Steelers Preseason, Kiper’s Picks, Ike’s Toughest

The 2015 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away and offseason workout programs are starting across the league. While the Steelers get ready to build their big board and head out on the practice fields we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Thursday, April 17^th.

Preseason Schedule

The Steelers announced dates and times for four out of their five 2015 preseason games on Thursday. We already knew the Steelers will face the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 9^th in the nationally televised Hall of Fame Game and then travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 14^th.

The Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Aug. 23^rd and the next week play the Buffalo Bills but the date/time has yet to be determined for that game. The Steelers will wrap up their preseason against the Carolina Panthers for the thirteenth straight year by hosting them on Thursday, Sept. 3^rd.

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Picks

ESPN Draft guru Mell Kiper Jr. picked the first three rounds picks for each team in the 2015 NFL Draft. For the Steelers, whose top needs are secondary, outside linebacker and tight end, he predicts the Steelers will chose CB Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest in the first round with the 22^nd overall pick.

For the second round, he predicts the Steelers go with Washington’s Hau’oli Kikaha at outside linebacker and in the third they’ll pick Fresno State’s safety, Derron Smith. He also predicts Johnson to be able to play significant time as a rookie, something the Steelers will definitely need out of whoever is their top pick this year.

Ike’s toughest assignment

Ike Taylor has been making the rounds since announcing his retirement and spent some time on NFL Total Access. While there he revealed who he considered to be the toughest wide receiver he was ever assigned to cover. Taylor said that even after covering the likes of Randy Moss and Chad Johnson in his “prime” Steve Smith was the toughest wide receiver he ever covered.

“Little Mighty Mouse, I call him. He’s only 5’10” and some change, but he plays like a 6’3” guy…all around No. 1, Steve Smith.” – Ike Taylor

According to Chris Wesseling, the same was said about Smith by cornerback Ronde Barber when he retired. Barber played in the same division against Smith in Tampa Bay when Smith was with the Carolina Panthers.

Next: Steelers GM Colbert Gets Bad Review

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