Beer We Go Steelers

Well the brief glimpse of the lockout being over is now done which casts a pall over everything that happened over the last few days. It also puts the Priority free agents on hold for awhile which again just really sucks. The Steelers have done well with the Free Agents so I am dissapointed.

On the positive side of things, The Steelers needed to address the aging defense and the struggling O-Line. They did that! At least on paper the draft looks like they got solid value for their picks and guys who will be able to contribute.   

Here is the BWG synopsis of the draft:

Pick 1: Cameron Heyward, DE: As I stated the day he was drafted, this is a great “Steelers Pick”, I don’t think he will put up huge numbers but he will do a great job. Not to mention that he is carrying the torch for his deceased dad, who had a spectacular if unstatistically heralded career. Of course my early knickname and you heard it hear first is STEELHEAD HEYWARD!!!

Pick 2: Marcus Gilbert, OT: To me this will be the steal of the draft. I have a feeling Mr. Gilbert will be starting. Obviously, it would have been great to get Maurkice’s twin brother but this seems like the next best thing. He plays both tackle spots and he has enough speed to play guard for the Steelers. I liked this pick and I am hoping he is the second coming of Marvell Smith!

Pick 3: Curtis Brown, CB: I actually pegged Aaron Williams to be the first round choice for the Steelers. While he is not as physical as Williams, Curtis Brown was the better selection and the Steelers got it right. He is a better cover guy and can step in right away. While he most likely won’t be elite, he will be a solid addition.    

Pick 4: Cortez Allen, CB: WHO? I have to be honest I have no idea who this guy is and he wasn’t in any of my draft guides. This feels like a stretch and we have washed out on these type of picks before. I am holding out hope but not optimistic. Why you should be optimistic, I thought Joe Burnett was going to be the next Ike Taylor, he wasn’t even Ike Turner!

Pick 5: Chris Carter, OLB: Looks like a depth pick and a special teams guy. Honestly, you are an outside linebacker coming to the Steelers. You only have to beat out Lamar Woodley and/or James Harrison to start! Yeah good luck with that!

Pick 6: Keith Williams, G: Looks like a project guy at Guard. Not sure he has the speed to be a Steelers guard but he is an absolute MAULER! He loves to mash, so I hope he makes it! I like what Sean Kugler did last year so I have faith this is going to be a good pick.

Pick 7: Baron Batch, RB: This is a funny pick. I have read three different scouting reports and none of them were consistent. At best it looks like he has the chance to be a solid 3rd down back and he was worth taking a flyer on. At worst he will be done by the end of training camp!