Getting Draft Ready: The Big Hitters

There are several resources that Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic leans on pretty heavily -- specifically, Football Outsiders, Pro Football Weekly, and Ourlads Scouting Services. In recognition of that fact we decided to feature their mock drafts in a separate posting, and alert you to an update to Mel Kiper's prediction as well.

• Football Outsiders: Jonathan Stewart, Running Back, Oregon.
  
  The experts at Football Outsiders describe Mr. Stewart as "an elite talent," and "a steal" at the twenty-third spot.


• Pro Football Weekly: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Bostone College.
  
  Currently available only in the print edition of the the magazine, PFW personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki believes that Mr. Cherilus could be pressed into starting for the Steelers in his rookie season. And in an online article, Mr. Nawrocki tells us that in conversations with NFL personnel people there is a growing belief that Jonathan Stewart will "become the best pro from this year’s draft."


• Ourlads Scouting Service: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt.
  
  In their print Guide to the NFL Draft: 2008 Ourlads rates Mr. Williams as the third bast offensive tackle available -- ahead of both Jeff Otah and Gosder Cherilus. Of Mr. Williams they say, in part, "[c]an deliver an explosive jolt and punch in pass protection. Good arm length and big hands. Eplosive first step into target."


• Mel Kiper & Todd McShay, ESPN (subscription required): Mr. Kiper: Maclolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma. Mr. McShay: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina.
  
  We mentioned in our previous post that Mr. Kiper had done a spot on ESPN indicating that Mr. Kelly would be the Steelers' first round pick. We can't say that we are very excited about another first round wide receiver. The time that it takes for young receivers to learn the offense seems reason enough not to choose another -- and given the Steelers' re-signing of Nate Washington it would seem especially ill-advised.
  
  As for Mr. McShay's prediction . . . Mr. Balmer seems a bit of a reach even late in the first round. Though he has good size -- 6'4", 308 pounds -- his limited experience (he was a one-year starter at UNC). He is less developed in terms of technique than some who are less physically gifted.

Getting Draft Ready: Gosden Cherilus Up Close

Nolan Nawrocki at Pro Football Weekly offers up his assessment on Boston College offensive tackle Gosden Cherilus.

Mr. Nawrocki sums up Mr. Cherilus thusly: "Has all the physical ability to play left tackle if he can figure it out but likely will be moved back to the right side as a rookie."

A project pick in the first round? We think not.

Getting Draft Ready: Ourlads' Ratings

We've made no secret that Ourlads Scouting Services is one of our favorite sources for quality information on draft eligible college football players. Sure they still deliver their reports through the U.S. mail, but despite their rejection of a more modern delivery system it's tough to find fault in the work they do.

So as we look forward to the NFL combine we'll share some of what Ourlads has to say about the players available at the positions the Steelers are most likely looking at.

Offensive Tackles
Overall this group is rated as "average," with Jake Long (Michigan) identified as the best available prospect. As for players who might be available to the Steelers, Ourlads says of Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) that he is "more of a natural right tackle on the next level." And Oulads indicates that Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) is "a work in progress."

Based upon those assessments it would seem unlikely that other would be a starter in 2008, much less an impact player.

Offensive Guard
While this group also has an overall rating of "average," the top two prosects -- Roy Schuening (Oregon State) and Drew Radovich (USC) -- both get high marks. Ourlads describes Mr. Schuening as "physical and explosive," while Mr. radovich is "aggressive and does a good job using his hands to control a defender."

With Alan Faneca all but out of town, and the drop-off from the #1 offensive tackle to those that follow rather steep, this might be a better option for Pittsburgh on draft day.

Cornerback
We have always called on the Steelers to choose more offensive linemen in the early rounds, so it is somewhat ironic that we now suggest that cornerback might be the best position for the Steelers in round one.

According to Ourlads #1 corner Antoine Cason (Arizona) "has always been matched up on the opponent's best receiver," #2 corner Terrell Thomas (USC) "is a big cover two type corner," and #3 corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) "is a lean cover corner."

Anyone of these players seems capable of challenging for playing time in 2008, and would likely be a special teams contributor immediately.