Mid-Draft Jottings - 4/23/05

First to the Steelers:
It’s hard to not love the pick of TE Heath Miller. The Steelers had very little talent at the position going in to the draft and are able to walk away from the first round with the highest rated player at the position. Not bad for a team drafting at #30. He’s a pretty complete TE who, while not being in the same class as the Tony Gonzalezes of the world, immediately lifts the Steelers into the top half of the teams of the league at the position. Hopefully, he’ll be the big target downfield that Plex Burress never was.

After the pick of Miller, I wonder how long it will take for TE Walter Rasby’s agent to ask for his client’s release.

On the bright side of the groin injury with Miller, I’m not sure there is a team more qualified to treat him at this point. The Steelers seem to attract groin injuries.

The second round pick of Bryant McFadden was great on a few points. The most obvious is that it gives the Steelers depth and a possible future starter at the position. He also comes with size, not a bad thing to have in a Steelers defense. He also possibly projects to free safety, a possible position of need for the team next year (Hope’s going to be an UFA). The best part in my opinion though is that unlike a lot of other teams in the second round, he wasn’t a reach at all. He is a guy that was carrying a low first round to mid second round grade that the Steelers were able to get at the end of the second. Not too shabby.

Staying on the McFadden pick for a bit, I’m really liking the way the secondary is shaping up for this upcoming season. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Ricardo Colclough and I believe he’ll step right in and take the starting corner this season like Polamalu stepped right in at safety the year before. Deshea Townsend is solid at the other corner but now we have a potential challenger for his spot with McFadden. If McFadden can take the position it would allow Townsend to slide inside to his more natural nickel position and would give the Steelers a fine front three with good depth behind them (Ike Taylor and Willie Williams).

I’m going to start with this. I like Trai Essex and think he’ll be a good player in the NFL.

O.K., now I’ll voice my displeasure with this pick. While I do like Essex, he was chosen WAY to early. I had him rated as a sixth to seventh round pick but I will concede that he was moving up a few draft boards. That said; take him in the fourth or fifth then but not the third. There was still a ton of talent (a lot of second round caliber guys) available for the Steelers at need positions. A few names are Darryl Blackstock (an experienced 3-4 OLB), Jerome Mathis (fastest WR in the draft), Ciatrick Faison (a playmaking RB) or even the big corner/safety prospect Brandon Browner. The draft is not just grabbing guys you like; it is correctly valuing them for taking them in the proper rounds. That way, you can grab even more talent than the next team. The Patriots usually do this well (I’m not so sure about this year though) but the Steelers often forget this. I just hope it gets better today.

As for Essex, check out this guy’s feet. The former TE still has the good feet that will help him play either a tackle position or adjust to become a good pulling guard. Whichever, he’ll give the Steelers the line depth that they were looking for.

My first day grade for the Steelers: B+ but only because the Steelers reached a bit in round three. Talent wise they’re at least an A- for a draft like this.

The Rest of the Draft:
Mike Williams to the Lions. Hmm, how many receivers can you draft in the first round? I guess it’s at least three years in a row.

Poor Aaron Rodgers. A couple weeks ago he was all set to be the first pick overall with the opportunity to stay at home in the Bay area. Yesterday he gets dumped down into the bottom third of the first and is sent to the frozen hell that is Green Bay. Draft day isn’t fun for everybody.

What was with the second round yesterday? I saw more reaching than at an Italian dinner table at Christmas. Guys who were at best second day picks wound up in round two. More power to ‘em though, more talent left for the Steelers (see: Bryant McFadden).

Marlin Jackson to the Colts? I was smiling on that one. The Colts have had a need to add some size and quality to their secondary but I’m trying to figure out how Jackson is going to be able to compete on that turf. He’s more of a ‘tweener who may not be quick enough to handle coverage at speed. I’m just glad they didn’t draft you-know-who at TE.

I was a little surprised at how many corners were drafted on the first day, especially how many of them were the smaller, faster variety. Sure, I know the rules changes last year prompted a lot of this but some of the names taken didn’t deserve to be anywhere near the first day. I guess reaching in this draft is more the norm rather than the exception.

A quick look at day two. I’m guessing were going to see some safer picks early (round 4) with the reaching to begin soon afterwards. Watch out for after the draft. There are probably going to be a lot of quality guys out there without a team, I hope the Steelers have made nice with a few agents.

Finally, Maurice Clarrett in the third round? Please. I hope Denver fails miserably with this one. Why reward a guy like this with a first day selection? There were more talented guys who played by the rules and didn’t quit when it mattered that they could have had. Yep, here’s hoping that he costs Mike Shanahan his job. And for those out there wondering, yes, I did lose a bet on that pick.

Gotta Run, I’ll be back soon.

Tim Campion