Steelers Draft: Third round prospects
By Remy Retro
Tight End looks to be off the Steelers board, again allowing for more focus on defense.
Reports today indicate the Steelers will be signing Ladarius Green, tight end from the San Diego Chargers, to a considerable contract assuming he passes the physical. This most certainly eliminates the position from their 2016 Draft board. They may be thinking that with a young Jesse James already on the roster, adding a more experienced Green is better than using a first round pick on Arkansas’ Hunter Henry or a third round pick on Ohio State’s Nick Vannett, who would have topped my list here.
Tyler Matakevich – Temple – ILB – 6’0 – 238
Matakevich is on a lot of team’s boards. He is a cerebral player with obvious drive. He lacks in measurables with average strength and speed (4.81/40) but makes up for it with technique and drive. This is that blue collar player that will study and be prepared for his opponent every week on game day.
Dak Prescott – Mississippi State – QB – 6’2 – 226
It is highly unlikely that the Steelers use one of their first four picks on a quarterback but Prescott could be a worthy project. He can certainly take a lot of hits and gets the ball out very quickly. Defense will be Pittsburgh’s draft focus and if anything they need depth on the offensive line. The QB position next year is Ben Roethlisberger backed up by Landry Jones, if you mix in Prescott you gain the run-threat quarterback that adds a real dynamic to a very dynamic offense.
Darian Thompson – Boise State – FS – 6’2 – 208
Matakevich and Thompson were two players that stood out at the Senior Bowl. If either falls to Pittsburgh at the end of the third round they better be in the team’s sights. Originally projected as a first to second rounder it’s a long reach for him to be available here but if he is he would be a steal as would his two predecessors on this list.
Pittsburgh needs to draft for depth on the offensive line but more importantly need to add some play-making on defense. Before the status of Ramon Foster or Kelvin Beachum is determined it is tough to speculate on the former. The team has had promising results in the third round more often than not, and 2016 could allow that trend to continue.