As everyone knows, the 2015 NFL Draft has come to a close, and Last Word On Sports continues its series on the 2015 NFL Draft here. Today, the Pittsburgh Steelers are under the microscope.
First Round, 22nd Overall – OLB Bud Dupree (Kentucky)
Second Round, 56th Overall – CB Senquez Golson (Mississippi)
Third Round, 87th Overall – WR Sammie Coates (Auburn)
Fourth Round, 121st Overall – CB Doran Grant (Ohio State)
Fifth Round, 160th Overall – TE Jesse James (Penn State)
Sixth Round, 199th Overall – DT Leterrius Walton (Central Michigan)
Sixth Round, 212th Overall (Compensatory) – DE Anthony Chickillo (Miami)
Seventh Round, 239th Overall – FS Gerod Holliman (Louisville)
Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 NFL Draft Review
Best Player: Bud Dupree
This was an easy one, as pass rushing outside linebacker Bud Dupree was viewed by many as a potential top-10 pick. Dupree is a raw talent with incredible size and skills (6’4”, 269 lbs, 4.56 40-yard dash) who showed great pass rushing and run stopping abilities. Pittsburgh is a franchise with great coaching, so his raw ability will be molded well and it could do wonders for Dupree. This situation works well for both sides, as a raw talent like Dupree could easily be lost by a weak coaching staff.
The Head-Scratcher: Senquez Golson
Senquez Golson was an elite college cornerback, but his height (5’9”) and inadequate skills in man-to-man coverage will give him some problems in the NFL. He has the ability to be a solid slot corner in the NFL, but lack of top end speed could be an issue against the quicker slot receivers. Golson showed a penchant for being abused by larger receivers in college, as three of the four touchdowns he allowed were to receivers who were 6’4” or taller. This is a troubling trend for a man trying to succeed in the current state of the game. The Steelers should not have taken him in the second round despite their need for help in the secondary.
The Surprise Pick: Doran Grant
Cornerback Doran Grant was a solid value in the fourth round, but the Steelers already selected an undersized defensive back in the second round. Grant has good footwork and solid enough speed to match up with smaller receivers, but he can be abused by larger receivers due to his height. All-in-all, he was a better value pick than Senquez Golson, but the pick was surprising considering the previous selection of Golson. Despite their selection of two cornerbacks in the first four rounds, the Steelers still have holes on the outside.
The Steal: Sammie Coates
Sammie Coates was not one of my favorite receivers in the draft, but he was a steal in the third round considering there were rumblings about him sneaking into the first round. He possesses great speed, strength, long arms, a solid frame, and remarkable leaping ability. He will provide Ben Roethlisberger with another deep threat, but he is still a raw talent. In particular, he will need to work on his route running and concentration, as he drops too many balls. However, it is tough to teach his speed and body frame, so if the Steelers can work on his routes and his hands, Coates can be an impact player at a value price.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: Leterrius Walton
The only word that can properly describe defensive tackle Leterrius Walton is “project.” He is a massive 6’5”, 319-pound former offensive lineman who has improved each year on the defensive side of the ball. He is an amazing athlete for a human being of his size, but he needs better coaching and time to develop. He probably won’t become a dominant 3-4 nose tackle, but with some coaching, he could become a solid 3-4 defensive end.
The Rest
Jesse James is a lanky tight end who possesses good hands and is a solid route runner. However, he lacks the requisite speed and acceleration needed to become a dominant NFL weapon and he is not a good run blocker. Defensive end Anthony Chickillo has a good motor and plays the run well, but he lacks ideal size for a 3-4 defensive scheme and he has not improved his pass rushing skills to the point where he can be an impact player. Gerod Holliman is a project free safety that could be another head turner, as he has great ball skills and can make tackles, but he tends to be taken out of plays too easily by good quarterbacks who can look off defenders. His lack of experience as a single-year starter will force the Steelers to develop him significantly.
Bottom Line
Bud Dupree was a great pick, but the rest of the class was pretty weak besides Sammie Coates. Even Coates will not be anything more than an additional deep threat for a few years until he is sufficiently developed. For the most part, the Steelers selected players that will not make an immediate impact and will need a few years to develop. If they are coached properly, this class could turn out to be better than it looks now. The Steelers tend to turn defensive selections into productive players, and that could be the case here with Senquez Golson, Doran Grant, Letterius Walton and Gerod Holliman. However, all of these players have big question marks surrounding them right now.
Overall Grade: 6/10
Check out our other draft reviews here.
Main Photo:
