Steelers Draft: Who are they meeting on Defense? Part II

The Steelers have been meeting defensive players in the upcoming draft, and then they have been meeting more. Here’s an updated look at the defensive players they’ve met.

The Steelers had a few needs entering the offseason. Most of them were on defense. In free agency they’ve fixed a lot of offensive problems. On defense though, with the loss of players like Steve McLendon, they Steelers are probably worse currently than last year. It appears as though they’re going to use the draft to focus on defense.

This is the second part of the review of the Steelers defensive draft meetings. The first part can be found here. The players listed below are available on walterfootball.com. The Steelers have more than doubled the prospects they’ve met with over the last month and with the draft looking to be a defensive one it’s worth looking at who they’re looking at.

It’s important because what better indicator is there of who they want to pick? It also gives an idea of the abstract qualities they may be seeking. So let’s get started. Here are the players they’ve met since Part I, broken down by position.

Cornerbacks

Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central – Smith stands 5’11” and weighs 189 pounds. He’s got good athleticism but comes from a small school. He’ll be a late round pick or a undrafted free agent.

Tavon Young, CB, Temple – Young is 5’9″ and 180 pounds. He’s a smaller corner, the type the Steelers have not traditionally gotten but seem to be getting increasingly. He’s good in coverage but his size will hold him back to day 3 most likely.

Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama – Now we’re looking a possible day two candidate here. Jones is 5’10” and 197. He’s a playmaker in the secondary and brings an element of returning punts as well. He too is a little on the short side but the young man can make plays.

Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn – Jones is 5’9″ and 186 pounds. He, like the rest of the players, is undersized and athletic. He’s exceptionally fast though. Jones ran track and has a sub 4.40 40 yard dash. He could tackle better but is good in coverage.

DeAndre Elliot, CB, Colorado State – Elliot is 6’1″ and weighs 189. He’s certainly built more like the Steelers traditional corners. Elliot wasn’t on many people’s radars before the combine but the Steelers like what they saw. Elliot will be an end of day 3 pick if not an undrafted free agent.

Safeties

Justin Simmons FS, Boston College – Simmons is 6’2″ and weighs 202 pounds. Simmons is a versatile player who played many spots in the defensive backfield during college. He can make picks and has good length but will be a late round pick if not an undrafted free agent.

Darian Thompson, S, Boise State – Thompson is 6’1″ and weighs 217 pounds. He was an extremely valuable defensive player for multiple years with Boise State. He can play both safety spots and is a smart player. He has good ball skills but could cover better. He’s a potential day two pick.

Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson – Kearse is a tall safety at 6’4″ and weighs 216 pounds. The Steelers have been showing plenty of interest in Clemson players lately though Martavis Bryant is the only one on the roster currently. He’s Javon Kearse’s nephew apparently and he brings the same athleticism and physicality to the game. He’s likely an early day 3 pick.

TJ Green, S, Clemson – Green stands 6’2″ and weighs 209 pounds. Green is projected to be a day two pick and is probably the only secondary player in this batch reported who could contribute on day one outside of special teams. He needs some refinement but got nearly a hundred tackles his senior year and is good in coverage.

Linebackers

Elandon Roberts, ILB, Houston – Roberts is 5’11” and weighs 234 pounds. He lead college football with 88 solo tackles last year. He’s strong and coaches well but is lacking in the athletic department. He’ll be a 7th round or free agent pickup.

Jatavis Brown, OLB, Akron – Brown stands 5’11” and weighs 227 pounds. Brown was the MAC defensive player of the year last year and had stats like 116 tackles, 20 for loss, and 12 sacks. He is a little undersized though and played for a small school. He’s a potential early day 3 pick up.

Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State – Now we’re looking at a possible day two pick here. Correa is a big player at 6’3″ and 243 pounds, a good build for a 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s got good athleticism but spent most of his time at defensive end at Boise State so will needs some time to adjust.

Defensive Line

Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State – Hargrave is 6’1″ and weighs 309 pounds. He comes from a small school but has the right measurables. He was MEAC Defensive Player of the Year. Hargrave started to draw looks from scouts his junior year and sustained that interest last year. He’ll be a day 2 or early day 3 pick.

A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama – Robinson is 6’4″ and weighs 307 pounds. He played multiple spots along the defensive line effectively. The Steelers let McLendon leave this offseason in part because of players like Robinson. He’s a potential first round pick and day 1 starter.

Bronson Kaufusi, DE, Brigham Young – Kaufusi is 6’6″ and weighs 285 pounds. Kaufusi is a good athlete who used to play basketball for BYU. He’s a day two or early day three pick who could add some much needed depth on the defensive line and has enough straight line speed to contribute on special teams.

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson –  Lawson is 6’3″ and weighs 269 pounds. He’s projected as a first or second round pick. The Steelers have Tuitt and Heyward, both are young and locked up for a couple years. Lawson is also, despite being great against the run and pass he’s a little undersized. Maybe the Steelers like him as a DE/OLB?

Next: Steelers Draft: Prospect vs Pro

Derrick Alexander, DE, Tulsa – Alexander is 6’1″ and weighs 299 pounds. With that kind of build he could play all around the defensive line. He gets good penetration and hustles well. Likely a day 3 depth pick if taken by the Steelers.