Steelers NFL Draft Watch: Adam Bisnowaty, KD Cannon
By Logan Bryson
In recent drafts the defense has been the Steeler’s primary concern, but adding talent to the offense in the upcoming NFL Draft may be the key to extending Big Ben’s career.
Let’s take an offense-themed approach to this Draft Watch series. Here are two players to keep an eye on in the 2016 College Football Season.
OT Adam Bisnowaty, Pittsburgh
The Steelers may potentially look to add new talent at the tackle position in the 2017 NFL Draft after losing Kelvin Beachum to free agency this past offseason.
Former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva is expected to open this season as the Steelers left tackle, and he will surely be given the opportunity to lock down the role as Ben’s blindside protector. I’m rooting for him just as much as anyone, but if he fails to live up to expectations in his first full season in the starting lineup, than Pitt tackle Adam Bisnowaty may be an intriguing option for the Steelers.
Strengths
Why not stay local? Pittsburgh OT Adam “Biz” Bisnowaty is an experienced tackle as a 5th year senior. Bisnowaty has made a name for himself by creating huge holes in the running game for Pitt RB James Conner.
Where Bisnowaty excels is his ability to control blocks with excellent hand usage. Bisnowaty stifles defenders with a strong initial punch off the line of scrimmage, and then gets his hands underneath the defenders pads. Steeler fans would easily grow to love Bisnowaty’s mauling style of play.
As a pass protector, Bisnowaty plays with a strong base and proper leverage. Bisnowaty just seems to swallow up and absorb pass rusher’s with his strong frame. When he is beat initially off the snap, Bisnowaty has shown the ability to quickly anchor and prevent the defender from reaching the quarterback.
Furthermore, Bisnowaty possesses an effortless kick slide to defend against speedy edge rushers. He additionally flashes the quickness to avoid being beat by counter moves to the inside.
Weaknesses
While Bisnowaty has shown the ability to be a dependable blindside protector, he needs to work on playing until the whistle blows. Often times Bisnowaty will fail to finish his blocks after dominating his man for the majority of the play. This stems from Bisnowaty’s occasional inability to properly get his hands set after his initial punch.
Even though Bisnowaty is actually fairly nimble for a mauling tackle of his size, he needs to improve upon his ability to land blocks in space. Bisnowaty dominates in the trenches, where he overpowers defenders with his combination of strength and technique, but he loses his aggressiveness while on the move.
Fit
While Bisnowaty needs to add some consistency to his game, he is a steady option at left tackle. The Steelers could potentially shore up the left tackle position for years to come by selecting Bisnowaty in the upcoming NFL Draft. In my opinion, Pittsburgh would be wise to invest in a left tackle to extend Big Ben’s career.
WR KD Cannon, Baylor
Could WR turn from a strength to a position of need? With Martavis Bryant’s future with the team uncertain and Markus Wheaton’s looming free agency, it very well could.
Kevin Colbert and the Steelers have the Midas Touch when it comes to drafting late-round WRs, because everyone they select turns to gold. Martavis Bryant. Markus Wheaton. Antonio Brown. Emmanuel Sanders. Mike Wallace. Can the Steelers do any wrong while drafting wideouts? Might as well go back to the well and replenish the position in the 2017 NFL Draft with Baylor WR KD Cannon.
Strengths
KD Cannon is perhaps the best deep threat in college football. Not to be corny, but Cannon appears to be shot out of a cannon with his explosion off the line of scrimmage. With absolutely lethal straight line speed, Cannon does most of his work downfield running vertical routes. He has the ability to blow the top off the defense and make the defense account for all levels of the field.
Many draft experts may be quick to point out his limited route tree, but Cannon has the quickness and fluidity to improve in this area of the game. Baylor’s offense simply just doesn’t ask their wideouts to run a wide variety of routes. Cannon stays balanced in and out of cuts, has some suddenness to his breaks, and has fantastic acceleration at the top of his routes. With NFL coaching and some time to develop, I actually believe that Cannon can be an excellent route runner at the next level.
KD Cannon can effortlessly create separation with his combination of speed and quickness, and as a result he draws a lot of defensive holding penalties by gassed defensive backs. What I also love is the toughness and swagger to Cannon’s game. Cannon has flashed the ability to attack the football in the air. He can high point the football and has shown the ability to come down with the catch in contested ball situations.
Weaknesses
While all of the necessary attributes to be a threat after the catch are there, Cannon needs to improve upon his ability to break tackles and make defenders miss. According to Pro Football Focus, Cannon only forced 3 missed tackles in 2014 and just 5 in 2015.
Next: Steelers: Injury Updates
Another issue with Cannon’s after the catch ability is his problems with ball security. Fox Sports credited Cannon with 4 fumbles in 2015. Cannon needs to learn to protect the football and avoid carrying the ball low and away from his body.
Perhaps my biggest concern with Cannon is his hands. Cannon struggles to catch balls away from his body. He is simply too patient at times and will wait for the ball to come to him. While Cannon flashes the ability to sky up and attack the ball at its highest point, he needs to do so on a more consistent basis.
Fit
Big Ben loves the deep ball, so why not give him another weapon to get open downfield?
With the draft so far away, it is tough to predict where Cannon’s stock will land. There is obvious upside and talent to his game, but drops and a multitude of other issues could push him down to the later rounds.
However, the Steelers have shown they are willing to take risks on WRs with big potential but drop issues. Think Sammie Coates and Martavis Bryant. Therefore, Cannon seems like a very likely target if the Steelers choose to upgrade the WR position in the upcoming NFL Draft. Maybe KD Cannon could be the next late-round WR gem for the Pittsburgh Steelers.