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NFL Draft 2008: A Quick Analysis of the Steelers draft
If you’ve looked across the wire today, you’ll find several opinions on how well the Steelers did in the 2008 draft. Most would agree that Saturday was a day of pleasant suprises, while Sunday was a day of, well, surprises. Some may say pleasant, and some otherwise. Here’s my quick take on each pick:
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: Most had Mendenhall as the #2 rated running back in the draft, and had him going no later than #15. I didn’t have one conversation about him in the weeks leading to the draft, because, nobody thought he’d be there. I had hammered those that thought that Jonathan Stewart would be there, simply because the Steelers didn’t have a need, and there were questions about his injuries. You don’t gamble with a number 1. There are no questions about Mendenhall. He’s a bruising back, who goes North and South. Here’s the intriguing thing about Mendenhall. I’ve watched him a lot as a Big 10 fan, and can tell you that there’s more to Mendenhall than meets the eye. He can stop and start on a dime, which has led some to say he could be a poor man’s Barry Sanders. He doesn’t have Sanders speed, but he makes people miss. In other words, he’s the back the Steelers coveted. Getting him was a major steal.
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: Sweed is a guy that most fans had the Steelers taking…in the first round. There is no way I’d have taken Sweed in the first round. He was a slight gamble at #23, but did have late first round talent. He CERTAINLY had second round talent, and picking him anywhere in the second round was a steal. Coming into his senior season, many compared Sweed to former Longhorn, Roy Williams. An injury to his wrist kept him from playing at 100%, until it ultimately cost him his season. At 6′4″, and 215 lbs, Pittsburgh finally has their first big receiver since Burress. He might be as good, without the attitude. Another steal.
Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA: Davis is a speed rusher, it’s that simple. He was a defensive end at UCLA for most of his career, but at 250-ish pounds, will never play that in the pros. His specialty was his first step, which he could use from a three-point stance to blow around most college linemen. He also was the rare lineman that could drop back into coverage. This makes him perfect as a Steeler, and could make him valuable as an outside, or inside backer. There’s more to this kid than I initially thought. Think the 2000’s version of former Steeler Mike Merriweather. The only problem that I have is that they probably could have gotten him in the fourth or fifth round, although there was some speculation that there were a team or two looking to pick this kid up. I’ll call it a slight reach, but again, it filled a need.
Tony Hills, OT, Texas: This kid is 6′6″, and 305 pounds, and there is a bunch of talent there. You’ve heard the reports I’m sure, but if you haven’t, here is a kid who was supposed to never play football again in high school. He was a former parade all-american as a TIGHT END in high school, before a knee injury supposedly ended his career as a senior. He went through horrific rehabilitation to come back, and did, as an offensive lineman. He started as a back-up left tackle on some pretty good lines. In 2006, he became a starter as a junior, and was deemed Texas’ most improved offensive player. In 2007, he broke through nationally. Hills earned the Walter Camp All-American first-team and was named to the All-Big 12 Conference first-team squad. He did break his leg at the end of the season. Many actually thought Hills was a 2nd or 3rd rounder before the broken leg brought back some doubts. He’s athletic, but lacks some foot speed from former injuries. I think this kid has the work ethic, and the talent to be special. The only question? Injuries. Still, I think this is a value pick at this point. He’s better than a late fourth rounder.
Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon: I don’t question Dixon, he could be an incredible star in this league. Pittsburgh is salivating at having the new slash. I can’t lie, after a day of sitting with this, I am as well. Dixon was on his way to the heisman, before his college career ended with a severe knee injury. You know the rest. He became a ?, because nobody knew if he was a qb, or a wr, or a rb. At Pittsburgh, he may be all of the above. When he’s healthy, he becomes Ben’s back-up, and will most definately bring a wrinkle to the offense. So, my hesitation with Dixon? Pittsburgh needed a DLineman, and didn’t get one. I do question this pick, as Pittsburgh had other needs. Dixon may prove to be an NFL superstar, as he’s already said, “I’ll do whatever Pittsburgh needs me to do.” Still, he won’t improve the line at all. It seems to be a wasted 5th round pick, but I’ll go a little less than that, and say they should have gone defensive end earlier. That would have made this pick a little more palatable in my book.
Mike Humpal (OLB–Iowa) and Ryan Mundy (S/CB–West Virgina): Both players were absolute suprise picks in the sixth round. Pittsburgh could have no doubt let these guys go, and picked them up as free agents. Still, they wanted to lock them up with a draft. These guys are no doubt, going to be special teamers. Humpal was a poor man’s Chris Speilman in this year’s draft. He has the former Ohio State star’s instinct, but lacks the talent to be a backer in this league. Look for him to move inside as a back-up, and be a special teams starter. Mundy is a tweener…not really a safety or a corner. He’ll probably find himself in on nickel and dime situations, but mostly as a special teamer as well. Again, I think there were enough linemen available on offense and defense, that Pittsburgh could have done something here other than address special team. I think they left a bit on the table.
Overall, you start at the A-level with their first two picks. With the picks in the 3-5th rounds, I like them all, but still thought there were players on the board that were better. The sixth seemed like Free Agent auditions. I like this year’s draft, but could have loved it. WITH THAT, I’LL GIVE THE STEELERS A B- OVERALL, WITH AN A ON SATURDAY, AND A C ON SUNDAY.
This entry was posted
on Monday, April 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm and is filed under Bruce Davis, Tony Hills, Mike Humpal, Steel Tradition, Ryan Mundy, Mike Merriweather, Limas Sweed, Dennis Dixon, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, Barry Sanders, Rashard Mendenhall, James Pete, Roy Williams.
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40 Responses to “NFL Draft 2008: A Quick Analysis of the Steelers draft”
April 28th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Your analysis seems about right..
If they did not get Mendenhall and Sweed, then the Dixon pick woulda made more sense..
April 28th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I agree, the Steelers needed to address the DL, and not take a QB that will never start for the Steelers, as long as Ben stays healthy, that is. He is an exciting prospect, no doubt, but a luxury pick the Steelers could not afford at this time. We’ll have to wait an see how some of the picks after Dixon fare, that the Steelers passed on. Overall, I think it was their best draft in years. I applaud their Saturday picks…how could you not pick those two when they’re still on the board.? But that was not the case I felt, with the last three picks. I believe there were better choices left on the board when those picks were made.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I just read one of your old postings where you mentioned that there was “no way Sweed would drop to the Steelers at #23″ so you weren’t even going to consider him.
Times change.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Rob…I didn’t think he would fall to Pittsburgh in the first, and wouldn’t have wanted him in the first if he did.
Nothing really changed, other than the fact that WR’s seemed to fall in this draft.
People slide in every draft…it’s a fact of life…
April 28th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
What makes the O line such a big area of concern, exactly? I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but it seems that the Steelers were among the better teams in the league, both RUNNING THE BALL, and PASSING THE BALL.
Usually a team will excel in one area at the expense of the other, but I think the Steelers did well in both. Except for the once in a generation performance of Tom Brady, Roethlisberger had the best overall rating of any QB in the league last season, did he not? Except for the late season injury, Willie Parker would have finished as the top rusher in the league, would he not?
Unless you are prepared to beleive that Roethlisberger and Parker are such expceptional players on their own they can put up top of the class stats in spite of a decrepit offensive line. I don’t think that is the case. Plus there was a first year Line Coach who is most famous over a 40 year career for sending a porn link to the Commissioner’s Office. Can’t blame that on the poor saps in the trenches.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Mendenhall is far too talented to play second fiddle to any RB on our team, and that includes Parker. It won’t be long before this is clear to everyone. He is an every down back, who has vision and elusiveness that we haven’t seen in a while.
He is the equivalent of “the Bus”….just smaller and sleeker. I can’t wait for the season to begin.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I THINK PITTSBURGH DID A GREAT JOB, O-LINEGOT SOME HELP AND AS FOR D-LINE THEY CAN GETSOMR AT FREE AGENTS. WE GOT WEPONS THAT WILL STOP PASS RUSHES. I GIVE THEM AN A-
April 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
My take on the picks individually -
1) Mendenhall - Guy doesn’t seem to have any pimples at all. Good size, and since he is still just 20 years of age, room to add 10 pounds or so. Good timed speed. Great production this past season, but not much wear and tear through 3 collegiate seasons. No injury history. No scrapes with the law. Since the Steelers have been getting by so long with undrafted free agents and other teams castoffs in the backfield so long, it was time they invested a top pick at the position.
2) Sweed - The top rated receiver available prior to suffering his wrist injury. Great character and doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. Rare qualities at the position. Excellant size/speed combination. Mature product of a top program, he should contibute immediately.
3) Bruce Davis - Brings some of the swagger that left with Joey Porter. Some of the natural talent as well. As productive as a senior as LaMarr Woodley was in a similar position a year ago. Smart, clean living, and adaptable by all accounts.
4) Tony Hills - Highly rated at his position, like fellow Longhorn Sweed, going into the season, and similarly downgraded due to injury. Selected to Camp All American First Team as a GUARD, despite playing at LT after converting from TE. Team captain displayed leadership and maturity under the microscope at one of the leading programs in the nation.
5) Dennis Dixon - The later round QB project the F.O. boys promised. Lots of talk of him as a gadget player, but I think he was drafted purely on his potential as a signal caller. Probably the best available at the spot he was drafted.
6) Mike Humpel - No one seems to take this kid seriously, but he put up very good athletic numbers at the Combine, despite being one of the biggest linebackers there. His on field production was first rate as well, considering he played for a smaller school. Smart, clean living, and all that.
7) Ryan Mundy - Good size/speed combination at the safety spot, and was able to start at two of the top schools in the country during his college career. Alledgedly has the quicks to play corner in a pinch.
April 29th, 2008 at 1:54 am
I like all picks. There was no value DL picks in these rounds that could’ve made an imidiate impact as backups this year. A more glaring need for the Steelers than de DL is the special teams and on Sunday they addressed that area. Eason and Kirschke already know the complicated Steeles defense and i’m sure we will pick up a few veteran june cuts that can backup our DL . I see the Steelers addressing the DL in next years 1st and 2nd rounds where they will find much better players at DE and DT.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Rob…I think the knock on the line was the 47 sacks (I believe a league high) and the fact that were not good at short shortage situations…like when we needed a first down late in the 4th against Jacksonville. In watching the games it seemed that Roethlisberger was under a lot of pressure. I think at least in Roethlesberger’s case his size and skill did save me from the inadequecies of the O-line.
A strong back, like Mendenhall, could alleviate the short yardage issues…maybe not. Pass protection needs to be better. I could just take time, but chemistry is sooo important and three of our OTs are Unrestricted Free Agents next year that I think we need to stockpile more talent. The DL needs more talent as well, but like other positions this is a depth issue…the Starting three are great, but when Smith got hurt the dynamics changed. That’s my take.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I thought this was a great draft. Santonio and Sweed, the last time we had two s’s in the receiving corps it worked out ok. Mendenhall and Parker, ulcers for the Cleveland defense. Davis, the defense needed that one player to bring a nasty identity, I think he’s the guy. Even the QB Dixon makes sense. If he proves to be good some team will offer the bank to us later, just like Texas did for Schaub. As far as the Oline goes, Kemo is ready, Hills can learn, Hartwig is here, and Legursky may be the best uda out there, plus you gotta love the name. Finally, the ss Mundy is already being compared to Darren Perry. This draft probabty the best since 74
April 29th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Well, if Mendenhall and Sweed pan out is good players along with maybe 2 more players like Bruce Davis and Mundy then it should be a good draft.
And, Dixon maybe an good backup in years to come since Ben does have his share of injuries..
April 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I’m not in favor of using preumium picks on linemen, unless it is an impact type pass rusher like Mario Williams. The offensive line is built on chemistry between the five players moreso than individual skill. Including the tight end(s) and fullback.
In the Steeler defensive system, the impact plays come from the linebackers and safeties moreso than the front three. Once a prospect like Tony Hill has been around a couple of years and is inserted in the mix, he should be just as effective as one of the first round OTs taken in the draft would be.
Save the top picks for the skill positions where individual talent has more room to be expressed. I think the Steelers have been fairly consistent in that regard. Top two picks this year - RB, WR. Last year - OLB, OLB. 2006 - WR, S. 2005 - TE, CB. 2004 - QB, CB.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
wow!, we are starting to look tall at the wide reciever postion. 6′5 and 6′6 we should be coming down with alot of jump balls.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
One further point on that slant - CNNSI has quite extensive ranking lists for the various positions in the draft, and they had Hills rated 10th among OT available this year. Some part of that ranking was undoubtedly due to his late season injury and exclusion from post season workouts. Of the 9 prospects graded ahead of him, 7 were drafted in the first round. There wasn’t a huge grade difference among the players on the list either. If Hills had completed the season and participated in the post season scouting process, you have to believe that his ranking would have been a couple slots higher. So in terms of raw potential, there is no significant difference between he and the tackles drafted in the first round, almost all of them taken before the Steelers even got on the board.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I will not/can not argue with not taking an offensive line in the first round. Several teams “reached”. Most mock drafts had us taking Gosder Cherilus at 23 and said he was a slight reach there…Detroit took him at 15.
Just for the sake of nit-picking and argument over Hills…I tend to put my stock in NFLDraftcountdown for my player rankings, and they had him 16 on the OTs.
I’m not upset about Hills…if anything the Dixon pick bothers me. I would have rather seen another OL taken or a D-line over Dixon. I would have taken my chances with a UDFA for my developmental back-up quarterback. I just keep seeing Tee Martin & Omar Jacobs running through my head!
April 29th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I remember watching the Rose Bowl and fantacizing about seeing Rashard in black and gold. It was like a dream that I woke up from and realized I was dreaming and it would never happen. I couldn’t believe he fell to the Steelers. He is going to be great! He is an enourmous talent and is going to carry the Steelers into an era that will be unprecedented in NFL history. Five more Super Bowl championships!!!!!
Remember this day!!
Steeler brass did a great job drafting. I totally agree with them picking the best players available in rounds 1 - 5. It’s difficult to stick to that discipline when you know you need help at certain positions but it never works to overreach for players that just are not worth the pick. I also think specifically drafting special team players was a good move.
Mike and Kevin did a great job!
April 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
The thing about Hills is that I’m pretty sure the Steelers envision him as a guard. I think he was selected to the All American team at that position. The 10th (or 16th) best LT on the list could easily be the 2nd or 3rd best guard. His physical dimensions are identical to Alan Faneca.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Regarding Dixon - at the time of his injury he was probably the best quarterback in college football. I think he had close to a 70% completion percentage and a great touchdown to interception ratio. He wasn’t playing in a gadget offense like Colt Brennen (or Omar Jacobs from a couple of seasons past), either. That counts for a lot.
It may have taken him longer to mature than some of the other QB prospects on the board, but that speaks to upside still remaining. Fans were advocating for someone like Owen Schmitt in the fifth round, but while the FB would provide more immediate contribution, the long term payoff for developing a legitimate NFL QB is much greater.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Regarding Dixon need i say Antwaan Randle El 2.0
April 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
rob,
Major Harris finished 2nd in the Heisman twice and though I love watching Pat White play QB I would never draft him to be my QB in the NFL.
Dixon was a completely useless pick and worse yet he’ll be on the IR all yr and won’t even have a chance to play a slash role this yr.
Batch could be the back-up for another 5 yrs……he isn’t getting beat up every Sunday.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
rob,
I love watching Pat White play QB in the spread just like Dixon, but I would never draft them as a QB in the NFL.
Batch can easily play back-up for another 4-5 yrs….he isn’t getting beat up on Sundays.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Rob,
I love watching Pat White and Dixon play QB in the spread, but I would never draft them to be a QB in the NFL.
Batch can easily play back-up for another 3-4 yrs.
So, over the next yr or 2 we need to find a smart QB like Jason Garrett was who understands and loves the game to be the new back-up.
I would have loved to have picked up Matt Flynn as a UDFA……..but the Packers drafted him.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Rob,
Sorry, board is running wacky……thought 1st two replies didn’t take. Too much coffee today.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Everything aside I think the Steelers did a great job in the draft. I, for the first time in years, am waiting for the first snap of the season. I can’t wait to see some of the rookies in action however I don’t think they all will make the team let alone see some action. I agree that the team didn’t waste picks on a RB, WR, QB. Any time you can keep your competition from gearing up is a blessing. So they sit for a year…big deal. At least someone else isn’t using them to kick our butt!
April 29th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
From reading the comments, I don’t think that Hills and Dixon are getting the credit they deserve. Pretty sure that both would have gone much higher in the draft except for the late season injuries.
Hills made First Team All American along with 3 first round linemen (Long, Baker, Collins) and ahead of the other 5 or so taken in the first round. That despite the fact that he never played the full season. Compare him to the fans former draft darling Branden Albert. They are about the same size and age and Hills was more highly rated during the season. The difference is that Albert was a very good guard who is PROJECTED to play at left tackle. HIlls was a better than average LT who is projected to play at guard. The chances for Hills succeeding in his position change are much better, I would think.
Dixon doesn’t have the major missing parts in his game that some of the other high profile college QBs who couldn’t take it to the next level. He is far from a sure thing, but I would say he has better tools than an Omar Jacobs or Jared Zebransky coming in.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Here is a bit of Mayock on Dixon -
No QB in this draft has longer arms (36.25 inches) or bigger hands (9.75-inch span) or a faster 40 time (4.49 seconds last year at Oregon). When Dixon was a junior, Bellotti told him he was a better prospect than Vince Young. And that was before Dixon completed 67.7% of his passes in 2007, with 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Mike Mayock, the NFL Network’s draft expert, believes Dixon is a better passer than Young but not as explosive a runner. He projects Dixon as a fourth-round pick. Asked where Dixon would have been drafted if he hadn’t been injured, Mayock said, “Who knows?”
April 29th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I don’t think anyone is upset about picking up Dixon. He’s the kind of pick that you get and scratch your head about…because the focus of the draft were on other positions.
I think it was a wasted pick in the sense that there were some quality picks at some need positions.
At the same time, I think that watching him develop, if he even makes the team, could be interesting.
I do think Hills was a good pick. There is no doubt that the Steelers picked ‘leadership’ guys.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
It’s a bit dicey trying to determine what the club’s “need positions” are. I recall that two years ago the “need” was a big running back to complement Willie Parker and a backup QB to develop behind Roethlisberger. The fans were screaming for Lendale White (or last year Michael Bush) but the players they drafted to fill those “needs” (Omar Jacobs and Cedric Humes) are both long gone. Now the choices of Mendenhall and Dixon are regarded as “luxury” (or outright wasted) picks. Since Jacobs didn’t work out, White was bypassed and Humes disappeared it seems to me that the “need” still exists.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
the steelers look to be changeing to a new play book with these picks no more cowher ball
April 29th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hey, Pat White is the most exciting player in college football and should be able to find a place in pro football somewhere.
He is going to get a chance to pass much more this year with the new head coach, so I have read.
Pat maybe the best athlete in college football..
April 30th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Dave,
I love Pat White but he is not a NFL style QB. He throws one pass…….a hard fast ball……his touch and accuracy are poor.
He’ll be a WR in the NFL in the slot like Hines and should have a good career, but not a QB.
Dixon will be playing single A baseball in 2 yrs.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
The steelers did an outstanding job from the offensive stand point in the draft. However, the O-line was average at best and when Aaron Smith went out, the defense was exposed. The Steelers needed linemen on both sides of the ball once Mendenhall and Sweed where drafted. I can only hope the players on the roster will step up.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Draft Day is a National Holiday! Watched every minute - but mostly with a keen eye on the Steeler’s moves. Loved all our picks. Wanted more offensive linemen, but didn’t see it necessary to take someone just for the sake of doing so…..
Now we have one excellent starting quarterback (plus 2 solid backups), two quality wide receivers and Hines, 2 great running backs, and two good tight ends - remember Spaeth? Starting to remind me of the good ole’ days gone by…..
The defense was # 1 last year! If we can overcome the very tough schedule, sure up our pass coverage protection, and have Mendenhall and fast Willy continuously stuffing “it” down the opposition’s throats, I like our chances this year.
Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed the incessant boos whenever DalASS or New Stinkin’ Cheatin’ England picked……… just goes to show that everyone knows what a bunch of dirt-ball, cry-baby, egotistical, spoiled-little-brat organizations these two poor excuses for teams are…. I’M JUST SAYING!
Alright Steeler Nation — Let’s Go Get # 6! It’s now been a couple of years in coming, let’s keep that Steeler Machinery humming………
April 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
regarding dixon - i can only hope his pick indicated there were no more d-linemen left they felt could impact the team in the next 2 or 3 years so they took they most dynamic player left. i love to see him completely rehab, steelers show off his skills in 2009 preseason, then trade him for top picks going into 2010 draft.
regarding OL and sacks - last year there were some times that guys got flat out beat. but, it seemed to me that when that happened the defensive line was slanting in towards the middle and mahan couldn’t handle it. most of the other sacks were on blitzes where i think the defense sat down on our receivers and ben was forced to tuck it away. first, he needs to improve on throwing the ball away. second, the addition of sweed and mendenhall will help tremendously. sweed will force the defense to stay further off the ball and mendenhall will provide a more viable option at the swing pass/safety valve. the addition of these two will effectively slow down the rush.
regarding defensive line - this is where i am disappointed. there are no real up and comers here as we all know. they haven’t addressed it, and i think this will be a real problem over the next few years. usually, guys don’t just walk in and become above average to pro bowl defensive linemen. knowing that, we will need to either address the issue in free agency or find a way to climb in the draft and take a top of the line prospect. both of which are uncharacterstic of the steelers. if we don’t find a way to shore up the d-line, these great linebackers we are stockpiling are going to be fighting off offensive linemen instead of making tackles.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Mindenhall and Sweed make this draft. Davis may be a playmaker, but I would rather have gotten Justin King, and then linemen the rest of the way. Still, we were really lucky to land two solid picks on day 1. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
How many linemen picked up in the fourth or fifth rounds make the team-much less a contribution? It is best to get the best available with those late picks.
What offensive lineman or Defensive lineman would have IMPROVED our team? Before our Steelers picked in the first round, all the good lineman were picked up…
April 30th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I think they got two good project players in Tony Hills and Doug Legursky for the O line. Hills was Walter Camp First Team All American despite missing the last couple games of the season due to injury. He played OT in college and would make a solid guard as a pro I think.
Legursky has the perfect build for a center. 6-1, 320 pounds, and bull strong. He started all 4 seasons and was All Conference for most of them. Still just 21 years old.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Mendenhall being on the board at #23 makes up for the reach they made for Timmons at #16 last year. Mendenhall was rated somewhere between 10-16. Timmons was rated somewhere between 23 and 32 last year.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Don’t be surprised to see Humpal emerge. I am from his hometown, and he has all of the intangibles that could surprise the scouts who passed on him. He is smart and has good instincts, which can often offset lower 40 times.
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