you can line him at ILB, delay, then just have him chase the ball. 

[43M]

@warfelg @bigben07MVP

I dont dislike JPJ, I just think he is overhyped.   If we pick him at 17, I wont complain too much.   I just think there are better choices.   If we trade down and get him, even better.

1 hour ago, bigben07MVP said:

I’ll disagree with you on the 2nd part. Guys with the size and athleticism Porter has get over drafted (compared to college production) in the 1st all the time. Plus, size and NFL bloodlines are actual real predicators for success. There’s a reason teams care about those things.

Not sure what you disagreed with exactly.

If anything, you agreed with my assessment that his size and bloodline is getting him overdrafted.   His tape and production dont really paint him as a first round talent.

[jebrick]

With any DB in this draft and most others, they do not know their craft.  Teams are betting on athletic build and raw talent and hope the DB can learn what schemes the team runs.  I am not a fan because he is a press man CB and the Steelers rarely if ever play press man.  The class is so deep you can get a CB that fits your scheme better.  That being said, anyone wants to take a change on Pezzy Jr then fine.  I think it is more risk that is warranted with this draft class but it is not my money and I am often wrong. 

Is he as bad as Klu Kelly?  No.  Kelly is press man or nothing.  Pezzy Jr may be able to learn how to play off better.

Edited March 29, 2023 by jebrick