Breaking Down the Steelers 2013 Draft and What Each Player Will Do This Season

Just as fast as James Harrison was cut, he may have been replaced. The Steelers went into the 2013 NFL draft needing to fill more holes than in years past and they came out of the draft hoping they did just that.

With big needs at linebacker and running back, the team filled those early and didn’t’ look back. They split their 9 picks as close to even as possible with 5 defensive players chosen and 4 offensive.  Some of the new guys will have a chance to play from day one and others may be projects or even just practice squad guys.

 Only time, practice and a preseason will give us a true indication, but until then it’s always fun to examine the possibilities.

 

Round 1, Pick 17 overall, OLB Jarvis Jones – Georgia

Jones may be the steal of the draft as he was a top 10 talent. He did fall to 17 and the Steelers didn’t hesitate as they got their pick in well before time expired.

Jones is listed as 6’2 245 and is a very strong pass rusher who had 14.5 sacks his senior year at Georgia to go along with 86 total tackles. He’s got the size and strength to beat the opposition and he can run stop as well. He ran a 4.84 forty yard dash at the combine and he should be able to cover tight ends in pass coverage.

The Steelers get an A grade for this pick in my opinion. He was the best player available and filled a need left by the release of James Harrison. I think Jones will compete with Jason Woirlds for the starting job in camp and I think he’ll beat Woirlds out and get the nod on opening day.  It’s not often that a rookie starts for the Steelers but this could be the year that we see not only a rookie start but have a major impact as well.

Round 2, Pick 48 overall, RB Le’Veon Bell – Michigan State

Bell has the size the Steelers have been missing in recent years out of the running back position. He’s 6’1 and 230 pounds. He’s a north south runner and can take punishing hits as well as deliver them. Bell is deceptively fast for his size and ran a 4.55 forty.  He has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and in Todd Haley’s quick throw offense that may prove to be valuable.

Bell’s height may be a bit of a hindrance as typically backs are a bit shorter; he will certainly be an easier target for defenders.

I have to give the Steelers a grade of C+ for this pick. I like Bell and he does fill a need position but I felt they had 2 better options on the board when they took him. I would have preferred Ed Lacy out of Alabama who I thought was the best back in the draft or Montee Ball out of Wisconsin, who to me was the second best back in the class.  Either way, I do think bell will be the starter from day one and if not, he will be the third down back right out of the gates. He’s going to have an impact in 2013 for sure.

Round 3, Pick 79 overall, WR Markus Wheaton – Oregon State

Wheaton is a burner and no doubt was selected to replace the speed Mike Wallace took with him to Miami.  Wheaton is listed at 5’11 and 185 pounds. He leaves Oregon State as their all time receiver and can run many different routes as well as take the top off of defenses. 

The Steelers get an A grade for this pick and I think Wheaton will compete to be the Steelers #2 receiver with Emmanuel Sanders but will ultimately end up being their #3 option when the season begins. It’s more likely the Steelers think Sanders will leave via unrestricted free agency after 2013 and Wheaton will take his spot to start in 2014.

Round 4, Pick 111 overall, S Shamarko Thomas – Syracuse

In an odd but good move; the Steelers were able to trade with the Cleveland Browns to get Thomas. They traded their 2014 3^rd to get this pick and select Thomas.

Thomas is listed at 5’9 230 pounds.  He runs a 4.37 forty and was one of the better strong safeties in this draft. With the departure of Ryan Mundy and Will Allen; Thomas will fill an immediate backup roll on this team to start the year.

The Steelers get another A grade with this pick as they fill a big need for this year and beyond.  While I fully expect Thomas to start the season as a back up; I believe he’ll get some starts due to injury to either Polamalu or even Clark.  With Ryan Clark in a free agent year and Troy Polamalu getting closer to retirement, Thomas has a bright future with this team. He’ll learn the defense and schemes in 2013 and could be ready to start by 2014.

Round 4, Pick 115 overall, QB Landry Jones – Oklahoma

Jones is 6’4 225 pounds and is Oklahoma’s all time passer. He put up some monster numbers at OU and is the typical pocket passer with both size and strength but little speed.

Jones fills an opening in the backup QB mix as the team will not be bringing back either Charlie Batch or Byron Leftwhich in 2013. 

The team gets a B grade for this pick as I like Jones quite a bit but perhaps they could have taken a different QB later. Despite what Charlie Batch says, I don’t think Jones is the Steelers QB of the future and Big Ben’s replacement in 3 years. I think Jones can be a very good backup and will start this year as the #3 QB while holding the clip board and learning the ways of the NFL. If all goes well with Jones, the Steelers can move him in a couple years for a high draft pick and use that pick for the true Big Ben replacement, whoever that may be.

Round 5, Pick 150 overall, CB Terry Hawthorne – Illinois

Hawthorne has some good size for a corner at 6’0 195 pounds.  The Steelers lost Keenan Lewis in the offseason and may be poised to lose Ike Taylor after this season so Hawthorne certainly fills a need in an area that has already been weakened.

Hawthorn often matched up with the top receivers in the Big Ten when at Illinois but the Big Ten is not a speed league so whether or not he can do that in the NFL is iffy. He will certainly have a role on the team but what that may be will need to be determined as he goes through camp and preseason. For now I’d expect him to be competing for the Nickel back and I’ll give the Steelers a B- grade for the selection.

Round 6, Pick 186 overall, WR Justin Brown – Oklahoma

Brown is a big receiver who played in both the Big Ten at Penn State and then last year in the Big 12 at Oklahoma.  He’s listed at 6’3 and 207 pounds so there is certainly some value to his size.

He’s not that fast and runs a 4.6 forty but as a red zone target he may be effective.

The Steelers will get a C grade on this selection as I don’t know if they needed to grab a second receiver in this draft.  I do think Brown will compete for the #4 or #5 job and could push either Burress or Cotchery off the roster. If not, Brown will end up being a practice squad guy to start 2013.

Round 6, pick 206 overall, ILB Vince Williams – Florida State

Williams is listed at 6’1 and a whopping 250 pounds. He has the power to stuff the run and played at a very productive level while at Florida State.

The Steelers are certainly weak at ILB with no true backup to speak of. They get a B- for this pick as Williams could certainly fill the backup role in 2013 and ultimately take over for Larry Foote in 2014. The question is, is he talented enough to step in and play at a starter level? I’m not convinced of that just yet and we’ll really need to see it on the field but for now, he’ll be a top reserve on this current roster at the ILB position.

Round 7, pick 223 overall, DT Nicholas Williams – Samford

The team absolutely needed a defensive tackle in this draft and Williams obviously fits that bill.

He’s a very large man at 6’5 and 307 pounds with deceptive speed, he ran a 4.84 forty. For a big guy, that’s quick.  Williams didn’t play big time college ball and only had one year of high school ball under his belt as well.

The Steelers get a C- for the pick as I think they had better candidates to take in this draft earlier at this position and they didn’t do it; forcing them to pick Williams. I’m not sure Williams will make this team but he could end up on the practice squad as a guy to develop. 

Overall the Steelers did a good job and I’ll give them a B for the draft. They certainly went out and drafted need areas; grabbing a couple of early round guys that could start from day one. The team is in a transition period, no question about it and not only will these guys need to prove they can meet the physical demands of an NFL team but they’ll need to prove they are mentally strong and are character guys too. The Steelers have a certain way of doing things and they do a great job of evaluating talent. Overall it appears these guys could be the next pieces to the run at #7. Let the games begin!