Steelers Draft Grades

The 2013 NFL draft is in the books and the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their selections. The Steelers draft shaped up to include the following:

17. Jarvis Jones, outside linebacker, Georgia.
48. Le'Veon Bell, running back, Michigan State.
79. Markus Wheaton, receiver, Oregon State.
111. Shamarko Thomas, strong safety, Syracuse.
115. Landry Jones, quarterback, Oklahoma.
150. Terry Hawthorne, cornerback, Illinois.
186. Justin Brown, receiver, Oklahoma.
206. Vince Williams, inside linebacker, Florida State.
223. Nick Williams, defensive end, Samford.


Everyone has an opinion on draft success, but only time will tell whether this draft can be considered a boom or bust. Regardless, listed below are the draft grades for the Pittsburgh Steelers by multiple NFL analysts.

NFL Draft Scout

I love the addition of Jarvis Jones in the first round. Forget about all of the medical and workout questions. The thing to remember with him is that he led the country in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (seven) this past season and is used to playing as a 3-4 rush linebacker, so there is no adjustment here. Le'Veon Bell is another big back who'll not only pound defenders but slip by (or leap) over them. Markus Wheaton is a virtual clone of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, the lean, highly athletic wideouts the club has stolen in the middle rounds of past years. Of their third-day picks, I'm highest on cornerback Terry Hawthorne and developmental defensive lineman Nicholas Williams.

Grade: B+


Pete Prisco

Best pick: I love third-round receiver Markus Wheaton out of Oregon State. He could be the next mid-round pick to star at receiver.

Questionable move: Taking Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell in the second round. I just think he takes too long to get to the line of scrimmage. He is more of a plodder.

Third-day gem: I love fifth-round corner Terry Hawthorne to fit in nicely in what the Steelers want from their corners.

Analysis: General manager Kevin Colbert is one of the best in the business. He likes picking productive college players. First-round pick Jarvis Jones was that and more. The Bell pick lowers the grade.

Grade: B-

Sports Illustrated

The Steelers hit on four needs with their first four picks: OLB (Jarvis Jones), running back (Le’Veon Bell, who fits this offense but may not have warranted pick 48), receiver (Markus Wheaton) and safety (Shamarko Thomas). And then they picked QB Landry Jones. It’s a great fit for Jones — Ben Roethlisberger’s frequently hurt and the Steelers’ aerial attack plays to Jones’ strengths. The pick was still a surprising one.

Grade: B-plus

Rotoworld

Overview: There's a lot to like about this draft on paper. Just keep in mind Pittsburgh sent a 2014 third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for No. 111. Hard-hitting Thomas was a value there, but may only help on special teams for the next year and is a tight-hipped safety prospect, which is why he was available in round four. Jones and Bell are day-one starters, while Wheaton should have every opportunity to win a job in three-receiver sets as the "X" when Emmanuel Sanders kicks inside to the slot. Vince Williams is a physical inside thumper. Nick is built ideally to play five-technique end in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense and has developmental athleticism. Hawthorne was once a projected future first-rounder. Jones has a great arm and quick release, though he'll have to improve his in-pocket courage to pan out. I think the Steelers added good football players and can expect immediate impact from two to three acquisitions, but giving up next year's third-rounder is still bothersome when the team cannot be sure Thomas will be a productive NFL player.

Grade: C+

Walterfootball.com

Goals Entering the 2013 NFL Draft: The Steelers lost a number of key veterans this offseason like James Harrison, Keenan Lewis, Willie Colon, Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace. They need to replace those departed players. Of course, they won't reach to fill these holes; Pittsburgh, as it always does, will take advantage of the dumb teams drafting in front of them and catch falling prospects.

2013 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Sure enough, Pittsburgh's front office laughed as the top pass-rusher in this class, Jarvis Jones, fell right into its lap at No. 17. It's amazing that despite being designed to help the lesser teams, all the NFL Draft does is strengthen the superior ones.

The Steelers had a number of outstanding selections. Markus Wheaton, considered a second-round prospect, could be a worthy replacement for Mike Wallace despite being chosen at No. 79. The next pick (No. 111), Shamarko Thomas, was also snagged off the board a round later than projected. Thomas won't start right away, but will eventually be pushed into the starting lineup once Pittsburgh's aging safeties move on or get injured.

Pittsburgh addressed some needs late with some sound selections, but two picks weigh this class down. I'm not a fan of Le'Veon Bell as a second-rounder because he's yet another slow back out of the Big Ten. The Landry Jones choice was even worse. There were undrafted free agent quarterbacks who are better than him - Matt Scott and Tyler Bray, for example.

Despite these two picks, the Steelers still deserve a high grade for yet another successful draft class.

Grade: A-

My Analysis

I have to be honest here. I haven't watched every snap of every player the Steelers drafted or did not draft. I'm sure the Steelers did see every snap as they drafted the players they believe are best suited to succeed in their system. I'm not going to assign a grade yet as I will wait a few years to see how the recent picks perform. I have to trust Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin, and the Steelers scouting staff. Let's review in 2016.

Jeff Locke Adds Stability to the Back of Pirates Rotation

Jeff Locke was masterful today for the second time in as many starts. Locke, a former 1st pick of the 2nd round for the Atlanta Braves, has been nearly unhittable for much of the season thus far. Locke was acquired by the Pirates (along with Gorkys Hernandez and Charlie Morton) in a trade with Atlanta for OF Nate McClouth. Locke, imprioving to 3-1 on the season, has experienced success at nearly every level of professional baseball. Some of his accolades include:

* Baseball America Rookie All-Star (2007)

* Carolina League Pitcher of the Week (April 28 - May 4, 2009)

* Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star (2010)

* Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star (2011)

Locke does not have an overpowering fastball, but he locates his pitches well. His above average changeup and effective curve ball keep hitters off balance and contribute to his big league success. Locke's control is his greatest asset and he displayed that ability today while he held to Cardinals to only 3 hits through 7 shutout innings. Locke improved his ERA to 2.83 on the season and he's proving that he is more than capable of adding stability to the back of the Pirates rotation.

2013 (4) Round Steelers Mock Draft

The 2013 NFL draft will be extremely important for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team finds themselves in a position they are not very familiar with. Over the last 2 seasons, there has been a veteran exodus with very limited depth and/or talent waiting to adequately fill the vacancies. The Steelers need to draft playmakers this year who are capable of stepping in and contributing in year 1 and that mindset may alter the Steelers' traditional draft philosophy.

4 Round Mock Draft

Round 1

Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

The Steelers definitely have greater needs than offensive guard, but Warmack is too good to pass up at pick 17 as some analysists believe he is the best player in the draft. Warmack could start in year 1 and would be a tremendous upgrade in the running game. An interior line featuring David Decastro, Maurkice Pouncey, and Chance Warmack would immediately make the Steelers a force in the runnning game. The best defense is an offense that can assemble long scoring drives and Warmack would help do just that. The addition of Warmack would give the team 3 potential pro bowl linemen.

Round 2

Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

Kevin Minter is a hard hitting, explosive, sure tackler who defenses the run exquisitely. The Steelers limited depth at ILB forced them to resign Larry Foote during the off-season and the team has a great need for a young and capable replacement. Minter was one of the most productive players on LSU's defense and his play would definitely translate to the Steelers 3-4 defense. Minter may not be available at his point in the 2nd round, but his draft stock has fallen recently and he would be a phenomenal pick at #48 as he could be a long-term, productive starter.

Round 3

Stedman Bailey, WR, WVU

At 5'10", Bailey lacks the ideal WR height. But what Bailey lacks in height, he makes up for it with superb route running, quickness, and great hands. His big play ability could help fill the void created when Mike Wallace left for Miami. Bailey projects to be a slot receiver at the next level and that could play to the Steelers offensive mindset. Bailey could be an extremely productive addition to the depleted WR corps. Opposing defenses will have their hands full trying to cover Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Stedman Bailey, and Heath Miller (when he returns) on pasing downs.

Round 4

Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Mathieu is the most controversial prospect in the draft. His off-field rap sheet could give Charlie Sheen a run for his money. That said, Mathieu appears to be on the path to redemption and is conciously working to repair his image and is very focused on making football his #1 priority in life. Mathieu is a risk in round 4, but the reward far outweighs the risk. Mathieu's splash play ability, great instincts, durability, and overall play are superb enough to make him a top 5 or 10 draft pick without the off-field issues. The Steelers have a great need for playmakers in the secondary and Mathieu is worth the risk. If he pans out, he could be one of their greatest 4th round picks ever. His kick return ability is an added bonus as well.

Pirates - The Good and the Ugly

The Pittsburgh Pirates season is in its infancy, yet the club has already faced a roller coaster of ups and downs. We’ve seen stretches of great pitching and absolutely no hitting, mediocre pitching and quality hitting, and poor pitching and poor hitting – and we’re only 9 games into the season. However, this is typical for a baseball season and every team goes through the same trials and tribulations. The Pirates seem to be suffering more than any team this year, but here’s a look at The Good and The Ugly so far this season:

The Good

Starling Marte – Marte is a cut above every player on the roster right now. Marte has 2 hits in each of the last 5 games and is batting .333 on the season. Marte is leading the Pirates in batting average, hits, runs, triples, OBP, OPS, and SLG. Some folks questioned whether Marte would live up to his “5-Tool” potential and he seems to be answering the call after 9 games.

Pitching - With the exception of yesterday's game, the Pirates pitching has been rock solid. The 3.74 team ERA ranks 6th in the National League and 2nd behind the Cardinals (3.59) in the NL Central. The starting pitching has been reliable for the most part and the bull pen has been lights out.

AJ Burnett – Although AJ is 0-2 after 2 starts, he boasts a 3.27 ERA and 19 strikeouts in only 11 innings. Burnett has allowed 4 runs in 2 starts but hasn’t received the run support necessary to win.

Wandy Rodriguez – Wandy is arguably the most consistent pitcher on the Pirates roster. He has been the picture of consistency for many years and we’ve come to expect a quality start every time he takes the hill. Although he left his last start early with a strained hamstring, he isn't expected to be placed on the disabled list. Wandy is sporting an ERA of 1.00 after 9 innings of work. Solid.

Standings - The Pirates have been both completely awful and really good this season. It’s hard to tell which Pirates team will show up on any given day. Even with the significant ups and downs, the Pirates are only 2 games out of first place with a 3-6 record behind the Reds and Cardinals - with an upcoming series with the Reds.

Bullpen - Assembling a quality bullpen continues to be a strength of the current Pirates front office. With a combined 12 innings of work, Jason Grilli, Mark Melancon, and Justin Wilson are yet to give up a run. They’ve combined for 13 strikeouts and only 1 walk.

Jared Hughes - It doesn't matter what Hughes' stats look like. What does matter is his attitude and approach to the game. Every time he's called to action, he comes in like he's ready to kill somebody. I love his demeanor and think the Pirates could use a little more of it. I'm not a fan of the Bryce Harper attitude, but that type of player is one that elevates people around them. #EmbraceTheCrazy

The Ugly

Offense – The Pirates are dead last in Major League Baseball in batting average (.153). The team average is .45 points lower than the next to last place Cubs. The Pirates are also last in baseball in hits, home runs, OBP, SLG, OPS, and total bases.

Mental Mistakes – Poor base running, fielding gaffes, and coaching have been issues through 9 games. The Pirates need to clean up the mental aspect of their game if they have any chance of beating the top teams in baseball.

Pedro Alvarez – With 30 AB’s on the season, Pedro has 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 14 K’s. His .067 batting average and lack of run production is a significant reason the Pirates are 3-6. When Alvarez has had the opportunity to drive in runs, he’s failed miserably. He needs to improve drastically and consistently for the Pirates to be legitimate contenders.

Russell Martin – We were hopeful that Russell Martin would be a significant upgrade over the putrid hitting Rod Barajas. Although Martin typically doesn’t hit for a good batting average (.211 last season), he has some pop in his bat to make up for it. His 40+ home runs over the last 2 seasons and his tremendous defense behind the plate made him an attractive option for the Pirates. However, after 23 AB’s, Martin has only 1 hit, 0 HR, and a .043 batting average.

Andrew McCutchen – I was reluctant to lump Cutch into this group, but in reality, he isn’t producing like he needs to for the Pirates to be a threat. In 30 AB’s, Cutch has 7 hits, 1 HR, 6 RBI, and 4 SB with a .233 batting average. McCutchen’s stats look impressive compared to his teammates, but he’s not producing in the manner he should be as the team’s only superstar player.

Jonathan Sanchez – Sanchez had a decent first start, but today’s effort was a quick reminder why he has had difficulty sticking with any major league team over the last couple of years. In my opinion, the Pirates have better, younger options within the organization that should be given an opportunity in the rotation (McPherson, Irwin, Johnson, and maybe Oliver should be given an opportunity)

Recap

I could continue to pick the team apart. With the exception of Marte, I could have lumped the entire team in to the “Ugly” category. Clint Barmes, Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker, Gaby Sanchez, and Russell Martin are all batting under .103. It’s tough to win baseball games when the entire team is slumping.

At the end of the day, every team experiences ups and downs and hot and cold streaks. The Pirates are definitely going through a cold streak, but we’ve seen this same group of guys play during hot streaks as well. When they are good, they are really good. When they are bad, they are really bad. The club needs to find a happy medium where they can compete in close games and find a way to win. They need to win more than 50% of their games to break the longest losing streak in professional sports and it would be nice to begin that journey in the upcoming series against the Reds.

Pirates Have Been Awful - Immediate Improvements Needed

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a huge disappointment after their first two series of the season. The club appeared to be poised to break the 20 year losing streak and maybe even compete for the division crown. However, the team is looking like the same team that collapsed in the second half of last season instead of the promising young team ready to turn the corner. Their .119 team batting average is last in baseball…by a huge margin.

I am very disappointed by the sluggish start, but it’s early in the season and I’m optimistic the team can turn around their early misfortune. The pitching has been above average and ranks amongst the best in Major League Baseball. If the quality pitching continues, the Pirates will still have an opportunity to assemble a winning season. Unfortunately, the offense has been non-existent and must start producing runs if the club has any shot of hanging around .500 at any point this season. Faced with the most difficult April schedule in all of baseball, just surviving the early part of the schedule will be an emotional victory. In order to turn things around, I’ve assembled a list of things that must happen:

• Pitching will have to continue to be above average. We’ve come to expect the ageless AJ Burnett to mow down the opposition. With 19 strikeouts after his first two starts, Burnett is on track to have a phenomenal season. The rest of the pitching staff was strong enough to rank as the 2nd best rotation in all of baseball before tonight’s game. They likely won’t continue at that pace, but anything close to it will be enough to give the team an opportunity to win more than they lose.

• 1st Base – The Garret Jones / Gaby Sanchez tandem must start to produce. Jones is batting .163 with 0 RBI and Sanchez is batting .063 with 2 RBI. The team must improve significantly at 1st base to be competitive.

• 2nd Base – Neil Walker must revert to Neil Walker-ish form. Walker is off to a very slow start batting a measly .100 with 0 RBI. He has been a consistent contributor in his time with Pittsburgh, but he will have revert to the hitter he has been over the last couple of seasons very soon.

* SS – Clint Barmes needs to produce more offensively. Barmes currently ranks third on the team in batting average. Sounds good right? Unfortunately, his lowly .154 batting average is good enough to be the third best on the team. Barmes has never been a great stick, but he will have to improve at least 80 - 100 points for his offensive production to be acceptable.

• 3B – Pedro Alvarez must become one of the most fearful hitters in the National League. Alvarez is currently one of most significant areas of concern. Pedro’s hot and cold streaks must end for the Pirates to be a serious contender. Alvarez is a prototypical cleanup hitter with the power he has displayed. He could be a perennial 30-40 home run type of player. Unfortunately, Pedro is batting an anemic .091 with 1 RBI after 22 AB’s. More concerning, his 10K’s are enough to rank 5th in all of baseball at this point. Pedro Alvarez must become a consistent run-producing cleanup hitter for the Pirates to be a legitimate contender. Pedro has already slid to 6th in the batting order and has been a huge disappointment early in the season. He looks lost at the plate needs to improve significantly.

• C – Russell Martin needs to hit like a Yankee. Martin’s lack of offensive success is nothing new for Pirates catchers and his .000 batting average after 14 AB’s is par for the course. I will give Martin credit for being a great game-managing catcher, but his offensive statistics will have to be similar to what he did in New York for the team to be a contender. It’s unlikely Martin will post similar power numbers in Pittsburgh as PNC Park is not as hitter friendly as Yankee Stadium, but he must start driving the ball soon for the Pirates to start scoring more runs. Heck, a hit or two here and there would be nice at this point.

• LF – Starling Marte needs to evolve as a leadoff hitter. Marte has been fairly impressive in his first season as a full time starter. Although his .261 BA leads the team after 6 games, he will have to continue to develop as a leadoff hitter for the team to be successful. Marte will have to get on base frequently and put himself in scoring position to be an asset in the leadoff role. His defense has been up to par, but his offense must continue to develop. I’d like to see Marte improve his .292 OBP and be a terror on the base paths for opposing teams.

• CF – Andrew McCutchen needs to play like it’s 2012. Cutch finally hit his first home run tonight and the first home run for a club that was yearning for it’s first offensive home run. It’s not fair to expect McCutchen to tear up the league like he did for most of last season, but he’s going to have to improve offensively on what he’s done so far this season. He’s leading the team in RBI (4) and stolen bases (4), but his .238 batting average needs to climb over .300 for the team to be successful. He’s the best player on the team and the unquestioned leader. He needs to lead by example and help right the ship.

• RF – The Garrett Jones / Jose Tabata / Travis Snider tandem in right field has been awful and needs a significant upgrade. Between the three of them, they’ve mustered up 3 hits in 31 AB’s. Somebody has to step up and start producing in right field. It’s only a matter of time before the Pirates give Alex Presely another shot. Presley finished the spring with a batting average over .300 and he’s batting .412 with a home run and a double after 4 games at AAA Indianapolis. Regardless, the team needs production in RF to be competitive and I’m not opposed to giving Presley another shot on the big league roster if the other 3 guys do not turn it around quickly.

• Garrit Cole needs to dominate AAA. Many Pirate fans are counting on Cole to arrive in Pittsburgh sometime in June and bring an immediate shot to the arm of the pitching staff. His first start in AAA Indianapolis wasn’t all that impressive as he allowed 5 hits and 3 runs in only 4 innings of work in his first start. The fireballer only had 2 strikeouts in his first outing. The future of the Pittsburgh Pirates is depending on Cole developing into one of the league’s top tier pitchers. For the Pirates to be successful this year, Cole needs to arrive in June and be an upgrade to the starting rotation.

Whether you agree or disagree with how the Pirates brass spent their payroll dollars this season, it’s encouraging to see the payroll likely climb to a figure greater than 70 million. Unfortunately, the Pirates aren’t seeing the return on their investment so far this season. Thankfully, I’m writing this only 6 games into the season, but the club must survive a difficult April so they are not scratching and clawing later in the season to be relevant. Hopefully the upcoming road trip to Arizona will be the first step in turning the corner. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an entire team slump before, but these guys continue to impress me. If they can find a way to get hot as a team, they could even the score very quickly. Here’s to a great series in AZ. Let’s go Bucs! #BUCN.