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NFL 2015 Draft: Steelers Day 2 A Bit Of A Let Down After Dupree

By Craig Gottschalk

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The Steelers came into Day 2 of the NFL Draft flying high after snagging Bud Dupree with the 22nd pick on Thursday night.

The momentum and all the happy feels that came along with the Dupree pick became slightly derailed on Friday night after the Steelers selected their 2nd and 3rd Round picks.

Make no mistake, the Steelers went to work even before the draft began. Rumors exploded that the Titans were entertaining offers for a trade of the 33rd pick – the first in Round 2. The Steelers were one of the suitors.

Who they wanted, we’ll never know. They were beaten out by the Giants, a team that almost never trades up. The G-Men took Alabama safety Landon Collins.

The Steelers were beaten out a second time after the Ravens traded one pick ahead of the Steelers so they could select Minnesota TE Maxx Williams. Several Pittsburgh media folks tweeted that the Steelers attempted to trade up in order to get Maxx. Was that the deal with the Titans? God, I hope not. You don’t give up the farm to get a 2nd Round TE.

Oh and the Ravens partner in crime? None other than former Steelers OC Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals. Well isn’t that a kick in the teeth?

The Steelers were stuck with the 56th overall. They went with Senquez Golson – cornerback out of Ole Miss.

The team filled one of the needs at CB. Shhhh, don’t tell them that. They only draft BPA, remember?

Golson is a small guy. How small? Well he is 1/2″ taller than the Heinz Field lawn gnome better known as Dri Archer. That should give you some sense how this kid will look when lining up against some of his competition.

His size is his biggest red flag. The rest is promising – Carnell Lake said he had unusual ball skills. He’s tough and is a solid tackler. He also has an affinity for splash plays with 10 INT’s last season.

And, that’s lining up against some stiff competition out there in the SEC… you know, the supposed NFL, Jr.

I’m happy that the front office filled the CB need in Round 2. Anything less on Friday night and Steeler Nation would be down at the South Side with pitchforks.

What kind of ticks me off about this pick is that this… this guy… is your answer to letting Brice McCain walk? Yeah, I’m not game with that. The draft was supposed to fill that hole and the others at CB. Golson might… might… in about two years.

Hey, maybe he can teach Mike Mitchell how to tackle while he develops. Maybe that will be the consolation while WR rookies, now on the Chiefs and Ravens after Friday night, blow right by our slow and poor secondary.

The dynamic duo of Colbert and Tomlin drove the spike of frustration even further into my football heart when they coasted through the third round (while another run on cornerbacks took place) and made a pick that will galvanize Steeler Nation.

With the 87th pick, the Steelers selected Sammie Coates. It’s easy to go after Coates and his habit of dropping passes, which he does a lot of – over 20% of passes thrown to him. 1 in 5 targets dropped. I think Limas Sweed just blushed.

Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates (18) catches a second quarter touchdown pass Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve always said that you can’t teach hands. You just can’t. You can either catch the football or you can’t.

Maybe he’ll end up just fine in the hands department and send someone like Darrius Heyward-Bey packing.

My biggest beef with the Coates pick isn’t the player as much as it is the philosophy behind the pick. Coates is big. He’s fast. He stretches the field and can make big plays down the field. He’s like having a second Martavis Bryant.

Which begs the question, why and the hell would you need another one?

Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, and now Sammie Coates. The Four Horsemen for any defensive coordinator if there ever was such a thing.

But here’s the problem. Offensive coordinator, Boss Todd Haley doesn’t use four-wide sets. He loves his single back with two TE’s. He Loves (yes with a capital L) the Jumbo set. Why would the team add another wide receiver who will more than likely rot a la Lance Moore?

Who is he going to take snaps away from? Brown? Bryant? Wheaton? Fat chance.

Think he’ll replace AB on punt returns or do kick offs with his speed? Let me quickly remind you about those hands. ‘Nuff said.

I want to be excited about the Coates pick, but not with this OC. No way.

Golson may fill one of the needs at CB. Coates may seem like a dream when lined up along with AB and Bryant.

But, the bottom line for Day 2 is that it’s quite a bit of a let down after getting that fat ‘gift’ in Round 1.

And if you’re wondering – that’s Coates facing off against Golson in that featured image of this post. Ironically, Coates catches the pass.

Next: Steelers Day 2 Grades

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