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The dust is settling inside Radio City Music Hall and teams are packing up to head back home after a whirlwind three days of tracking the boards. Some teams made some really big moves, others some risky, others still made some downright head scratchers. The Steelers stayed quiet for the most part, lacking any ‘big moves’ up or down the board – almost as if they knew something everyone else didn’t.
My take after the jump.
I’m pretty pleased with this draft and the potential of this class. Whether or not they make an immediate impact on the team is somewhat irrelevant when it comes to the Steelers. Tomlin is always hesitant to start rookies – whether it’s trust or too much information for a rookie to digest, I don’t know – and he only recently has begun allowing rookies to have a chance to make significant contributions. I think we will see most of these guys get playing time in 2011 in limited packages, special teams and, of course, replacing an injured starter. This is the typical MO for the Steelers and what the draft really means to a team like this. Draft, develop, learn, then start. Remember that even someone like Polamalu didn’t start regularly in his rookie season back in ’03.
A guy like Heyward will probably make the biggest impact and may even take some starting time away immediately depending on how effective Smith is coming back from his injury. The others can prove themselves over the course of the season, but I doubt any of these guys will have as large an impact that someone like Pouncey had last season.
The team focused on value mixed with need and character . And some folks have a problem with this. But I say to them – why try and make big moves when you are a Super Bowl team from the previous year who was one fumble and one 2 minute drill away from winning it all? Yes the secondary proved to be a problem when it counted most – but the ship isn’t sinking and I don’t hear the string quartet playing quite yet. If these were the picks after a 9-7 season or being a victim of a first round playoff blowout – then I think we have much to complain about. I thought the front office did very well at managing solid picks in the 31st slot every round.
Some of these picks will put pressure on existing players, especially at the corner position. Keenan Lewis and Crezdon Butler, you are on notice….put up or go home. Those two are still young, but they have had a least a season to learn the system and get some playing time. I think most expected more out of these two. One forced fumble from Lewis in two seasons is hardly being productive enough. Lewis, Crezdon, Brown and Allen will be vying for some significant playing time since the secondary is in some jeopardy with the uncertainties of Ike Taylor’s and Willy Gay’s return.. I think the Steelers are hoping that at least one of these four will be able to step up and become a dependable DB very soon.
Pencils down. Time to give the grade.
My grade for the 2011 draft: B+