2020 NFL Draft: Steelers reactions to an insane day two

A live reaction of the highs and lows of the second day of the NFL Draft, cataloged as the picks come off the board with specific insight for the Steelers.

With the Steelers finally set to make some draft picks tonight, I’m here to provide my reactions to the second day of the NFL draft as the picks go off the board. These will be instant reactions with no research and no film on the players outside of what I have already seen. Every pick won’t be dissected, but the ones I find surprising or interesting, as well as Steelers related ones, will be covered. I have my cup of Pepsi and a package of Vienna Fingers, and I am ready to draft.

All I’m thinking about is Antoine Winfield, Denzel Mims, Ezra Cleveland, and Isaiah Wilson. With ¾ of these options still available, I’m hoping at least one of them falls to 49. If not, I’ll be screaming for the Steelers to move back. Some other interesting prospects fell out of the first, but I’m guessing those guys go early tonight. Finally, please, no QBs and no RBs.

Cincinnati is on the clock and they have to be targeting OL right?

The pick is in and… nope, Tee Higgins goes. A big physical guy with below-average athleticism. Like him, don’t love him. Makes a decent trio with the Bengals though.

Colts pick is in fast, they must have been in love with a guy.

And there goes a heartbreaker. Michael Pittman looked legit and was a favorite for the Steelers. That said, he wasn’t on my trio above, so I’m good with it.

Giants nab the first S with Xavier McKinney. Not a huge fan of him, but not against it either. Giants need DB help, so the fit is there. Winfield is still there, and that’s all that matters.

Are the Patriots targeting a QB like Jake Fromm or a WR to help out Brian Hoyer? The pick is in and… oof, Kyle Dugger. Really like the guy but it seems like the Pats could have used someone on offense. Like the player, confused by the pick though.

Miami already has a new team after three 1st rounders.

Maybe go RB here or stick to defense? Nope, another big ugly on their line. Love Robert Hunt, he’s a straight mauler and should be a good guy to move to the inside. My three guys are still there!

Alright, let’s see how the Texans screw this pickup… Cool, wasn’t a Ross Blacklock fan. I think he’ll be ok, but I just didn’t see it with him.

Browns trade out and the Colts grab Jonathan Taylor. A freaky athlete at his size but wear and tear and fumble issues make me weary. Liked Taylor, but I’m against picking an RB in this class anyway. Not happy the Browns moved back but make RB less likely at 49. Seven more picks!

Browns up after they moved back.

Nervous they double dip and grab Cleveland, but we’ll see. Grant Delpit, a feisty ballhawk who hates to tackle. Honesty not upset, as I don’t think he’ll be terrorizing the Steelers defense. Can pick the ball off but his tackling tape isn’t impressive.

Bucs have to grab an RB for Tom Brady right. No matter what, it’ll be offense all day. And… NO! My dude Winfield is gone. Loved his play and feisty style. He would have been a gem with us. Brady finds a way to screw with me again.

Seahawks grab Darrell Taylor, a guy I liked a lot. He can get after the QB and he has decent athleticism. Don’t think he’s worth it this early but I think he has a good home.

Oh boy, here we go.

No trades I guess, but we still have Mims and Cleveland on the board. Really hoping for either. I’m a weird combination of pumped and nervous, fueled by the power of Pepsi!

Alright, alright, it wasn’t one of “my guys”, but Chase Claypool was in the final mock draft I projected. He’s a great height-weight-speed guy who has some rawness as a route runner and struggles to separate. He won’t be a TE (those rumors are silly), but he may line up in the slot. As well, he is a tenacious blocker at the position. I liked some other guys more, but think he is a solid guy who should serve a good role year one.

Mims is off my board, but I’ll keep Cleveland if he keeps on falling. Like a lot of the interior guys like Lloyd Cushenberry III, Tyler Biadasz, and Matt Hennessy at 102. Keep some NT, OLB, and S options as well.

Hey, Eagles, are you ok?

I like Jalen Hurts to a degree but taking a QB that high when you have Carson Wentz is crazy to me. This makes less than zero sense. Not a fan.

J.K. Dobbins to Baltimore? That’s a little different. Seems like Mark Ingram may not be there for a long time. Like the combo there though. What does this mean for Justice Hill though?

Alright, time for my second can of Pepsi. Got a long way to go before Steelers pick. Board has fallen nicely for them though. Hopefully, it holds into the third.

Rams take a guy that I loved.

Van Jefferson knows how to get open and would have been a great option in the slot. He had injuries though causing him not to test. He is a little older as well. A little higher than I thought he would go, but I love the prospect.

Ah shucks, and there goes Cleveland. Decent fall for him and would have looked nice in the black and gold. Needs a little more strength before he starts, but has the potential to be a long term guy for the Vikings.

Jets get a great value pick in Mims here. He’s a guy that could have gone in the late first and fills the void left by Robby Anderson. This year is make or break for Sam Darnold, so giving him better protection and a new threat makes sense.

Patriots move up but it isn’t for a QB?

Dang, Josh Uche makes sense in the Patriots scheme, but they are really ignoring QBs. They are either confident in life after Brady or are setting up to get a QB in 2021.

I swear the only people that get paid to be wrong 80% of the time are weathermen and Mel Kiper Jr.

Panthers end the second with a hybrid guy.

Jeremy Chinn is a freak athlete from a small school who would have filled in well as a sub-package guy for the Steelers. Little chance he would have fallen to 102, but a great prospect, nonetheless.