{"id":1100,"date":"2013-04-30T02:04:48","date_gmt":"2013-04-30T02:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/?p=1100"},"modified":"2013-04-30T02:04:48","modified_gmt":"2013-04-30T02:04:48","slug":"a-very-good-draft-by-the-steelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/?p=1100","title":{"rendered":"A very good draft by the Steelers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

2013 Draft Class Pittsburgh Steelers:<\/p>\n

This has the potential to be a very good draft with many of the picks contributing early. The Steelers filled several key needs including running back, wide receiver and safety depth.<\/p>\n

Biggest Surprise: Trading up to grab a QB. No Offensive lineman?<\/p>\n

1 Jarvis Jones, OLB: The Steelers biggest need was at linebacker and they grabbed the best one in the bunch! This was a tremendous pick and the Steelers were lucky he had fallen. He is a perfect Steeler, great motor, solid character guy, who will make an impact early. BWG is very excited about this pick!<\/p>\n

2 Le’Veon Bell, RB: This seemed a little bit like a reach as I think we could have snatched him in the third round. That being said, he is the exact type of runner that we need. He is a banger who can catch a pass and he actually blocks pretty well. The Steelers are drawing heat on this because he is similar to Dwyer and Redman. The Steelers don’t seem to have faith in either guy.<\/p>\n

3 Markus Wheaton, WR: This pick made the Bell pick look a whole lot better, because Wheaton was still around in the third. He had a first or second round grade depending on which guide you believed. He is a great speed player who can stretch the field. He will add the element that Wallace took with him to Miami. This might be the steal of the draft!<\/p>\n

4 Shamarko Thomas, S: This was another very good “Steeler pick” as Thomas will be a serious upgrade over Ryan Mundy and will give us depth. He plays Steelers football and has raw skills that will be a great fit for LeBeau’s defense. He will serve a two year apprenticeship under Polamalu and Clark.<\/p>\n

4 Landry Jones, QB: This was the big head scratcher to me. I didn’t understand the pick and not only that the Steelers traded up to grab him? I didn’t see this one coming at all. That being said the Steelers were adamant to grab a developmental player at QB and they grabbed a good one. Jones has good arm strength and plays fundamentally well. He needs time to develop and will spell the end of the Charlie Batch era in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

5 Terry Hawthorne, CB: Has good physical tools and he fits the Steelers size. He is a capable tackler and covers the bigger receivers. Best case he can be a productive nickelback, worse case he will wash out pretty quick and be gone by the end of camp. This is a nice development guy.<\/p>\n

6 Justin Brown, WR: A very large and very raw talent, he adds depth and will have a tough road to make the team. He has great potential and certainly is worth a look. Good practice squad candidate!<\/p>\n

6 Vince Williams, LB: A downhill run stopping linebacker, that adds depth to the inside linebacking core. He does project inside and outside so it is a good pick for the later rounds. I really want this to work out, love his attitude and think he has a good chance. This pick basically means Sean Spence is not coming back anytime soon.<\/p>\n

7 Nick Williams, DT: This could be a great sleeper pick! He is more likely projected to be a 3-4 end, than a defensive tackle. He is a good athlete but needs help before he will be anything productive. I think he is headed to the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Because the Steelers didn’t draft O-line this year, they grabbed some nice players as unrestricted free agents. Nick Ebernate looks like a nice sleeper pick in this group. I also am pulling for Mike Golic Jr.!<\/p>\n

The Steelers Unrestricted Free Agents:<\/p>\n