Mike Mayock Speaks

Mel Kiper is the best known of the "draft experts," but another who has gained a loyal following is Mike Mayock of the NFL Network. Mr. Mayock conducted a conference call for the media last week, and several of his comments touched upon players who have been rumored to be of interest to the Steelers.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: "Jonathan Stewart is . . . a 238‑pound tailback that ran 4.5, highly‑productive, played through pain, through injuries, great balance, stays on his feet through hits. My only knock on him after watching a bunch of tape is I don't see a second gear; I don't see him stick his foot in the ground and all of a sudden accelerate to a different level. I think he's going to be a very good back in the League, I just don't see any backs this year that are anywhere comparable to, say, Adrian Peterson."

Branden Albert, G, Virginia: "Branden Albert, the guard from Virginia, has thrown his hat in the ring as a tackle. He could be a top ten pick, and he could jump ahead of Clady and Otah . . . to me, when I put the tape on after he declared as a junior, actually I called Howie Long who I'd known for 30 years and I said, 'Howie, who the heck is this Branden Albert kid . . . I don't know him.' Howie said, 'Do yourself a favor put the tape on tonight. Don't wait. He's the most explosive in space interior line man I've ever seen at the college level.' I put the tape on that night. Howie was right. Kid makes plays, finishes plays in space, he's long, he's athletic, he kicked outside the left tackle two games this year, got better the second game. He's the kind of guy that down the road could be a left tackle. If so, his value will be higher. So, regardless, he's a first round pick as an interior player. If somebody believes he's a left tackle, he'll be a top ten pick."

Draft Quality: "Regarding this particular Draft, I think it's real deep, deeper than the last three or four years, through about 75 picks. So if you're picking 1 through 75 and have multiple picks 1 through 75, you're in real good shape. I think it tails off after that, not as strong at the bottom end as it has been the last couple years, and I think in the top 10, it's a very strong class, but I don't think it's got maybe the superstar nature of last year's where you had a Joe Thomas step in, play at a Pro Bowl level, and an Adrian Peterson step in and play immediately at a Pro Bowl level."

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: Underclassmen Set

January 15, 2008 was the deadline for collegiate players with eligibility remaining to officially make themselves available for the NFL draft. Our friends at College Football Talk have the updated list which includes running back Jonathan Stewart of Oregon.

Being on the West Coast we get to see Mr. Stewart with a certain amount of regularity, and have always been impressed by his ability to run both inside and outside -- much like my Maurice Jones-Drew. How good is he? Well, former Dallas Cowboys general manager Gil Brandt, appearing on Sirius radio's The Red Zone predicted that Jonathan Stewart will be chosen ahead of the more heralded Darren McFadden.

For those wondering what the first round of the draft might look like, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. has posted his predictions on ESPN.com -- with Darren McFadden going #4 and Jonathan Stewart going #16.