Jarvis Jones was falling in the draft due to questions about his health, but he claimed the problem wasn’t that serious and the doctors have apparently agreed.  After clearing up the issues about his health, Jones is back to being a top prospect and that’s good news for the Steelers.  Pittsburgh needs a lot of things and one of those things is an outside linebacker moving forward.  Jones can step right in and be a much needed breath of fresh air for a defense that is aging and needs injections of youth and talent all over the map.

 

I had Hankins going in the first round a few months back, but it’s looking like Hankins is a second round talent.  The Steelers need help to reset the aging process on defense, and Hankins is a guy that can help achieve that up front.

Jones would be a solid 1st Round pick by the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

While I believe that there are other better choices for Pittsburgh to make in Round 1, I would not be upset in the least if they made the former Georgia Bulldog their 1st round selection.

Jones (6’2″ 245 lbs.) would be a solid addition to Pittsburgh’s defense, and the outside linebacker possesses the pass-rushing tools to help the Steelers in sub-package situations early in his career.  While I do not agree with Sanchez that Jones will step in right away and basically start in Pittsburgh’s complex defensive scheme, his value as a pass-rusher should allow him to see the field on passing-downs to chip in and help collapse the pocket.

Working Jones in slowly would give him time to develop his game as an all-around outside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, as well as become a better run-defender in terms of using his leverage to set the edge in a more effective manner.

Of course, many have trashed Jones as of late because of his poor workout at Georgia’s Pro Day last month.   Although Jones’ performance was definitely underwhelming, the productivity and the pass-rushing skills he showed during his career at Georgia were terrific.  I certainly do not believe that Jones plays at 4.9/40 speed, and the former Bulldog was at his best against some of Georgia’s best competition during his two-year stay in Athens (2011-2012: 155 tackles, 28.0 sacks, 45.0 tackles for loss).

I will however say that Jarvis’ spinal stenosis condition does worry me.  But as long as he is medically cleared to play, then I would have no issue with the Steelers taking a long look at him.  Although I would rather see Colbert & Co. target other players than Jones in Round 1 (Kenny Vaccaro, Matt Elam, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Arthur Brown), I would definitely be on board if Pittsburgh made him their 1st Round pick.

Hankins is likely to be a Day 2 selection. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

While I would be pleased to see the Steelers select Jones, I cannot say that I would be happy at all to see them select the massive (6’3″ 320 lbs.) Johnathan Hankins.

I for one do not think that Pittsburgh’s brass need to add a nose tackle to their team’s roster at the moment.  Furthermore, I believe that spending a high-round pick on Hankins would be a mistake for the rebuilding franchise like the Steelers.

The Steelers already have Steve McLendon in line to replace veteran Casey Hampton, and Alameda Ta’amu and Hebron Fangupo are set to battle for the backup job.  Sure, Colbert & Co. could add a “human anchor” like Hankins to their roster.  But why would a team carry a total of four nose tackles on their roster, especially when there is a need for help almost everywhere else on the defensive side of the ball?

Although Hankins was a talented and productive player for the Buckeyes (2012: 55 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, All-Big 10 honors), his issues with his weight and his overall “motor” will likely be enormous causes for concern for any team that wants to select him on the first two days of “Draft Weekend.”

With so many other needs on their roster at the moment, the idea of adding a player with questions like Hankins to the roster at a position where depth is actually existent makes little to no sense.  Then again, no move will shock me during this upcoming draft process, and Colbert & Co. could go “Best Player Available” no matter what the position is at any time.

Final Thoughts

Sanchez was definitely right when he said that the Steelers need help on the defensive side of the ball.  Not only does Pittsburgh’s defense lack depth at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, free safety, and strong safety, they could be dangerously thin at cornerback and defensive end by the time next spring rolls around too!

My hope is that defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will actually try to work the young talent acquired through the draft into the lineup on occasion.  I mean, unless Pittsburgh’s defensive guru wants to sit them for two years, play them for two, and then see them leave for greener pastures in free agency a la Keenan Lewis.

I am just crossing my fingers that the Steelers can find some impact defensive players on “Draft Weekend,” because that entire unit will need to be rebuilt over the coming years.

Players Stats Provided By Specific Team Pages: Georgia, Ohio State, and ESPN.com

Players Heights/Weights:  CBSSports.com and NFL Combine Page

Regardless of whether or not one agrees ethically with the type person who defended Ta’amu after his October “joy ride,” Del Greco really helped Pittsburgh’s nose tackle to avoid a laundry list of punishments for the moronic and dangerous crimes he committed last Fall.

Somehow, Ta’amu received what appears to be a very light punishment for a person who according to police did the following:

• Operated a motor vehicle with a .196 BAC.
• Drove down the wrong side of a road and a bridge.
• Hit four parked cars with his Lincoln Navigator.
• Attempted to leave the scene of the automobile carnage.
• Needed four police officers to restrain him when they made the arrest.

Ta’amu must find a way to make the roster this season. Mandatory Credit-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Alameda pleaded guilty to 3 counts of recklessly endangering another person, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest.  Overall, the nose tackle will have to serve 18 months of probation, serve 4 days in a DUI housing facility, pay more than $10,000 in restitution, and perform 150 hours of community service.

With the criminal legal “red-tape” is out of the way now though for Ta’amu (he has already paid close to $150,000 for damages to the four vehicles he struck), Pittsburgh’s 4th Round selection in the 2012 N.F.L. Draft will be able to focus solely on football for the first time since last Fall.  This of course is great news too for the Steelers and their defense, because veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton remains unsigned and is unlikely to return to Pittsburgh.

Positive vibes aside, Ta’amu will no doubt be on a “short-leash” this summer.  In fact, the former Washington Husky will definitely have his work cut out for him just to make the team.  Not only will Alameda have to face off against veteran Steve McLendon, a player who has been groomed to be “Big Snack’s” successor over the last three years, but he must also jockey for backup reps with 2012 late-season signee Hebron “Loni” Fangupo.

I actually did a write-up of Fangupo before the 2012 NFL Draft, and I believe that he has the tools to be an effective developmental nose tackle at the professional level.  Like McLendon, Fangupo also has some positional versatility as well, and played defensive end (5-technique) when during his college days at Brigham Young University.

My hope is that Alameda can work his way into the lineup to help in goal-line and short-yardage situations.  At 6’3” 348 lbs., Ta’amu would be a tremendous weapon to employ in those types of moments, and it would be nice to see him utilize his massive frame to clog the A-gaps against run-heavy packages with the likes of McLendon.

Of course, as I stated before, the soon to be 2nd year player must find a way to make the 53-man roster out of training camp and the preseason first.  Plus, it would do Ta’amu a enormous amount of good to stay out of trouble off of the field, and only concern himself with making headlines for his play on it.

Hankins had a solid career with the Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Johnathan Hankins, Nose Tackle, Ohio State

The Steelers have so many needs that aren’t yet dire needs. They have an aging defense that is slowly withering away, but the unit still has a few years left in it, which affords the front office to pile up replacements in the meantime. Hankins falls to the Steelers by way of some interesting moves before their pick, but you won’t hear them complaining about drafting him. Casey Hampton is 35 and by bringing in Hankins Pittsburgh won’t have to worry about a nose tackle again for another 10 years.

 

I know, I know. Hill seems to be sticking with the thought that the Steelers are in desperate need of help at the Nose Tackle position.  Sure, Casey “Big Snack” Hampton will likely be leaving this offseason, but the Steelers still have options to turn to behind him.  Steve McLendon is projected to be the starter, while 4th Round pick Alameda Ta’amu and 2012 UDFA Hebron Fangupo will likely receive chances to earn backup reps.

The Steelers have too many needs on the Defensive side of the ball, and Offensive side of the ball as well, to waste such a high draft pick on a position with young depth already there.  I’ve made my thoughts clear on the matter of why I believe it would be foolish for Pittsburgh’s brass to go the “Nose Tackle Route” in Round, so for the sake of brevity I’ll link each post where I made the aforementioned argument (here, here, and here).

Even right now, I would have a hard time believing that the Steelers would burn such an important draft pick on a Nose Tackle like Hankins.  Do not get me wrong, the former Buckeye was a productive and talented player in college.  But the 6’3″ 325 lb. Hankins also dealt weight and “motor” issues over the course of his career.  Thus, his selection would be a risky proposition for a rebuilding franchise like Pittsburgh sitting with the 17th overall pick.

In addition, I would definitely be shocked if Pittsburgh’s brass took Hankins over players who were mocked behind the Nose Tackle by Hill.  Players like Wide Receiver Keenan Allen, Safety Matt Elam, Cornerbacks Johnthan Banks and Desmond Trufant, and even Guard Chance Warmack would be better fits with Pittsburgh.  Plus, each player could help to upgrade positions in need of much more help than Nose Tackle.

Thoughts and musings on whether the Steelers “need” a Nose Tackle aside, let’s all agree that this weekend’s Scouting Combine (February 23rd-26th) should be entertaining to watch.

Hankins had a fine career at Ohio State. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Johnathan Hankins, Nose Tackle, Ohio State

The Steelers have so many needs that aren’t yet dire needs. They have an aging defense that is slowly withering away, but the unit still has a few years left in it, which affords the front office to pile up replacements in the meantime. Hankins falls to the Steelers by way of some interesting moves before their pick, but you won’t hear them complaining about drafting him. Casey Hampton is 35 and by bringing in Hankins Pittsburgh won’t have to worry about a nose tackle again for another 10 years.

 

It certainly appears that Hill is locked into his belief that the Steelers will take a Nose Tackle, especially since he has mocked one to them over his last 3 posts. In fact, Hill has posted the same explanation verbatim as to why Pittsburgh apparently needs to draft a player at said position in Round 1 (here and here).

If you readers have followed these “Mock Analysis” posts of mine over the last two months, you know that I believe that it would not make very much sense at all if the Steelers selected a Nose Tackle in the 2013 Draft, let along the 1st Round.  While it is true that the Steelers will almost assuredly not tender the 35 year-old UFA to-be Casey Hampton, the cupboard is anything but bare at Nose Tackle.  Pittsburgh already has a “starter in waiting” in the form of Steve McLendon who has improved in each of his first four seasons in the League.  Plus, the Steelers will likely want to give a number of backup-reps to the two young space-eaters behind McLendon in the forms of Alameda Ta’amu and Hebron Fangupo.

So although Hill’s belief that Pittsburgh’s Defense is “slowly withering away” due to age is correct, I still have one question:

Why would the Steelers take someone like Hankins, who plays a position the team already has young depth at, with the 17th overall pick when they have so many other depth/potential starter issues to fill elsewhere?

Take Alec Ogletree for instance.  In the event that the Georgia Inside Linebacker falls to the Steelers at #17, I would have a tough time believing that they would pass on him to select another Nose Tackle.  Pittsburgh has almost zero experienced depth at Inside Linebacker, and 2012 starter and veteran Larry Foote might not be re-signed this year.  I’m not a Steelers Coach, but I have a hard time believing that the Coaching Staff has any sort of confidence in Stevenson Sylvester and Sean Spence at this point, and Foote was a downright liability in pass-coverage last year.

In addition to Ogletree, I would be shocked if the Steelers selected a Nose Tackle over a pass-rusher like Alex Okafor, an athletic project like Dion Jordan, or a star who could fall due to injury concerns like Jarvis Jones.  Pittsburgh’s Outside Linebackers had yet another down year in terms of productivity in 2012, and their ability to collapse the pocket was inconsistent to say the least.  In terms of the starters, soon to be 35 year-old veteran James Harrison could very well be a cap-casualty this offseason due how much he counts against the cap, while LaMarr Woodley was injured yet again and drastically underperformed for how much he was getting paid.  Although top backup Jason Worilds has flashed his talent at times over his three-year career, he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent after this year ends.  Behind Worilds are 2011 5th Round pick Chris Carter, who underwhelmed this past year to the tune of 8 Tackles and 0.0 Sacks, and 2012 UDFA Adrian Robinson who was exclusively a Special Teams player during his Rookie campaign.  If the aforementioned situation is not one that cries for an upgrade, I don’t know what is.

Pittsburgh would also be better off targeting a quick and hard-hitting Safety like Matt Elam with the 17th overall pick instead of an interior Defensive Lineman.  Much like their situation at Inside and Outside Linebacker, the Steelers have relatively little to no depth to speak of at either Safety spot behind the aging Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark.  Veterans Will Allen and Ryan Mundy will both be UFA’s this offseason, and it is unlikely that Colbert & Co. will be able to afford both players who are non-starters.  2012 UDFA Robert Golden will likely receive more sub-package reps next year, but logic would tell me that the Steelers will elect to add more depth, and at least a future starter to groom, at one of the Safety positions during the Draft process.

Cornerback Johnthan Banks would be a nice fit with the Steelers as well, especially if #2 Corner Keenan Lewis is not re-signed by the franchise during the offseason.  Banks is a tall and physical Cornerback, who fits very well in a Zone-based scheme, and can stick his nose in the scrum and play against the run.  Banks possesses a skill-set that the Steelers have greatly valued in the Cornerbacks which they have drafted/acquired in recent seasons, and would be a potential replacement for Lewis if he leaves.  The 2012 Jim Thorpe Award winner is also a bit of a ball-hawk, and unlike some of Pittsburgh’s Corners these days, he CAN CATCH THE FOOTBALL (16 career INT’s)!  What makes Banks an even more intriguing prospect is the fact that he also acquired some experience at the Free Safety position when he was in college.  So if Banks is asked to shift spots and puts on a bit more weight, he could transition nicely to the back-end of the Secondary if the Steelers need him to do it.

Finally, as I alluded to in a post from over the weekend, the Steelers might also be interested in adding a talented Wide Receiver to their team like Keenan Allen of California.  “Butterfingers” Wallace will likely head to “greener” pastures during the offseason, and Pittsburgh’s Offense could definitely use a tall and talented play-making pass-catcher to compliment Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders going forward.  If the Steelers’ passing game has one glaring weakness, it is the lack of a large and physical pass-catcher who can not only stretch the field, but create matchup nightmares in the Red Zone to boot.  Allen has the potential to fit that bill,  and it would not shock me if Colbert & Co. selected him at #17 to improve the Offense.

Final Thoughts

Make no mistake readers, Hankins is a 1st Round talent, and should develop into an effective Nose Tackle at the professional level.  He has the size and skill-set to become a solid player down the road, and enjoyed a very productive career at Ohio State.

Yet I see no scenario whatsoever in which G.M. Kevin Colbert and the rest of the Steelers’ brass pass on the players who I discussed above to add a 4th Nose Tackle to their roster with the amount of needs the franchise must fill.  If in fact McLendon does not pan out this year, or Fangupo and Ta’amu are not capable backups, then Nose Tackle will be a pressing need come the Spring of 2014, and I would totally be on board if the team went in that direction in Round 1. But McLendon has the inside track to the new job, and even has a seal of approval from the guy he is replacing in Hampton.

So with those things in mind, I just cannot see Pittsburgh’s Front Office making Nose Tackle a high priority, if one at all, come Draft Weekend 2013.

Readers: Should the Steelers take a Nose Tackle in Round 1?  Should they take a Nose Tackle at all?  Share below.

Jenkins is one of the Draft’s most talented NT’s. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

John Jenkins, Nose Tackle, Georgia

The Steelers need to upgrade their Defense across the board, and that has more to do with age than it does talent.  While Manti Te’o is a decent pick here, seeing as the Steelers run with two interior linebackers, nose tackle Casey Hampton is one of the oldest players on the defense, and Jonathan Jenkins is a vastly underrated prospect.  Either Te’o, who like my colleague Josh Sanchez says as well, will fall in this draft and Pittsburgh could use either one.

Hill mocked Jenkins to the Steelers in his last installment, and he has also decided to do so yet again this week.  Jenkins is a fine player, make no mistake.  Yet when one looks at Pittsburgh’s current depth chart at the Nose Tackle position, the idea of the franchise actually going in that direction in Round 1 would be truly asinine.  Heck, even if Hampton is cut/retires this offseason, the Steelers would still have THREE Nose Tackles at their disposal heading into Draft Day: Steve McLendon, Alameda Ta’amu, and the newly acquired Hebron Fangupo.

First of all, why Hill again omitted Steve McLendon from his discussion of the Steelers’ Nose Tackles, I do not know.  But it would have been a good idea to include McLendon in Hill’s analysis, especially when #90 is considered to be the team’s starter at the position next year.  I for one am excited to see more of McLendon in 2013 as he played well in spurts this part year.  On any other team, McLendon would have received more playing time over the course of 2012.  Sadly, because Rookies seem to always give way to veterans in spite of how effective both players are, McLendon had to ride the pine behind “Big Snack” for most of the 2013 campaign.  McLendon has been groomed over the last four seasons to be Hampton’s heir apparent, and the starting gig should be his to lose next year.

In addition to McLendon, the Steelers will likely have their 2012 4th Round selection, Ta’amu, competing with their newly signed 2012 Rookie waiver acquisition, Fangupo, for the top backup job at the Nose next year.  Although both were inactive for most of the season, Ta’amu and Fangupo possess enough talent to become solid backup options in their second seasons, and will likely be given every opportunity to play second-fiddle to McLendon in 2013

Ta’amu will be looking to build off of his tumultuous Rookie year, and will hopefully be able to realize the potential Pittsburgh’s brass saw in him when they traded up in the 4th Round to select him last April.  Hopefully Alameda will be able to work past his recent run-in with the law, because his ability to eat space in the trenches is terrific.   Like Ta’amu, I am also interested to see how Fangupo performs next year because he had gained some experience as a 5-Technique Defensive End in college at Brigham Young.  Although the competition will not inspire big headlines, the competition between Ta’amu and Fangupo for playing time/roster spot behind McLendon will be something to watch for this Summer.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the acquisition of another Nose Tackle would make little to no sense for a team like the Steelers.  Larry Foote and Keenan Lewis will be Unrestricted Free Agents this offseason, Ryan Clark along with Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood will be set to become UFA’s after the 2013 campaign, and James Harrison will be due two more big paydays over the final years of his current contract.  Then when one factors in how ineffective LaMarr Woodley has been over the last two years, plus all of Troy Polamalu’s recent injuries, it is pretty evident that Nose Tackle depth is the least of Pittsburgh’s numerous Defensive problems from a personnel perspective.

Overall, the Steelers will need an Inside Linebacker, an Outside Linebacker, help at both Safety spots, and the addition of another Cornerback would not hurt one bit.  At #17, or wherever they end up selecting in Round 1 this April, Pittsburgh is sure to find a play-maker at either of those five positions before they add a 4th Nose Tackle to their roster.  Thus, it would be truly asinine if G.M. Kevin Colbert actually wasted such an important pick on a 4th Nose Tackle, especially when the beleaguered Steelers’ Defense has so many holes and depth issues at other positions.

I would much rather see McLendon get his shot to start in 2013, the two youngsters duke it out for backup reps all offseason long, and the Steelers take an impact player at another Defensive position in Round 1. But hey, that’s just my take on the whole situation.

How about you readers?  Should the Steelers take a Nose Tackle in Round 1?  Should they take one at all?  You know where I stand on the situation, now it’s your turn to chime in with your thoughts and musings.